Redeem Aiyana’s Dream and #SayHerName

Support Aiyana Jones' Grandmother Mertilla Jones to continue uplifting Aiyana's story and organizing in solidarity with other families who have been impacted by police murder and state violence.

Background:

Aiyana Mo'Nay Jones (July 20, 2002 – May 16, 2010), was a seven-year-old African-American girl from the Eastside of Detroit who was shot and killed while sleeping on her paternal grandmother Mertilla's couch during a raid conducted by the Detroit Police Department's Special Response Team on May 16, 2010. At the time the police unit was being followed by the reality television show 48 hours and decided to show off their military might for the camera crew by first throwing a flash bang (a type of grenade that is often used in Iraq/Afghanistan and other United States Military occupied countries) which set fire to the blanket Aiyana was sleeping with. Although evidence showed that Officer Joseph Weekley shot and killed Aiyana as soon as he entered the home, police abused their power and blamed grandmother Mertilla Jones, claiming she attempted to grab his gun, causing it to fire. Weekley was put on trial for his murder of Aiyana twice, both of which resulted in mistrials, and he is now back in active duty working for the Detroit Police Department. After the mistrials, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the charge of careless disharge of a weapon causing death and Weekley remains unaccountable.

Mertilla Jones has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of her granddaughter Aiyana ever since and became involved with the movement to end police brutality and state violence. She has committed her life to make sure Aiyana's story is never forgotten.

We appreciate your generous contributions.

These funds will go towards:

-Mertilla's life work of Redeeming Aiyana's Dream through annual commemoration events, as well as ongoing projects to tell the story of Aiyana's life, not just her murder. These will connect to larger movement building efforts to resist and address police brutality and state violence in Detroit, nationally, and globally.

-Network capacity building costs including travel, lodging, and food expenses for Mertilla to support other families- through sharing Aiyana's story and organizing collectively toward an end to police murder and state violence.

-Additionally Mertilla is the matriarch of her family which includes 8 sons and daughters, and 30+ grandkids. A portion of these funds will go toward her living expenses and familial support as they navigate the ongoing PTSD and other impacts since the traumatic experience of Aiyana's life being stolen at the hands of law enforcement.

Our goal is to raise $1000 monthly or $12,000 annually for this ongoing support. All donations are greatly appreciated, especially recurring monthly sustainers.