The president of the Lee County NAACP says he has requested police protection at his home after receiving threats connected to his public comments about a now-viral arrest video involving two Black teenagers and a Fort Myers police officer.
James Muwakkil, a longtime civil rights leader, said the threats began after he stated that the teens were responsible for initiating the confrontation, which ended with one of them being tased and a firearm drawn by the officer.
“The climate has been hostile toward the NAACP,” Muwakkil said in an exclusive interview. “I am nervous about it. Of course, I feel threatened. I feel threatened now.”
The video, which has spread rapidly online, captured a tense altercation between the teens and the officer. A newly released angle of the footage offers additional perspective, but it's also deepened divisions within the community.
Muwakkil said he stands by law enforcement’s version of events, citing the police report and video evidence.
“Not only are the facts on my side, but the police report is on my side,” he said. “The Black boys initiated this contact.”
The NAACP president’s comments have sparked criticism from some within the Black community, including parents of those involved.
“I don’t agree with what they’re saying,” said LaShaundra Lockwood, the mother of one of the teens. “I don’t appreciate them trying to point fingers.”
Despite the criticism, Muwakkil believes this incident should be viewed as a teachable moment — not just for the teens, but for the broader community. He said he has met with Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields and is working to arrange a community meeting where the chief will discuss proper interactions with law enforcement and clarify what went wrong during the arrest.
“We want those boys to come back and learn from their mistakes. Let the chief explain what those mistakes are,” Muwakkil said. “Then we’re hoping the chief will go to the state attorney to appeal on behalf of those boys.”
In addition, Muwakkil said the NAACP will launch a petition asking prosecutors to drop the charges against the teens.
“We’re going to give them some backup help by circulating a petition asking the community to sign — asking those charges to be dropped,” he said.
As for the threats made against him, Muwakkil said this isn’t the first time he and his family have faced hostility.
“We’ve been down this road before — my family and myself,” he said. “I went to prison 40 years ago. I should have gone to jail — because I broke the law. But I’ve changed. And I fight for the rights of all people now.”
The Fort Myers Police Department has not commented on whether additional security will be provided to Muwakkil.