
Source: Screenshot / Twitter
We must begin this story by expressing that the details within will be disturbing to some. Oluwatoyin Salau, a young activist who was a frontline voice in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, was reportedly found dead after tweeting about a sexual assault encounter then going missing in Florida.
Salau, 19, wrote in detail about an assault that occurred on June 6 after accepting a ride from a Black man in the city of Tallahassee. Salau, who was staying in a nearby church that housed much of her personal belongings after expressing she was staying at a place with “unjust living conditions.”
“Anyways I was molested in Tallahassee, Florida by a black man this morning at 5:30 on Richview and Park Ave. The man offered to give me a ride to find someplace to sleep and recollect my belongings from a church I refuged to a couple days back to escape unjust living conditions,” Salut wrote.
She continued with, “He came disguised as a man of God and ended up picking me up from nearby Saxon Street. I entered his truck only because I carry anything to defend myself not even a phone (which is currently at the church) and I have poor vision. I trusted the holy spirit to keep me safe.”
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Salau told the man about how a man sexually assaulted her back in March in an attempt to receive some form of empathy from the man. After detailing the assault, Salau wrote that she made her escape back to the church with her belongings.
On Sunday (June 14), the Tallahassee Police Department announced that it was investigating a double homicide but did not name the victims. Via social media, two individuals claim that the family confirmed that Salau has indeed died but a formal statement from the authorities has yet to surface as of this morning (June 15).
One of the most upsetting aspects of this incident is the passion that Salau exhibited in the defense of Black men who have been slain by police, yet that did not translate into courtesy and protection for her well-being. That much has been noted by many on Twitter who say that Salau, also known as “Toyin,” fought for the very men that she was eventually harmed by.
Salau was defiant and committed to the fight to the end, writing, “The same n*ggas i’m risking my life for are the same niggas who are convinced they are stealing away my “innocence” or jewel not knowing that I am standing on a rock. Therefore I can never be broken or robbed.”
A relief GoFundMe campaign for Salau was launched and will now be used to help support the family with Salau’s brother serving as a beneficiary of the fund.
May Oluwatoyin Salau rest powerfully in peace.
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Photo: Screenshot
1.
Oluwatoyin Salau spent her last days on this Earth fighting for black lives. It’s our job to fight for her. Her life mattered.
— bre! 🦋 (@BreyonaDaniels) June 15, 2020
2.
Oluwatoyin “Toyin” Salau
— Shari ♐️ (@shariauna_) June 15, 2020
Rest in Power Angel 💔 #JusticeForToyin after tweeting about her sexual assault she went missing for several days and her body was recently found. She was only 19. pic.twitter.com/4uAlVsAVHK
3.
Say her name.
— P’u (@kimbaakop3) June 15, 2020
Oluwatoyin Salau
None of us are free until we are all free, none of us are safe until we are all safe. In her last days a man took advantage of her, days later she was found dead by the Roadside.
Until I stop breathing I will never stop fighting for women. RIP pic.twitter.com/G3V8gmUK3E
4.
She was only 19. She deserved to be listened to, she deserved to be cared for, she deserved way more than what she got. Rest in Peace Oluwatoyin Salau.
— sarah lugor!! (@sarahlugor) June 15, 2020
5.
Oluwatoyin Salau was a baby. She was a baby who thought she was safe in her community but her community swiftly reminded her why she was not safe anywhere. Man, this one hurt. A baby. We lost a fuckin baby because no one protects Black girls or women.
— farxiyo. (@hausofriya) June 15, 2020
6.
end the world for Oluwatoyin Salau
— all miles no morales (@hoodqueer) June 15, 2020
7.
it’s breaking my heart.. you didn’t deserve this💔 thank you so much for fighting for us, i’ll never forget you🙏🏽 rip oluwatoyin salau. i wish i could’ve protected you. pic.twitter.com/pQmedEAxJA
— aquarian woman (@nayasupremacy) June 15, 2020
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10.
Rest In Peace Oluwatoyin Salau 🕊 may you always be remembered in our hearts. We will continue to fight for you. https://t.co/4K0MY4mVMh
— miss girl. (@quiaragreen_) June 15, 2020
11.
“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman...” - Malcolm X #OluwatoyinSalau
— Majesty Ria ✨ (@ToriNicksWho) June 15, 2020
12.
Oluwatoyin Salau, say her name because she deserved so much fucking more...Rest in Power
— Val (@valcoholics1) June 15, 2020
13.
14.
in Nigeria a girl named Vera Uwa was raped and murdered in church, then a 12 year old girl named Farishina was raped by 11 men and now a 19 year old girl Oluwatoyin Salau was sexually assaulted and murdered in America. the whole world has truly failed black women.
— chu (@chuuzus) June 15, 2020