Marquina Gilliam-Hicks
In June 2019, officers of the Williamson, Texas Police Department used excessive force when arresting a black woman, Marquina Gilliam-Hicks. According to the woman, that day she was listening to music with her friend in her car near her house, when one of the neighbors called the police with a noise complaint.
When the police arrived at the scene, they approached Hicks car and asked her to turn down the music, which she immideatly did. However, as soon as the officer began to demand documents from her, the situation escalated. Knowing her rights, the woman refused to provide the police with an identity card, as she had not violated anything. A moment later, a police officer tried to arrest Hicks, pulled her out of the car and threw her to the ground. Eventually, the police officer arrested the woman and took her to the police station, accusing her of violating public order.
In June 2021, Hicks filed a lawsuit against the city, the police department and the officer who arrested her in 2019. She hopes that her lawsuit will serve as a signal to prevent the use of excessive force in the police.