When Black Americans exercise Second Amendment rights, compliance becomes grounds for force.
On September 27, 2025, Omaha, Nebraska held one of the largest celebrations in its history. Approximately 65,000 residents—nearly one-seventh of the city’s population—lined the streets for a victory parade honoring Terence “Bud” Crawford, the undefeated boxing champion who had just become the first male boxer in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed champion status in three
weight classes.
Less than twelve hours later, officers from that same police department drew their service weapons and held Crawford and three passengers in his vehicle at gunpoint for thirty minutes. Among those held at gunpoint was Qasim Shabazz, Crawford’s personal bodyguard and head of
security.
Shabazz’s professional responsibility is protecting the champion Omaha had just celebrated—a duty that requires the lawful carrying of a firearm. Also held at gunpoint were George Williams and Nadia Simone, passengers who posed no threat and were suspected of no crime.
When Shabazz disclosed to officers that he had a firearm as part of his professional security duties, officers responded within seconds by drawing their weapons and pointing them at everyone in the vehicle—despite the fact that all occupants were cooperative and made no threatening gestures.
A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska on behalf of the passengers in the vehicle.
Attorney Hakeem Muhammad stated “This lawsuit is critically important because we’re not just challenging excessive force—we’re using the Equal Protection Clause to directly challenge racial discrimination in policing. For far too long, African-Americans have had to live with the anxiety of driving in fear—fear of being pulled over, stopped by police, and having their lives taken.
Muhammad Law Center is saying no more to that.”
Attorney Ezinné Adibe of Ezinne Law PLLC is co-counsel on the case. She added, “In this situation, Mr. Shabazz, a lawful gun owner, informed the Defendants that he had a firearm. Our clients complied fully with the Defendants’ instructions.
Yet, within moments—barely enough time to exchange a greeting—these officers drew their weapons on our clients. Imagine that it’s nighttime, you have guns pointed at your face, and the individuals pointing those guns at you wear a badge.
You have no idea whether you will make it home that night to your family. Our clients did not have to imagine this scenario, because it happened to them.
Frequently, when incidents involving law enforcement result in harm to Black individuals, some dismissively respond by saying, Well, they should have simply complied with the officers’ instructions or something to that effect. In this case, our clients did comply.
This underscores the longstanding disparities in policing across the country. When you consider this, within the context of the Second Amendment, you have added another layer to this conversation.”