"He grabbed me, twisted my arm on my back and shoved me in the grass and started pulling the back of my braids."
~ 15-year-old, Dajerria Becton
This past Friday, McKinney law enforcement responded to a call from white residents that a group of Black teens, 13-16 years old, attending a pool party “did not have permission to be there.” One of the residents is reported in having told the kids to go back to “Section 8 housing.”
Officer Eric Casebolt violently arrested, verbally assaulted and physically attacked a number of the teens, including Dajerria Becton who was body slammed, pinned down and put in handcuffs while unarmed and wearing a bikini. Ofc. Casebolt then drew his gun at teens who came to Dajerria’s rescue.
*Join us—and ColorOfChange—in urging local officials to charge Officer Casebolt with assault and battery and other criminal charges for his brutal and discriminatory actions.
This is the letter we'll send to District Attorney Greg Willis and local officials on your behalf. Feel free to add a personal comment in the space provided.
Dear Mayor Brian Loughmiller, District Attorney Greg Willis, Police Chief Greg Conley and McKinney City Council members,
I am writing to urge you to prosecute Officer Eric Casebolt to the fullest extent of the law for his brutal and discriminatory actions against Dajerria Becton and a group of Black teens who attended a pool party at Craig Ranch pool.
Officer Casebolt's actions were inexcusable and reflect a deeply discriminatory and abusive culture of policing within McKinney law enforcement. Officer Casebolt violently arrested, verbally assaulted and physically attacked a number of the teens, including Dajerria Becton who was body slammed, pinned to the ground and put in handcuffs while unarmed and wearing a bikini. Casebolt then drew his gun at teens who came to Dajerria’s rescue.
Officer Casebolt has resigned, but it's not enough. Any police officer who treats another human being, let alone children, in such an abusive, life-threatening manner must be held accountable. The Black teens at the party were singled out for abuse and none of the white bystanders experienced any police aggression. It's gravely unjust.
In addition to Officer Casebolt, all of the officers present at Craig Ranch pool, who stood by and allowed this police violence to take place, must be held accountable. I also urge you to drop the unjust charges against the 14-year-old boy arrested for "evading arrest and interfering with police."
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]