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Black Lives Matter activist Marlowe Jones. (Screengrab via YouTube)

Marlowe Jones, the activist and father of three acquitted of all wrongdoing during a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest, filed a $2 million federal civil rights lawsuit against the Florida city of New Port Richey, its police department, and multiple government and police officials, for wrongfully arresting and charging him in July 2020.

Jones complaint raises allegations against the city for pervasive wrongdoing that ranges from brutality to racism and antisemitism to sexual misconduct and even to mistreating arrestees such that one woman was forced to defecate on herself while in police custody.

The complaint alleges:

due to the brutal, unlawful, and unconstitutional way [New Port Richie] has treated individuals of color, individuals who are of faiths other than conservative Christians, such as those of Jewish faith, and others in the community who do not look or think like the politicians and individuals that govern the city.

Jones was prosecuted for battery on a law enforcement officer during a protest in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, but hewas acquitted of all wrongdoing after a two-day trial.

Jones is a community leader and Black Lives Matter activist. In his 43-page complaint filed in federal court in Florida, Jones railed against New Port Richey for what he says is a long history of contention between its government officials and/or agents and residents of the City, especially residents that are minorities or residents that speak out against injustices.

Jones alleged that the city has been repeatedly sued for its brutal, unlawful, and unconstitutional way [of treating] individuals of color, individuals who are of faiths other than conservative Christians (such as those of Jewish faith), and others in the community who do not look or think like the politicians and individuals that govern the City.

More Law&Crime coverage: Philadelphia to pay $9.25 million over violent rubber bullet and tear gas attacks during George Floyd protests

In an attempt to support those general allegations, Jones claimed that New Port Richey cops commingled with the Proud Boys and espoused white supremacist ideologies. The complaint even included a photo of one officer (shown below), Elizabeth Dennison, posing in front of a Confederate flag.

New Port Richey Police Officer Elizabeth Dennison shown posing in frontof Confederate flags. (image via court documents)

Jones also included images of text message exchanges sent by now-fired New Port Richey police officer Corey Oliver, claiming those messagesshow that Oliver purposely leaked sensitive police information about Black Lives Matter protests to right-wing extremists who are often armed and looking for an excuse to harm demonstrators.

Text exchanges regarding Black Lives Matter protests shown. (image via court documents).

The complaint also took particular aim at New Port Richeys top officials. Jones claimed that former New Port Richey Police ChiefKim Bogart received so much criticism for supporting and defending the racist and unlawful behavior of the men and women that serve under his command, that he was forced to retire.

According to the filing, the citys mayor, Robert Marlowe, publicly defended many officers, including one who broke into a Jewish womans home under the guise of code enforcement issues and made jokes about Holocaust victim Anne Frank while another police officer stood by and laughed. Jones went on to allege that later, when the same Jewish woman spoke up at a public meeting, Marlowe responded with a tirade and brushed off her comments as garbage.

Jones asserted that Bogart maintained that the officers, whose behavior was captured on body camera footage, engaged in routine police business and had not been antisemitic or discriminatory.

The defendants did not respond to a request for comment. Then-Chief Bogart reportedly defended Dennison back in December (Dennison isnt anamed defendant, but her name is mentioned in the filing). He also said that officers didnt know who the Proud Boys were when they were recorded praying with the group in September 2020.

We didnt even know who the Proud Boys were, Oathkeepers and some of those other groups that have come to the forefront, Bogartsaid, according to the alternative newsweekly Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. They were not in our town enough to where we knew who they were and dealt with them.

The complaint alleged several other kinds of misdeeds by New Port Richey officers, including unchecked sexual misconduct against a minor, kneeling on the neck of an African American boy in the same manner that led to the death of George Floyd, and the prevention of an African American woman to use the restroom while she was in a holding cell. Per the complaint, the supervising officer failed to make the required visual checks every 10 minutes, and Consequently, [Shinikki] Whiting was unable to properly use the restroom and was forced to defecate on herself.

As for the allegations relating to Jones himself, the complaint described an incident on July 24, 2020, during which a white male officer lunged at and ultimately punched a female activist during a peaceful BLM demonstration. Jones claimed he rushed over to assess and deescalate the situation, and that although he never touched or approached the officer, he was arrested and charged with battery on a police officer and obstruction of justice.

The complaint also described the dramatic scene of Joness arrest: While the activist was at the local police station filing a missing persons report for the same female Black Lives Matter protester, he was surrounded by 30 cops and aggressively handcuffed while his arms were twisted painfully.

Joness civil complaint brought federal claims under 42 U.S.C. 1983 and asserted that he was deprived of his First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Jones also raised claims for failure to train, false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and battery.

Kevin Ross, one of the attorneys representing Jones, said in a statement that his clients wrongful arrest caused his client to suffer substantial harm.

Our goal is to seek justice for Mr. Jones and ensure that he receives the compensation he deserves, the attorney said.

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Acquitted BLM activist sues city over unlawful treatment of individuals of color and people of faiths other than conservative Christians - Law &...

