Justice for Matt

I have known my friend Matt for 3 years and if asked to describe Matt Smiley, many would say that he is a hard worker, a fabulous father to three boys, a kind heart, an introvert who loves to make others feel cared for and loved, and an overall feel-good person.


Matt moved to Madison less than a year ago to support his wife’s desire to move back to the home of her alma mater and in order to continue her teaching career in the Madison Metropolitan School District where she initially started her teaching journey. 


While in Madison, Matt started a job at Goodwill as a store supervisor. On June 30th, a customer approached Matt to donate a piece of furniture. Due to company policy, Matt was unable to accept the furniture. After loudly cursing and fussing about not being able to donate the furniture, the customer said “go get your manager." Matt explained that he was the supervisor on duty. The customer then told Matt "that sounds about right. Goodwill would hire a n---er as a supervisor".  Matt responded in disbelief saying something like "huh?" or "what did you say?".  That's when the customer replied "You heard me boy!", Matt approached the customer to dismiss him and the customer blurts "go ahead and hit me n---er! You'd lose your job so f*cking fast boy." Matt told that the customer could leave and take his things with him. The customer proceeded to take things out of his car. Matt told the customer he would not be able to take his things. The customer ignored him and continued to retrieve things from his truck as Matt followed him asking him to leave. As the customer continued there was a moment of confrontation and that's when the customer said "Didn't I tell you to get outta my face nigger?!" Matt removed the furniture from him. The customer then bolted for his truck cabin which made Matt fear for his safety and the safety of others. There was a struggle between the two but Matt was able to gain control of the situation and ask one of his coworkers to call the police. The story ends with Matt getting arrested and charged with felony assault due to the customer having a cut above his eye and a loose tooth from the struggle. With charges being pressed, Matt now faces a felony charge. That’s right, a felony charge. A charge that as we know, if convicted, will follow Matt for the rest of his life, impacting not only his freedom and his and his family's financial well-being but his ability to find employment, his right to vote, and more.


Racism is living and breathing amongst us every single day. This GoFundMe is to ask for support for Matt so that he can hire a capable attorney of his own choosing, not an overburdened public defender appointed for him without choice. Matt also lost his job due to this incident and funds will help until he can find another job. Because in our justice system, black men do not get fair treatment and need the best representation available to defend their rights. Matt and his family would like to hire an attorney who can truly support and argue his case. Matt was actually the victim of an act of hate, and this--from the experience in the store to who is and is not charged--is an example of white supremacy. This is simply another example of how black men are portrayed as villains. 


Please consider donating to this fund to support another black man’s fight against racism and our corrupt criminal justice system.