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Second, being that Yusuf’s trial was considered “the most widely covered trial in the Bay Area’s history,” it is ludicrous that the defense’s motion to have a change of venue was denied. It was imperative that Yusuf’s trial take place somewhere with an unbiased population who were not subjected to the media’s public crucifixion of Yusuf. During the time leading up to and during his trial, a total of 1536 articles portraying Yusuf in a negative light were published over a period of 2 1/2 years. This undoubtedly played a role in Yusuf’s conviction.

Before his arrest, Yusuf was a vocal activist for social justice in his community before being wrongfully tried and convicted. Yusuf and his family provided second chances to former convicts, hiring them at their businesses and providing opportunities for them to rebuild, become self-reliant, and achieve economic independence. In addition, Yusuf advocated for speaking out against police brutality, which unfortunately made him a target to those that disagreed with his activism, namely the Oakland Police Department and D.A.’s office, who had a long-standing vendetta against the families organization, dating back to when his father, Yusuf Bey Sr. first established the business in the late 1960s. His son Yusuf Bey IV’s attempt to carry on that legacy of black empowerment and self-reliant activism in the community did not sit well with the police and local government. These entities did not like how Yusuf was affecting change in the community ever since he took over as the CEO of the family business, Your Black Muslim Bakery, at age 19 after the untimely death of his older brother Antar. Because of this, the corrupt Oakland Police Dept. & D.A.’s office jumped at the opportunity to cut a deal with admitted shooter Devaughndre by framing Yusuf and his co-defendant Antoine Mackey and therefore putting an end to his efforts to uplift and advance the black community.

In June 2019, we filed an appeal with the Appellate Court to have Yusuf released which is currently pending. At the very least, we demand that Yusuf be granted a new trial where he can be properly represented by a competent lawyer, in an unbiased location, with a fair and adequate defense team. Yusuf has been in prison for 15 years now, he was sentenced to life before his life even really got started. We hope you join us in signing this petition to speak out and stand up against this incredible injustice and assist us in helping to free a man truly innocent and set up by the police and local government.

During his incarceration, Yusuf has been a model inmate who has been consistently respectful to both fellow prisoners and staff. He spends his time reading, mentoring, speaking, and promoting conflict resolution. He was also chosen to lead classes twice a week. Yusuf has many goals he plans on accomplishing upon his release and will truly make a substantial positive contribution to society. Upon his release, Yusuf plans to create a non-profit organization to benefit and mentor underprivileged and at-risk youth and foster children in the community. In addition, he plans to alleviate the flaws of the corrupt criminal justice system, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Yusuf is a giving, selfless, inspirational leader and activist, who thrives on giving back to the community and who has the potential to change the entire future of the next generation for the better. Yusuf has never claimed to be perfect; he has acknowledged the mistakes that he has made and has even taken responsibility for such crimes to have occurred on his watch by a business employee. Though wrongfully convicted, he is not bitter. He has used this time to learn, grow, and mature so that he may be of greater service than before. Yusuf is the kind of man that once released will not turn his back on fellow oppressed prisoners. He will use his experience to help others who find themselves in similar circumstances. Yusuf has said that he needed to go through this experience to make him the man he is today, which is why he holds no ill will toward those responsible for his unjust incarceration. He is now an improved version of himself and plans to return to society a productive, morally, ethically, and spiritually intact man.