FREE DENZEL

My name is Parrish, I'm an aspiring teacher, mother to a 9yr old and I'm also 4 months pregnant. My partner is being held for ransom by the city, and we need to get him out.

Denzel Draughn was one of the 9 people arrested for the August 28th protest for Justice for Jacob Blake. During the protest the SDPD met its citizens with violence. As we've continuously seen in every state with protests, the police attack the people they've sworn to protect, unprovoked, in an effort to silence them. To silence them for daring to speak out against the corrupt system in which they rule and we live. The SDPD attacked protesors with physical violence and police-grade pepper spray. During their attack, Denzel, without hesitation, tried to protect his fellow protestors.

Denzel has been in jail since the early morning hours of August 29th and is being held on 9 counts of obstruction/resisting, 9 counts of use of teargas against a peace officer, and 1 count of possession of projectile teargas.

His bail is $750,001. Yes, you read that right, they added $1 when they brought it back up to $750k after the bondsman reducing it to $200k walked the lowered amount through the jail doors.

Denzel has been moved to level 7/D of the jail, maximum security, and due to covid restrictions, it is no longer required to bring him before a judge in 72 hours - his court date is September 25th. 

Not only is this targeted aggression being used as a scare tactic to make an example of what happens when you defend yourself and others against the police, not only is this yet again the state and police abusing their power to harm peaceful protestors, but this excessive bail is unheard of for any protestor. Arsonists and murderers are held on less bail.

We are demanding his immediate release, and all charges to be dropped.

This is an act of continued violence, not only against Denzel and our family, but the entire community as we attempt to end police brutality. This is cruel and unusual punishment. People have the right to resist the murder of our brothers and sisters without getting attacked and thrown in jail.






My family and I are asking for your support - I know times are hard on all of us right now, but anything you can spare will help.


Please share this anywhere and with anyone that you can. 


*Thank you to the SD Bail Fund for paying to get my car out of the impound
*Thank you to everyone who's donated their time and money
*Thank you to all those who have demonstrated with us this past week

             Uhuru.