My name is Louis L. Reed and I am an advocate, father, and man of faith.

On Thursday, October 22nd, I was at a rental property I own to perform some standard maintenance when Waterbury Police knocked at the door, brutally slammed me to the floor, handcuffed and suffocated me. Even as I yelled “I can’t breathe,” they wouldn’t let off. 

This will keep happening until we demand that Waterbury Police – and police across the country – be held accountable for their actions.

I did my best to stay calm and explained to the officers that I was the rightful property owner, that there was no crime being committed, and requested that they leave the scene. My tenant who was present confirmed these facts to the officers while she took her phone out to record the police interaction.

Even after admitting that they did not belong there, officers of the Waterbury Police Department arrested and detained me for resisting arrest and interfering with police business. I was handcuffed and taken down to the police station for processing, where I was released on my own recognizance.

But the worst of it isn’t over yet; I now must face these charges after a traumatic, unjustified home invasion, which has caused me and my family significant distress and emotional damage. 

That’s why I’m calling on the Waterbury Police to drop these charges and be held accountable for yet another targeted, unjustified invasion of a Black man’s property. 

I do not want my sons and grandkids to fear the day this happens to them. I want them to live safe in the knowledge that their lives matter. But they must see that police believe that, too.