Protect Our Children: Justice for Tati (Reject Police Violence)

Tampa Bay’s Black community has been impacted by an unprecedented number of crimes against OUR children at the hands of the police in recently history - specifically at the hands of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. As, a community of parents, community members and activist, we say “NO MORE”. Our children are still children, despite their presentation, and must be protected as any other child of any other race.

On February 8th, 2019, 14 year old, Tati-ana Colbert was tackled and assaulted by a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Deputy while removing herself from a potentially dangerous altercation between two students.

Tati-ana, like all Hillsborough County students (Grades 6 - 12), received a ticket and a day off from school to attend the Florida State Fair from the Hillsborough County School District (HCSD) - a practice that has gone on for a number of years. Though the day seems like an opportunity to enrich students in their state’s history, it serves as a profitable relationship between the Florida State Fairgrounds and HCSD. Each year, the Hillsborough County Fair Authority awards a large six figure sum of money to offer free tickets & a day off for students and relationship with the HCSD. Each year, the Hillsborough County Sheriff Office arrests, detains or assaults children of color attending the fair, to maintain “law & order”, as contracted by the fairgrounds.

Tati-ana attended this year’s fair with two friends on the afternoon of February 8th, 2019. Witnesses report an altercation between two students, one of which the children heard of a weapon. Upon hearing this allegation and fearing for her life, Tati-ana moved away from the altercation to safety. While avoiding the site of the altercation, Tati-ana caught the attention of a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Officer who pursued her. A video of the incident shows an HCSO tackle the 14 year old to the ground and use of blunt force to hold her down. The officer is then seen dragging the child to a nearby fence, where he lifts and tackles the struggling child again, this time pushing her face 1st through a fence. Tati-ana reports she was choked and hit a number of times by the assaulting officer, before additional officers arrived to the scene of her assault.

Tatia-ana has sustained a concussion and a number of injuries as a result of the assault. Her mother, Rhonda, fears the psychological damage of that day is irrevocable, as her child is unable to sleep, eat or perform normal activities as a result of the attack.

Tati-ana’s family and the Tampa Bay Community is asking that you STAND and PROTECT Black Children from harm. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the Florida State Fairgrounds & the Hillsborough County School System are responsible for loss of life and a number of harmful incidents involving black children. Let’s ensure these agencies are held ACCOUNTABLE for their harmful actions.

Demand JUSTICE for Tati-ana!