Resisting ICE is the principled thing to do

Nine years ago the Southern California Immigration Coalition (SCIC), Brown Berets, Union del Barrio, and others organized a protest against ABC’s racist, ICE-fascist glorifying, Homeland Security USA show.

Nativist Minutemen, the Ku Klux Klan, and Neo-Nazis counter-protested us, and liberal Democrats criticized us for being too radical. We were right! #not1more

Resisting ICE is the principled thing to do

Legalization For All Responds To Trump's Deport All 11-Million Proposal

Donald Trump's proposal is one that we as the Legalization for All Network (L4A) cannot and will not support. As fighters for immigrant rights across the country, we have asked many to respond to Donald Trump's costly and outrageous proposal. 

And while the majority of our responses are against Donald Trump, we would also like to shine light on Republican Candidate and Governor of New York Chris Christie's recent proposal. Christie's immigration proposal promises to treat immigrants like FedEx packages, tracking them with bar-codes; instead of treating them with equality. These same 11+ million undocumented, and mixed-status immigrants are forced into migration by U.S.A. policies like NAFTA/CAFTA, or coups in places like Honduras.

Deporting all of the undocumented and bringing back only a few chosen ones or stalking them like FedEx property, is no solution for any immigrant.

---

"Donald Trump and other Republican presidential candidates call to overturn the right to citizenship for the children of immigrants echos the call made by Russel Pearce, author of the anti-immigrant Arizona SB1070.  The same call to strip citizenship from the Nisei, the American-born children of Japanese immigrants during World War II, and also Chinese Americans who were targeted by the anti-Chinese movement in the 1870s and 1880s.  This issue was settled by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1898, in the case of the US vs. Wong Kim Ark, where the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment to the constitution meant what it said, that everyone born in the United States are citizens.  The 14th Amendment was passed in 1868 to guarantee rights to African American slaves and their children, and to overturn the 1857  Dredd Scott vs. Sanford Supreme Court ruling that African slaves and their children had no rights to citizenship.  By calling for the end of right to citizenship, Trump and other Republicans are in effect raising the banner of the Slave South.  Just as we fought to ban the Confederate battle flag, we must fight Trump and others who want to take this country back 200 years.   Masao Suzuki is a member of the San Jose Nihonmachi Outreach Committee (NOC) that organizes and educates around World War II concentration camps for Japanese Americans."
- Masao Suzuki Economics professor at Skyline College. San Jose, California

---

"Donald trump promueve el odio y el racismo, y contra ese tipo de personas no se puede utilizar la razon, hay que derrotarlos con la organizacion y la mobilizacion. Como latino hoy mas que nunca debemos luchar por la legalizacion de todos nuestros herman@s indocumentados, Legalizacion para todos ahora."
- Edward C Tolentino, activist. Tucson, AZ

---

"Since Trump announced he would be running for President, the Latino community has become Trump's obsessive target for discrimination and hate-speech. As a consequence we immigrants have to deal with this continued attitude of disrespect and hate. In stores we are treated with a disrespectful attitude. As mothers, we are getting sued for not being able to pay our medical bills after giving birth. We are getting mistreated and taken advantage of at our work-places, and our kids continue to experience discrimination at their schools. Regardless of our citizenship status, we as immigrants will continue to feel repression if Trump wins. Trump's plans promise to continue targeting us as immigrants - and myself as a Mexican immigrant- but we are only becoming wiser and stronger. And we will fight back!"
- Citlalli Martinez, undocumented mother of two. South Carolina

---

In the beginning of his "Presidential Campaign",  Donaldo attacked the Mexican people. My tíos y tias. Mis primos. Mis abuelos y mi padre. Calling them rapist and violent when I've know them for all my life and those two things don't describe them. Words like loving, honest and trabajadores come to mind when I think of them and the Mexican people. But now, Donaldo has attacked me and the Chicano Nation of Aztlán! He threatens to take our citizenship but what he does not understand that even before the 14th amendment and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and even before the Spanish conquest and inquisition, the Chicanos people have been here! Out blood, sweat and tears are engraved in this land. So go ahead Donaldo, try to take our citizenship away, pero no llores when the Chicano Nation comes to take yours!"
- Bryan Orozco, activist. Tucson, Az

