We Want Human Rights in Los Angeles, Not a Growing Police State!

Community Organizations from across Los Angeles Call on Mayor Villaraigosa and other City Leaders  to Support Healthy Communities in this Year’s Budget!

The Los Angeles Coalition against State Violence announced their demands at a press conference held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 to reduce and restrict the LAPD budget allocation and instead focus resources on prevention efforts, public transportation, affordable housing and other human rights in the City of Los Angeles.  

A platform for building healthy and sustainable communities was unveiled, and if implemented, would in fact lessen the need for more police.  Against the backdrop of a new police headquarters that cost the City almost a half-billion dollars, community leaders called attention to the unprecedented allocation of local resources to expand the police force and build new facilities for them over the past four years.  Additionally, the City has paid tens of millions in taxpayer money to settle lawsuits for police murder, brutality, and misconduct. In February 2009 alone, the City agreed to pay $30 million because of the abusive practices of the LAPD.

This investment came at the expense of the people’s immediate need for housing, employment, education and other resources that create truly healthy and safe communities for all Angelinos.  The over-investment in law enforcement also significantly contributed to a severe budget crisis for the coming year.  

More Police is Not a Progressive Vision for L.A. and is Not Financially Responsible!  

Over thirty community members and organizers came out to support our progressive plan to make our communities healthier and more sustainable through the investment of social services and the reduction of police and prison expansion. Los Angeles Coalition Against State Violence called on Mayor Villaragiosa to be an ally to stop the attacks on youth, homeless people, immigrants and the environment, not to expand them!  

To get involved with the work of the Los Angeles Coalition Against State Violence and/or learn more information about the coalition please contact Los Angeles Community Action Network at 213.228.0024.        

The Los Angeles Coalition against State Violence includes:

• Coalition for Justice against Police Murder, 310-621-2435
• Community Coalition, 323-750-9087
• Homies Unidos, 213-383-7484
• Labor/ Community Strategy Center, 213-387-2800
• Los Angeles Community Action Network, 213-228-0024
•  South Asian Network, 562-403-0488
• Youth Justice Coalition, 323-235-4243