Joseph Rivers $16,000 seized by DEA
Donation protected
Since the Incident: Founded a community Program
(To read the story about the Illegal seizure skip ahead)
Envision For Change
Envision for change is an upcoming community based organization, founded by people who have grew up in this community And watched it destroy itself over the years. We are a group of people who believe that change starts with each and every one of us as an individual. If you want something to change in your life you can’t just sit around and talk about it, you have to get up and go do something about it.
We are not sponsored by a church or backed by any religious organization. We are “PEOPLE”. People who are “sick and tired” of being “sick and tired”. We are here to bring back knowledge to those with less opportunities afforded to them and offer a better solution to those who feel as if they have no other way.
There has always been enough for everyone to survive. But more than that, THRIVE. As a whole we can thrive in any arena that we chose, we just have to learn to embrace one another in order to achieve change.
“You” will always and forever be your greatest obstacle.
We are here for “The People” FOR REAL. Created by the people, ran by the people, and always will be… Come make history with the community/people you have known your entire lives and help bring back balance and security for the youth to come, as well as those today.
Civil Asset Forfeiture Brief: DEA steals $16,000
Hi my name is Joseph Rivers I am a 22 year old musician and video editor/producer. I recently took a train to California with $16,000 which I accumulated through various video shoots, and recording sessions, as well as from my own family. This money was intended to shoot the music video that would have change my life forever. Before the Train could make it to its final destination we made a stop in Albuquerque New Mexico. Two officers, who latter became known to me as "DEA Agents", boarded the train and began asking passengers questions.
After being questioned and fully complying with the officers requests. The officers decide to seize the entire $16,000 in cash with no charges or any evidence to support their actions. I am currently asking for help to recoup the money that was taken from my family and I, so I can honor the gift of success by still achieving what I originally set out to do.
I am currently going through a legal process called civil asset forfeiture. This entitles me to have to go and fight for proof of ownership, while at the same time being put on hold to pursue my life long dream. My mom and I (her being the main contributor to my success) have recently visited Capital Hill for Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform. We have done a great deal of work to spread this knowledge by our own hand, as well as with the help of many many others.
We ask that you help by spreading this knowledge as well. If you would like to make a donation you can do so at the top of the page to the right. Below you can view several articles as well as the news broadcast and young turks discussion about the story. Anything that you could give to help would be greatly appreciated. Please share this information with all those around you. Thank you
Joseph Rivers
Albuquerque Journal:
http://www.abqjournal.com/580107/news/dea-agents-seize-16000-from-aspiring-music-video-producer.html
The Detroit News: Congress Questions D.E.A
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/23/congress-questions-dea-cold-searches-travelers-conyers/29194401/
Wall Street Journal:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/asset-forfeiture-laws-raise-concerns-1435868428
KOAT News Broadcast:
http://www.koat.com/news/man-wants-his-16000-seized-by-dea-agents-in-albuquerque/32857620
The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/11/how-the-dea-took-a-young-mans-life-savings-without-ever-charging-him-of-a-crime/
The Young Turks Youtube Broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDNfzF2E_oU
The Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3077890/Black-aspiring-businessman-16-000-life-savings-seized-DEA-never-charged-crime.html
The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/dea-asset-forfeiture-joseph-rivers_n_7231744.html
The Atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/the-glaring-injustice-of-civil-asset-forfeiture/392999/
The Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/12/dea-agents-seized-16k-man-train-california-dreams-/
The Washington Free Beacon:
http://freebeacon.com/issues/dea-seizes-amtrak-passengers-life-savings-without-charging-him-with-crime/
CNBC News:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102679948
Tampa Bay Times: http://tbtpics.tampabay.com/incoming/yes-dea-agents-can-take-your-money-if-they-want/2230290
Laist.com
http://laist.com/2015/05/08/joseph_rivers_civil_asset_forfeitur.php
John Oliver speaking on the civil asset forfeiture :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kEpZWGgJks
(To read the story about the Illegal seizure skip ahead)
Envision For Change
Envision for change is an upcoming community based organization, founded by people who have grew up in this community And watched it destroy itself over the years. We are a group of people who believe that change starts with each and every one of us as an individual. If you want something to change in your life you can’t just sit around and talk about it, you have to get up and go do something about it.
