In a gripping legal battle that highlights issues of police conduct and civil rights, an elderly African-American woman is taking a stand against alleged abuses by law enforcement. On November 11, 2025, Gwendolyn Wafford filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Flint Police Officer A. Stillwell. The lawsuit accuses Officer Stillwell of unlawful seizure, excessive force, and violations of her constitutional rights during a political protest.
The incident in question occurred on June 1, 2025, when Wafford attended a rally protesting the City of Flint’s handling of its ongoing water crisis. According to the complaint, as attendees moved between protest locations, they were confronted by Flint police officers. Wafford alleges that without probable cause, she was pulled over by Officer Stillwell while driving on a public street. She claims she was subjected to an unwarranted search and was handcuffed and arrested without explanation or justification.
The lawsuit asserts that Officer Stillwell’s actions violated Wafford’s Fourth Amendment rights by conducting an illegal stop and search and her First Amendment rights by retaliating against her for participating in a peaceful protest. “An elderly and frail African-American woman like Plaintiff Wafford should be able to express her free speech rights without being ‘rousted’ by police,” the complaint states.
Wafford is seeking both declaratory relief and monetary damages exceeding $100,000 for injuries including severe humiliation, emotional distress, false imprisonment, and pain and suffering. The complaint also seeks punitive damages due to what it describes as reckless indifference to her constitutional rights.
Representing Wafford is attorney Tom R. Pabst from Flint, Michigan. The case has been assigned Case ID 2:25-cv-13584-SKD-KGA but does not yet list any judges presiding over it.
Source: 225cv13584_Gwendolyn_Wafford_v_Flint_Police_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan..pdf
