Jay-Z’s Team ROC steps in for boy who refused to stand for Pledge of Allegiance
An 11-year-old who defied a teacher's instruction to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, and was arrested for it, is now out of trouble
A Florida sixth grader who was arrested and disciplined for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because he felt the flag was offensive to Black people, got some help from Jay-Z and his Team ROC organization that fights against social and racial injustice, resulting of the dismissal of charges against him.
READ MORE: Mother of 6th grader arrested after refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance speaks out
The boy, Jabari Talbot, got some big help from the high-profile rapper who in recent weeks has used his platform to plead cases in support of rapper 21 Savage who had citizenship issues and also the men who were arrested at a Memphis mall for wearing hoodies.
Attorney Alex Spiro stepped in on behalf of Jabari, pro bono, Complex reports.
“Jabari is a courageous and intelligent young man who deserves all the credit for standing up for his beliefs,” Spiro said in a statement. “He should’ve never been arrested or entangled in this situation—his freedom of speech rights were clearly protected under the First Amendment.”
READ MORE: Detroit man sues three white women who had him arrested for ‘gardening while black’
Jabari who attends Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland, Fla., refused a substitute teacher’s order to stand during the Pledge of Alliance, something the school has admitted he didn’t actually have to do.
The student reportedly told the teacher that the flag was racist against Black people.
Police charged the 11-year-old student with disrupting a school function and resisting arrest without violence after he was kicked out of class, Bay 9 News reports.
In a statement to the district, the substitute teacher reportedly told the student, “Why if it was so bad here he did not go to another place to live.” She said he then said, “they brought me here.”
She claims he replied by saying, “Well you can always go back, because I came here from Cuba and the day I feel I’m not welcome here anymore I would find another place to live.”
She wrote, “Then I had to call the office because I did not want to continue dealing with him.”
Jabari’s story erupted in a wave of support online from entertainers and athletes.
Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow said it was an “injustice.” Jacksonville Jaguars’ running back Leonard Fournette called Jabari strong for standing up for what he believed in.
“When I heard about Jabari’s arrest, I immediately had my team reach out so I could offer my support for this unjust moment.” Fournette said. “Jabari is a bright young student and I applaud him for the strength he has shown during this difficult situation. I know he’s a huge football fan and I’m looking forward to having him come to a Jaguars game this season.”
Jabari’s case was subsequently dismissed after much support. His mother Dhakira Talbot, thanked Roc Nation for taking her the support and for taking her son’s case under its wings.
“My son and I are grateful for all the athletes, entertainers, Roc Nation and community of supporters that have raised awareness about this injustice and showed their support—both publicly and privately […]” she said. “Although Jabari’s case has been dismissed, I do want people to know this isn’t just about my son—this prejudice happens to African-American kids all across the country.”
