The moment you get a call from your 14-year-old son, stumbling over his words through hysterical tears, saying, “Mom, please come pick me up…”
The moment your heart drops to your stomach when you're shown a video of your son being mistreated by an adult—a cop, a SERGEANT, at that—over a bicycle.
The moment you have to defend your child against false allegations like he's the criminal when in fact, he's the victim of an abuse of power.
The moment you have to fight for justice—not just for your own child, but for every child who deserves to be treated with respect + protected by those meant to serve our youth, our society, regardless of the color of their skin.
...to national news all around the world. There's something about this story that means something to people.
Our brown skinned, afro hair, Puerto Rican 14-year-old teenager is a straight-A's honor student, a 3-sport athlete with his heart set on the NFL, and a Godly child.
He didn't steal a bike–he literally has his own ORANGE bike with him. But even if he did, does that give a Sergeant the right to use force over words? To pin him down on the hot cement with his knee dug into his back?
Have we not learned anything in this decade? We are so grateful our son is alive—there are many mothers + fathers who cannot say the same 💔
How many more tragic examples are needed before we learn to treat one another with respect, especially those called to help us feel safe?
Because the injustice done against our son wasn't quiet.
It was public. Humiliating. Dramatic. Demeaning. Traumatizing to a young, formidable boy who will carry this experience with him for the rest of his life.
Our son saw the worst in someone that day. Experienced the worst from someone; from an OFFICER...
We pray that our public fight for justice will now help him see the BEST in people by seeing the outpouring of support from people, like you, who choose to stand WITH him during this fight.
This is your son. Your daughter. Your neighbor. Your grandchild.
This is about continuing to show that anyone—regardless of the color of their skin, their age, their size, their gender—should be treated with respect, with dignity, as a human being before we rush to judgement.
This is about taking a stand for what’s right. Demanding justice for our sons.
And showing the world that change starts with one person making a decision to say, #NotInMyTown.
Not in my community.
Not in my state.
Not in my nation will we continue to allow injustices like this to occur.
We stand with our son, just as we would stand with your son. Our faith is in Christ and our trust is in God’s hands that justice will be served.
We will continue to use our voice to amplify this message.
United we stand.
The moment you have to fight for justice—not just for your own child, but for every child who deserves to be treated with respect + protected by those meant to serve our youth, our society, regardless of the color of their skin.
From 12 million views on TikTok to national news as first reported by TMZ, there's something about this story that means something to people.
Our brown skinned, afro hair, Puerto Rican 14-year-old teenager is a straight-A's honor student, a 3-sport athlete with his heart set on the NFL, and a Godly child.
He didn't steal the bike–he literally has his own ORANGE bike with him. But even if he did, does that give a Sergeant the right to use force over words? To pin him down on the hot cement with his knee dug into his back?
Have we not learned anything in this decade? We are so grateful our son is alive—there are many mothers + fathers who cannot say the same.
How many more tragic examples are needed before we learn to treat one another with respect, especially those called to help us feel safe?
We will not stand idly by + fight quietly for justice. Because the injustice done against our son wasn't quiet.
It was public. Humiliating. Dramatic. Demeaning. Traumatizing to a young, formidable boy who will carry this experience with him for the rest of his life.
Our son saw the worst in someone that day. Experienced the worst from someone; from an OFFICER...
We pray that our public fight for justice will now help him see the BEST in people by seeing the outpouring of support from people, like you, who choose to stand WITH him during this fight.
Ultimately, this is so much bigger than our son. This is your son. Your daughter. Your neighbor. Your grandchild.
This is about continuing to show that anyone—regardless of the color of their skin, their age, their size, their gender—should be treated with respect, with dignity, as a human being before we rush to judgement.
This is about taking a stand for what’s right. Demanding justice for our sons.
And showing the world that change starts with one person making a decision to say, #NotInMyTown.
Not in my community.
Not in my state.
Not in my nation will we continue to allow injustices like this to occur.
We stand with our son, just as we would stand with your son. Our faith is in Christ and our trust is in God’s hands that justice will be served.
We will continue to use our voice to amplify this message.
United we stand.
The moment you get a call from your 14-year-old son, stumbling over his words through hysterical tears, saying, “Mom, please come pick me up…”
The moment your heart drops to your stomach when you're shown a video of your son being mistreated by an adult—a cop at that—over a bicycle.
FROM TMZ TO 12 MILLION VIEWS ON TIKTOK...
We will not stand idly by + fight quietly for justice.
Ultimately, this is so much bigger than our son.
DONATE TODAY 🧡
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🧡🧡🧡 Orange Ribbons on Trees = A United Message Saying #NotInMyTown
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
How do you fight against injustice? One action at a time.
This past week, our community rallied with our family by placing ORANGE ribbons on trees all throughout our town.
🧡ORANGE is the color of our son’s bike — the bike he had WITH him when he was falsely accused of stealing another kids bike...
WATCH HERE
1 second. 1 phone call. 1 week is all it takes for your life to be completely turned upside down.
🧡Please watch til the end for updates 🧡
Still, we wait... we put our faith in God… and we stand firm for truth, justice, equality, and love over hate to protect our kids.
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El apoyo que hemos recibido hasta ahora ha sido increíble. Gracias a nuestra comunidad de Park Ridge, a nuestros amigos cercanos y lejanos, a nuestra familia... y cada uno de ustedes en línea que se ha tomado el tiempo de abogar en nuestro nombre 🧡
También hemos sentido el amor y el apoyo a miles de millas de distancia...
Como puertorriqueños-estadounidenses, nos llena el corazón ver el cariño y apoyo del pueblo de Puerto Rico, especialmente de nuestra familia, amigos y los medios locales que estan cubriendo esta injusticia contra nuestro hijo.
watch here
🧡The fight is only beginning but we stand with our son, just as we would stand with your son.
Change starts with ONE person deciding to say #NotInMyTown …
❌ Not in my state…
❌ Not in my nation…
❌ Not in my lifetime here on this earth will we allow injustices like this to occur
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This is not the type of post we planned on writing on this 4th of July weekend, but here we are…
Words can’t explain what we are feeling as parents.
Please share this.
Help us hold this officer accountable for his actions.
And show that we stand together against any form of violence, racism, and injustices happening to our youth.
TMZ
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ABC NEWS
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TELEMUNDO
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COMPLEX + FOX 32
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Honor Student.
3 Sport Athlete.
God-Honoring.
This is our son 🧡
THE WASHINGTON POST
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NBC 5
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THE DAILY HERALD
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US News
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CHICAGO SUN TIMES
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ATLANTA BLACK STAR
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PRIMERA HORA
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WTTW
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COVER OUR STORY, PLEASE REACH OUT TO JENNIFER MCGUFFIN AT JMCGUFFIN@RBLAW.NET