Last night for a #BlackGirlsMatter protest, we were standing on a median holding signs that said “Shut shit down for Black girls” and “Black Girls Matter” for Justice for McKinney. We were approached by two officers that said that we were unlawfully using a median because it’s dangerous for others’ safety. They came up to us a second time when we were planning on crossing the street stating that they would cite us for breaking the law. At the time there were five of us on the median, two people being white-presenting people of color and three of us being Black. Only the Black people were approached about being unlawful and threatened with citation. After having four more cop cars (7 cops to begin with for being on a median) and the Sargent coming to speak with us about how dangerous we were being, we were asked to give our information. I provided my information hoping they would stop with summoning me for unlawful use of a median because they already have identified me as a visible activist/ trouble maker (because I’m active in Richmond for fighting against police brutality and white supremacy). When they asked the two other Black folks I was with for their information, both of them refused - and rightfully so due to the fact that a.) We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, b.) the arresting officer/ instigator was frightening and on a sadistic ego trip and we didn’t feel comfortable talking with him, and c.) Heaven is a Black queer woman with medical disabilities and Shan is a Black queer transmasculine boi that does not have matching identification. The arresting officer (Officer Aaron D. Henning, Richmond PD Badge #3039 - also the arresting officer that is brutalizing Shan in the video) decided that he would arrest them because “they think they don’t have to listen to me or do what I say.” Right before they arrest Shan, he offers his information and they explained that “that ship has sailed, he has to take it to the magistrate.” But in arresting him, Officer Henning started off being rough because he was more mad about our inability to do exactly what he wanted just because he’s a white man telling Black kids get off a median that all Richmond residents use to cross the street or even socialize on. They ended up releasing Shan and Heaven because unlawful use of a median is only valid if you’re soliciting money. But my summons for the same charge is still valid until I go to court, and they were charged with impeding traffic and resisting arrest…. Because we stood on a median while being Black and just happened to be calling out the same behavior perpetuated against us.