Support a fellow skater: Lee Bender

This is Lee Bender, a true diplomat of skateboarding. Wherever he goes, Lee bumps up the scene to the maximum with his relentless style of skateboarding. You can see him in the pages of all the ‘Zines keeping it real every time. Not only is Lee a great skateboarder, he is a great human being as well. Lee just found out he has Multiple sclerosis.The AZPX family are devastated with the news. AZPX and Lee have been talking about doing an AZPX Bender Bro Model for some time. He even laid out some graphics for the project. In an effort to get some needed $$ into his pocket to cover his 6 day stay in the hospital, AZPX jumped the gun and are revealing the graphics on a benefit t-shirt.

The Shirts cost $15 which includes shipping $10.00 OF EVERY SALE WILL GO TO LEE. THE REST COVERS THE MATERIALS/SHIPPING/HANDLING. THERE IS NO PROFIT BEING MADE.

There are so many situations that are not captured on video, it’s sometimes hard to prove the harassment a skateboarder has to endure for simply, well, skateboarding. This is one incident caught on tape of a clear overreaction by our men in blue. Skaters have become an easy target for cops. Cops don’t seem to care so much about the bicyclists and rollerbladers that ride by on sidewalks as they’re writing tickets for a skateboarder. I have seen cops giving a fair hello to folks on bikes riding on the sidewalk.

I have high regards for our law enforcement and respect the fact that they are out there. I realize they have a job to uphold the peace and all that, and that makes me feel safe at night. There is, however, such a thing as abusing power. Just because they face dangers every day does not give them a blank check to bully/harrass/endanger the safety of 13 year olds. There’s a right way and a wrong way to handle situations like this and clearly this was the wrong way. Watch the video and decide for yourself. Of course, in all fairness, there was no footage or lead-up to the chaos. Seriously though, how much pressure would a Hot Springs, Arkansas officer face from a 100 pound (if that) teenage girl? Enough to quantify this:

“I join with Congress in recognition of this dedicated group of individuals who tirelessly promote skateboarding, thus encouraging young people to move from behind their computers, to outside and exercise, increasing their cardio-vascular health as well as coordination skills. On behalf of our precocious youth, I am happy to proclaim June 21st “Go Skateboarding Day”.
Loretta Sanchez
Member of Congress - House of Representatives, Representing 47th District of California

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