The Cavalier Daily
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Archivist Report on the arrest of Martese Johnson

In her third report, Archivist Grace Franklin details Johnson's arrest and the ripples it started in the community

<p>A Charlottesville community member outside the courthouse at one of Johnson's hearing.&nbsp;</p>

A Charlottesville community member outside the courthouse at one of Johnson's hearing. 

This report is also available in Google Doc format here, and as a PDF here

Trigger warning: This archivist report contains discussion of police brutality.

  1. Introduction

At 12:45 a.m. on March 18, 2015, Martese Johnson was arrested by three Alcohol and Beverage Control special agents outside Trinity Irish Pub on the Corner. Johnson — a third-year Honor Committee Representative who had been a strong voice for diversity, minority rights and reform at the University — was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing justice without threats of force and profane swearing or intoxication in public. 

Questions surrounding the ABC agents’ use of force while arresting Johnson arose as eyewitness testimonies and a video of the incident began to circulate around Grounds. In the video, Johnson has blood streaming from a head wound suffered during the altercation, which required 10 stitches. While being pushed to the ground and handcuffed, with the agents’ knees on his back, Johnson cries out, “How did this happen? I go to U.Va.!”

The charges against Johnson were ultimately dropped, and the three ABC agents were cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation by Virginia State Police. Johnson filed a $3 million dollar lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for assault, battery and negligent supervision, which was settled for $249,950 in 2018.

Johnson’s story is one of many. The murder of George Floyd in May of 2020, which was also caught on video, launched thousands of protests and a global movement towards police and criminal justice reform. Since then, promising new policies have been passed in several states, including bans on chokeholds and limits on no-knock warrants. Nevertheless, racial disparities in policing continue to be traumatic for communities of color. 

U.Va. continues to reckon with racism, and Johnson’s arrest serves as another reminder that there is so much work to be done, and so much progress to be made, for the sake of all students. 

Below, you will find all of The Cavalier Daily’s coverage of Martese Johnson, his arrest, and the important conversations that followed. Through reading, listening and self-educating, I hope that we all can become more informed and engaged as students and community members. 

In addition to the articles linked in this report, I recommend reading “Towards a Better University”, a report published by the Black Student Alliance a month after Johnson’s arrest, as well as this powerful Vanity Fair op-ed, in which Johnson, in his own words, reflects on the incident and its repercussions.

  1. Coverage

Prior to arrest, Honor Committee work

  • Feb. 22, 2014: Honor candidates spend most in student elections (article)
  • Feb. 22, 2014: Honor thy student body (article)
  • Feb. 23, 2014: ALJASSAR: From the outside looking in (article)
  • Feb. 24, 2014: Honor candidate platforms: the College and the Engineering School (article)
  • Mar. 2, 2014: College elects new Honor Committee representatives (article)
  • Mar. 2, 2014: Seventh annual Image Awards (article)
  • Mar. 5, 2014: Diversifying honor (article)
  • Mar. 5, 2014: Under-represented and over-reported (article)
  • Mar. 20, 2014: CONNOLLY: Fund the candidates (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2014: Honor Committee elects Chair, Executive Committee (article)
  • Apr. 10, 2014: CONNOLLY: Honor progress (article)
  • Apr. 22, 2014: BERNSTEIN: Limit student self-governance (article)
  • Apr. 27, 2014: Honor Committee passes four bylaw changes (article)
  • Aug. 31, 2014: UJC, Honor plan for new semester (article)
  • Sep. 5, 2014: Minority Rights Coalition, Honor pool feedback for minority issues (article)
  • Sep. 7, 2014: UJC looks to find new drug abuse sanction requirements (article)
  • Sep. 15, 2014: “Everyone is Honor” campaign seeks to increase community participation (article)
  • Oct. 6, 2014: Honor Committee looks to change bad debt policies (article)
  • Oct. 23, 2014: Honor Committee seeks temporary solution to bad debt cases (article)
  • Oct. 29, 2014: WHISNANT: Reform is required (article)
  • Nov. 4, 2014: EVANS: In pursuit of honor (article)
  • Nov. 5, 2014: Minority Rights Coalition checks in on endorsed student leaders (article)
  • Nov. 6, 2014: ALJASSAR: Another kind of diversity (article)
  • Dec. 2, 2014: Black Student Alliance hosts candlelight vigil honoring black deaths (article)
  • Feb. 9, 2015: Honor Committee discusses multi-sanction possibility (article)
  • Feb. 18, 2015: Our endorsement for Honor (article)
  • Feb. 18, 2015: Honor elections begin Friday, students to choose 27 Committee members (article)
  • Feb. 28, 2015: University Board of Elections announces results (article)
  • Mar. 1, 2015: Student election results forecast change (article)
  • Mar. 1, 2015: Honor Committee reflects on newly elected members (article)

