Protest Held For Rodwell/Spivey Brothers In Newark: 'Free Justin'

NEWARK, NJ — “Free Justin!” This was the call that echoed at the Essex County Courthouse on Thursday, as dozens of supporters rallied in the name of four Newark brothers accused of aggravated assault against a police officer.

Their demands revolved around the Rodwell and Spivey brothers, who were arrested in June during a controversial incident on Fabyan Place and Cypress Street. Read More: 'Mob Assault' Or 'False Narrative?' 4 Arrested In Newark

Police have claimed that the officers were “attacked” while trying to stop a man suspected of gun possession. But supporters of the brothers say that they were “racially profiled” and victims of police harassment.

Here’s what happened on June 1, according to police:

“At approximately 1:30 p.m., two Newark police officers, assisted by a detective of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, were patrolling the area of Fabyan Place and Cypress Street in response to recent gun violence in that area. They approached a group of males on Cypress Street and attempted to stop one male who was suspected of gun possession. Two brothers of the suspect came to the scene and physically interfered with the arrest. The officers requested backup.”

Four men were eventually arrested. Branden K. Rodwell, 31, of Newark, and Justin Rodwell, 30, of Irvington, were arrested at the scene. Jaykil A. Rodwell, 28, and Jasper D. Spivey, 24, both of Newark, were arrested the next day after voluntarily surrendering to police.

The president of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police said the officers were "set upon by a mob of people," then "pummeled to the ground, kicked in the head and choked." The officers' bodycams were "forcibly removed" from the officers and smashed on the ground, he added.

Newark police later released body camera footage of the incident, with Public Safety Director Brian O'Hara praising the response of the involved officers.

"They used extraordinary restraint even while it is clear from the video that the officers were out-numbered and that they were attacked while attempting to make an arrest," O'Hara said.

That version of events was questioned by Mayor Ras Baraka, who said there was a “false narrative” surrounding the incident. He wasn’t alone.

On Thursday – the day the brothers were due in court – supporters of the Rodwell-Spivey family rallied at the intersection of Springfield and Market in Newark. While three of them have since been released, one brother, Justin Rodwell, is still in custody. Now, protesters want Rodwell freed and all charges dropped.

All four brothers have refused the plea deals offered to them because they maintain they were the ones attacked by police – not the other way around.

The Newark-based People’s Organization for Progress has also rallied for the Rodwell-Spivey brothers, recently supporting them at their weekly “Justice Monday” protest.

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