Justice for Raequan
Donation protected
On Tuesday November 20, 2018, Raequan was riding his bicycle home from work. He was stopped by the Asbury Park Police near the corner of Elizabeth and Springwood Avenue. He was stopped for allegedly not having a light on his bicycle. This stop resulted in him sustaining injuries to his head and face at the hands of a police officer.
This young man is my cousin. When I first learned this information, I was heartbroken and full of questions. Questions that I and my father Dan Harris have begun to ask first to my little cousin, then of the police and others. Questions trying to understand how a young man gets stopped for not having a light on his bicycle and ends up with injuries at the hands of a police officer. A young man who never lunged or swung at the officer -- a citizen who was simply trying to get home from work. A law-abiding citizen who HAD AND STILL HAS A WORKING LIGHT on his bicycle.
The answers we have received thus far have left me more heartbroken, frustrated and fed up! WHEN WILL THIS STOP? My little cousin is not the only young man who has been harassed by police in this city, but I’m praying and working toward him being the last! We are asking for your support as we begin the work of securing justice for my cousin and the other victims of this heinous abuse.
One of the first things we have to do is get an attorney. Raequan has a court date scheduled for December 14th. He has been charged with resisting arrest, however the question still lingers how not having a light on your bike becomes an arrest-able offense when it is a $15 ticket, however I digress. We have formally issued a complaint against the officer. Therefore we have a lot of legal fees and court dates ahead of us. My family and I are making some financial sacrifices to make sure that Raequan is properly represented but any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for your support
Rev. Nicolle D. Harris
(Cousin of Raequan)
This young man is my cousin. When I first learned this information, I was heartbroken and full of questions. Questions that I and my father Dan Harris have begun to ask first to my little cousin, then of the police and others. Questions trying to understand how a young man gets stopped for not having a light on his bicycle and ends up with injuries at the hands of a police officer. A young man who never lunged or swung at the officer -- a citizen who was simply trying to get home from work. A law-abiding citizen who HAD AND STILL HAS A WORKING LIGHT on his bicycle.
The answers we have received thus far have left me more heartbroken, frustrated and fed up! WHEN WILL THIS STOP? My little cousin is not the only young man who has been harassed by police in this city, but I’m praying and working toward him being the last! We are asking for your support as we begin the work of securing justice for my cousin and the other victims of this heinous abuse.
One of the first things we have to do is get an attorney. Raequan has a court date scheduled for December 14th. He has been charged with resisting arrest, however the question still lingers how not having a light on your bike becomes an arrest-able offense when it is a $15 ticket, however I digress. We have formally issued a complaint against the officer. Therefore we have a lot of legal fees and court dates ahead of us. My family and I are making some financial sacrifices to make sure that Raequan is properly represented but any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for your support
Rev. Nicolle D. Harris
(Cousin of Raequan)
Organizer
Nicolle Harris
Organizer
Asbury Park, NJ