Leon Ford Jr.-
A case of mistaken identity and on Nov 11, 2012 his life definitely changed forever. He was shot by a Pittsburgh police officer in what was said to be a "routine traffic stop". To add insult to injury his parents rushed to the hospital only to be denied access to see their child, for seven whole days.in the words of his parents they waited in "shock and confusion". It wasn't until later that they learned their 19 year old teenage son was detained by 3 officers on a dark road for over 20 minutes. Routine? Also the video shows that Leon provided the officers with his identification and proper paperwork. However in the video you hear the officers discuss the possiblitiy that Leon Ford is actually another Black young man that shares the same first initial and last name. In the video you see there are 2 officers at his driver door and another at the passenger door as the car begins to move the officer on the passenger side goes against protocol and jumps into the vehicle with Leon stating that he saw a "bulge" in his pants. Next you hear the awful sounds of five shots and the car slows to a stop.
Now you may ask yourself why did Leon pull off? Well I think if I were a 19 year olde teenager cornered by 3 white officers on a dark road and they are accusing me if being someone I am not.... I may be afraid for my LIFE, which it appears he was correct to fear for his life in this situation.
But that's it you say right...he survived... He's not another Trayvon Martin right?!? WRONG! Not only was he shot and now he is paralyzed from the waist down but to add insult to injury Leon is facing 20 years in prison! How is this fair? It's not.... So what is the next step?....
You can sign the petition www.change.org/justiceforleon and you can join us
Saturday March 8th, 2014
515 N Highland Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
At 2:30pm