A mother whose son was ripped from her arms at the hands of police during a violent arrest gave a moving speech to New York city council members.

Jazmine Headley is a single mother who made headlines after a disturbing video surfaced of New York Police Department officers using excessive force on the woman for sitting down in a public assistance office. In a meeting captured by NowThis News, Headley recounts the incident, which took place at the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) office.

"I am a new mom. I am a single parent. I needed childcare so I can work and build on our future. I want to go back to school eventually," she said.

"So after taking off work, waiting many hours with my public assistance case, I was exhausted. I sat on the floor with my son in the stroller, I was just going to wait it out. A simple desire to rest ended with me getting arrested," Headley continued.

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She went on to say how her son was violently snatched from her when she sat down to rest after the long day. Before continuing, she broke down in tears as she shared the love parents have for their children.

As Blavity previously reported, the 23-year-old was sent to New York's Rikers Island prison after being booked for resisting arrest. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez both advocated for her immediate release, citing the arrest served no purpose.

Before receiving a standing ovation from the audience, Headley advocated for the equal treatment and respect for women like herself.

The mother whose 1-year-old son was ripped from her arms by police received a standing ovation from the NY city council — here is how she is hoping to effect change pic.twitter.com/69q71MUVMj

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) February 19, 2019

"Honestly, what happened to me felt like a slap in the face. I've given my life to this city. I was born here, raised here, I pay taxes. I went to school here. I keep and kept good jobs," she said. "Police should never be called in these situations."

Speaker Corie Johnson issued an apology along with Laurie Cumbo, a Black city council majority leader.

"I know as a single Black woman, mother, in New York City you have to carry yourself with the 'don't even think about messing with me, I'm the toughest woman in the world' and sometimes all that strength gets misunderstood," Cumbo said.

Now, check these out:

Mother Speaks Out After 1-Year-Old Was Snatched From Her During Violent Arrest

Sexual Assault Survivor Granted Parole After Decades Long Incarceration

Court Rules That NYPD Body Camera Footage Must Be Made Public

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