Lisa tapped her fingers against the table already forming a plan all right I can start reaching out to the people who sent us messages we'll record their stories make sure they're protected. Nia set her folder down meanwhile I'll ramp up legal pressure I have contacts in civil rights groups advocacy organizations if the da won't move we force their hand. King cracked his knuckles and I'll handle the street side I know officers who left because of hail they might not want to talk publicly but they'll talk to me if I can get them on record. Lisa nodded that would be huge a wait settled between them this was the moment the Tipping Point if they didn't act now if they didn't push harder the system would bury the case like it had so many before it. Lisa took a deep breath then let's make our move the night air was thick with tension as.
Lisa set up her camera in the dimly lit office space she had rented for the interviews the walls were bare the furniture minimal just a few chairs a desk and a tripod with her camera set up against the plain backdrop it wasn't polished but that didn't matter What mattered was the stories they were about to capture. She glanced at the time on her phone the first Speaker would be arriving any minute. Darius. King stood near the window his arms crossed scanning the street below his face was set in a deep frown they know what we're doing. He muttered I got word from some guys still in the department officers are warning people to stay quiet.
Lisa tightened the camera's Focus adjusting the frame how bad is it. King let out a low chuckle shaking his head bad enough that they're trying to intimidate people before they even say a word but you know what that tells me. He turned to look at her it tells me they're scared. Lisa met his gaze good they should be the door to the office opened and. Lisa turned straightening up as a woman entered she was in her mid-40s dressed conservatively in a gray sweater and slacks her posture stiff with nerves her fingers gripped the strap of her purse so tightly her knuckles were white.
Lisa stepped forward offering a gentle smile. Angela Brooks the woman nodded yes I I almost didn't come. King stepped forward his voice steady but reassuring we understand you don't have to do this if you're not ready. Angela took a deep breath standing in place for a long moment before finally shaking her head no I need to my son he was lucky we got him out before they could ruin his life but how many others didn't. Lisa gestured toward the chair in front of the camera take your time just tell your story.
Angela hesitated before slowly lowering herself into the chair. She exhaled shakily clasping her hands together in her lap the camera light blinked red recording. She looked into the lens my son was 17 when they arrested him. They said he fit the description of a robbery suspect she swallowed hard blinking rapidly before continuing he was coming home from a friend's house just walking but they threw him against the hood of a police car searched his pockets called him a thug her voice wavered but she kept going they put him in the system it took us months to clear his name he still has nightmares about that night. Lisa sat behind the camera nodding silently not rushing her.
Angela's fingers Twisted together in her lap I tried to file a complaint they shut me down said if I kept pushing they'd find something on him she let out a bitter laugh he was a kid a straight A student and they wanted to ruin him. King exhaled shaking his head he had seen this too many times. Angela's Eyes burned with restrained anger hail and his team they do this because they know no one will stop them. Lisa glanced at. King and they exchanged a silent understanding this was bigger than.