BLACK LAND DEFENDERS

Nicole and Courtney Mallery purchased their 640 acre-property in El Paso County, Colorado, in 2020. Soon after, the Mallerys began reporting incidents of animal cruelty, property destruction, trespassing, and menacing. In an attempt to catch the culprits in the act, they installed multiple security cameras on their property, some of which were pointed directly at the property of their neighbor. A road easement between the two properties became a focal point in the dispute between the two parties, when the neighbor accused them of stalking and harassment whenever the Mallories accessed the easement. Both parties placed multiple 911 calls; however, only the white neighbor’s calls were investigated by the sheriff’s department. Additionally, the Mallories report that their dogs were poisoned and cattle mutilated. “When they call the police, their word is treated like Gospel. When we do, they always say there is not enough evidence,” says Courtney Mallery. On Feb. 6, after months of the Mallerys and their neighbor filing complaints against each other, Courtney Mallory was arrested for stalking - charges that resulted from cameras on his private property being pointed in the direction of his neighbors’ land and from accessing the road egress. Courtney Mallory reports being told by the Sheriff’s department that he was allowed to check the perimeter of his land about twice a year

Over the last decade, white supremacist terrorism in the United States has increased many times over. Of the 100 white supremacist attacks between 2000 and 2023, 80 occurred after 2009. Black armed self-defense organizations respond to the sustained threat of violence by advocating for Black gun ownership and providing security in response to racist threats.

In February 2023, activists from NYC-based Black Opportunities and Texas-based Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt Pistol and Rifle Gun Club gathered at the Freedom Acres Ranch in El Paso County, Colorado in support of Courtney and Nicole Mallery, a family of Black ranchers.

Nicole and Courtney Mallery purchased their 640 acre-property in El Paso County, Colorado, in 2020, after being displaced by Hurricane Henry. Soon after, the Mallerys began reporting incidents of animal cruelty, property destruction, trespassing, and menacing. In an attempt to catch the culprits in the act, they installed multiple security cameras on their property, some of which were pointed directly at the property of their neighbor. A road easement between the two properties became a focal point in the dispute between the two parties, when the neighbor accused them of stalking and harassment whenever the Mallerys accessed the easement.

Both parties placed multiple 911 calls; however, only the white neighbor’s calls were investigated by the sheriff’s department. “When they call the police, their word is treated like Gospel. When we do, they always say there is not enough evidence,” says Courtney Mallery.

On February 6, 2023, after months of the Mallerys and their neighbor filing complaints against each other, Courtney Mallery was arrested for stalking - charges that resulted from cameras on his private property being pointed in the direction of his neighbors’ land and from accessing the road egress. Courtney Mallery reports being told by the Sheriff’s department that he was allowed to check the perimeter of his land about twice a year. Black Lives Matter flags around the Mallerys' property were torn, and the family received death threats on social media.

Organized by Black Opportunities, a NYC-based civil rights organization lead by Hawk and Chivona Newsome, activists from around the country answered the Mallerys' call for help, arriving to the property armed with agricultural know-how, donated supplies, military experience, and legal firearms.

"Death is a part of life on the ranch", says Courtney Mallery when he finds a dead cow with blood frozen at its nose and mouth by the fence that surrounds his land. "But usually, you see it coming."

A yearling cow lies dead at the boundary of the Mallery's ranch. "She had a purpose - to feed 10, 15 people who are less fortunate," says Courtney Mallery, whose ranch donates fresh meat and produce to food pantries in the area. "That purpose has been taken from her. I feel like I let her down."

Black Lives Matter signs on Mallerys' property were met with threats on social media.

Hawk Newsome makes the long drive to Freedom Acres Ranch.

Activists set up a tent on the Freedom Acres Ranch.

On a freezing night, a member of the EGP tends to a camp stove inside a tent that houses a dozen other men.

Sun rises over the Mallerys' 860 acre ranch. "I look forward to every sunrise and every sunset," says Courtney Mallery.

Patrick Lumumba (left) stretches after waking up in a tent he shares with several other men. In addition to providing armed security, Mr. Lumumba came to Freedom Acres Ranch to share his agricultural experience and collect soil for chemical analysis.

Nadir, a peace officer with NYC-based organization Black Opportunities, prays outside the tent he shares with other self-defense activists.

An activist with Elmer Geronimo Pratt Gun Club takes a break from farm work to play with a baby goat.

Nadir, (second from the left), emphasizes that helping the Mallorys with farm work is an integral part of the mission.

Activists spend hours cleaning manure and collecting it for fertilizer.

Hawk and Nadir patrol the perimeter of the Freedom Acres Ranch.

Sheep is lit by a motion-activated light - one of the many security measures the Mallerys installed on their farm since finding mutilated and poisoned livestock.