COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Protesters came together to support Shelton Adams, 38, who was wrestled to the ground by three Grant Medical Center security officers.

The rally was held on Thursday across the street from the hospital.

Cell phone video taken on Monday shows Adams taking a step forward towards the officers and then is shoved back. He then appears to flick his cigarette at them and is then maced, beaten with a baton and taken down to the ground. 

Organizers said they’re speaking out against what they saw as excessive force.

“To be treated like that and to have to go to jail, it just makes your experience even worse,” said community activist Jodi Howell.

Adams was arrested for disorderly conduct, but the charges were dropped and the case was closed. He was released from jail last night.

“I’m glad the charges were dropped, but that does not erase his experience,” said Howell. “It does not erase his two days in jail.”

OhioHealth responded to the incident saying the initial investigation found the officers followed protocols, but they believe there was an opportunity to exercise more compassion. 

The three officers have been placed on a “fact-finding suspension” while the hospital investigates.

“Who can you trust? There’s no one to trust,” said protester Christine Davis.

During the rally, protesters held signs saying “Your protocol is abuse”.

Davis said the way Adams was treated was totally uncalled for.

“I watched that thing over and over and over again and I said, ‘What in the world? What in the world?’ There was no reason for them to do that, act in that manner whatsoever,” she said.

Howell said she wants to know what will happen next to the security officers involved.

“How is it going to make people feel when they have to come here and know that those same officers and security are the people that has to keep them safe?” she said. “It’s just way too much. It’s out of control. Enough is enough.”

OhioHealth said they will release the results of their investigation as soon as they have them.

NBC4 went to Adam’s residence and were not able to get a comment from him.Keep checking NBC4i.com for real-time updates on this story. To get alerts for breaking news, grab the free NBC4 News App for iPhone or Android. You can also sign up for email alerts.