---

"What we are seeing here is straight up racism. These people, Trump, Walker, Bush, and those who follow them, claim to be very patriotic. They stand to 'defend America from foreigners'. In reality, they just hate people of color, specifically Latinos, with a flaming passion, with no real education on who we are. These people need to turn off CNN and get to know their gardeners, maids, janitors, and the people who prepare their damn food. I'm not going to reduce my people to just those positions, cause we are everywhere. We are teachers, scientists, and doctors. This country doesn't run without us. People like Donald Trump live in their own little world. They're more scared of us, then we are scared of them. Remember, we are everywhere. Try to deport us all, and you will have a revolution on your hands. We Latinos can do anything we put our minds to. There's a Mexican proverb that says 'They tried to bury us, but didn't know we were seeds.'. Also, while we are talking about stripping citizenship from immigrants, have you renewed your passport yet, Mr. Bush? "
- Adrian Romero, Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement. Salt Lake City, UT

---

"Not only is this plan unrealistic, it's is in humane. Trump's slogan is "Make America Great Again", but who is he trying to make America great for when immigrants are the backbone and powerhouse that runs this country everyday? He cannot deport 11 million people!"
- Maria Belen Sisa, DACAmented student, worker and activist. Gilbert, AZ

---

"Trump's racist comments against Mexican immigrants are another of the ongoing attacks on our community. These attacks usually intensify during elections and economic crisis. We are all united in denouncing these racists attacks; especially now since the other Republican presidential candidates are taking them up. Lets stand strong in our fight for legalization for all!" 
- Carlos M. Montes, Brown Berets Co-founder and Board Member of Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council. Boyle Heights, Los Angeles

---

"Trump's plan to deport all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is inhumane and won't happen. This country needs the labor of those immigrants and they are humans that have to be treated with equal respect. His massive deportation plan will lose him the Latino vote. However if he somehow wins the presidency, immigrant rights organizations across the country will stand up and resist any massive deportations."
- Oscar Hernandez student and immigrant rights community organizer with YES!. Milwaukee, WI

Legalization For All Responds To Trump's Deport All 11-Million Proposal

We want legalization for all!

Join us on Saturday, August 23 at the Salesian Family & Youth Center to demand LEGALIZATION FOR ALL! This event will feature speakers specialized in organizing to promote migrant rights and the struggle for equality for Central Americans and self determination in the Chicana/o struggle. Event is free. Food, music, will be available! Come out to this community forum to discover the ways YOU can become part of this movement!

RSVP here: Facebook Event

We want legalization for all!

Obama: You can start by stopping deportations now!

Obama: You can start by stopping deportations now!

Book Talk: Alfonso Gonzales presents 'Reform Without Justice'

Alfonso Gonzales (Lehman College, CUNY) discusses his new book, Reform Without Justice: Latino Migrant Politics and the Homeland Security State.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Haines Hall 144
CSRC Library
UCLA 

Placed within the context of the past decade's war on terror and emergent and countervailing Latino rights movement, Reform without Justice addresses the issue of state violence against migrants in the United States. The book explores post-9/11 migration control policies and Latino migrant activism through the lens of neo-Gramsican theory and includes interviews with over 60 migrant activists in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC, as well as with deportees in Mexico and Central America.  It questions why it is that, despite its success in mobilizing millions, the Latino immigrant rights movement has not been able to effectively secure sustainable social justice victories for itself or more successfully defend the human rights of migrants. Reform without Justice concludes by discussing how Latino migrant activists - especially youth - and their allies can change this reality and help democratize the United States.
Joining the discussion will be Leisy Abrego, assistant professor of Chicana and Chicano studies; Alvaro Huerta, CSRC visiting scholar; and Raymond Rocco, associate professor of political science.

About Author:

Alfonso Gonzales is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Lehman College of the City University of New York. Gonzales received his training at the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (Ph.D. 2008), and in the Latin American Studies Program at Stanford University (M.A. 2002).
 

Gonzales migrated to the United States as a child from Tijuana, Mexico. He has 20-years of experience as an organizer and strategist among migrant activists. Like an entire generation of Latino migrant activists and intellectuals, Gonzales became passionately interested in politics with the rise of Proposition 187, a 1994 California ballot initiative that sought to deny unauthorized immigrants vital public services.

Cost: Free and open to the public

Special Instructions

Parking Information: The closest parking lot is Structure #2. Visitors may purchase daily parking permits (Currently $12) by stopping at the Information & Parking kiosks (cash only) or by using a "Pay by Space" pay station. The closest information booth to Structure #2 is located on Hilgard and Westholme Ave. To use a Parking Pay Station: Simply drive to a self-service Pay Station location (there is one located in Structure #2). Please read the posted signs and screen prompts for Pay by Space. Pay Stations allow you to select the time you need to spend on campus and pay accordingly (all-day passes can also be purchased). UCLA maps and driving directions

Download File: 02-19-14-AlfonsoGonzalesBT-1w-a4g.pdf
Sponsor(s): Chicano Studies Research Center, Department of Political Science

Book Talk: Alfonso Gonzales presents 'Reform Without Justice'

Thank you for Klansplaining me Brian!

