BLOUNTSTOWN, FL (WTXL) - The Florida NAACP is calling for state and federal agencies to investigate the death of a Blountstown woman.
Barbara Dawson died after she was arrested outside the Calhoun-Liberty Hospital.
The focus of a meeting held Wednesday night by the organization was regarding the "the inhumane and negligent treatment" of Dawson, an African-American woman who was removed from the hospital by police and shortly after died in their custody.
Dale Landry, Second Vice President of the Florida NAACP, says he believes Dawson would've received better treatment and would possibly still be alive today had she been white: "Our point here is we believe, based on what we've seen in the past, it boils back down to race, it falls back down to race. But even more important it also falls back to social economic status too."
Landry says there are a total of four separate investigations going into the death of the 57-year-old, including multiple by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Dawson was arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing after refusing to leave the ER.
According to the police report, she died following her arrest. The medical examiner's office says she died from a blood clot in her lungs.
However, her family and the NAACP says she was pleading for help, that they say, she didn't receive.
Blountstown Police has dash cam video of the incident and has yet to release it.
According to the Florida NAACP, leaders are working to get the FBI and the U.S. Attorney General involved in the case.
