Update

Since my last post I discovered a vocational rehabilitation program that I believe will be able to assist me with the services I am seeking. I'm not sure if they offer educational testing, though, so I would still like to get donations for that or information on a place where I can get a thorough educational assessment free of charge or for a lower cost.

As of late I've been seeking employement and have applied at various places in Lafayette. Hopefully something will come up soon.

In early May I have to attend court for traffic tickets I received back in November. On that same day I'll be on trial for a criminal tresspassing charge. The charge is frivilous, and I think it's retaliation for the type f community work I've done. With assistance, I've come up with a letter that I will be taking around to local businesses in hope that I can get some kind of work that will pay me $325 by my court date so that I do not have to go to jail for inability to pay those tickets! The tresspassing fine is $130, however I hope to have that thrown out of court. I've got plenty of evidence for a case against it including video (on the day i was arrested for tresspassing, I was filming an incident that was going on), pictures, and proof that local police have something against me for my community activities.

I've also placed another donation tab at the top of my blog for the tickets. If you are moved to donate, please do so. Also, if you know of a (legit and legal!) way that I can make the money by May 3, please let me know.


Here is the letter:



Dear Business Owner:

I come to you as a native and life long resident of Lafayette asking for your help. On May 5, 2010, I will be attending court for traffic tickets obtained in September 2009. This tickets equal a total dollar amount of $325. As someone who is currently unemployed, I have been struggling to accumulate the funds needed to satisfy this debt. Should I not acquire the necessary monetary amount, I will undoubtedly be facing jail time.

My reason for writing is to inquire about any opportunities you may have for me to work--if only for a short period of time--to earn the amount needed to pay the tickets. Duties that I am able to perform include heavy lifting, moving of furniture or merchandise, cleaning, yard and landscape work, painting, and various other activities as desired. I ask that if you do have any work available that I may perform, please allow me to do so in order to pay my fines.

As a community activist and fighter for justice, I have a long history of filming and documenting injustice in order to make people aware of just what takes place in black areas. It is for these reasons that I believe I am the target of police harassment and retaliation. Prior to receiving the tickets, I was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing as I filmed an incident occurring in a local apartment complex. On the same date that I will attend court for the tickets, I will also be of trial for the trespassing charge. With the help of a local attorney, I am looking to have that charge dismissed. I contend that I was issued traffic tickets--all of which are frivolous--as an attack by local officers who know and do not like the type of work that I do in and for the community. The actions taken against me by local police give credence to the adage that people fear what they do not understand. I have found that hate grows out of fear, so that I can not dismiss the possibility that I am not highly favored by at least some of the individuals who comprise the Lafayette police force.


Please feel free to call me at __________. You can also reach me at ___________________. If you wish to simply make donations to my cause, you can do so on my blog at rahimonline.blogspot.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

**********
*Phone number and email address intentionally omitted from online posting of letter*********

I was expecting to have become employed within the last month, but things didn't work out how I intended, etc., etc. If I find some kind of gig within these next couple of weeks, then maybe I can make the money in time for court. If not, I want to have some kind of back-up plan, one of which is appealing to those in my community and elsewhere for assistance in any form that it can be given.

It must be made known that I have a strong entrepreneurial mentality which I hae exercised on a consistent basis. However, due to nearly a month of being ill with and recovering from the flu, as of late I have not been as active towards that end. Therefore, I will gladly take (just about) any work I can get if only for the sake of paying these tickets and not being locked up!

I would still like to have the educational assessment, however, at this time I realize these tickets are more urgent.

I'll continue to update with any new occurences.