Elijah Gantt

FREE
ELIJAH!

Elijah Gantt is a pastor, organizer, friend, son, and beloved member of the St. Louis community. He recently celebrated his 30th birthday — two birthdays behind bars awaiting trial. Mike Brown Jr. would have also turned 30, just two weeks later.

The Event

August 9, 2024 marked ten years since the murder of Michael Brown Jr. A crowd of around 50 people gathered outside the Ferguson Police Department to remember him and all those taken by state violence in the decade since his death.

During the protest, several people shook a fence the police department had put up less than a month earlier in anticipation of the anniversary. A small section, attached with zip ties, broke and fell. People eventually moved away from the fence and dispersed across the street.

About an hour later, officers charged through the crowd, targeting Elijah. 48 seconds after that, two men’s lives — and all those that love them — were forever changed.

Over a Fence?

Why Elijah?

He touched the fence for about 16 seconds with one hand while holding a megaphone in the other. He never touched the section of fence that broke and fell.

Ferguson Police Chief Doyle decided that a small piece of fence was worth risking lives for.

The outcome? Officer Travis Brown suffered life-altering injuries. Elijah has lost nearly two years of his life in jail awaiting trial, and they want to keep him imprisoned for up to 30 years.

A fence broke and two lives continue to pay for it.

Once again, police were deployed to protect property, not people.

Timeline

Aug 9, 2014
Michael Brown Jr. murdered by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
Aug 9, 2024
~50 people gather outside Ferguson PD to mark 10 years since Mike Brown's death. Police had hastily erected a fence less than a month prior, anticipating the anniversary.
Midnight
Protesters shake the fence. A section poorly secured with zip ties breaks and falls. People disperse across the street.
~1 hour later
Officers charge through the crowd. Elijah Gantt is arrested. Officer Travis Brown is critically injured after falling backward onto the pavement.
Aug 10, 2024
Elijah charged with 1st-degree assault, 4th-degree assault (3 counts), resisting arrest, and property damage. Held on $500,000 cash-only bond.
Aug 13, 2024
Ferguson PD releases bodycam footage to media. Footage from multiple angles exists.
Sep 12, 2024
Grand jury indicts Elijah on additional charges. Total potential sentence: up to 30 years.
Apr 29, 2025
Elijah turns 30 — his 2nd birthday behind bars awaiting trial.
Jul 20–31, 2026
TRIAL. 10 days. St. Louis County Circuit Court, Clayton, MO.

“It is clear to many of us that police are not effective as a means of public safety, as cops continue to unnecessarily escalate and turn nonviolent environments into violent ones. In this case, their escalation has led to harm to their own officer and to an entire community of activists who continue to be terrorized not only by police, but by a prosecutor who protects and upholds their deadly lies.”

— local community organizer

The Prosecutor

In 2018, “Weasel” Bell campaigned to become St. Louis County Prosecutor by criticizing his predecessor for failing to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who murdered Michael Brown Jr. But after taking office, Bell declined to criminally charge Wilson. The family of Michael Brown publicly criticized Bell, saying he exploited their tragedy for political gain.


One of Bell’s final acts was to charge Elijah and 7 other people for protesting.

Both men were harmed. Both men are victims of a system that responds to conflict with force.

This was clearly politically motivated.

The Price of Justice

Elijah touched a fence. $500,000 cash-only. Nearly 2 years in jail. Faces 30 years. Here's what happens when the badge is on the other side.

