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Julia Miller and Martin Mashon legal defense fund

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On January 26th 2019, right as a polar vortex with life threatening temps was about to hit the area, as part of our volunteer outreach Punks With Lunch Lansing, that provides food and necessities to at risk and homeless people, Martin and I entered the CATA bus station to purchase tokens to pass out to those in need.

After the purchase we headed to the exit but not before we overheard a conversation between a security guard and LPD discussing the removal of some homeless individuals who were waiting on a bus.

We inquired what their crime was- loitering. We pointed out that they were waiting for a bus, we had overheard them saying as much. The officer stated "I don't care if they freeze, I don't care if they die" as well as other cruel things.

The police asked if we were there to catch a bus, asked for Martin's ID and arrested him for tresspassing and resisting arrest, he did NOT resist. I attempted to record the arrest and was blocked by the security guard from recording or moving ahead to the closest exit. Moments later I had more LPD cops at my back, I was arrested for tresspassing as well, even though my ability to leave was hindered by CATA security, each time I asked him to move so I could exit he moved closer to me and blocked my way out.

I have a pretrial on March 25th, Martin has an arraignment on March 21st. I am ineligible for a court appointed attorney because my potential punishment is less than 92 days in jail. I cannot afford an attorney.  Martin will likely be allowed a court appointed attorney but they are still not free..we'd like to get a good attorney to help us fight this and stand up for what is right.

The only thing we are guilty of is not giving our ID which is within our legal rights and for caring about disadvantaged people who were about to be unjustly thrown out into life threatening temperatures.

Any funds raised beyond what is needed for our legal fees will be donated to JIMHO, (Justice In Mental Health Organization) a local day shelter that advocates for people with mental health issues, the majority of their participants are homeless.
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  • Anonymous
    • $475 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Julia Miller
Organizer
Lansing, MI

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