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
is 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
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