My response to a bigot on The Daily Bruin

---

Thank you for Klansplaining me Brian!

Your fact-free diatribes about documents, citizens, governments, and such almost made me forget the long history of genocide, trail of tears, stolen lands, and broken treaties (Guadalupe Hidalgo for one) that comprise the so-called nation of laws you mention. "Free to return to their native land"? I know you probably didn't learn this in your white supremacist studies classes, but the indigenous peoples of this continent ARE ALREADY on their native land. The depraved depths of racism and ahistoricism one must plumb to insinuate that "we [sic] are being colonized" is breathtaking. Save that Klanspeak for your next JBS meeting, this isn't the forum for your brand of bigotry and hate speech.

Thank you for Klansplaining me Brian!

President Obama ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

President @BarackObama after 2 mil deportations, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! #DACA4All @legalizeforall http://t.co/ZC8a5m9jMi pic.twitter.com/rFdHl8c8Xe

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) November 12, 2013

President Obama ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Why I enthusiastically endorse Ron Gochez for Los Angeles City Council District 9

First published on Robert D. Skeels for School Board on November 28, 2012.

---

For many years the people of Los Angeles City Council District 9 (CD9) have not been represented. Instead, deep pocketed developers have had virtually unfettered influence and access, and we've seen tragedies like the razing of the South Central Farm, the victimization of the homeless under Safer Cities Initiative, and intentional blight to displace low income families of color to make way for gentrification and development greed. Indeed the past dozen years have seen the residents of CD9 subjected to all manners of indignities, exploitations, and oppressions, including environmental racism.

Community members and groups asked long time community activist Ron Gochez to run for the CD9 seat. While Ron has never had aspirations of running for political office, he has always been responsive to the needs of his community. He is backed by a diverse, multiracial, multi-ethnic coalition of working class peoples, many of whom are immigrants, who are tired of their voices being utterly ignored on City Council.

I've known Ron for many years. He is a man of conviction, principle, and integrity. He has spent countless hours in selfless service to his community, and most importantly, to those who are the most vulnerable in our society. He is never afraid to speak truth to power, and he alone is the only candidate for CD9 that will represent the families and working peoples of such an underserved and exploited community.

Ron is a social justice educator both professionally in his role as a teacher, and in his every interaction with his community. We need more people of conscience to take a stand like Ron has. His campaign is known as the "People’s Campaign," and that is truly what it is. That is why I have contributed to his campaign and wholeheartedly endorse Ron Gochez for Los Angeles City Council District 9.

Robert D. Skeels
Education writer, social justice activist, and District 2 candidate for the LAUSD School Board

Why I enthusiastically endorse Ron Gochez for Los Angeles City Council District 9

Ron Gochez Lucha para defender su trabajo en Santee Canal 22 May 30 2012

Ron Gochez, maestro de historia en la escuela Santee, esta luchando para defender su trabajo en ese plantel educativo.

The fact that they are trying to do this to one of the best teachers in our district speaks volumes to the dirty political machine that is Los Angeles. PLAS will have an entire angry community to contend with if they try to carry out this travesty. We need a thousand Ron Gochez's in our school district to carry the truth to students long oppressed by deceitful and duplicitous creatures like John Deasy and Yole Flores.

Ron Gochez Lucha para defender su trabajo en Santee Canal 22 May 30 2012

My comments on SCIC protest photo on facebook

What I love about the SCIC, and why I am proud to have been one of its founding members, is that it never compromises its principles out of political expediency or opportunism. When other so-called "progressive" immigration groups were trailing the Democratic party calling for "comprehensive immigration reform" (read no reform at all), the SCIC was calling for full legalization and amnesty for all undocumented peoples. When other groups said ignore proto-fascist racist groups like the Minutemen and other Klansmen, the SCIC stood up to bigots and white supremacists. When funding stream conscious NPICs said don't target media that glorify the Border Patrol, the SCIC protested in front of places like ABC Studios demanding an end to the vilification of the undocumented. Currently LAPD and Mayor Villaraigosa are waging a war on immigrants by stealing their cars at checkpoints. Which major group protested in front of the Mayor's lavish mansion? You bet — The SCIC!

This is also why I support Ron Gochez for City Council. His background of standing up for workers and immigrant rights is peerless, and he brings the vision that only a leftist has to the debates over issues that effect working class people the most.

