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September 13, 2022

Black Pastor Sues over Arrest by Alabama Officers While Watering Neighbor's Flowers
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In Alabama, a Black pastor who was arrested while watering his
neighbor's flowers while they were away has filed a federal civil rights
lawsuit against the city of Childersburg and the police officers
involved in his arrest. Michael Jennings is the longtime pastor at
Vision of Abundant Life Church in a nearby town. He is also a former
police officer. His arrest took place in May, but police bodycam footage
was only recently released.

Police officer: "Do you live here?"

Michael Jennings: "No, I don't live here."

Police officer: "OK. They're saying that this vehicle is not supposed to
be here, and you're not supposed to be here."

Michael Jennings: "Who's saying that?"

Police officer: "They called about it. I don't know who called."

Michael Jennings: "Well, I'm supposed to be here. I'm Pastor Jennings. I
live across the street."

Police officer: "You're Pastor Jennings?"

Michael Jennings: "Yes. I'm looking out for their house while they're
gone."

Police officer: "OK."

Michael Jennings: "Watering their flowers."

Police officer: "OK. Well, that's cool. Now, do you like ID and all?"

Michael Jennings: "Oh no, man. I'm not going to give you no ID."

Police officer: "Why not?"

Michael Jennings: "I ain't did nothing wrong, and I did nothing
suspicious."

Police officer: "Well, you look, listen. Listen, I'm not saying you did
nothing wrong. There's a suspicious person."

Police later handcuffed Pastor Jennings and arrested him on charges of
obstructing government operations.


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