Recovery Fund for CJ
Donation protected
Please donate to help CJ cover medical and legal expenses!
Last week, CJ was assaulted, arrested, and charged with two felonies by township police for driving while Black. This is a story we know too well. But it is also an opportunity to stand in solidarity and help a member of our community recover from a traumatic experience.
This is CJ's story in his own words:
"I usually dont get on fb to vent, but this has been bothering me. You see crazy things in the news, and would never think that itll happen to you. But when it does happen to you.... All i do is work and chill. I was leaving the shop Friday night. I made 2 lefts headed down m-139 going towards pipestone. I see the police coming in the opposite direction. Once they passed me, i immediately looked in my rearview mirror bc ik im a target for township. I saw them make a u-turn and i already knew they were coming for me. I approached the light in the left turning lane and they clocked me. I was already on the phone with my cousin on speaker. 2 officers approached my car with hands on their guns. I cracked my window, the officer said "give me your lisence". I asked what was the problem, he told me he didnt have to tell me. "Youre not going to tell me why i was pulled over???" He said again, i dont have to tell you why, then instructed me to turn my car off and step out of the car. I let my window back up and locked my doors. They both beat on my windows, threatened break them, and give me 2 felonies.... He told me to get out of the car again but leaned against my door. I asked twice if he could give me room to open the door but he didn't. So i slightly opened my door and the 2nd officer snatches the door open, grabs me, tries to pull me out of the car. The next thing i knew, he shot me twice!.. I was terrified! Looking for blood on my shirt, i felt constant shocks and saw 2 wires in my skin. I had never been tased b4. It does not feel good.They threw me to the ground, put a knee on my head, placed me in cuffs, told me to stop resisting, then called for back up, all while i was still being tased on the ground. In seconds i saw police surrounding me everywhere. At least 10 more officers came to the scene. I thought this was it!. I thought i was next!. After a few mins they picked me up and put me in the truck. I watched them take everything out of my car, then tow it down the street.. Took my blackass TO jail without booking me. My brother bonded me out the next day. I never signed a paper or submitted any prints. I have court next Thursday and im not sure why im going. 2 felony counts of resisting and obstruction, and im not sure why i was pulled over and arrested in the 1st place."
Please donate and share.
Last week, CJ was assaulted, arrested, and charged with two felonies by township police for driving while Black. This is a story we know too well. But it is also an opportunity to stand in solidarity and help a member of our community recover from a traumatic experience.
This is CJ's story in his own words:
"I usually dont get on fb to vent, but this has been bothering me. You see crazy things in the news, and would never think that itll happen to you. But when it does happen to you.... All i do is work and chill. I was leaving the shop Friday night. I made 2 lefts headed down m-139 going towards pipestone. I see the police coming in the opposite direction. Once they passed me, i immediately looked in my rearview mirror bc ik im a target for township. I saw them make a u-turn and i already knew they were coming for me. I approached the light in the left turning lane and they clocked me. I was already on the phone with my cousin on speaker. 2 officers approached my car with hands on their guns. I cracked my window, the officer said "give me your lisence". I asked what was the problem, he told me he didnt have to tell me. "Youre not going to tell me why i was pulled over???" He said again, i dont have to tell you why, then instructed me to turn my car off and step out of the car. I let my window back up and locked my doors. They both beat on my windows, threatened break them, and give me 2 felonies.... He told me to get out of the car again but leaned against my door. I asked twice if he could give me room to open the door but he didn't. So i slightly opened my door and the 2nd officer snatches the door open, grabs me, tries to pull me out of the car. The next thing i knew, he shot me twice!.. I was terrified! Looking for blood on my shirt, i felt constant shocks and saw 2 wires in my skin. I had never been tased b4. It does not feel good.They threw me to the ground, put a knee on my head, placed me in cuffs, told me to stop resisting, then called for back up, all while i was still being tased on the ground. In seconds i saw police surrounding me everywhere. At least 10 more officers came to the scene. I thought this was it!. I thought i was next!. After a few mins they picked me up and put me in the truck. I watched them take everything out of my car, then tow it down the street.. Took my blackass TO jail without booking me. My brother bonded me out the next day. I never signed a paper or submitted any prints. I have court next Thursday and im not sure why im going. 2 felony counts of resisting and obstruction, and im not sure why i was pulled over and arrested in the 1st place."
Please donate and share.
Organizer and beneficiary
Luke Lavanway
Organizer
Benton Harbor, MI
Cornelius Bell
Beneficiary