<div>Greetings, my name is Jaiel Joseph, and I’m writing to you today as a close friend and brother to Elijah “Eli” Hooks, a young man whose character and heart have inspired so many of us since the moment we met.



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<div>I first encountered Elijah in 2022 when we both started our journey as freshmen at the University. From day one, it was clear that Elijah wasn’t just another student. He was a force of nature, someone with an unwavering commitment to justice, service, and faith. Hailing from a small town with less than 4,000 people, he brought that genuine country heart and small-town values to everything he did.



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<div>Elijah has always had a deep sense of purpose. He became a student senator and later attorney general, not for the title but because he truly cared about representing the needs of his peers. He stood up for what was right, even when it was uncomfortable. He poured his heart into the university and its community, making it a better place for all who came after him.



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<div>But on September 17, 2025, everything changed. Elijah was beaten, choked, and assaulted by University Police and attacked in a coordinated effort to take his life whilst in custody. He was wrongfully arrested and expelled from the very university he had dedicated his time and efforts to serve. The events leading to this moment were shocking, heartbreaking, and a painful reminder of the lengths some institutions will go to in order to suppress the truth and silence those who dare to speak out.



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<div>What happened to Elijah wasn’t just a violation of his rights. It was an act of injustice, a deliberate attempt to break him and prevent him from using his voice to call for change. Elijah was physically assaulted, unlawfully detained, and subjected to inhumane conditions, all for standing up against a broken system. And while Elijah may have been silenced for a moment, his spirit remains unshaken.



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<div>I’m reaching out to you all because Elijah needs our support. Not just emotionally, but also financially, as he faces the aftermath of this ordeal—medical bills, legal fees, and the ongoing challenges of rebuilding his life and fighting for justice, also to help me manage this GoFundMe as his friend. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will go toward helping him heal and ensuring that he doesn’t have to bear this burden alone.



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<div>This isn’t just about one person’s fight. It’s about all of us. Elijah’s story is a reminder that we must continue to stand for what is right, even when the cost is high. Let’s rally around him in this time of need and help him continue his fight for justice. Elijah’s strength and courage have already inspired so many, and now it’s our turn to help him rise again.



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<div>Thank you for your love, prayers, and support. We believe in the power of community, and we believe that together, we can make a difference.



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<div>With gratitude,



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<div>Jaiel Joseph



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Heather Roberts

Annie Sims

Marcus Carlton

Angelique Tricoche

Morris Cheeks

KAWAN AFRE

Anonymous

Aishah Mujahid

Diane Mckinney

Aidan Wilson

Mary Bruton

Karen Jackson

Malene McCray

Justice For Elijah Hooks

Just $498$500$499$498$497$496 to go! Make an impact.

Justice For Elijah Hooks

Just $498 to go!
Make an impact.