2 African American Wichita teens arrested for “inciting a riot” after sharing post

Local news link
Before reading I know the two were released.

quote:

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Two men arrested Thursday morning, accused of inciting riot have been released without prejudice from the Sedgwick County Jail, according to the online inmate log.

Police arrested Michael Boston and Rashawn Mayes in connection to a post that went viral on social media encouraging others to meet at 21st and Arkansas at 7 p.m. and then traveling to other parts of Sedgwick County and engaging in violent behavior.

Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson posted a video on Facebook Live Thursday afternoon about the men's arrest and release.

"I was made aware of the arrest. I started getting phone calls, I saw the KWCH article," said Johnson. "Two young Black men being arrested for sharing information that we all saw. Probably 1.4 thousand or so shares on that same information. Those young men were arrested for that."

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My reason for sharing this is simple. I know the Mayes kid personally. Taught his sister last year and had some interactions with him as a result. He is honestly one of the kindest hearted kids I’ve ever come across and everyone that I work with and has come across/taught him has said the same. When I read the initial report before they were released from custody something didn’t sit right with me because I know this isn’t something that’s up his alley.

Even though they were released I don’t understand why these two were singled out to begin with or why it got as far as it did. That post was shared legit thousands of times throughout the day yesterday by people of all races. I saw his share come across my Facebook today and the kid was literally telling those planning it to “stay the frick away” from his neighborhood. I’m not one to rush to judgement and if more comes out from this I’ll be the first to eat crow. But situations like this or why there needs to be a change in the way we do things in this country.

Are the riots right? Heck no. Do a lot of the people screaming have no idea what they’re talking about? Probably. But this country needs to get to a place of loving their fellow man. Of hearing each other out instead of being quick to react. Of not worrying about skin color or political differences or whatever other stupid crap we worry about and making life better. If we don’t wake up and change the way we think and do things as a country we’re doomed to fall. I worry that fall will be sooner and harder than we know.

In short: just care about you’re fellow man (even OweO). I know it can be hard to see past differences but at the end of the day we’re all human.