Exercising Rights Shouldn't Cost Your Freedom
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Hi everyone. A dear friend of mine, Ben, was arrested in Austin on August 1st while attempting to peacefully protest and mourn the loss of our comrade, Garrett Foster. We were able to get him out of jail (thank you to the org he was with while there) but now we are hoping to raise funds for his attorney.
Ben was arrested, along with the rest of his protest group, while peacefully standing on the sidewalk mourning the loss of Garrett Foster. A vigil had been created at the corner of 4th and Congress for anyone wanting to pay respects and grieve this senseless loss. Without any warning or orders to move, APD surrounded and assaulted the entire group. Sadly, Ben is currently being charged with (2) 1st degree felonies because he was exercising his 2nd Amendment right to open carry when they were assaulted and arrested. The police report is a complete lie and unsupportable. We have several witnesses from protestors and "Boog Boy" 2A activists who were there as well and vouch for his innocence.
Ben was there to support & defend Black Lives
To support & mourn for killed protestor Garrett Foster
To uphold the 1st & 2nd Amendments
Ben is a Marine Corps veteran, former college republicans chapter president, former Libertarian Party of Texas State Legislative Executive Committee member, current SRA member, and proud member of the Black Lives Matter group We Take The Streets. Ben is a lifelong activist for the 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, drug reform, police brutality, and human rights who has organized and practiced activism from Hong Kong to San Francisco to speaking before the State Legislature in Austin, to Washington DC.
I would also to note that after just a few minutes of research we have found that the specific arresting officers who assaulted and accused Ben of these lies are the same partners who made national news for beating up college kids for jaywalking and also used brutality on a woman. They were sued in 2015 and 2017. Also, they have prior suspensions for tasering a handcuffed suspect in the jail and fabricating a report.
Ben was arrested, along with the rest of his protest group, while peacefully standing on the sidewalk mourning the loss of Garrett Foster. A vigil had been created at the corner of 4th and Congress for anyone wanting to pay respects and grieve this senseless loss. Without any warning or orders to move, APD surrounded and assaulted the entire group. Sadly, Ben is currently being charged with (2) 1st degree felonies because he was exercising his 2nd Amendment right to open carry when they were assaulted and arrested. The police report is a complete lie and unsupportable. We have several witnesses from protestors and "Boog Boy" 2A activists who were there as well and vouch for his innocence.
Ben was there to support & defend Black Lives
To support & mourn for killed protestor Garrett Foster
To uphold the 1st & 2nd Amendments
Ben is a Marine Corps veteran, former college republicans chapter president, former Libertarian Party of Texas State Legislative Executive Committee member, current SRA member, and proud member of the Black Lives Matter group We Take The Streets. Ben is a lifelong activist for the 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, drug reform, police brutality, and human rights who has organized and practiced activism from Hong Kong to San Francisco to speaking before the State Legislature in Austin, to Washington DC.
I would also to note that after just a few minutes of research we have found that the specific arresting officers who assaulted and accused Ben of these lies are the same partners who made national news for beating up college kids for jaywalking and also used brutality on a woman. They were sued in 2015 and 2017. Also, they have prior suspensions for tasering a handcuffed suspect in the jail and fabricating a report.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sabrina Garza
Organizer
Little Elm, TX
Benjamin Song
Beneficiary