My comments on SCIC protest photo on facebook

Nativo Vigil Lopez: Katt Wiliams' Anti-Mexican Rant a True Kramer Moment

Katt Wiliams' Anti-Mexican Rant a True Kramer Moment

By: Nativo Vigil Lopez


Not dissimilar to an experience lived by standup comedian Michael Richards, who played the fictional character of Cosmo Kramer in the sitcom Seinfeld, who repeatedly yelled the n-word at a supposed audience heckler, Katt Williams repeatedly taunted an audience member with anti-Mexican vitriol in a recent comic performance in Phoenix, Arizona.

Williams' set began with an assumptive statement that "it seems to me that you all like it over here a lot." He ridiculed the giving up of California by Mexicans to the U.S. An audience member yelled back to him that "this is Mexico," but not all was picked up by the audio. Williams taunted back with, "this used to be Mexico motherfucker, and now it's Phoenix" - to cheers from the crowd. He even referred to the audience member as "nigger," although he was clearly of Latino appearance. The heckler vulgarly gestured back to Williams. It was clear that the heckler dished out as well as he got from Williams. It was obviously no accident that the standup comic had a large statue of the American eagle on the stage surrounded by six young black women?

And, so it continued, taunting the heckler with chants of "USA, USA, USA," which were repeated by other audience members. The Latino man, now standing, engaged Williams who was visibly reactive and at one point even declared, "fuck him," and told him, "if you love Mexico, bitch, get the fuck over there." He angrily engaged the Latino with his interpretation of the Star Spangled Banner, and others in the audience picked up the tune in chorus. After physically plucking the eagle statue in front of the heckler he yelled, "we were slaves, bitch, you all just work like that at a landscapers, motherfucker." After that outburst he circled the stage and was high-fived by a black audience member.

He referred to the heckler as "nigger," and "bitch." At the end of the tirade five burly security guards removed the Latino from the audience.

The crowd was clearly racially mixed, and as much as could be observed from the video, now replayed ad nauseam on YouTube, was supportive of Williams' rage.

Williams was subsequently interviewed on CNN and refused to apologize for his angry outbursts. He excused his words as responsive to a heckler who "claimed this land as Mexico." He wrapped himself in the American flag as a defense of his comments. He even disowned and disapproved of a public apology that was issued by his publicist.

Sad is the day that the popular comedian would choose Phoenix, Arizona as the place to unleash his jaded sense of patriotism to his public. Only a fool would not be aware of the political significance of the location in what is considered the national epicenter of the anti-immigrant/anti-Mexican right-wing movement, nationally. The origin of virulently anti-immigrant laws, SB1070 in particular, Arizona has become the template model for similar legislation in other states. Today, Phoenix is to Mexicans what Birmingham, Alabama of the Deep South was to blacks during the civil rights movement era. Williams' rant more than hurt, it was outright destructive and divisive.

Williams' comments could be reflective of a current of opinion amongst the African American community, albeit not a majority one, especially in these tough economic times. It trashes, however, the historic strides towards unity between brown and black communities throughout the country before a common foe. Our common African origin is ignored. The violent annexation of half the national territory of Mexico, now the southwest of the U.S., is ridiculed, as is the uninterrupted resistance to conquest by indigenous peoples.

Just as Richards' tirade had no place in a public forum (or private for that matter), notwithstanding the comic venue where in most instances everything goes, Williams' comments have no place in the America he proclaims to love, nor does his use of the terms "nigger," or "bitch."

Some comedians, journalists, and media commentators still believe that they are protected by the First Amendment in their use of colored language, and terms as "illegal alien," "illegal immigrant," and other such references to immigrants, people of color, women, and gays. The word is powerful, and its inappropriate and uncultured use denigrates and dehumanizes the powerless. What is even worst, however, is when individuals of the powerless use the word of the powerful to refer to themselves and others of the same social class. And, when such occurs they are nothing more than servants and slaves to their pay-masters - the corporate media, even those of medium stature or alternative "progressive" mediums.

I have a remedy for Katt, though, and it relates to a personal story of mine. One day as young boys, 8 and 9 years of age, my brother and I were playing outdoors within earshot of my mother. My brother called me a "nigger." Well, when my mother heard that she called him into the house and literally washed his mouth out with a bar of soap. He claimed to her that he didn't even know what it meant, and that he was just repeating what a Mexican girl, with much darker complexion than him, had called him on the school playground. He was never again heard to utter the word.

