On the evening of July 5, 2005, Kirkwood police sought to serve a warrant at the family residence of 19-year-old Kevin Johnson. Kevin Johnson wasn’t there but observed the events from a neighboring home. While the police were present, Joseph “Bam Bam” Long, Kevin’s twelve-year-old little brother, suffered a seizure and collapsed.

Joseph's mother rushed over to aid Joseph and was restrained by the police, who kept her from helping her child. The police were indifferent to the medical emergency Joseph was having, they did not immediately attend to Joseph, and claimed it was necessary to check the house first for their own safety.

Among the police present was William McEntee, known to be anything but a model police officer in the Meacham Park neighborhood, according to Jamala Rogers, who wrote about the entire tragedy in the St. Louis American newspaper.

An ambulance later arrived, and Joseph was taken to the hospital, where he died. This tragedy sparked another...

Today on the 17th Angelversary of Joseph Long, led by Joseph's family, Arch City Defense, The Fatal State Violence Project, and MADP, individuals held space in front of the St. Louis County Prosecutors Office in memory of Joseph "Bam Bam" Long in the continued effort to support and uplift innocent victims of police indifference and abuse. Watch the rally held in Joseph's honor via the link above.

Joseph Long was an innocent child who had a lifetime ahead of him. As we remember Joseph this week, we ask you to continue to support Joseph's family and community in the ongoing efforts for Kevin Johnson.

We thank each of you for your efforts to advance abolition and healing in our communities across the state. Be sure to sign up to receive emails from us by signing up here and follow us across social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @madpmo.