Reinstated Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones isseen in unearthed surveillance video hitting a driver with a traffic cone amid a June 2020 Black Lives Matter protest outside the state capitol.

The footage shows Jones, who was elected in 2022, wearing all black and a tan-brimmed hat while standing in the street with six others. The future lawmaker is seen stopping cars and harassing drivers.

At the time, Jones, now 27, faced a series of charges after District Attorney Glenn Funk secretly went to the grand jury in an attempt to indict him for participating in the protests in an 'aggravating' manner.

Jones claimed in 2021 that his participation in the protests was non-violent and referred to the charges, that were later dropped, as 'dramatic' retaliation.

Jones has continued his activism as an elected official, and was recently expelled from the legislature for his gun control protest on the House floor following the Covenant School shooting that left six dead.He and another lawmaker were reinstated days later.

In the street surveillance footage from 2020, Jones appeared to be standing with a small group of six people while obstructing traffic at the state capitol.

The video showed the group stopping a white truck that attempted to pass. It's unclear why the group stopped the truck but they can be seen approaching the driver with a megaphone.

Jones was seen grabbing onto a traffic cone and jabbing the driver as the driver then tried to evade the group, including the people standing in front of his car.

Despite the evidence, Jones wrote on Twitter that he wasn't 'violent' when the charges against him first surfaced in 2021

'They will try to push a false narrative portraying me as violent as a way to deflect from their own actions,' Jones wrote. 'They will suggest that I am out of order. That is their strategy.'

Jones's tweet has since resurfaced with one person rushing to comment that he was 'peacefully rioting' rather than 'peacefully protesting.'

Jones along with Democrat lawmaker Justin Pearson, 27, were expelled after they joineda March 30 protest against gun laws, bringing a bullhorn onto the House floor amid a noisy demonstration.

They were joined in their protest by Gloria Johnson, 60, a veteran member of the legislature, who is white. Jones and Pearson were voted out of the House on Thursday. Johnson was not.

Members of the state's GOP referred to the protest as an 'insurrection' before ousting the two last Thursday.

They were the firsttwo people expelled from the Tennessee state legislature since the Civil War.

They quickly garnered the support of national leaders, including President Joe Biden, who referred to the expulsion as 'shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.'

Jones and Pearson got their jobs back in a 36-0 vote by Nashville's governing council on April 10. Jones was reinstated on Monday and Pearson on Wednesday.

Since the March protest, there was another mass shooting in nearby Kentucky, it was the 146th mass shooting of 2023.

Five people were killed when a 25-year-old banker entered his workplace with an AR-15 and targeted top executives before he himself was killed

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Video reveals reinstated Tennessee Rep. hurling traffic cone at a driver during BLM protest - Daily Mail

District Attorney Jos Garza called Abbott's move "deeply troubling."

April 10, 2023, 12:34 PM ET

5 min read

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he is working as swiftly as Texas law allows to pardon Daniel Perry, who was convicted Friday of murder in the fatal shooting of a protester at a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.

Perry, an active-duty U.S. Army sergeant based in Texas at Fort Hood, was working as a driver for a ride-sharing company when he drove onto a street crowded with protesters on July 25, 2020, in Austin, Texas.

Garrett Foster, 28, was pushing his fiancee in a wheelchair during the protest when police say Perry's car was surrounded by protesters.

Foster, who was carrying an AK-47-type rifle, approached Perrys car when he was shot several times by Perry, according to police. Open carry is legal in Texas.

Perry's attorneys argued at trial he had no choice but to shoot Foster for his own protection, according to ABC affiliate KVUE.

Prosecutors argued that Perry could have driven away before firing.

Witnesses testified at the trial that Foster never raised his rifle at Perry, however, Perry told police that Foster did raise the rifle, according to local outlet Austin American-Statesman. Perry did not testify in trial.

Both of the men are white.

Abbott slammed both the jurys decision to convict Perry and Travis County District Attorney Jos Garza for pursuing the case.

Texas has one of the strongest Stand Your Ground laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney, Abbott said in an online statement.

He said the Texas Constitution limits his pardon authority to the cases recommended by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. He said he requested the Board of Pardons and Paroles to take up Perrys case and determine if he should be granted a pardon.

Additionally, I have already prioritized reining in rogue district attorneys and the Texas Legislature is working on laws to achieve that goal, he said.

District Attorney Garza fired back, arguing, "in a state that believes in upholding the importance of the rule of law, the Governors statement that he will intervene in the legal proceedings surrounding the death of Garrett Foster is deeply troubling," he said in a statement sent to ABC News.

Garza continued, "In our legal system, a jury ... gets to decide whether a defendant is guilty or innocent not the Governor."

Foster's father Stephen Foster told KVUE News that his family is "happy with the verdict. We're very sorry for his family as well. There's no winners in this. Just glad it's over."

Perry's attorney Clint Broden told ABC News that their focus is on the upcoming sentencing hearing, where they plan to zero-in on Perry's "character and his service to our country as a member of our military for the past 12 years."

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott seeks pardon for man convicted in murder of Black Lives Matter protester - ABC News

(Washington, DC) Starting on Friday, April 14, Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of her Administration will kick off four days of DC Emancipation Day festivities that the community is invited to join. DC Emancipation Day honors the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, which freed over 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia.

