The rights of all Americans can be secured only through the establishment of fair processes and with a consciousness that all are equal in the eyes of the law. Yet on many campuses, the unfortunate accused face "kangaroo courts" without fair procedures, in which the political viewpoint of the "judges" greatly affect the outcome of trials. The accused are often charged with no specific offense, given no right to face their accusers, and sentenced with no regard for fairness or consistency
This incident took place December 4, 2007 inside of Johnson C Smith University’s bookstore. Another student and I were trying to sell back our books that we had purchased earlier during the semester. After selling my books I was confronted by Officer B. Thompson who tried to make me exit through the back door of the premises of the bookstore before I had finished my shopping. Before me and Officer Thompson got into the altercation he told the gentleman that was behind the counter at the bookstore “ I am ready for them today” ( referring to the students). I was trying to explain to him that I wanted to purchase something in the front of the store but yet he continued to use excessive force to ensure my departure from the bookstore. After attempting a second time to modulate to the front of the store he used his body force to slam me against the book shelf and pull my hair out in his hand. I still have the piece of hair he removed along with pictures. The officer who used the force doesn’t have the power of arrest on our campus meaning he is just a security guard. An unjust law is no law at all. By the staff here at my school my story about what happened with Officer Thompson and I was pushed to the side. Instead of repremanding Officer Thompson they suspended me for the rest of the 2008 spring semester. There are cameras inside of the bookstore but they dont work so I have no other evidence besides my wittness who was present during the entire incident Brandy Brown. Officer Thompson was not even present during the judicial hearing instead he had another officer stand in his place. If I indeed was disgruntle in the bookstore why wouldn’t Officer Thompson be present at the hearing. Since he is a authority figure they automatically took his side. I want to further my education and I feel that it has been stifled by administrators here at Smith. I am innocent of any charges that was brought against me by Officer Thompson and because of the preconceived stereotypes that float around campus about students from D.C. he automatically assumed on his own that I was going to pose a threat it was nothing I did. I am pleading for your help. For me to be a women who weighs 132 compared to a grown man who is no less than 220lbs Officer Thompson was out of line in every way possible. I have just been expelled from school and I don’t want to give up on my education without a fight. I am very hardworking and all of my teachers can attest to that. I plan on doing big things for my black community once a graduate but my education is being hindered. Its only God and me in my corner I am fighting this battle alone and I don’t know where else to turn. Since this incident I have to take muscle relievers which was prescribed by my doctor because of the blunt force trauma that occurred when Officer Thompson swung my head into the bookshelf and wrestled me to the ground.
