via Flickr
Deja Heard was celebrating her 21st birthday with friends at an Airbnb in Cartersville, Georgia when someone called the police on them. The night was supposed to be memorable, but the memory’s now traumatic after officers did their damage.
Cops illegally entered the home and warrantlessly searched the premises. When they found LESS THAN AN OUNCE of marijuana that no one claimed, the police arrested EVERYONE - about 70 people, including some juveniles.
The racial bias was evident - the majority of those arrested were young Black people.
They were held in jail for extended periods of time with several people reporting mistreatment by officers, including verbal abuse, strip searches, and refusal to let them use the restroom. Now, these young people are suing.
Charges were dropped because of the unconstitutional search, but the damage was already done! The Cartersville 70 want to be compensated for the damages they suffered, like loss of employment and mistreatment at the hands of these cops.
Warrantless searches have always targeted Black people. This is connected to everything - from when police disproportionately pull over Black people to the unlawful practice of stop-and-frisk. The truth remains: being Black and alive is not a crime!