The Lowell Police Department (LPD) has been targeting and harassing the Degree family for years. Now, the Degree family is being retaliated against by the Lowell Police Department again.
This week, DeVante's mother Tina Degree spoke out at the Lowell city council meeting about the racist practices of the LPD, how they have harassed her family and others in the community, and how the department has been negligent in solving the murder of her son. She publicly named just some of the ways that the LPD is hurting members of the Lowell community. Just three days later, the LPD showed up to Tina’s house, illegally entered without a warrant, and arrested DeVante without justification.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened.
In 2017, DeVante filed a civil lawsuit against the Lowell PD for harassment. Soon after filing to lawsuit, the Lowell police retaliated against DeVante by assaulting him and arresting him on four bogus charges. Many in the Lowell community rallied in support around DeVante, and at trial, he was acquitted by a jury on all charges.
After settling the lawsuit, DeVante continued to be harassed and threatened by the LPD.
This fundraiser is to provide legal support for Devante’s bail, court fees, and lawyer. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday. We will post more information about the arraignment when we have it.
We’re calling for all charges against Devante to be dropped; for an end to the harassment and intimidation of the Degree family by the Lowell Police Department; for accountability and an end to police abuses in Lowell.