My suggestion is that we boycott Katt Williams, not unlike the black community called for a boycott of Michael Richards after his uncouth racial tirade, and that this boycott should continue until Williams' makes an unreserved public mea culpa to the Mexican community or until his Mama publicly washes his mouth out with soap. In the alternative, I have only one thing to tell Mr. Williams, as I would to any Minuteman spewing anti-Mexican hate language - No, fuuuuck you, motherfucker!

* The author authorizes the re-publication of this article. Please credit the author.

nativolopez@sbcglobal.net

Nativo Vigil Lopez: Katt Wiliams' Anti-Mexican Rant a True Kramer Moment

UTLA May 1st Teachers Press Conference! Teachers, we need you!!

"I have seen UTLA representation at these type of events, coalition meetings, and other such organizing for over a decade. I've NEVER seen an Alliance for a Better Community, LAPU/Parent Revolution, or Families in Schools banner at any immigrant rights event." — Robert D. Skeels (Social Justice Candidate for District 2 Seat, LAUSD)


United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) is holding a press conference at the UTLA building tomorrow to announce their support for the Southern California Immigration Coalition May 1st march!!

We need as many UTLA members as possible to show up to this Press Conference and please bring your RED UTLA gear!! Community members are welcomed!!

Wednesday, April 27th at 4:00pm!
UTLA Building
3303 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Corner of Wilshire and Berendo

UTLA teachers and community supporters! EVERYone is welcomed!!

This is a great chance for teachers to show their solidarity with the labor movement on International Workers Day and also for the Immigrant Rights Movement!

Remember to wear your UTLA Red!

Ron Gochez
Social Justice Educator/Community Organizer
Union del Barrio
Southern California Immigration Coalition

UTLA May 1st Teachers Press Conference! Teachers, we need you!!

¡Marcha a Primero de Mayo! May Day 2011 March

¡La Marcha esta para derrechos de todos trabajadores. Ven con nosotros a Primero de Mayo!

As a social justice candidate for the District 2 Board seat of Los Angeles Unified School District, I'll be marching in support of teachers and communities with the Educators Contingent. See you there.

Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 10:00am — 1:00pm
Starting at Olympic and Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015



ARE-LA Endorsement of SCIC May Day March

Dear Members of the Southern California Immigration Coalition,


The Association of Raza Educators, Los Angeles chapter stands in solidarity with the SCIC and its work to organize for our peoples' rights. Below is a statement of solidarity and endorsement of the SCIC's May Day march that we are sending out to our listservs. On May 1st, we march with the SCIC and stand with our communities!

Venceremos! Karen Salazar Chairperson Association of Raza Educators, Los Angeles

ARE Los Angeles Endorsement of May 1st Action:

Full Legalization Now! No Guest Worker Program!

The Association of Raza Educators (ARE), Los Angeles chapter believes in community self-determination. Because education is the cornerstone of our struggle for self-determination, reclaiming education often involves fighting against the oppressive system that seeks to deny the human rights and dignity of our students and their families.

ARE Los Angeles stands in solidarity with the Southern California Immigration Coalition! As educators and community organizers, we will march on May 1st as a sign of protest against Immigration and Custom Enforcement raids, which we view as an attack on im/migrant communities. On May 1st, we will march alongside our students, sisters, brothers, and families, in solidarity with im/migrant communities throughout the United States.

Association of Raza Educators, Los Angeles

www.ARELosAngeles.com

CALL TO ACTION!

What: May Day mobilization, immigrant's rights are worker's rights
When: May 1st Time: 8:30am
Where: 2100 Maple Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011 (Centro Cultural Francisco Villa)

¡Marcha a Primero de Mayo! May Day 2011 March

Women's Rights Activists and Groups Press Conference (Sponsored by SCIC)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 5:30PM
6th Street and Union Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Women's rights leaders and groups will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at 5:30PM, at the corner of 6th and Union, to announce their intention to participate in the May 1st Immigrant Rights march in Downtown Los Angeles, and to call upon all women to join the march and together demand immigration reform that includes 'Legalization for all' but without a 'Bracero' program, an end to the raids and deportations, and a complete halt to police/ICE repression.

Speakers include:
Julia Wallace - SCIC (moderator)
Celina Benitez - CISPES and President, South Central Neighborhood Council
Roxanna Gaspar - Inquilinos Unidos (friend of murdered Guatemalan immigrant Manuel Jamines)
Estela Jimenez - Angeles Sin Fronteras
Aracely Espinosa - International Action Center
Ingrid Villeda - UTLA activist/Teacher
Terrie Cervas - Gabriela USA (an Asian immigrant women's organization)
Yuisa Gimeno - Radical Women
And more.

