Live ya life like a KING, don't be the Enemy's pawn

My folks in Africa need food, instead they sendin 'em bombs

Don't be blind to whats goin on right in front of ya face

And put ya fist up in the air and middle finger to the jakes

Cause Sleepin' on the movement'll be ya biggest mistake

Thats why you still gone see me ridin 'til my sentencin date!!

- Debray "Fly Benzo" Carpenter

DeBray "Fly Benzo" Carpenter is a straight-A City College student who needs community support. This Friday, you can stand for his freedom at 9 AM at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco. (9850 Bryant Street)

Carpenter was wrongfully convicted February 22 on misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and assault on a police officer. He now faces a sentence ranging from probation to three years in jail. 

Benzo has faced repeated harassment from SF police for his activism demanding accountability for  the death of Kenneth Harding. Twenty-four hours after publicly criticizing the SFPD on public-access television last July, Benzo was approached by police and arrested near the intersection of Oakdale Avenue and Lane Street. Benzo was released from jail almost four days later with no charges filed.

Then on October 18th in the SF Bayview district, a block from where Kenneth Harding was murdered, two police officers, Officer Norment and Officer Fry, began harassing Fly Benzo. He started to record the officers to have a record of the altercation which provoked the officers into a violent response.  Video footage shows the officer pulling DeBray by his dreadlocks and slamming him against the pavement. Despite this police brutality, Fly Benzo is the one on trial. 

We need to defend young leaders like Fly Benzo from unjust incarceration, especially in the current national climate of targeting young, Black men as suspicious. 

Show up on Friday, or stay informed on the case by joining the Free Fly Benzo Facebook Group.