A Black father’s sentence for taking a gun into an Iowa elementary school ‘starts and ends with racism’ says Prairielands Freedom Fund

Brandon Jones, a Black Iowa City father who pleaded guilty for taking a loaded gun into his child’s elementary school during a disagreement over his son’s suspension, was sentenced this week to five years in prison, according to the Gazette. Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann described the case as an example of the “ongoing danger of guns in schools,” according to the Gazette.

Not everyone agrees with the sentence.

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Prairielands Freedom Fund, which helps free people from detention and assisted Jones, released the following statement: “Today’s outcome in Brandon’s case is emblematic of the cruel, racist punishments inflicted upon Black folks in our carceral system. Brandon went to his son’s school to speak with the principal about his son’s suspension and, realizing that he had brought his legal firearm with him, he immediately asked his partner to remove it from the premises.

Prosecutors went after Brandon ostensibly because of public safety — and yet, their target is a Black father who showed up to his son’s school to advocate for his family after a suspension that left his child alone, walking home in the cold. 

This situation starts and ends with racism. We know our district suspends and expels Black children at higher rates. And the fact that school staff felt threatened cannot be extricated from Brandon’s existence as a Black man advocating for his Black son in a world that perpetually seeks to deny them both their humanity.

Separating Brandon from his family inflicts layers of violence upon Brandon, his children, his family, and everyone who is part of his community – making us all less safe. We reject the idea that this is what public safety means in our community.”

A GoFundMe has been sent up for the family.