GoFundMe page organizer Sylvia Charles wrote Tuesday evening that “We are pausing the donations until we know more about the impending legal action. Thank you!!”
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
A GoFundMe page was started this afternoon for the legal defense fund of a Jersey City parent who was arrested for defiant trespass at Thursday’s board of education meeting.
“Emily Pecot is a devoted single mom who works multiple jobs to support her daughter, who is Autistic with intellectual and speech disabilities and will likely never be able to live independently,” Charles wrote in the GoFundMe page description.
“Since 2018, Emily has been a passionate advocate for special education reform, volunteering with JC Together and SEPAG to make a difference for children and families in her community.
Pecot, a member of the Parents United for Special Education Reform group, was led out of the May 21st meeting in handcuffs after Board Vice President Dejon Morris said she violated district rules by repeatedly yelling out from the audience.
The video from the incident, first posted by HCV, has gone viral and the story has since been picked up by the likes of the New York Post and We Got This Covered.
“She is now facing prosecution for ‘defiant trespassing,’ a charge that could result in a criminal record and have lasting consequences for her and her family,” Charles also wrote.
“We are raising funds to support Emily’s legal defense and cover any costs associated with clearing her name and telling her story.”
She also noted that any extra funds will be donated towards Whole Spectrum Autism and Welcome Home Jersey City.
The page has set a goal of $12,000, raising $695 from 19 donors as of 4:05 p.m. this afternoon.
Also today, Jersey City Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little put BOE President Noemi Velazquez on blast for angrily responding to her requests not to limit public comment and to only remove audience members in extreme circumstances, as HCV first reported.