Arrest

  • Mar. 18, 2015: University student, Honor Committee member Martese Johnson arrested (article)
  • Mar. 18, 2015: Arrest of Martese Johnson (video) (trigger warning: graphic)
  • Mar. 18, 2015: President Sullivan releases statement in response to Johnson's arrest (article)
  • Mar. 19, 2015: Black Dot organizes rally, community members protest Martese Johnson arrest (article)
  • Mar. 19, 2015: We’re here for Martese (article)
  • Mar. 19, 2015: Personal progress, solidarity (article)
  • Mar. 19, 2015: Virginia State Police announce administrative review, criminal investigation (article)
  • Mar. 19, 2015: Johnson's lawyer says no fake ID involved (article)
  • Mar. 20, 2015: University community responds to Martese Johnson arrest (article)
  • Mar. 20, 2015: Martese Johnson and the Yik Yak effect (article)
  • Mar. 20, 2015: BLACK DOT: What Martese's arrest means for us (article)
  • Mar. 20, 2015: Students challenge Virginia officials, police, in panel session Friday (article)
  • Mar. 21, 2015: Trinity owner characterizes interaction with Martese Johnson, refutes claims of racist policy (article)
  • Mar. 22, 2015: Black Action Now hosts die-in, reacts to Johnson's arrest (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: Legislation proposes to remove ABC's law enforcement powers (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: BSA leaders reflect, react (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: Are we showing up for black students? (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: BROOM: Exceeding expectations (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: LETTER: Remove law enforcement powers from the ABC (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: BROWN: The new U.Va.: building a change coalition across race, class, gender and sexuality (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: On Martese Johnson's arrest: letters from the community (article)
  • Mar. 23, 2015: Johnson to plead not guilty, investigation ongoing (article)
  • Mar. 24, 2015: EASTON: Empathy is critical in reacting to Johnson’s arrest (article)
  • Mar. 24, 2015: ALJASSAR: Stop saying “All Lives Matter” (article)
  • Mar. 24, 2015: Race to gather (article)
  • Mar. 25, 2015: BSA, IMPs announce partnership to create social justice fellowship (article)
  • Mar. 25, 2015: A modest proposal (article)
  • Mar. 25, 2015: UNITED FOR A LIVING WAGE: In solidarity with Black Dot protests (article)
  • Mar. 25, 2015: My experience with race, and why it should be discussed (article)
  • Mar. 25, 2015: The ins and outs of Virginia ABC (article)
  • Mar. 25, 2015: Student Council passes resolution calling for end of ABC's law enforcement power (article)
  • Mar. 26, 2015: McAuliffe signs executive order, improves ABC law enforcement (article)
  • Mar. 26, 2015: BOV’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee doesn’t deliver on diversity or inclusion (article)
  • Mar. 26, 2015: Identifying implicit biases (article)
  • Mar. 26, 2015: GORMAN: Individuals — not institutions — perpetuate racism (article)
  • Mar. 26, 2015: RUSSO: Improve communication between police (article)