For more information, please contact: Julia Wallace (310) 404-6729 (English) and Graciela Anquiano (626) 688-2737.

Women's Rights Activists and Groups Press Conference (Sponsored by SCIC)

Southern California Immigration Coalition Conference

CA Statewide (Im)migrant Rights Conference: Building a Movement to Stop ICE & Police Repression

Saturday, March 26 2011
8:00AM - 3:30PM
Santee Education Complex
1921 Maple Ave. LA, CA 90011

Plenty of FREE Parking
Child care will be provided
Lunch will be provided
NO REGISTRATION FEE: DONATIONS will be accepted

Conference Program
MC: Adrian Alvarez

Conference Registration: 8:00AM - 9:00AM

Conference Opening: 9:00AM

Opening statement: Assembly member Gil Cedillo (5 Minutes)

SCIC Welcome statement: Daniel Montes, Union del Barrio (10 minutes)

Solidarity Statements: Andres Garcia, New York Immigrant Community Empowerment- Live via Skype (5 minutes)

Anh Pham (via Skype), Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, Minnesota (5 minutes)

Soledad "Chole" Alatorre, Hermandad Mexicana (5 minutes)

BREAK OUT SESSIONS 9:30AM-12:00PM
1) ICE Raids/E-Verify/287(g)/Secure Communities
Location: Student Cafeteria
Moderators: Carlos Montes, Community Service Organization and Fight Back News & Natividad Carrera, S.C.I.C

Panelists: (10 minutes per speaker)
Adriana Garcia Cabrera, May 1st Coalition/Dignity Campaign, San Jose, Pablo Alvarado, National Day Laborer Organizing Network- Los Angeles Alfonso Gonzalez, New York May 1st Coalition, New York Salvador Reza, Puente, Phoenix, Arizona Adriana Jasso, Raza Rights Coalition, Project of Union del Barrio, San Diego

2) Drivers Licenses/Police Checkpoints & Car Impounds
Location: Auditorium
Moderators: Julia Wallace, South Central Neighborhood Council & Mario Brito, Witness for Peace Southwest

Panelists -10 minutes per speaker

Cynthia Anderson Barker, National Lawyers Guild, Los Angeles, Miguel Robles, Alianza Latinoamericana por los Derechos de los Inmigrantes - San Francisco, Sol Porras, Francisco Romero, Todo el Poder al Pueblo, Oxnard, Elizabeth Robles, Inland Congregations United for Change, Our Lady of Soledad Church, Coachella, Pablo Aceves, Comite de Derechos Humanos- Digna Ochoa, Barrio Logan, San Diego, Representative, Gil Cedillo, Los Angeles, Ron Gochez, Southern California Immigration Coalition, Los Angeles

Lunch: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Location: Student Cafeteria

Statewide Assembly: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Location: Auditorium:

Presentation/Discussion of proposals
Approval of Statewide resolutions

International Labor Panel: 2:30PM - 3:30PM
Location: Auditorium

Panelists
Gilda Chacon Bravo, World Federation of Trade Unions- Americas Region- Cuba, Humberto Montes de Oca, Interior Secretary of the Mexican Electrical Workers (SME)- Mexico, Jorge Cazares Torres, Section VIII of the National Steering Committee of Education Workers (CNTE), Mexico,

For more information:
Southern California Immigration Coalition (SCIC)
323-602-3480 415-368-1891 619-398-6648
www.immigrationcoalition.org


The Southern California Immigration Coalition recently organized a Community Forum Stop Police/ICE Repression at Mac Arthur Park



[click here if you can't view the video]

Southern California Immigration Coalition Conference

More lies, misinformation, and propaganda from wealthy Camino Nuevo Executives

Getting information from the CCSA and Jed Wallace is tantamount to a reporter in the 1970s getting information on the health risks of smoking from the Tobacco Industry. — Robert D. Skeels (CEJ)


This Week's Topic: Echo Park's Newest School is an Echo Park Patch piece intended to spark community dialog about the disposition of CRES 14. As we've seen throughout the process, there's what the community thinks and then there's propaganda campaign by CNCA executives and staff. The pernicious Hoa Truong, CNCA's COO, made very misleading, and frankly, mendacious comments under the article. Here is my expanded and revised response to his proverbial pack of lies:

Hoa Truong presents what can only charitably be called half truths here. True CNCA is a 501C3 "non-profit," but that is merely a tax status and says little else. Rather than private companies, they are private corporations (that's what the C in 501C3 stands for). As private corporations, the have unelected boards. In CNCA's case that board has no parents or community members from our attendance boundary.

