BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — The woman who threw a house party that ended in dozens of arrests in Cartersville said her fight for justice is just far from over.
Around 70 people were arrested after authorities found less than 1 ounce of marijuana and some cocaine at a hosue party on New Year's Eve. Charges were eventually dropped for all but one of the people.
Many of those arrested and the NAACP said race factored into the arrests.
"They knew it was wrong from the start," partygoer Ladamian Curtis said. He said the arrest could have cost him his current welding job and any future jobs.
The partygoers' bonds were posted the next day, but most of the people arrested sat in jail for three days. The drug task force said it was still investigating who was responsible for the marijuana, so they held everyone.
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The woman who threw the party and her attorney sat down with Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes and said she wants to fight to make sure that everyone is treated equally in Bartow County.
"When I think about it, I instantly get traumatized all over again. Why did that happen to us? Why didn't they give us a chance?" party host Deja Heard said. "It affected us badly."
Those arrested said changes need to be made.
"We are looking for policy change. We're looking for the people who are responsible for the decision to make the arrest be held accountable," attorney Gerald Griggs said.
Fernandes tried to speak with the district attorney, but could not because the attorney was in court all day. Fernandes did not hear back from the drug task force.
There is a town hall meeting scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at the Cartersville Civic Center to address the issue.
Cox Media Group