Court hearings, conversations

  • Mar. 26, 2015: Martese Johnson appears for initial court hearing following ABC arrest (article)
  • Mar. 27, 2015: KHAN: Don’t stand with students too soon (article)
  • Mar. 29, 2015: Day of Martese Johnson's hearing, Lawn room doors draped in black (article)
  • Mar. 31, 2015: MENNINGER: Shamrocks, smiles and the ABC (article)
  • Mar. 31, 2015: Black Law Students Association host alumnus, author Eric Broyles (article)
  • Apr. 1, 2015: University Queer Union hosts activist Janet Mock (article)
  • Apr. 1, 2015: SPINKS: Don’t blame Longo for race problems (article)
  • Apr. 1, 2015: An apology to our readers (article)
  • Apr. 2, 2015: HANNA: A response to April Fools’ (article)
  • Apr. 3, 2015: KELLY: A line not worth treading (article)
  • Apr. 3, 2015: Students, faculty host 'Teach-In' (article)
  • Apr. 6, 2015: Honor Committee approves bylaw changes (article)
  • Apr. 7, 2015: ALJASSAR: The consequences of homogeneity (article)
  • Apr. 7, 2015: WALLS: Talk about race in the classroom (article)
  • Apr. 13, 2015: Honor transitions to new executive board (article)
  • Apr. 13, 2015: Black Alumni Weekend celebrates thirtieth anniversary (article)
  • Apr. 20, 2015: BSA releases proposal, outlines recommendations to improve University culture (article)
  • Apr. 21, 2015: DOYLE: A community in name only (article)
  • Apr. 23, 2015: JACKSON: Trying to be a better ally (article)
  • Apr. 26, 2015: University community reflects on year of hardship (article)
  • Apr. 27, 2015: McAuliffe announces ABC expert review panel members (article)
  • May 6, 2015: Virginia State Police complete report on Johnson arrest (article)
  • May 10, 2015: What to watch for this summer (article)
  • May 27, 2015: Johnson scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning (article)
  • May 28, 2015: Status hearing, trial date set for Martese Johnson (article)

Charges dropped

  • Jun. 11, 2015: Prosecution announces decision to drop charges against Martese Johnson (article)
  • Jun. 12, 2015: Charges dropped against Martese Johnson (article)
  • Jun. 28, 2015: Commonwealth hosts public discussion addressing Johnson case (article)
  • Aug. 12, 2015: ABC agents involved in Martese Johnson arrest cleared of wrongdoing (article)
  • Aug. 21, 2015: Ice Cream with a Cop (article)
  • Sep. 2, 2015: MINK: Race, depression and Sandra Bland (article)
  • Sep. 3, 2015: Martese Johnson to speak at TEDx Charlottesville in November (article)
  • Sep. 10, 2015: ALJASSAR: Young, wild and free to party (article)
  • Sep. 10, 2015: Virginia lawmakers call for release of Martese Johnson arrest report (article)
  • Sep. 24, 2015: Review of Martese Johnson's arresting officers gives new details about bloody incident (article)
  • Sep. 24, 2015: ABC investigation released this week not satisfactory, Martese Johnson's lawyer says (article)
  • Oct. 8, 2015: ABC review panel recommends collaboration between students, law enforcement (article)
  • Oct. 15, 2015: CAPS expands services following difficult academic year (article)
  • Oct. 15, 2015: Claudrena Harold discusses affordable education, racial inequality (article)
  • Oct. 16, 2015: FISHER: Holes in Cavalier Daily coverage (article)

