How Filming Police Changed my Life

Hi my name is Jamar Rogers, I’m a 28 year old military Veteran, a husband, a father and a hard working American just trying to make a living to take care of my family. I was the passenger of a traffic stop and I decided to exercise my first amendment right to record government officials engaged in their duties in a public. I was assaulted and sustained injury’s and My phone was taken from me as I recorded and Chicago Police officers went through my phone and deleted all video evidence I had of their abuse of power and misconduct. Fortunate enough for me most of the incident was captured on police body camera. I followed up by filing complaints against and Chicago police and getting legal representation to hold them accountable. As a result of me doing this I have been retaliated against and falsely arrested for “Attempted Trespass to Vehicle” for filming inside a “police officers personal vehicle” from the public sidewalk without there permission and verbally “obstructing police without force” because I refuse to ID myself for filming their car from a public sidewalk. Following the arrest my personal phone, my work phone and work lap top was taken for evidence by police which prevented me from being able to work for months and ultimately I was terminated. Prosecutors tried to take this to trial where it was later dropped because I wouldn’t plead guilty but I am out of a job and in need of help to pay legal representation to continue to go forward with this case and hold them accountable for the damages me and my family have endured.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and anything helps.