A student at Livingstone College is speaking out after a violent traffic stop in Jacksonville, Florida, left him traumatized—and now, the HBCU community is rallying behind him.
William McNeil Jr., a member of Livingstone’s Blue Thunder Marching Band and a biology major, was pulled over by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies back in February 2025. But what should have been a routine traffic stop quickly escalated. Viral video footage released last week shows McNeil being forcibly removed from his car and assaulted by officers—despite him remaining calm and repeatedly asking for an explanation.
According to reports, McNeil declined to exit his vehicle during the stop, asking officers to explain the reason he was being detained. Instead of offering clarity, one officer broke his window and multiple deputies pulled him from the vehicle and physically assaulted him.
“It’s hard to drive now. I have nightmares. I can’t sleep,” McNeil told reporters. “I wasn’t resisting. I was afraid.”
The HBCU Response
Livingstone College didn’t hesitate to respond. In an official statement, President Dr. Anthony J. Davis called the incident a violation of McNeil’s basic civil rights and said the college stands firmly behind him.
“We are committed to ensuring William receives the support he needs, emotionally and legally,” Dr. Davis wrote. “This act was not just an attack on one of our students—it was an attack on every student who dares to exist peacefully in a world that too often sees Blackness as a threat.”
Dr. Davis referenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote, saying, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Legal Action Underway
National civil rights attorney Ben Crump has taken on the case, calling for the immediate termination of the officer who broke McNeil’s window and escalated the stop, Deputy D. Bowers.
“William McNeil did everything he was told to do—and he was still assaulted,” Crump said. “This isn’t just about Jacksonville. It’s about protecting Black students everywhere from unnecessary violence.”
Crump is joined by attorney Gerald Riggs, who added that McNeil handled the situation with poise and maturity.
“So many Black families give their children ‘the talk’—how to survive police encounters. William followed it to the letter. And still, he was brutalized.”
A Student Leader, Not Just a Statistic
McNeil is more than a band member. He’s a scholar, a community contributor, and a role model at Livingstone. He’s worked on environmental initiatives on campus and often helps fellow students with car repairs and lab projects. Those close to him say the incident has deeply affected his confidence—but not his determination to seek justice.
The footage has sparked outrage on social media, with thousands calling for action and justice. It’s also opened the door to a larger conversation about how HBCU students—and Black youth in general—continue to face aggressive policing, even when they pose no threat.
What’s Next
- An internal investigation has been launched by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
- Livingstone College is providing legal, emotional, and academic support to McNeil.
- Community leaders are organizing student forums and local rallies to demand accountability.
This isn’t just about one student. It’s about the ongoing need to protect Black youth, to affirm their humanity, and to demand better from those sworn to serve and protect.
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