MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police were at the home of an activist suing the City of Memphis and his cousin Monday afternoon as the ACLU-backed lawsuit against the Memphis Police Department’s surveillance of activists was heard in court.
“It’s a retaliation against me and they taking it out on my family,” said Antonio Cathey, who said he was in the courtroom when he got word police were at his home on Cannon Street in South Memphis
According to Cathey’s grandmother, police were asking about her other grandson, Demario Merritt, who she said doesn’t live there.
WREG has learned Merritt has an aggravated assault warrant out for his arrest from 2017.
Police also served a search warrant for drugs at the home of Cathey’s cousin, James Cathey Jr., across the street.
“They tore that house up on purpose, and what they find? Nothing,” said Cathey, the activist.
Police ended up issuing James Cathey Sr. with a citation for marijuana possession and arrested Thomas Parks for a 2014 traffic warrant.
Cathey Jr. claims officers left the family’s home in shambles and abused their dog.
“They told me they gave him fresh food and water and as y’all can see, they totally violated him. They put cheerios and dog food all on him and they put water on his cage,” he said.
Cathey, the activist, insists police were really trying to intimidate him.
“If you gonna come for me, come for me. My office is 1000 South Cooper Street. If you gonna come for me, come for me ‘cause it done got personal now,” he said.
Warning: Video below contains profanity.
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