Flip Released-Forbidden to Return

 
Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Flip Released-Forbidden to Return

Flip Benham was released this morning from the Mecklenburg County Jail. The morning began with Christians holding signs and passing out literature in front of the County Court building, where Flip's arraignment was going to be held. The city was greeted with the truth about abortion through the Malachi signs, and the injustice of Flip's incarceration. Security guards emerged, telling us that we could not be within 300 feet of the court building. We moved to the side of the street, as folks went in to the courthouse. We watched as the security guards protected the courts from the truth and took pamphlets away from people who had received them. After an hour of being on the streets, we went into the courthouse for Flip's arraignment. Sitting in the courtroom, waiting for Flip's turn, we watched as the judge disregarded one person after another. Flip's face showed in the screen, and he was greeted by the judge's cynical comments about the protesters outside. Flip was told not to return to where the disturbance occurred, that he could go, and to 'take your friends with you.'