Help Keep Black Trans Man Safe at Home
Donation protected
Hello, community near and far. I hope you are as well as you can be in this trying, chaotic time. I am reaching out to ask your financial support for my family at this time.
On July 22nd Zaire Harper, a 27 year old Black trans man, was arrested for drug possession along with a full car of other people. He also carries brass knuckles for protection, which unfortunately is another charge. My family has found a Black lawyer who is confident that he can help Zaire stay out of a cage and home with his family. The full cost of the lawyer is $20,000 with half that amount due ASAP. Zaire's first court date is August 12, 2020.
Zaire, a person who suffers from mental illness and first encountered the justice system as a young juvenile. He also has a previous felony, which makes this situation more dangerous. Since his release from prison over five years ago, he has maintained a job at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) for over a year, begin paying rent independently where he currently resides, and watch three younger siblings and countless (!) children who he loves and has become a parental figure for, just because that's his way.
But do not label my cousin violent or unloving. He is a share half his food, make you laugh until your stomach and jaw hurt, stop for strangers in the street to fight injustice, encourage you consider all sides of the equation, and show up for your family, always, type of person.
I say this not to suggest that any Black person deserves to be locked in a cage. Or to plea with anyone that his life is "good" enough. But rather, see his humanity, see the duality, nuance, fear, misjudgement that lives within all of us. And remember that he is also here because of the systems that both failed and targeted him since childhood.
I know lots of folks are asking for support right now, but anything helps. If you can support Zaire and my family in keeping him out of prison and safe at home, please and thank you so much.
Very Best,
Yaya (they/them) on behalf of Zaire (he/him).
Venmo: @yayasabb
Cashapp $sweetpapasbread
On July 22nd Zaire Harper, a 27 year old Black trans man, was arrested for drug possession along with a full car of other people. He also carries brass knuckles for protection, which unfortunately is another charge. My family has found a Black lawyer who is confident that he can help Zaire stay out of a cage and home with his family. The full cost of the lawyer is $20,000 with half that amount due ASAP. Zaire's first court date is August 12, 2020.
Zaire, a person who suffers from mental illness and first encountered the justice system as a young juvenile. He also has a previous felony, which makes this situation more dangerous. Since his release from prison over five years ago, he has maintained a job at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) for over a year, begin paying rent independently where he currently resides, and watch three younger siblings and countless (!) children who he loves and has become a parental figure for, just because that's his way.
But do not label my cousin violent or unloving. He is a share half his food, make you laugh until your stomach and jaw hurt, stop for strangers in the street to fight injustice, encourage you consider all sides of the equation, and show up for your family, always, type of person.
I say this not to suggest that any Black person deserves to be locked in a cage. Or to plea with anyone that his life is "good" enough. But rather, see his humanity, see the duality, nuance, fear, misjudgement that lives within all of us. And remember that he is also here because of the systems that both failed and targeted him since childhood.
I know lots of folks are asking for support right now, but anything helps. If you can support Zaire and my family in keeping him out of prison and safe at home, please and thank you so much.
Very Best,
Yaya (they/them) on behalf of Zaire (he/him).
Venmo: @yayasabb
Cashapp $sweetpapasbread
Organizer
Ayaana Sabb
Organizer
New York, NY
