Stand with us, Columbus
We were arrested at peaceful protests
"Mary"
Arrested November 21, 2016
Max penalty: 30 days imprisonment, $400 fine + legal fees and court costs
Mary wishes to protect her privacy, thus the pseudonym. The following is an excerpt of her daughter's account of Mary's ordeal:
"Around 7:30 pm my mother was driving home and saw the chaotic scene of the police and protestors on HIgh Street. She knew I had attended the earlier vigil and was worried I was in the crowd, She parked the car, and came to look for me, and film what was going on. She wasn't out of her car just minutes, and was walking over to the side to get out of the way, hands up in the air, when she was violently pushed from behind by a Columbus Police Officer, causing her to fall to the ground. Her car keys to fly out of her hand and she was trying to recover them, but was hit on the head with a baton by an officer and then pulled away. She told the officers that she was just trying to get her keys so she could leave the scene but the police arrested her and charged her with two misdemeanors; Misconduct at an Emergency and Failure to Disperse.
The police drove her around in the police car for 4 hours with the handcuffs on backwards, leaving cuts on her wrists, all the while denying her water and access to a restroom. She spent the night in the workhouse.
The attorney to represent her is charging $1,500.
Based on the clear video evidence, an investigation into wrongful arrest and excessive use of force has already been started."
Update
Mary settled her case. The charges were dropped in exchange for her agreeing to complete 10 hours of community service.
Isaiah St. John
Arrested November 21, 2016
Max penalty: 1 year imprisonment, $2,650 fine + legal fees and court costs
The peaceful anti-Trump march turned chaotic when a Columbus cop charged me and violently shoved me up against a wall before taking me to the ground. Police held me cuffed in the back of a van for several hours before taking me to the Franklin County jail. 23 hours after my arrest, I was released on bond.
For my entirely peaceful participation in the demonstration, I am facing four misdemeanor charges.
Update
Isaiah pled guilty to resisting arrest on March 13, 2017. He was given a suspended sentence of 90 days imprisonment with one year of non-reporting probation.
Tynan Krakoff
Arrested July 21, 2016
Max penalty: 1 year imprisonment, $2,000 fine + legal fees and court costs
Columbus police arrested racial justice organizer Tynan Krakoff at a rally and march demanding justice for Henry Green and an end to the war on Black lives.
There were around 200 protesters who marched in the street, yet Tynan was targeted and was the only one arrested. He faces three misdemeanor charges (disorderly conduct, failure to obey a police officer, pedestrian in the roadway), and faces upwards of one year in county jail or up to $2,000 in fines. He has pleaded not guilty and is set to face a jury trial.
Update
On December 20, "Krakoff pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a 4th degree misdemeanor. He was sentenced to forty hours of community service and a $250 fine plus court fees"
He told a reporter, "I remain undeterred and committed to struggling for black liberation and collective liberation of all oppressed peoples across all intersections of identity. I believe in a world where black lives matter, and I believe that we will win."(Columbus Free Press).
Jesse "Verbz" Kloth
Arrested October 28, 2016
Max penalty: 30 days imprisonment, $250 fine + legal fees and court costs
A 614 Unity March was called to protest police brutality (specifically the murders of Ty're King and Henry Green V) in the process of marching, the protest was able to block a major intersection by the courthouse (where we were demanding accountability from a useless county prosecutor who was subsequently reelected anyway)
Police charged us first with bicycles being held as crowd control devices, then about eight mounted officers sent their horses into the midst of the crowd. I was on the edge of that line, and turned my back on the horses to make sure people had space to retreat. I was bumped around in various directions by these beautiful horses who were kind enough, regardless of their rider's intent, not to kick or bite me. I ended up between two of them, and couldn't really move when a cop said to arrest me and was pulled backward my my collar to be cuffed. I offered no resistance.
Update
On December 12, Verbz pleaded guilty to a fourth degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge and received a $250 fine, plus court costs.
Questions and comments about this page may be directed to isaiah.stjohn@gmail.com