Mike Merli
Justice 4 Jayson
Bridgeport

"I was living in Bridgeport on May 09th, 2017 when 15-year-old Jayson Negron was murdered by the Bridgeport Police. Jayson was Puerto Rican. I’m white (Italian). Jayson grew up in poverty, in a community that allocates more resources to the police than to the school system. Youth of color in Bridgeport are hypo-policed in their schools and in the streets. Youth of color in Bridgeport are treated like a problem. I got involved in the fight for justice for Jayson the night he was murdered. I remember leaving my home that night. I knew I wasn’t going to ever be able to move on. When someone is murdered by the police, so often, we don’t hear about them anymore after two weeks. The fight continues, even after the news coverage ends. I made a decision to stay with Jayson’s family, and not move on to anything else. Me, and so many other people haven’t forgotten. Jayson’s loved ones have had to go through this fight. This fight is led by Jayson’s family especially his sister Jazmine. Jayson’s life was stolen at 15. His life, his story has already helped change how we talk about policing in Connecticut. I grew up white, in Milford, with economic privilege and Jayson Negron’s murder changed my life forever. "

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