On November 18, 2025, Joshua Long, a U.S. citizen and volunteer legal observer, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in Charlotte while documenting their activity in a public parking lot. He was thrown to the ground, had a gun pointed at him, and was detained for six hours at the FBI’s Charlotte field office.

His attorney was denied access to him during that entire time.

Long was charged with simple assault on a federal officer, a charge his friends and loved ones strongly dispute. They say he was simply doing what volunteers across the country do every day: monitoring immigration enforcement to ensure accountability and civil rights.

Federal agents claim he “skimmed” their vehicle. Long says he cooperated fully, was pulled from his car, and was never told why he was being arrested. Body camera footage and proper legal review are urgently needed.

We are calling on North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson to open an independent investigation into:

• The arrest and detention of Joshua Long
• Whether Border Patrol retaliated against him for documenting their activity
• Why access to legal counsel was denied during his detention
• Whether any laws or constitutional rights were violated

Volunteers who monitor public officials from public spaces, especially federal agents conducting sweeping immigration enforcement, must not be arrested for doing so. This is not just about one person. It is about the public’s right to observe, report, and protect civil liberties without fear of government retaliation.

Sign this petition to demand a full investigation. The public has a right to transparency, and Joshua Long has a right to justice.

Photo Credit: Raleigh News & Observer