Shakka support and solidarity

My name is Josiah and I am raising funds for a friend in need. Shakka is a musician, a maker, a father and an active community member.

On Wednesday September 14th, a bailiff came to remove him from his Larchmere Boulevard home. He had been paying his monthly rent into escrow and was in a legal struggle with Montlack Realty, the landlord, who was refusing to update some unsafe and unlivable conditions of the house. When the resident told the bailiff that the eviction was unlawful the bailiff called for police back up.

Police descended on this man’s home with assault weapons and armored vehicles. They blocked off Larchmere Boulevard and would not allow community members to access their stores and homes. Snipers pointed guns at this man’s home while he and his 11 year old son were inside. When community members tried to advocate for the man and his son the police threatened to handcuff them and take them to jail. The police finally withdrew after over two hours of holding the man and his son hostage in their home.

Then on Monday September 19th, as he stood outside his home with two neighbors and friends around 7 police cars pulled up and arrested him for “inducing panic” and “obstructing police business”. They took him to a facility in Solon, and has since been transported to County.

Montlack Realty, the landlord in question, is currently selling off 1500 units of housing and is being sued by the city regarding the upkeep of a large apartment building in the same neighborhood.

Let’s be clear about what’s happening here. When a person is in need and suffering from the exacerbating fear, mental stress, and destabilizing effects of a housing crisis, the City and police prioritized and protected property over people. They didn’t ask questions, they didn’t bring in a mental health response team (which they do have in Shaker Heights), but instead came at a Black man and his 11 year old child with weapons drawn inciting the very panic he is accused of inciting.

All money raised will go to bail and rehousing. Thank you for your support.