Video of Black Florida Teen Tased by State Trooper Spark Debate on Interaction with Law Enforcement

July 6, 2021

Co-founder of Racial Justice NOW Zakiya Sankara-Jabar joins “Making The Case w/Yodit” to discuss the need for police to be held accountable for their violent actions. The conversation is surrounding an incident in Lee County, FL where an officer tased a 16-year-old.

Following a disturbing video of a biracial teen being tased by a Florida State Trooper in his girlfriend’s backyard, triggered social media reaction about youth imprisonment. In the video, 16-year-old Jack Rodeman is seen attempting to explain to Florida Highway Patrol Trooper George Smyrnios, that his girlfriend was going to come outside, however, the trooper engaged his taser, causing Rodeman to fall and injure himself.

Rodeman was taken in on charges of resisting an officer, possession of marijuana and loitering, according to the Independent.  According to Sankara-Jabar, holding police accountable is the only way to change the results in law enforcement interaction with students.