During the spring trial of activist Shaka Shakur, veteran Black Panther and long time community activist Sadiki "Bro. Shep" Ojore Olugbala was unjustly targeted as a leader in the campaign in support of Shakur and arrested inside of the Bronx Criminal Courthouse.  This arrest was made while other court officers were engaged in a heated discussion with activist attorney Michael "Tarif" Warren about the court’s treatment of and disrespect towards Bro. Shaka’s supporters.

Despite winning Shakur’s acquittal, District Attorney Robert Johnson and the courts have decided to make an example of Bro. Shep by attempting to imprison him, contributing to a current city-wide campaign to intimidate the growing movement of both organizers and the victims of police terror by the NYPD.

The prosecution of criminal charges against Bro. Shep shows all too clearly the illegal restrictions on activists demonstrating their courtroom support by wearing political buttons and t-shirts, as well as the harassment of activists expressing their basic civil liberties by leafleting outside of the courthouse. His arrest also raises the question of whether those facing criminal charges in the Bronx can actually receive a fair and unbiased trial, given the close personal and professional ties between the arresting NYS Court Officers and the judges.

Defend Bro. Shep and support the campaign for justice for all those who struggle against police violence and terror. Drop the charges now!