Baton

March 23, 2020, Daniel Prude died from “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint” while in police custody according to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. His death was ruled a homicide. Protests erupted in Rochester, N.Y. in September 2020 following the release of a video of Prude in restraint by Rochester police officers surfaced. Thousands took to the streets in protest including Asa Adams, 69, and Jaeylon Rashaad, 21. Adams started going to civil rights protests when he was-8-years old in Atlanta, Ga., with his parents. Asa started coming to Rochester, N.Y. in 1968 for college and brought his family’s tradition of activism with him. He joined the Black Panther Party in the summer of 1968 and honed in his leadership and strategy. Thousands took to the streets in protest including Jaeylon Rashaad, 21. Rashaad, a Rochester native, says he has “been a victim of police brutality and beatdown.” He took to the streets with his fist raised leading marches and preaching chants and speeches. Adams took notice of Rashaad’s energy and leadership and became a mentor, passing on the baton to the next generation.