For more on Camino Nuevo's board, see: 'Social justice hedge fund managers' and 'social justice investment bankers' at Camino Nuevo?

Moreover, although Camino Nuevo Charter Academy are "not for profit" there are no limits to the salaries charter-voucher schools pay their well heeled executives. Ana Ponce, CEO of CNCA, pulls down a whopping $140,639. For more on this see: Crafty Camino Nuevo Charter Charlatans

Mr. Truong mentions that CNCA's "board meetings are public meetings." Note that being able to attend a meeting is a far cry from the community having control over CNCA and their schools' operations. To CNCA's credit, they are one of the very few Charter Management Organizations (CMO) that hold public meetings, most meet in secret. CMOs like CNCA mistakingly equate input with decision making.

Truong, a businessman, not an educator, certainly has a vested interest in not divulging such information. More to the point Truong is a graduate of the vile Broad Residency in Urban Education, a plutocrat funded venture that can only be described as school privatization shock troops. Rather than allowing him and the elites populating his board dictate to us, we have a better idea.

The public school option (LD4 Echo Park Partnership) for CRES 14 will almost certainly be run under the Pilot school model. Pilot schools have Governing School Councils which have real decision making power. Governing School Councils are comprised of community members, parents, teachers, and administrators. There is nothing analogous to this in the corporate charter-voucher school world. CNCA's Ana Ponce herself said the following at a Union Avenue School meeting "Parents having decision making power over a budget is not a sustainable model." Aside from her business buzzwords, she shows an utter contempt for ordinary working class people. In Truong and Ponce's world, decision making is best left to "our betters."

We say no, we demand the right of our community's self determination. We want CRES 14 to be a community controlled public school, not a corporate charter school.

More lies, misinformation, and propaganda from wealthy Camino Nuevo Executives

Street Vendors to protest another case of brutality at MacArthur Park

The Vendedores Ambulantes (Street vendors) of Alvardo y Wilshire (MacArthur Park) will have a protest today against police brutality by the Sheriffs who patrol the Metro Line stops. The protest will be on the sidewalk in front of the Metro Station on Alvarado and 7th Street. 
 
On Tuesday of this week the Sheriffs raided the vendors and beat one of their young members. One of them took a picture of the beating. They asked for the support of the Southern California Immigration Coalition so we are now supporting them. 
 
4:00PM Thursday February 10, 2011
Protest/Press Conference
Metro Station on Alvarado and 7th Street
Organized by the Street Vendors and supported by the Southern California Immigration Coalition

Street Vendors to protest another case of brutality at MacArthur Park

Justice for Manuel Jamines!

Join the community tomorrow to protest the murder of Manuel Jamines. The following articles give more background:

LAPD shooting stirs residents' anger — Victor Fressie

The Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, and Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary — Dr. Danny Weil

Rally and protest information from the SCIC website:

Justice for Manuel Jamines!
Stop Killer Cops!
March and Rally
10 am Saturday, September 18th
6th St and Union

On Sunday, September 5th 2010, Manuel Jamines, a Guatemalan migrant, was shot twice in the head on a crowded street by an LAPD officer known in the community for his brutality. Frank Hernandez, the who carried out the shooting, has already been investigated for shooting an African-American woman and then again more recently for shooting an 18-year-old Latino. He has not been charged with murder or even fired, and is currently on desk duty at the 437 million Parker Center Police HQ.

Eyewitnesses from the community have come forward to expose the police cover-up and revealed that Manuel was unarmed when he was gunned down. But their testimonies were ignored by the police investigators. Shooting like this don't occur in wealthy neigborhoods—only in communities where African-Americans, Latinos and migrants live. The police is trying to cover up the anti-Latino racism tha characterizes their presence in Westlake, but the people are fed up!

District Attorner Cooley Prosecute Hernandez for Murder!
Stop Police Terror in Black, Latino, and Migrant Communities!
Stop the ICE Raids! We Demand Full Legalization!

Contact: 323-602-3480 or 213-712-0370 Dowload Flier for the this march and rally.

ANSWER's local site also has event information.

Justice for Manuel Jamines!

Yet another white supremacist calls me a 'race traitor.' Don't they know that's a compliment?

I was just looking through my YouTube account messages, and noticed an interesting response to one of my comments defending my compañero Ron Gochez from right wing filth.

YouTube user AnnihilatingAngel had this flattering thing to say to me.

