Carroll Community JustUS

WAKE UP

This is a call to all area elected officials, attorneys, community, church and civic leaders, and any other concerned citizens. What was witnessed over the past year dealing with Franklin Parish was a demonstration of White privilege, Black disconnect, and no sense of community concern or unity. Three coaches from Carroll High School in Monroe, LA were arrested and faced several bogus charges. Two pleaded guilty to prevent serving jail time, but one pleaded not guilty and went to court. Despite presenting substantial evidence, he was found guilty and served 25 days in jail for the charge, which was considered a misdemeanor. Could this have been his fate if the community stood up for them?

There is still time to fight for what's right.

The Justice for Quillen-Carroll Committee has four main objectives.

Objective 1 - See that Sherriff Kevin Cobb is held responsible for his actions.

Sherriff Cobb is solely responsible for the altercation and the aftermath of what happened at the October 20, 2022 game in Franklin Parish. He approached the coaches dressed in plain clothes as they were leaving the press box and went on a profanity-laced tyrant in addition to pushing and shoving aggressively. Reports released that night and reported through media allege the sheriff's misconduct. He denied the allegations; however, reports from some Franklin Parish residents allege he does behavior all the time. His actions led to a mob attacking Coach Quillen, eventually leading to Carroll Coaches crossing into Franklin Parish bleachers to gather their fellow coach.

Objective 2 - See that others in Franklin Parish face some form of disciplinary action.

Franklin Parish High School in Winnsboro, LA is currently on probation for "failure to maintain a safe environment" which demonstrates they shared a great deal of responsibility for what happened that night; however, Carroll is the only school in the situation being punished. Coach Quillen was attacked from the front, put in a choke hold from the back, as well as being sucker punched and assaulted by several Franklin Parish fans, all in the presence of the town's sheriff. Not one Franklin Parish resident was charged with a crime. National statistics show that African Americans are more likely than White Americans to be arrested; once arrested, they are more likely to be convicted, and once convicted, they are more likely to experience lengthy prison sentences.

Objective 3 - See that our coaches get some type of vindication.

Those coaches have faced public and media humiliation and embarrassment. Their character and careers were ruined in addition to the psychological effect it has had on the team and the players. The students were riding an 8-0 record with such a well-coached and disciplined team and seemed to have a possibility of playing for the state championship. Not only did it destroy the 2022 season but also the 2023 season as well. The rhetoric of the criminal justice system sends the message that our society carefully protects everyone's constitutional rights, but in practice the rules assure that law enforcement privileges will generally prevail over the rights of minorities. These coaches were denied a motion to move the trial out of Franklin Parish. How could we expect a fair trial when the judge and the sheriff are friends? The judge found Quillen guilty because, in his words, he just couldn't believe that the sheriff didn't identify himself, contradictory to the video footage that shows the sheriff marching down the bleachers pushing other coaches and Carroll security personnel. Because of their bogus charges (Battery of a Police Officer), State law does not allow Coach Landers and Coach Quillen to coach in the state of Louisiana. All they did was defend themselves from a hostile mob. (Continued)