Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors will lead a delegation of community activists in delivering a petition signed by over 6,000 people to Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer opposing the prosecution of California State University Los Angeles
professor and leader of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Dr. Melina Abdullah. Dr. Abdullah faces eight criminal counts related to her anti-police activism, including battery on an LAPD officer and could face up to a year in prison if convicted.
(Court Case No. 8CJ10572)
Supporters of Dr. Abdullah say that the charges are malicious and discriminatory and are a direct attempt to criminalize Black protest.
“The City Attorney’s decision to prosecute Black protestors also fits into a much larger picture in which the federal government is attempting to criminalize Black people and even label them as “terrorists” and “extremists” for daring to struggle against police brutality, abuse, and killings,” said Patrisse Cullors.
Charges include one count of battery on an officer, resisting arrest, refusing to disperse, and interfering or obstructing a public business establishment. Other charges include three counts of unlawfully disturbing and breaking up an assembly and meeting, and two counts of unlawfully and intentionally interfering with the business of the LAPD commission.
Dr. Abdullah has said that her attendance and demonstration at meetings of the police commission are in an advocacy capacity for families who have lost loved ones to the police, experienced police brutality and excessive force.
Attorney Carl Douglas has stated that Dr. Abdullah will not plea to assaulting an officer.
“I give you my word that there will be no plea to an assault on a police officer,” Douglas said. “If we cannot reach a resolution that satisfies my client, there will be a trial. And at that trial, we will expose the corruption of the LAPD.”
In addition, over 200 letters will be delivered from the California Faculty Association, National Conference of Black Political Scientists, National Association for Ethnic Studies, Reclaim Our Schools and March On.
