Support Raymond Merchant

Raymond Merchant is a father of two, Hip Hop artist, and community organizer in South Minneapolis. Missing for several days, friends became worried when Raymond failed to arrive to a show he was scheduled to perform at. After contacting his family, it was confirmed he had been abducted by police just blocks from his home while out for a walk.

Raymond cooks and distributes food through the grassroots group Minneapolis Food Not Bombs. He is a former childcare worker and loved member of his community. Help us fight to get Raymond out of jail as he is facing potential prison time resulting from the police pinning bogus charges on him. He has been in custody since October 24th.

This past Friday November 6th, a lawyer and paralegal were able to go and visit our friend AC (Ray's nickname) in the Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility. This was the first visit he has received since his initial arraignment and meeting his public defender. AC seems in good spirits and was receiving vegetarian food and is able to make phone calls to landlines although he didn't have many people's numbers memorized, though wecsupplied him with a few friends numbers. He has been using the time in jail - over two weeks - to meditate and exercise, write lyrics and read books. He said he sensed that people on the outside were working on the case and he trusted in the Creator that things would work out in his favor as an innocent person. His bail remains $50,000 with bond at $5,000; it is as yet unsure how this money will be raised though fundraising efforts are in the works.

Join friends and family to support Raymond at his next court date, November 16th at 8:30 am at the Hennepin County Court House 300 South 6th Street.

Fight with us as we stand up to support Raymond, and end police repression!

Please visit the paypal link below to make a donation to Raymond's legal defense. Also, please consider hosting a fundraiser. Raymond's address at the jail is below as well, so write him a letter if you have time.

In Solidarity,

Friends of Raymond Merchant
To Donate:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=supportray...

Write AC - tell him about your day, something interesting that happened to you, draw him a picture, and brighten his day:

Raymond Charles Merchant

Adult Detention Center

401 South 4th Avenue, Suite 100

Minneapolis, MN 55415

Contact us to help or for more info:
supportraymondmerchant@gmail.com