WARREN- Dozens of organizations across the country are holding events this week to bring attention to the case of Bresha Meadows and to ask prosecutors to release the young girl.
An online campaign on Twitter is also growing in popularity as many are demanding the release of a teenager accused of killing her father, using the hashtag #FreeBreshaMeadows.
The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative says 15-year-old Bresha Meadows is a child survivor of domestic violence who they believe was defending herself, and her family, from her abusive father.
Bresha Meadows is accused of shooting and killing her father, Jonathan Meadows, 41, on July 28 inside their Warren home. Her mother, Brandi, can be heard on the 911 recording saying her daughter shot her husband in the head.
Brandi Meadows told Fox 8 she believes her daughter is a hero. “I wasn’t strong enough to leave,” Brandi said.
Some other family members of Jonathan Meadows say they don’t believe he was abusive.
Prosecutors say the case remains under investigation.
Bresha’s attorney Ian Friedman says his client lives in fear and was trying to protect her mother.
Marcia Dinkins, executive director Of Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and Pastor Dennis Payne of Columbus brought petitions containing thousands of signatures to the Trumbull County Juvenile Court in August.
MVOC is hosting a vigil to end domestic violence and to bring attention to Bresha’s case Wednesday at 6 pm in Warren’s Courthouse Square.
Bresha remains in the Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center. A pretrial in the case is set for October 6th.
The following are other events being held around the nation for Bresha this week:
October 5th – Local Vigil: Encourage your family, friends, and faith community to organize a #Pray4Bresha vigil in your local church or area. Add your event to the Color of Change list of actions and vigils.
October 5th – Twitter Vigil (7pm-8pm EST): Can’t make it to a local vigil? Join in digital solidarity to #Pray4Bresha with this online discussion hosted byEvangelicals for Justice (@Evangelicals4J).
October 5 — Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network Domestic Violence Rally — Noon
October 5 — Community Circle for #FreeBresha and Domestic Violence Awareness — 6:15 to 8:30 pm — United Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W Morse Ave.
October 6 — Free Bresha: A Night of Art and Action — 5:30 to 7:00 pm — Congress Plaza
Newark (NJ)
October 5 — No Selves to Defend: Bay Area #FreeBresha Day of Action — 6 to 8 pm PT — Location TBA
Riverside (CA)
October 6 — Teach-in on Bresha Meadows and the Criminalization of Domestic Violence Survivors – 6 to 8 pm – University of California, Riverside.
