Topic: FREE BADRU UPDATE!
- Oct 18, 2005 03:34am by spits_at_mirrors Location: Kansas Shitty, MO
Dear friends,
Earlier this summer, I notified many of you about a local MC who was racially targeted by the KCPD and arrested on false charges. Badru went to court, was found guilty and slapped with a $300 fine that is due by November 1st. We are helping him with fundraising because he is still short of funds from having to pay bail bondsmen and costs associated with this unfortunate incident. Our goal is to raise $300 by October 23rd.
IF JUST 60 PEOPLE EACH DONATE $5, WE CAN HELP BADRU PAY THE FINE AND KEEP FROM BEING CAUGHT IN THE SYSTEM LIKE SO MANY OTHER INNOCENT MINORITY MEMBERS.
Please make a donation by clicking here: [url]https://www.paypal.com/[/url], Log-in/Sign-Up, click on Send Money and then send donations to my email address: [email protected] Please send whatever you can contribute whether it be $1, $2 or $5, thanks!
If you prefer to make a cash donation:
1) See Badru talk about his arrest and perform at the POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY RALLY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 @ 2pm, Ilus-Davis Park, 9TH & LOCUST
2) Call Nikki @ 816-682-4684 to make arrangements for cash or personal check donation
Read below for background information on Badru's incident:
A hip-hop artist has been targeted by the KCPD and become a victim of racial profiling. Some of you may know Badru as the MC who won the 2004 Slam Bush competition and he has participated in numerous local MC battles. Badru was arrested on July 6 on fabricated charges. (Please see the details in the attached statement.) He was accused of being a mastermind behind a protest that he didn't even participate in, all because of the color of his skin and the uniqueness of his given name, Badru Akeem Gardner. A movement on police accountability is being organized around Badru's situation and other victims of police injustice. This is the chance for the hip-hop presence in Kansas City and Lawrence to step up and take action. We need unity in the scene for our voices to be heard.
iN Solidarity,
Nikki
Local Emcee Victim of KCPD Racial Profiling
Statement Detailing the Events of July 6, 2005
Badru Akeem Gardner
On July 6, 2005, at approximately 5:30 pm, I was informed by a former roommate that a protest decrying our government’s foreign policy would assemble at the statues located at the intersection of Westport Road and Broadway. My girlfriend’s younger brother, Michael, and I resolved to go as independent observers, detached from the crowd, unwilling to be anything more than a concern citizens. We arrived at the scene when the demonstrators reached the sloped park area near 42nd Street. Several squad cars and a police van were already present. As I was standing on the opposite side of the street, I witnessed the police mace the crowd, strike a few of the demonstrators and arrest two youth. Still on the opposite side of the street, standing on the sidewalk, I attempted to ask every police officer for their names and badge numbers. They all refused. One called me “yard bird†and asked me if I wanted to step into the street and teach him the law. I stood silently thereafter until the situation calmed. As the police began to leave, a woman, Nikki Powell, called out to me from the opposite side of the street. Nikki is an acquaintance I made through performing at a few open-mic competitions. I made it over to her by way of the crosswalk at the intersection of 43rd and J.C. Nichols Parkway, passing directly in front of a squad car stopped at the red light. Of the two officers in the car, one of their nametags read “Fletcher†and I recognized him to be the only officer who smoked cigarettes openly during the entire ordeal. I briefly spoke to Nikki, and she invited me to participate with her and the demonstrators as they marched further, their goal being to reach the Kansas City Board of Trade Building in a response to the G8 meetings. I told her that was their thing, and that I preferred to watch rather than get directly involved. She moved along Southbound to catch up with the demonstrators who had already proceeded on towards the Plaza. I maintained at least a 20-foot distance from the crowd throughout the entire demonstration. The marchers dispersed upon reaching their intended location, agreeing that they should reassemble at 12th Street and Locust to protest the arrests. At this point I decided to go home, so I turned around and headed Northbound towards my residence at 39th Street and Central.
Michael accompanied me during most of this time. His sister and I agreed that to view this march was a rare opportunity for him to get a real, live lesson in civics. Upon reaching 39th Street and Broadway, both he and I were stopped by the police. We were told to put our hands on the hood of the car, and we were searched. An officer asked me my name, address, phone number and Social Security Number, also inquiring as to whether I had any warrants. I gave him my information and responded that I had no warrants. He asked my relation to Michael and I told him. He said I was contributing to his delinquency. He asked me why the demonstrators were protesting and I told him to the best of my knowledge. He asked me who organized the protest, and I said I didn’t know. I told him how I came to learn of the demonstration and how the public was informed through word of mouth, the Internet and posted bills. He said he knew something was going to happen the next night, and wanted to know what information I could provide concerning it. I told him that I had no idea what he was talking about. He then asked why I was there, and I told him that I resolved to go as an independent observer, detached from the crowd, unwilling to be anything more than a concerned citizen. He said he didn’t believe me and said that I was under arrest while handcuffing me. I asked him why, and he said it was because I was coming into this country to stir up trouble. I said, “What are you talking about? I’m from here.†He then said I was being arrested for leading and organizing the protest. I said, “But I was behind the crowd the whole time.†He said “Exactly.†As they loaded me into the van, I asked another officer why they were doing this, and he said I had the right to remain silent, so to be quiet. While sitting in the open van, the original arresting officer came to me and asked, “So, your name’s ‘BO-DREW’, huh?†I said, “Yes sir, my name is ‘BAH-DREW.’ He said, “Well then ‘BO-DREW,’ why are they calling you Michael?†He was referring to my girlfriend who had just arrived at the scene. I told him that Michael was the name of the young man with me. He then asked me if I was Arabic. I told him that I’m Black and White. He then sneeringly laughed at me and asked if it was a made-up name I’d adopted. I told him it was my birth name. He asked if I’d ever been arrested before, and I responded “No.†He said, “Well, you are now.†I asked him what the charge was and he said my arresting officer downtown would tell me and they proceeded to take me to the police station.
In the elevator on the way to the booking area, they finally told me what the charges were: not using the sidewalk and not complying with the orders of an officer. My bail was set at $2000. I was released after my friends found a bondsman for me. I’ve tried to obtain a copy of the police report on the incident, but I was told at the police station that no such report exists. The officers issued me tickets, but never wrote out an actual report on the circumstances. This is not surprising to me, considering the charges against me were fabricated.
I’m currently organizing a Hip Hop fundraiser to help pay for a lawyer. I can be contacted at 913-226-1314, if you’d like to help in any way. Since the incident, I’ve had to create a new email address, because my original account has been suspiciously rendered inactive or shut down for unknown reasons. If anyone reading this could email or forward this statement to everyone you know, I’d greatly appreciate it. The officer’s name on my tickets is Huth, his Serial Number is 4755 and his Unit Number is 185. On my tickets he described my ethnicity to be White, disregarding what I told him, (possibly doing this to avoid being held accountable for the obvious racial profiling that occurred.)
- Oct 21, 2005 12:09am by spits_at_mirrors Location: Kansas Shitty, MO
We only need 39 more people to donate $5 to reach our goal. Please help a fellow MC.
Thank you.
