Combat Racial Injustice in WI: C's Story

“Slavery has not ended; it's evolved.” Bryan Stevenson

This is an opportunity to confront racist systems directly today in Wisconsin.

My friend Jennifer Morales is a queer parent to a Black son who is bound in a legal nightmare exacerbated by a nearly all-white, racist small Wisconsin town judicial system and police force. C has faced false charges in this system before and proved in court that the police were lying. We wonder if this current situation is revenge for that victory.

Jennifer is a courageous and mighty friend, incredible organizer, and fiercely supportive force in her community who continues to do so much for so many people through her organizing work. Many of us who are white or pass for white do not carry the more expensive and dangerous burdens of racism on a daily basis. Today we, her friends and community, have an opportunity to step in and support her and her son, C.

Here is the full story, told by Jennifer, with her son's name given as 'C'to protect his identity:

“As a teenager, C left his childhood home due to abuse and entered the foster care system. He graduated high school, entered the workforce, and started a family. C is the sole parent for two of his kids (his teen daughters) and has shared custody for two others. He's a great dad who creates and holds firm boundaries because he knows how easy it can be for Black children to get caught up in harmful systems in this society.

"In November 2023, C took away phone privileges from his underage daughters after discovering they had been texting and exchanging photos with older men (strangers). In response, the younger one turned a small bruise (likely from playing with her brother) into a child abuse claim at school. CPS got involved, as did the police, and C’s two daughters were taken away without notice. C was presumed guilty by the police, who didn’t even let him know that his children were with CPS. We spent a terrifying night not knowing where the girls were.

"C has been falsely charged with a single count of child abuse (a felony) and now faces up to 6 years in prison for something he didn't do. In the girls’ most recent foster placement with a trusted family member, the girls again got in trouble for using their phones for inappropriate content and contact with older men, including sharing work and home addresses. They lied to CPS about mistreatment there as well, putting that household in legal jeopardy. They are now in a third home.

"I’m C's former foster mom and I consider him my son. I’ve used every dollar I had on lawyer bills and custody-related expenses on this case, over $17,000. We have a great lawyer who is willing to defend C against these false charges and reunite him with his girls.

"C hasn't been allowed to see or communicate with them since November 2023. He is devastated and heartbroken every day he can't be with his kids, especially on holidays, birthdays and other milestones. C continues to keep up a house that his girls can return home to. These days, C puts a lot of energy into keeping his head down. He sticks to going to his job and straight home again to avoid further targeting or punishment for 'being outside or in public while Black.'

"CPS has approved the girls’ return to C's home, but that can’t happen until the criminal charge is defeated.

"C has continued working to support his children so they can be reunited and grow together through family therapy that addresses the damage caused by this situation."

Nearly two years of upheaval has been exhausting and depleting on many levels (financially, emotionally, physically) for C, Jennifer, and all of us actively supporting C and the girls. The impacts of the harm done by the judicial system are felt every day and will reverberate for years, if not entire lifetimes.

No amount of money can cover the trauma inflicted on victims of police racism and their families drawn into the web of state-inflicted harm. But we can help ease the burden of these unreasonable expenses for this innocent, hard working Black man and our dear Jennifer. This is a tangible opportunity to commit to the lifelong practice of abolition and antiracism work in our own lives and communities.

Wrongfully convicting, framing, and forcing vulnerable people into plea deals for crimes they didn’t commit is a key profit pipeline for the prison industrial complex. According to a report put out by the University of California Irvine, "African Americans are only 13% of the American population but a majority of innocent defendants wrongfully convicted of crimes and later exonerated."

Any amount you can contribute toward burgeoning lawyer bills and costs related to compliance with custody rules is a huge support to C, his family and all who love them. Please donate any amount you can, and share this within your networks!