Friday marks one year since Nicolas Morales was shot and killed by Collier County Corporal Pierre Jean.
Previous investigations have ruled that Jean’s actions were justifiable but, even a year later, the community is still calling for justice.
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers is holding a “Justice for Nicolas” community vigil on Friday evening.
Dozens are marching in Collier County demanding justice for Nicolas Morales Besanilla, a man shot and killed by a Collier County deputy a year ago today. pic.twitter.com/4FKcHLThOB
— Breana Ross WINK News (@breanarossWINK) September 17, 2021
Dozens of people are lining the sidewalk while holding signs and chanting. All of this is to honor Nicolas Morales but many also want to call for justice and push for change.
This group plans to march to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and give them a signed banner that calls for change.
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers wants the CCSO to reopen the investigation into the shooting, start a panel with the member of the community on it, and make sure that there are mental health experts responding to mental health calls.
Gerardo Reyes is the organizer of the protest and works with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. “We are asking for a re-opening of the investigation because we are also demanding justice for Nicholas’s family and we want this to not continue anymore. We are demanding a different approach.”
Nicolas’ family and @ciw demand mental health crisis teams and the re-opening of the investigation. @winknews pic.twitter.com/4bGLBTqFh4
— Michelle Alvarez (@malvareznews) September 17, 2021