The Latin American Community Association has requested a private meeting with Calgary's police chief as they collect signatures on a petition urging charges be dropped against Juan Melendez.

The 37-year-old SAIT student was charged last week with resisting arrest, but he claims he was the victim of police brutality.

The Latino community has taken up his cause.

In just one day of circulating the petition, 400 people have signed, said association spokesman Don Wise.

"It's snowballing," Wise said. "We're getting calls from well beyond the Latino community."

He said the petition will be presented at Chief Christine Silverberg's office at noon Wednesday.

"We're going to make it very clear to the police that they have the option now of restoring confidencein the rule of law by withdrawing thae charges," Wise said.

Silverberg was out of town Monday but previously stated she is eager to meet the association representatives. She sent them a letter last week.

The police force has launched an internal investigation into the allegations of police brutality, which stem from an undercover prostitution sting Aug. 17.

Melendez is scheduled for his second appearance in provincial court at 9 a.m. Thursday on charges of assaulting a police officer and obstructing the police.

Association leaders want to meet with the chief and have the charges dropped before then.

"We definitely want a meeting with her before Thursday," Wise said. "These charges, as far as we're concerned, have no merit because the police did not identify themselves as police officers before they got into an altercation with Juan. He assumed he was being whacked by a street thug."

A rally has been planned for Thursday evening at the Las Americas Community Centre in northeast Calgary to either celebrate or protest, depending on what happens with the charges, Wise said.

Deputy Chief Peter Copple said the association's request for a meeting was received Monday afternoon.

"We're most interested in meeting with them," he said.