Protect Students, Not Cops

Community members gather outside the Garrahy Judicial Complex

Photo by By Steve Ahlquist, UpriseRI

A month ago on February 1st, Jay-Juan, a 16 year old, was assaulted and beaten by School Resource Officer Leonel Pichs. He has been held under house arrest since then.

Jay-Juan, rather than either the school or the officer, is being held responsible and charged for this incident. His court date was yesterday, Mar 2nd. Members of ARISE, PrYSM and SEE showed up as a means of demonstrating our frustration with this injustice and our continued support for Jay-Juan. We’re calling for all charges to be dropped and for Jay-Juan to be allowed to resume his education at a different school.

We are shocked and appalled by Governor McKee’s doubling down of support for SROs in wake of this incident. To learn more, read here.

* Please note: out of respect for Jay-Juan and his family, and in compliance with Family Court rules, trial details will not be made public.

Protest for Jay Juan

"JUSTICE FOR JAY-JUAN! JUSTICE FOR JAY-JUAN!”

Kennedy Plaza was buzzing all afternoon, as swarms of people gathered to demand Jay’s immediate release.

A 16 year old student at Mt Pleasant, Jay-Juan was assaulted and arrested, without cause, by School Resource Officer Lionel Pichs. To protest to this ongoing injustice, ARISE, PrYSM and SEE called for people to gather at City Hall on February 28th.

And while we’ve always known that Jay is deeply loved, nothing could’ve prepared us for the total outpour of friends, family and allies that showed up to brave yesterday’s cold.

Crowds and crowds of people, coming from all ages, races, and walks of life, took up banners, posters, and bullhorns to show support for Jay-Juan. Children as young as eight came out with their parents to demand justice. Teacher allies showed up with home-made signs. Local businesses came down to offer free food and drinks. It was an awesome display of community resilience, and one that the city cannot ignore.

In an attempt to deter us, they closed the entrances to City Hall. So we adapted. Instead of entering the building as originally planned, the crowds gathered around the Kennedy Plaza monument, where leaders from PrYSM and PSU performed speeches and poems.

The evening ended with protestors forming a wide circle, then growing silent, as a way of showing respect, support, and solidarity for the victims of police abuse. The event was of particular significance to Jay-Juan’s mother, who stood with us, and to Jay-Juan, who – while he remains under house arrest – joined via Facetime call.

To read our coalitional response and list of demands, see here.

#JusticeForJayJuan - Art Build

Mark your dates for February 28th, because we’re showing up and showing out to demand # Justice for Jay Juan.

This week, our team attended PrYSM’s art build (as pictured on the right) to design posters for the action on Monday. On top of signs, we’ve made shirts, pins, and tote bags, all of which will be handed to protestors on the day.

Over on College Hill, our folks in SEE have been similarly busy, creating their own signs for the day itself (pictured below).

Things are ramping up, and we’re psyched to see all of you there - outside City Hall, Feb 28th, 4:30pm! Contact us for any questions.