Drop the Charges Against Armani!

Black Autistic Lives Matter rally at Hazel Park Municipal Center, July 21, 2021. | Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Black Autistic Lives Matter rally in Hazel Park, July 21, 2021. | Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Black Autistic Lives Matter rally in front of Hazel Park City Hall, July 21, 2021. | Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Black Autistic Lives Matter rally – Moratorium NOW! Coalition speaks, July 21, 2021. | Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Black Autistic Lives Matter rally in Hazel Park on July 21, 2021. | Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Black Autistic Lives Matter rally – Hazel Park resident speaks at rally, July 21, 2021. | Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

By Fighting Words Staff

There was a rally held outside the Hazel Park Municipal Center on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 to demand that the authorities in Hazel Park and Ferndale, two suburbs right across the northeast border with Detroit, drop the charges against Armani Sharpe, an African American youth on the autism spectrum.

Armani was accused of a crime by two caucasian women while taking a therapeutic walk. Activists from Hazel Park attended the rally along with their supporters from Detroit, Shelby Township and other areas.

The activists present called for Ferndale City Attorney Daniel Christ and Hazel Park City Attorney Melissa Schwartz to dismiss the charges against this disabled youth.