FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2022
Contact:
Sarah Alvarez, Staff Attorney
(541) 687-9180
info@cldc.org
Final Black Lives Matter activist arrested at Springfield protest exonerated in State Court
Eugene, OR — Today, moments before a jury was to hear opening statements, the Deputy Lane County District Attorney abruptly moved to dismiss all charges against racial justice activist Jazmine Jourdan for events related to a 2020 protest led by Black Unity against racism in Springfield’s Thurston neighborhood. This is the same incident where rampant police misconduct spurred the Civil Liberties Defense Center and the non-profit community organization Black Unity to file civil litigation against the City of Springfield for numerous civil rights violations.
It is CLDC’s understanding that Ms. Jourdan’s case was dismissed by the Court after the jury was sworn in because a necessary witness for the State, former Springfield police officer Durrant, declined to voluntarily appear. After two years, the final criminal prosecution of Black Lives Matter activists has ended in victory for the community members who stood up against racism in Springfield.
“First off, I’m going to say BLACK LIVES MATTER. Two years of my adult life have been taken away from me, filled with anxiety and fear by Springfield PD. Finally, this has come to an end. I am innocent, I am an activist, and I am not ashamed. I am so thankful for Black Unity, the community, and my lawyers at CLDC for working day in and day out to fight for my freedom. It’s finally over!” said Ms. Jourdan.
“I am so honored and proud to have represented such a strong and resilient activist in a repressive, political trial. Jazmine acted with integrity and stood up for what she knew was right during the July 29, 2020 protest here in Oregon. I am pleased that the prosecution dismissed the charges, I only wish they hadn’t waited so long to do so,” said Sarah Alvarez, an attorney with the Civil Liberties Defense Center.
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The Civil Liberties Defense Center supports movements that seek to dismantle the political and economic structures at the root of social inequality and environmental destruction.