Accused of handcuffing a woman for putting Black Lives Matter stickers on yard signs supporting Donald Trump for re-election, a city councilman in Michigan was recently charged with one count of assault and battery along with one count of impersonating a public officer.
During a Trump rally in Eastpointe on October 14, Warren City Councilman Eddie Kabacinski chased down a young woman after she placed three Black Lives Matter stickers on Trump-Pence signs posted along the road. In self-defense, the woman sprayed Kabacinski with silly string before he placed her in handcuffs and waited for police to arrive.
Although Kabacinski claims he is a former military police officer, law enforcement officials confirmed that the councilman is not a deputy or police officer and cannot place other citizens in handcuffs while impersonating an officer.
In September, Kabacinski was recorded on video dressed in military fatigues with a gun on his hip and also claiming to be an officer. When asked to see his badge, Kabacinski showed a military police ID while blatantly impersonating a public officer.
The South Warren Alliance of Radical Movement (SWARM) and others have been calling for Kabacinski’s resignation from city council. In a recent statement, SWARM wrote, “This morning the members of the South Warren Alliance of Radical movement learned that Eddie Kabacinski is facing misdemeanor charges for impersonating an officer and for assault and battery. We are heartened that Eddie is facing some measure of accountability for his actions – which we believe reveal a deeply troubling behavioral pattern. Eddie Kabacinski’s behavior indicates that he is mentally and emotionally unwell and in need of help. Eddie has lost the public’s trust and must resign, be removed from office or face a recall.”
If convicted, Kabacinski could face up to 93 days imprisonment for the assault and battery charge and up to a year for impersonating an officer. The woman in the incident is not facing criminal charges.
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