Crump joins lawsuit to seek justice on behalf of former Warrensville Heights Police Officer Nakia Jones

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump today announced today at a press conference in Cleveland that he is joining Attorney John Myers as co-counsel in representing Nakia Jones in her lawsuit against the City of Warrensville Heights, the mayor and the chief of police.

Jones was fired from the police force after posting a social media video advocating against improper police use of force that has been viewed more than 20 million times. She is suing on claims of racial discrimination while on the force and retaliation for posting an opinionated video on her personal social media account about the police shooting death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Crump and Jones are releasing the following statements on this matter:

“Yes, I am a law enforcement officer, but I am an African-American mother first. I joined the force to bridge the gap between community and law enforcement. Yet, when I tried to make the world a better place and built that bridge, I had no support from my department whatsoever. I entrusted my fellow officers to know and defend my character, but instead, my whole department turned against me. An officer even threatened to put a bullet in the back of my head. I felt alone. I felt abandoned by my brothers and sisters in uniform who knew me and what I stood for.” — Nakia Jones

“Nakia Jones has a First Amendment right as an American to speak up against injustice. When freedom of speech is under attack, it becomes a national issue. That’s why I am prepared to take this matter to the highest court in the land. Why don’t police officers speak up when they see illegal or immoral things? This is why. Ms. Jones has been abandoned by her department and her union because she chose to speak truth to power. Everyone is quick to defend police officers, especially with the creation of the Blue Lives Matter movement. Where is the support for Nakia Jones?” — Ben Crump

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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW

Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit www.bencrump.com.