LEGAL FUNDRAISING CALL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHOTOJOURNALIST BEATEN BY TORONTO POLICE
November 2007- On the heels of autrocities like the Jena 6, African American journalists Tonye Allen and Ann Brown are still in a struggle for their freedom after being victimized by police in Toronto, Canada over a year ago! With a looming court date of November 21, the couple are enlisting the public's help for legal fees.
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It has been a year since African American journalists, Tonye Allen and Ann Brown hailed that cab last year on October 16, 2007 in Toronto, Canada. Blatant victims of racial profiling and police brutality, the couple has struggled since then to share their story, gain public support, and raise funds in their bid for freedom in a foreign land. Their case finally goes to trial on November 21, 2007.
On that fateful day, police from Toronto Division 51 detained the two without explanation. When the couple asked questions, the police turned violent, beating up and arresting photojournalist Tonye Allen, while assaulting journalist Ann Brown.
Allen was eventually charged with assault and resisting arrest. The couple had hoped by now the charges would have been dropped. The journalists, whose combined writing and photography credits include Essence, Black Enterprise, VIBE and Rolling Stone to name a few, have been trapped in Toronto legal system ever since, fighting for justice while trying to maintain their daily livelihood. Both are professionals with no prior criminal records.
The Crown, ( the city of Toronto's office of prosecution ) has filed formal charges and is pursuing a case against Allen; two counts for resisting arrest and two counts for assaulting a police officer. Allen still does not know what he was initially being arrested for, and maintains he never fought back. Photos of his brutalization pretty much corroborate his story.
Allen and Brown are still struggling to raise monies for lawyer fees and their hotel bill. Their blog, which posts details of their drama, can be accessed at www.TonyeAllenandAnnBrown.blogspot.com . To sign a petition in their support go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/946246942 . And finally, financial support can be forwarded to www.Paypal.com , Account: brownannl@gmail.com . Their lawyer, Jason Bogle can be reached at http://www.bogleslawoffice.com .
"In recent months, the public's awareness of racial injustice has been heightened," expresses Brown. "The plight of the Jena 6 has shown what can happen in our own United States. It's sad to realize the conditions we as a people are being subjected to on an international level. Public support and outcry is our most potent weapon. We thank the media for bringing attention to our plight and humbly ask the public for continued support."
Jazzmyne Public Relations
email: makeda@jazzmynepr.com
phone: 661-718-8843
