Once a vibrant, 10-year-old kid, Benjamin Whitfield is not the same happy 5th grader that he once was before being handcuffed and having a gun pointed at him. "Today, he often wakes up crying in the middle of the night, when he is supposed to be asleep, nightmares haunt him from being criminalized by the police," says his mom, Markia Dixson.
When children witness traumatic incidents, the effects of that visualization are often damaging. However, when children experience trauma with law enforcement, research suggests these violent police interactions could have long-lasting adverse effects on children. Yet, most police departments fail to implement training on how to interact with children to minimize the risk of trauma, and many feel they are doing nothing wrong, as in the case of Pittsfield Township Police in Michigan, when they handcuffed and pointed a gun at then 10-year-old, Benjamin. Obscure to wrongdoing, Pittsfield Police offered no apology or recognition of their shortcomings in this matter when they wrongfully pursued Benjamin's father in a car chase for a robbery in Briarwood Mall in the Spring of this year and apprehended Benjamin, as well.
Dionne Webster-Cox, a MI Civil Rights Attorney who Dixson has retained to represent her son. "There is no excuse for the actions of Pittsfield Township police. Pulling a gun on this child and handcuffing him, treating him like a crime suspect, is another example of law enforcement mistreatment of black people. Unfortunately, they have likely done this to other black male children" said Webster-Cox.
On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, Webster-Cox will partner with Survivors Speak, and Value Black Lives to hold an official rally and press conference for the injustice of Benjamin Whitfield and other Black Boys victimized by Pittsfield police. The "Black Boys Matter" rally and press conference will be Tuesday, November 2 at 11:00 a.m., outside of the Pittsfield Township Administration Building, voting precinct one at 6201 W. Michigan Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
"We have to challenge these unjust police practices because they leave our children vulnerable to police brutality and violate their human rights,” said Webster-Cox.
Children who have experienced trauma are more likely to suffer from mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, display anti-social behavior, and have trouble focusing on school after this physical and psychological abuse. Unfortunately, the effects are long-lasting: As adults, these children are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, develop chronic illnesses, to attempt suicide. For more information on how you can participate in the rally, please get in touch with Gwen Thomas at 609.474.5877.
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Disclaimer: The information and views set out in this press release are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of PR Distribution, or the media outlet(s) that this press release may be distributed on. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this press release lies entirely with the author(s). If you have any questions(s) pertaining to this matter, please contact the author(s) directly at: Gwen@gwenthomaspr.com
