Back John Choe's Fight Against Wrongful Charges

Justice for John Choe

John Choe is a community organizer based in New York City and a member of the Religious Society of Friends. He was traveling South with a leading to witness the peace testimony with a concern for racial and social justice.

On Sunday morning, February 16, 2025, John planned to worship at Athens Friends Meeting in Clarke County, Georgia. On his way to the Meeting, it began to rain heavily, and he stopped at a Murphy USA gas station to wait out the thunderstorm. After parking his car, John read a book, Sky Full of Elephants, by Cebo Campbell.

John was interrupted by a knock on his car door by armed men who demanded his ID. The men didn't identify themselves, but it soon became clear they were police officers. They accused John of parking too long and trespassing. The men continued to demand his ID and refused to allow him to drive away. John refused to give his ID because he had done nothing wrong and they had no probable cause he committed a crime. John was then handcuffed and driven to Clarke County Jail, where his belongings (including cash from his wallet) were confiscated. John was placed in a jail cell with people who had been arrested for jaywalking, driving a car with tinted windows, and drinking in the middle of a parking lot. Many couldn’t afford to pay their bond and were stuck in jail.

The hours John spent in jail were both frightening and stressful as well as eye-opening and insightful about Georgia and how both visitors and residents are treated. The cells were awful, with the remains of feces and food scattered everywhere. The arresting officer, Lavalley, is white, and 90% of the inmates in the jail are African-American – many of whom had cycled through the criminal justice system for the most harmless of infractions, spending days incarcerated and deprived of freedom – putting at risk their means of employment and family obligations because they couldn’t pay their bond. Throughout the many hours John spent in the jail, he was never offered any water or food.

However, the jail staff constantly spoke about the money John would have to pay to get out. The emphasis on cash was curious. It was the first thing that was confiscated from John (and placed in a plastic ziplock bag) when he entered the jail. The staff explained that John had to pay a fee to the Sheriff along with a bond (initially $3000, but reduced when they confirmed he had never been arrested before). The total amount was taken directly from the cash that was confiscated when John entered the jail. Upon discharge, the remainder of the cash (minus fees) was returned along with a Notice of Arraignment to appear in the State Court of Athens-Clarke County on April 15, 9 AM. Failure to return to court would result in a warrant for his arrest.

Despite all the talk of trespassing, John was only charged with "Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer," but now must hire an attorney for thousands of dollars to get him out of legal jeopardy as a result of this unjust arrest. If you are able, please donate to John's legal defense fund to help with attorney's fees and other costs associated with this incident.