Elijah Gantt
Touched a fence. One hand. 16 seconds. Holding a megaphone.
Bond: $500,000 cash-only. No 10% option.
Result: Nearly 2 years in jail awaiting trial. Faces 30 years.
Darren Wilson
Shot and killed Michael Brown Jr., unarmed 18-year-old (2014).
Never charged. No indictment. No arrest.
Result: Resigned. Zero jail. NBC News
Jason Stockley
Shot and killed Anthony Lamar Smith after a car chase (2011). Said "going to kill this motherfucker" on audio. Planted his gun.
Acquitted of first-degree murder. Bench trial, 2017.
Result: Zero jail. NPR
Bailey Colletta
STL cop. Watched colleagues beat undercover Black officer Luther Hall "like Rodney King" during 2017 protests. Lied to FBI and grand jury.
3 years probation. No prison.
Result: Walked free. AP News
Nathaniel Hendren
On-duty STL cop playing Russian roulette with fellow officer Katlyn Alix (24). Shot and killed her.
Pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Sentence: 7 years. CBS News
Julian Alcala
Florissant cop. Pulled over 20 women. Searched their phones. Stole their nude photos.
Pleaded guilty to 20 counts.
Sentence: 2 years. STLPR
Thomas Streckfuss & Ryan Murphy
Shot unarmed 14-year-old Tyron Edwards (2016). Kid was waiting to trade a video game. Chased and opened fire. Critical injuries.
No criminal charges. $37M civil award (2026).
Result: Murphy is still a detective. FOX 2
Emeshyon Wilkins killer
Shot unarmed 17-year-old in the back of the head as he ran away (June 2024). Police lied, said he was armed. Bodycam proved otherwise.
No charges filed as of April 2026.
Result: Still on the force. CBS News
Dashaun Sneed
STL cop. First-degree burglary. Domestic assault of ex-girlfriend (Nov 2025).
Bond: $25,000 — 10% option = $2,500 to walk.
Result: Released. Re-arrested Feb 2026 for another incident while out on bond. FOX 2
Steven Korte
STL cop. Charged in the beating of undercover officer Luther Hall during 2017 protests.
Acquitted of all charges (Mar 2021).
Result: Still employed by STL police. Eligible to return to duty. STLPR

KILL SOMEONE: ACQUITTED.
SHOOT A CHILD: STILL A DETECTIVE.
STEAL NUDES FROM 20 WOMEN: 2 YEARS.
TOUCH A FENCE ZIP TIED TOGETHER:
$500,000 BOND, 30 YEARS.
WHO DO THEY PROTECT? WHO DO THEY SERVE?

Case Status

Elijah Gantt — Case #24SL-CR07018-01, St. Louis County 21st Judicial Circuit

Bond: $500,000 cash only — no 10% option, no surety bond.

Currently facing up to 30 years.

Elijah has been in jail since August 9, 2024 — nearly two years awaiting trial.

“Obviously we are hoping that the officer fully recovers from his injuries and that Elijah sees freedom soon. Now the police department and prosecutor Wesley Bell are trying to crucify a young Black man because of this. This was a really horrible accident that frankly was due to police aggression and police negligence. They’re trying to scapegoat this young activist who, as you know, is now in jail with half a million dollars cash bail only, which is insane.”

— Sandra Tamari, Executive Director, Adalah Justice Project

Watch the Footage

Surveillance footage from the Ferguson Police Department, released August 13, 2024. Three angles of the fence — watch the zip ties, the section that breaks, and the dispersal across the street before officers charge through the crowd an hour later.

Source: Ferguson MO Police Department. 13 minutes. Notice the hour gap between fence activity (11:30 PM) and the arrest.
Notice Elijah holding a megaphone in one hand.

How You Can Support

Make a donation for E’s legal fees, commissary, and after-release funds.

Cash App donation QR code Cash App
$kaitceleste
Venmo donation QR code Venmo
@kaitceleste

Community Response

Pack the court. July 20–31, 2026. St. Louis County Circuit Court, Clayton, MO. Your presence matters — a full courtroom sends a message that this community is watching.

@FreeElijahSTL

Follow @FreeElijahSTL on Instagram for updates about the trial scheduled for July 20th through July 31st.

Press Coverage

We need to pack the court full of supporters for 10 days of trial.

How to Show Up

Where
St. Louis County Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
When
July 20–31, 2026
Court hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Mon–Fri
Arrive by 8:00 AM. Trials start early.
Entry
Main entrance on South Central. Security checkpoint — remove all metal (belt, keys, jewelry). No weapons. No cameras. Phones may be required to be off or left with security — bring a book. No food or drink inside courtroom.
Transit
MetroLink: Clayton Station (0.3 mi walk).
Parking: Public garage at 10 South Central (connected to courthouse via tunnel). Limited street parking on Central and surrounding blocks.

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I'll Be There

Pack the court. Sign the card.

— people have signed

FREE ELIJAH | HE'S BEEN IN JAIL 700 DAYS