Thousands of Ethopian Israelis have protested in Tel Aviv against racism and police brutality.

The rally was sparked after footage emerged purporting to show an Ethiopian Israeli in an army uniform being beaten by police.

A link to the original video that sparked tonight’s by Ethiopian Israelis against police brutality http://t.co/KN7utgFGzE— Ruth Marks Eglash (@reglash) May 3, 2015

Ethopians have been banned from donating blood in Israel .. and the country’s health ministry has investigated claims that women were given birth-control injections without their knowledge or consent.

“Why aren’t we allowed to have a good life?,” asked one demonstrator. “If we are okay this will mean that the Israeli people will be ok too.”

Demonstrators chanted “Violent police officers belong in jail,” and “not black and not white, we are all people.”

One protester in Tel Aviv says ‘we are not Ethiopians, we are Israelis of Ethiopian heritage. Who are our leaders? We are Israelis….‘— Ruth Ma