Haaziq Reid's Story: From Night Out to Arrest
Written by Mokah Jasmine Johnson and Haaziq Reid (Updated 9/9)
In Athens, Georgia, nights out often end with music, laughter, and a crowded sidewalk downtown. But for Haaziq, a May evening in 2024 ended very differently, with his chest pinned to the pavement under the weight of five police officers, criminal charges he disputes, and a legal battle he can’t afford to fight alone.
Like many in our community, Haaziq now faces one of the most common barriers to justice: the high cost of legal representation. Without the means to hire an attorney, he has started a GoFundMe campaign and is asking for community support to defend himself against charges he believes are unjust.
In the early morning hours of May 5, 2024, Haaziq was leaving a downtown club with his friend Ben. They planned to meet back up with another friend, Rahul, before heading home. Outside Cloud 9, the sidewalk was so congested with people leaving the venue that Haaziq and Ben stepped briefly into the street to get around the crowd, walking between parked cars on one side and a group of bicycle police officers on the other.
As Haaziq stepped back onto the sidewalk, an officer yelled at him to get out of the street. Haaziq replied that he was, explaining that the sidewalk was packed, and telling the officer to “relax.”
That could have been the end of it. Instead, moments later, Haaziq heard an officer say something unclear. When he turned around to see if it was directed at him, he saw two to three officers rushing toward him. Within seconds, the situation escalated into violence.
He was grabbed, lifted, and dropped to the ground. At least five officers piled on top of him, pinning his chest to the pavement for what felt like three minutes. Struggling to breathe, he told the officers he couldn’t get air. Their response: to order him to “stop resisting,” even though his body was immobilized under their weight.
One officer announced a “disorderly conduct” charge; another added “public intoxication” — without a breathalyzer or sobriety test. The arrest took place around 2:00 a.m., in an area where most people leaving bars could be considered intoxicated, raising questions about why Haaziq was singled out.
"My glasses were knocked from my face during the takedown, and officers refused to return them before transporting me to jail." -Haaziq. The criminal charges were dropped on the first day of court. Months later, after contesting the “public intoxication” and related charges, Haaziq’s case is now officially closed—but the fight isn’t over. He does not agree with the final outcome.
This is not an isolated story. AADM has received various complaints in recent years describing similar issues:
- Minor interactions escalating into violent arrests.
- Excessive force used on individuals posing no physical threat.
- Subjective charges, often without proper evidence.
- Public humiliation and disregard for personal property.
In February 2025, Haaziq’s case was officially closed and all charges were cleared, yet seven months later, he continues to face the emotional, financial, and social aftermath of the incident. Despite the legal resolution, the officers involved were not held accountable, leaving Haaziq to navigate the long-term impact alone.
Haaziq is working on moving forward—but he is committed to holding the officers accountable through a civil lawsuit. To do this, he needs support in raising funds to pursue justice.This situation highlights the ongoing gaps in accountability and justice, showing that even when charges are dropped, individuals affected by police misconduct often continue to bear the burden.
Supporting Haaziq is not only about one young man—it’s about standing up for systemic change and ensuring accountability in our communities.Haaziq is determined to fight the charges, but like so many others, he faces the steep financial burden of hiring an attorney. Without proper legal representation, the scales of justice are tipped heavily against him.
To continue his defense, Haaziq has launched a GoFundMe and is calling on the Athens community and concerned individuals for support not just for his own case, but to help push back against the patterns of policing that make nights like his all too common.
Call to Action:
Haaziq and others who have experienced excessive force, biased enforcement, and the crushing financial cost of defending themselves in court needs your support. We call for:
- Independent investigation into the actions of all officers involved.
- Clear, consistent policy requiring de-escalation in non-violent situations.
- Accountability for officers who apply charges without supporting evidence.
Justice should not depend on the size of your bank account and no one should have to launch a fundraiser just to prove their innocence. Haaziq needs community support. Please make a donation to him advocate for justice.
Video interview now available. Click here to watch and learn more about Haaziq’s story.