On Friday, April 14 at 12pm, Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Secretary will host the sixth annual Full Democracy Champions Luncheon with this years theme being Defending DC Values. The 2023 Full Democracy Champions Luncheon will commemorate the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia 161 years ago. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act with a renewed call for DC statehood. Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP with Joshua Collins at [emailprotected].

12pm

2023 Full Democracy Champions LuncheonWalter E. Washington Convention Center, Ballroom A (801 Mount Vernon Place NW)

On Saturday, April 15, Mayor Bowser, the Mayors Office on Community Affairs, and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment will host the DC Emancipation Day Parade and Concert. The celebration begins with the Mayor leading the parade, followed by an all-star DC Emancipation Day Concert at Freedom Plaza featuring Dru Hill, Rakim, Black Alley, and other artists. The full list of performers can be found here. WUSA9s Emmy award-winning news anchors Lesli Foster and Lorenzo Hall will serve as this years hosts. Food trucks will be selling food on-site, including gourmet hot dogs, soul food, pizza, ribs, Mexican food, and other cuisine. Festivities will conclude with fireworks at Freedom Plaza at 8:30 pm. Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [emailprotected].

2pm

DC Emancipation Day ParadeStarting location: Pennsylvania Ave NW Between 10th and 14th Streets NWEnding location: Freedom Plaza 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

3pm

DC Emancipation Day ConcertFreedom Plaza1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

8:30 pm

Fireworks DisplayFreedom Plaza1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

On Sunday, April 16 at 9am, the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment and the Department of Parks and Recreationwill host Family Fun Day at Black Lives Matter Plaza. The activation will feature live radio broadcasts and music from Gospel, R&B, and Go-Go artists, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Washington DC. Cast members of the The Giz, an adaptation of The Wiz, will take the stage to highlight the hit musical. In addition, Sundays event will include food trucks, as well as fitness activities, games for kids, and other fun activities for the whole family. Registration for this event can be done here. Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP with Michelle Bailey at [emailprotected].

9am

Family Fun DayBlack Lives Matter Plaza

On Monday, April 17 at 10am, the Mayors Office on African American Affairs will cap off the festivities with an Emancipation Day celebration at the Smithsonian National Museum of the African American History and Culture. The event includes live performances, guided conversations, and a special District Day menu from the Sweet Home Caf. Registration is required to attend, which can be done here. Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP with Whitney Sweetwine at [emailprotected].

10am

District DayNational Museum of African American History and Culture (1400 Constitution Avenue NW)

The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of the Saturdays festivities.To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN) or watch on Mayor Bowsers Facebook or Twitter.

Social Media:Mayor Bowser Twitter:@MayorBowserMayor Bowser Instagram:@Mayor_BowserMayor Bowser Facebook:facebook.com/MayorMurielBowserMayor Bowser YouTube:https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos

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Mayor Bowser to Host 2023 DC Emancipation Day Festivities ... - Executive Office of the Mayor

Some residents put pressure on Springfield City School board members Thursday night to say what happened to the black students accused of forcing white students to kneel on the playground at Kenwood Elementary in mid-February and say Black Lives Matter.

>> PREVIOUS: Watch what happens on playground at Kenwood Elementary in Springfield

Board President Chris Williams told those in attendance at the school board meeting that state and federal laws stop the board from releasing the names of the accused or releasing any other identifying information about them, such as an address.

All he could do, he said, was to read a statement about the incident in mid-February.

That didnt sit well with Mike Valley, who has no children enrolled in Springfield schools. He said the issue compelled him to speak to the board.

Its important that our kids go to school and not live in fear of being humiliated, he said. These children were humiliated.

No one asked for any personal information, Valley said. All he wanted to know was whether the accused were being held accountable.

News Center 7s Kayla McDermott asked board President Williams if the media or public are ever going to learn whether the accused children have been expelled or sent to detention.

All I can say is that there was discipline that was carried out, Williams said, also telling McDermott that he doesnt understand the upset surrounding the incident because it was an isolated incident.

>> PREVIOUS: Some seek discussion, not charges, after Black Lives Matter incident at Springfield school

Valley said the boards apparent lack of transparency was wrong.

The school board is governing from a position of fear. Fear makes you clam up, he said. Not talking about specific consequences shows other students that the behavior that occurred on the playground is OK, he said.

You are fomenting tribalism in the school only because they have to come together to have security because obviously the school isnt forming security for them, Valley said.

Story continues

Mike Valley, of Springfield, speaks with News Center 7's Kayla McDermott about the incident at Kenwood Elementary in mid-February.

News Center 7s McDermott said a parent she has been speaking with, whose child was one of those forced to kneel and utter Black Lives Matter that day, said he has heard the accused students were supposed to have been expelled.

But, he said, whether expulsion or detention was meted out has never been confirmed to him.

McDermott will have more tonight, after the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament games.

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Springfield board pressured to reveal punishment for Black Lives Matter incident on playground - Yahoo News