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It has been 100 days since July 4th, the last known day Nolan Wells was seen alive. Since then, his body has been found near Horn Island. His family and friends held a beautiful memorial service and buried him. Two autopsy reports, one official and one independent, were unable to determine his cause of death. A grand jury decided there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against anyone. However, his parents are pushing to learn the truth about what happened to their 19-year-old, calling for a federal investigation. While these calls seem to be stopping, the Black community continues to rally behind the Nolan family, both online and offline. That’s where it is Pastor Jamal Bryant and the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Come in.
RELATED: Ben Crump reveals State Miss Autopsy shows no signs of water in Nolan Wells’ saliva or lungs & details findings from his cell phone
Pastor Jamal Bryant presents a balloon release for Nolan Wells
On Sunday (October 11), Pastor Jamal Bryant shared a video on Instagram showing a gathering of people. Bryant appeared to coordinate the release of 1,000 white balloons into the air as the crowd sang “Nolan Wells.” In his caption, Bryant said the announcement was a new commitment to finding justice and closure for Nolan.
“Today marks 100 days since #nolanwells death. @newbirthmbc released 1000 balloons in his memory and renewing our commitment to justice and closure. A closed door is not a closed case! Say NAME #nolanwells”
Social Media Users share mixed reactions to the balloon release
Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Instagram post of the balloon release garnered more than 5,600 comments within 24 hours. While many understood the intention of the minister and the church behind the tribute, others called out the environmental impact of the balloons. According to a 2019 study published in Scientific Reports, seagulls that had eaten marine debris were 32 times more likely to die from eating balloons than hard plastic. Keep reading to check out the shared comments section.
wrote @iamdrstewart, “So deep! As if we needed another reason to love @jamalhbryant & @mzkarribaby 😢🕊️❤️.”
@classic_mandee said, “Great intentions however the environmental waste that occurs as a result of releasing balloons into the air is not good.”
And his name should stay in the news and front until the family gets Justice. But why aren’t people educated about what is releasing all these balloons into the environment? @sewdenisha added.
“No more balloon releases!!!!! They end up in our oceans and farm animals eat them and get sick. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 RIP to this beautiful soul. 😢,” @princessk2sweet said.
“This is so harmful to our environment. We will do positive and productive things in its name. We need to take better actions,” @taxexpert said.
@wanderone2020 weigh in, “Thanks to the Bryant’s for not letting this go. Justice for Nolan. 🙏🏾.”
@aliiakees81 said, “This is a beautiful Pastor! We will never stop saying his name! #NolanWells”
wrote @elgupoviajero, “I thought balloons 🎈 weren’t good for the environment 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️ can they find who made it 🙏🙏🙏🙏”
“Let’s call his name! Justice for Nolan and all the parents who didn’t get answers or justice from the system. 🙏🏾,” @klafree74 he said.
@jennh2018 added“Nolan Wells Fly High Baby Boy 🕊️🩵 Rest in peace with our Heavenly Father 🙌🏻 as long as people on earth never forget your name your beautiful face and personality and continue to stand behind your parents in getting the justice you deserve!!!”
“@jamalhbryant Please don’t release Mylar balloons into the atmosphere!!! 😱,” said @priceless_light.
Christine Wonsley never stops fighting for justice
Nolan Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, has not spoken out about the balloon proposal from Pastor Bryant or Newborn Missionary Baptist Church. However, in recent days, she emphasized that her quest for justice is not over. On Saturday (October 10), she wrote on Meta: “The question remains: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO NOLAN WELLS? A few days before that, on October 7, Wonsley slammed anyone who questioned his persistence after learning what happened to his 19-year-old. Also, in the Meta status, she called out the inconclusive results of the state autopsy and the documents about her son’s dead body. If there’s one thing to know, it’s that Christine Wonsley is not giving up on Nolan Wells – no matter what anyone says about that!
“🚨 DO NOT come to my page and try to explain to me, despite NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE of drowning / dry drowning in a single autopsy report that I have to accept the death of my child and move on. METHOD AND REASON: Uncertain! Have you lost your mind?! what God built me differently and I will NOT stop 🙄.
STORY: Christine Wonsley & Sybrina Fulton Embrace Loss of Sons, Nolan Wells & Trayvon Martin (VIDEO)
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