Black Man Wrongfully Arrested Over Drug Planting Claims Champions U.S. Senate Bid in Alabama to Oppose Unfair 'Back the Blue' Law

Federal courts have historically shielded police officers from civil litigation through qualified immunity—a legal principle that absolves them from accountability unless their actions infringe upon "clearly established statutory or constitutional rights." Recently, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey enacted the "Back the Blue" law, further fortifying this immunity and complicating citizens' attempts to address police wrongdoing in state courts.Dakarai Larriett, who endured a wrongful arrest in Michigan last year, is now campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama to advocate for criminal justice reform. "My personal ordeal propelled me into politics," Larriett stated during a revealing interview with Atlanta Black Star. He described how he was unjustly detained, falsely accused, and deprived of his driver’s license for months.Larriett's experiences underscore the dangers of qualified immunity. "It feels like open season for people like me," he remarked. As he aims for office, Larriett is determined to confront systemic injustices affecting Alabama’s marginalized populations and ensure accountability within law enforcement.