@rdsathene You're a dime-a-dozen "white" liberal punk brainwashed by the Social Marxism of Frankfurt School jews. Your kind pathetically tries to attain "righteous" status by lovingly sucking the stinky asses of "oppressed immigrants and the indigenous" while betraying your own besieged, dwindling people. But the brownies - who would NEVER Judas their own kind - still hold you in the contempt you deserve.

Nobody likes or trusts a traitor. Why not end it all right now? One shot, then peace...

First and foremost, I'm a LEFTIST, not a liberal.

Notice the AnnihilatingAngel accuses me of betrayal (whatever that means) twice. If there's any doubt of AnnihilatingAngel's leanings, his YouTube homepage features a confederate flag and his friends have screen names like Bobalex88. Don't know what 88 is in supremacist speak? SPLC has an excellent Racist Skinhead Glossary.

While being called a 'race traitor' is a badge of courage amoung us social justice activists, it's especially sweet when hurled at you by white supremacists, nativists, neo-nazis, and other right wing racist reactionary filth.

I remember receiving death threats for several brief entries I've written here, like this one. Let's not forget the vitriol and death threats my An open letter to anti-immigrant groups caused.

To be sure, the battles against school privatization, institutionalized racism, and vile nativism will earn you enemies. There's even reactionary right wing kooks like the so-called edobserver blogging about me from his mom's basement while listening to the Fountainhead book-on-tape and playing with his Milton Freidman action figures. Keep that whole libertarian, anti-union, pro-privatization, racist, bigoted LAPU/PR thing going there Anthony, it sure suits you. Sounds like you've been reading a few too many Texas textbooks and fantasizing about fellow charter-voucher school cheerleader and hedge-fund manager Whitney "we need a lot more well-off, well-educated white folks" Tilson. It's no small secret that most of the DLC/DFER charter-voucher advocate camp, like white supremacist scum, want a return to Jim Crow segregation.

I take their racist attacks in stride. I can sleep at night knowing that I take principled stands and fight for my working class sisters, brothers, and the oppressed on every occasion.

¡La lucha sigue y sigue!

Yet another white supremacist calls me a 'race traitor.' Don't they know that's a compliment?

Take the Offensive! L.A. Peoples' Campaign for City Council

The following is courtesy of activist Jubilie Shine

We must get off the habitual defensive if we are to actually accomplish the goals we proclaim. Even from a defensive position we need to mount a counter offensive if we are to win:

1. To build serious grassroots organization door by door and block by block
2. To convert activists into organizers
3. To unite democratic and revolutionary forces
4. To win positions of power and influence and convert those resources into weapons for the peoples' struggle
5. To concretely expose the irreconcilable contradiction between peoples' democracy and imperialism/monopoly capitalism

Protest campaigns are not enough! cursing your enemy is not the same as fighting him, as Mao said. campaigns for positions we are not now able to win are handcuffed at best and at worst, providing objective assistance to the most dangerous elements of the enemy.

But through local electoral campaigns we can raise all the large issues. war, immigration, economy, police abuse, the universal is in the particular!

In March '11 the even numbered city council districts are up in L.A. -- cross-hairs on bernard parks, Crenshaw District 8.

The disgraced (Rampart!) ex-LAPD Chief ran unopposed last time and won with a patry 6,480 votes. Since then he ran for County Supervisor and got thrashed by Ridley-Thomas. Now his own campaign manager has filed a $146,000 lawsuit against him. His machine is fractured. 3 people so far have stepped up to challenge him--all likely business candidates who will split their votes.

The door is wide open for an aggressive, uncompromising, peoples' campaign to run our own candidate on a united front platform and seize a seat in city government or at minimum establish unprecedented working unity among all local progressive forces.

We do not want a personality showcase. We want an issues-driven program democratically determined by the community itself as the driving force. We are proposing a PEOPLES' CONVENTION! In which all residents can participate--regardless of residency status, prison record, or affiliation--to openly nominate and democratically elect their candidate behind the platform they will ratify, to challenge the city establishment and its corrupt ex-police chief for who best represents the interests and needs of the community.

We are inspired by the recent city council victories of Chokwe Lumumba in Jackson, Mississippi, of Ras Baraka in Newark, NJ, and our very own sweep of the south central neighborhood council.

We invite all honest forces who are ready to put in work to our jump-off meeting. 1:30 pm sharp! Saturday, August 7 at the Afiba Center, 5730 Crenshaw North of Slauson. Parking in the US Bank next door.

City of Newark 2010 Inauguration -- Ras Baraka Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUjTyjurLKY

Unite the many, defeat the few!

Take the Offensive! L.A. Peoples' Campaign for City Council