Lawsuit

  • Oct. 20, 2015: Johnson files $3 million lawsuit against ABC (article)
  • Oct. 21, 2015: Virginia state delegates support Sullivan after call for resignation (article)
  • Oct. 26, 2015: Sullivan’s report card (article)
  • Nov. 16, 2015: Virginia ABC files motion to dismiss Johnson's lawsuit (article)
  • Nov. 19, 2015: Critical failure (article)
  • Nov. 23, 2015: Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo to retire (article)
  • Dec. 2, 2015: Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement receives accreditation (article)
  • Dec. 4, 2015: KHAN: Race, universities and enacting concrete change (article)
  • Dec. 7, 2015: DOYLE: Drawing strength from tragedy (article)
  • Dec. 7, 2015: A look at the demands black U.Va. students have been making since 1987 (article)
  • Dec. 11, 2015: Jury to hear Martese Johnson's suit (article)
  • Jan. 26, 2016: Martese Johnson lawsuit on hold for 10 days (article)
  • Jan. 29, 2016: MOUSAVI: Take serious coverage seriously (article)
  • Feb. 4, 2016: Martese Johnson files amended lawsuit (article)
  • Feb. 15, 2016: Motion filed to dismiss Johnson’s amended suit (article)
  • Feb. 23, 2016: Don’t exempt law enforcement from FOIA requests (article)
  • Mar. 30, 2016: Law firm removed from Johnson ABC lawsuit (article)
  • Apr. 22, 2016: CARLSON: Remove your blinders (article)
  • May 17, 2016: Johnson’s amended suit against ABC, agency personnel to proceed (article)
  • Sep. 12, 2016: DOYLE: Protests without a punch (article)
  • Sep. 25, 2016: BSA holds die-in outside of Old Cabell (article)
  • Oct. 5, 2016: Trinity appealing ABC license suspension (article)
  • Nov. 14, 2016: Officer conduct signals problems with UPD (article)
  • Dec. 4, 2016: Minority Rights Coalition presents town hall on diversity (article)
  • Dec. 15, 2016: ABC removed from Johnson suit (article)
  • Jan. 20, 2017: Sullivan announces she is stepping down in 2018 (article)
  • Feb. 2, 2017: The importance of the Black Student Alliance at U.Va. (article)
  • Feb. 22, 2017: ABC agents file motion for compliance from Martese Johnson in lawsuit (article)
  • Mar. 14, 2017: FELICE: U.Va. will need a new president with a bold vision (article)
  • Mar. 14, 2017: Martese Johnson files counter motion in lawsuit against ABC defendants (article)
  • May 8, 2017: Johnson trial against ABC agents rescheduled to 2018 (article)
  • Aug. 22, 2017: PILNIK: U.Va. must stand tall against the reality of racism (article)
  • Sep. 26, 2017: BURKE: Labeling someone an “ally” is problematic (article)
  • Feb. 22, 2018: ''Vanity Fair Confidential' episode addresses sexual assault at U.Va. (article)
  • Feb. 22, 2018: TAYLOR: The commemoration of African-Americans is not enough (article)
  • Mar. 27, 2018: Outgoing Honor Chair Devin Rossin reflects on his time with the committee (article)
  • May 17, 2018: Choosing resilience over defeat (article)
  • May 18, 2018: U.Va. alumnus, Super Bowl Champion Chris Long speaks at Valedictory Exercises (article)
  • May 20, 2018: Sullivan headlines commencement as outgoing University president (article)

Settlement, lasting impact

  • Jun. 7, 2018: Settlement conference scheduled for Martese Johnson’s suit against Virginia ABC agents (article)
  • Jun. 18, 2018: Teresa Sullivan addresses Board of Visitors for final time as U.Va.'s president (article)
  • Jun. 20, 2018: Martese Johnson, ABC settle lawsuit for $250K (article)
  • Sep. 17, 2018: Batten School hosts Constitution Day panel on community policing (article)
  • Nov. 6, 2018: EDITORIAL: Carry lessons from Charlottesville to Congress (article)
  • Nov. 20, 2018: FAHLBERG: Racism still pervades Charlottesville’s justice system (article)
  • Dec. 5, 2018: LAWSON: Push Congress to lower the national minimum drinking age (article)
  • Jan. 7, 2019: U.Va. alumnus hopes to develop app to combat mental illness (article)
  • Nov. 22, 2020: LETTER: ...While Black in Charlottesville (article)
  • Dec. 19, 2020: SIEGEL: U.Va. needs to contend with its racism (article)
  • Mar. 12, 2021: A legacy long in the making (article)
  • Sep. 9, 2021: Minority Rights Coalition project memorializes student activism at the University (article)
  • Sep. 22, 2021: Cultural Organization for Latin Americans presents history of its activism (article)
  • Oct. 11, 2021: Charlottesville celebrates release of “My Monticello” and its message of reclamation (article)
  • Nov. 4, 2021: ROBBINS: A breach in the community of trust (article)
  • Aug. 11, 2021: Five years later: student journalists recount months leading up to Aug. 11 and 12, 2017 (article)
  • Sep. 14, 2022: Engagements Program hosts Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, Jamelle Bouie for inaugural event (article)

Grace Franklin is The Cavalier Daily’s archivist. She can be reached at archivist@cavalierdaily.com.

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