We are not sponsored by a church or backed by any religious organization. We are “PEOPLE”. People who are “sick and tired” of being “sick and tired”. We are here to bring back knowledge to those with less opportunities afforded to them and offer a better solution to those who feel as if they have no other way.
There has always been enough for everyone to survive. But more than that, THRIVE. As a whole we can thrive in any arena that we chose, we just have to learn to embrace one another in order to achieve change.
“You” will always and forever be your greatest obstacle.
We are here for “The People” FOR REAL. Created by the people, ran by the people, and always will be… Come make history with the community/people you have known your entire lives and help bring back balance and security for the youth to come, as well as those today.
Civil Asset Forfeiture Brief: DEA steals $16,000
Hi my name is Joseph Rivers I am a 22 year old musician and video editor/producer. I recently took a train to California with $16,000 which I accumulated through various video shoots, and recording sessions, as well as from my own family. This money was intended to shoot the music video that would have change my life forever. Before the Train could make it to its final destination we made a stop in Albuquerque New Mexico. Two officers, who latter became known to me as "DEA Agents", boarded the train and began asking passengers questions.
After being questioned and fully complying with the officers requests. The officers decide to seize the entire $16,000 in cash with no charges or any evidence to support their actions. I am currently asking for help to recoup the money that was taken from my family and I, so I can honor the gift of success by still achieving what I originally set out to do.
I am currently going through a legal process called civil asset forfeiture. This entitles me to have to go and fight for proof of ownership, while at the same time being put on hold to pursue my life long dream. My mom and I (her being the main contributor to my success) have recently visited Capital Hill for Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform. We have done a great deal of work to spread this knowledge by our own hand, as well as with the help of many many others.
We ask that you help by spreading this knowledge as well. If you would like to make a donation you can do so at the top of the page to the right. Below you can view several articles as well as the news broadcast and young turks discussion about the story. Anything that you could give to help would be greatly appreciated. Please share this information with all those around you. Thank you
Joseph Rivers
Albuquerque Journal:
http://www.abqjournal.com/580107/news/dea-agents-seize-16000-from-aspiring-music-video-producer.html
The Detroit News: Congress Questions D.E.A
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/23/congress-questions-dea-cold-searches-travelers-conyers/29194401/
Wall Street Journal:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/asset-forfeiture-laws-raise-concerns-1435868428
KOAT News Broadcast:
http://www.koat.com/news/man-wants-his-16000-seized-by-dea-agents-in-albuquerque/32857620
The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/11/how-the-dea-took-a-young-mans-life-savings-without-ever-charging-him-of-a-crime/
The Young Turks Youtube Broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDNfzF2E_oU
The Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3077890/Black-aspiring-businessman-16-000-life-savings-seized-DEA-never-charged-crime.html
The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/dea-asset-forfeiture-joseph-rivers_n_7231744.html
The Atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/the-glaring-injustice-of-civil-asset-forfeiture/392999/
The Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/12/dea-agents-seized-16k-man-train-california-dreams-/
The Washington Free Beacon:
http://freebeacon.com/issues/dea-seizes-amtrak-passengers-life-savings-without-charging-him-with-crime/
CNBC News:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102679948
Tampa Bay Times: http://tbtpics.tampabay.com/incoming/yes-dea-agents-can-take-your-money-if-they-want/2230290
Laist.com
http://laist.com/2015/05/08/joseph_rivers_civil_asset_forfeitur.php
John Oliver speaking on the civil asset forfeiture :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kEpZWGgJks
Organizer
Joseph Rivers
Organizer
Romulus, MI