[This is BRU member Julian Lamb's first blog for us! Welcome to the blogging team, Julian!]
The BRU's October Monthly Meeting touched on several social issues. One issue which stood out was the fact that LAUSD board member Tamar Galatzan has withdrawn support for her motion concerning the matter of truancy tickets [1], and City Councilmember Tom LaBonge has also followed suit by withdrawing his motion over the matter.
The motion as it was proposed would have allowed the police to rove around issuing truancy citations to students on their campuses! This would continue the trend of creating a hostile and intimidating environment as opposed to a learning environment for LAUSD students.
The withdrawal of Galatzan's motion was a very important victory for the community of Los Angeles. Parents, students and community activists alongside the Community Rights Campaign [2] worked diligently to see that this motion was not carried through. Those who jumped into action did so knowing that if the motion passed, the already unrestrained powers of the police would be expanded, making it that much easier for them to trample the rights of students-mainly young people of color.
For me, the highlight of the meeting, was when Mike de la Rocha, community activist and strong supporter of the We are Alex campaign, spoke passionately on the plight of Alex Sanchez [3]. Mike's presentation on Alex's case was very informative. Now, who is Alex Sanchez? Alex Sanchez is a well known community organizer and peace maker, who was arrested several months ago on alleged charges of being a so-called gang 'shot caller' i.e. Leader. To that end, the courts are pursuing a case against Alex, which if found guilty, could result in Alex being unjustly sent to prison for an extremely long time.
Mike spoke about how Alex was able to transform his life from a Gang member and co-founder of MS-13 into a recognized community activist. Alex has been struggling to effect social change by bringing his story of transformation to other gang members in hopes of changing their lives as well. This act on Alex's part is a brave and peaceful act which unfortunately has always been perceived as a threat by law enforcement.
Along with the fact that Alex testified about the LAPD harassing peace activists, and the Rampart style police mentality, coupled with law enforcements' historic targeting of community leaders of color, explains why Alex is being treated unjustly. And in the presentation Mike was able to highlight the injustice that Alex is experiencing within the court system. Mike's speech was very moving and he was able to capture the spirit of BRU members. Mike's love and compassion for justice for Alex was clearly conveyed at the meeting.
Now lets be clear about this, Alex Sanchez is innocent. Alex's ordeal is simply an attempt by the judicial and federal government to undermine the progressive work and efforts Alex is involved in.
I believe this is an attempt to undermine the work that Alex has committed his life to doing. As a member of the BRU I am proud to be on the side that supports justice for Alex Sanchez. As declared in the BRU's mission statement "We [the BRU] will seek to defend and expand the social, political and economic rights of historically oppressed communities..." and to that end the members of the BRU have rallied, protested and petitioned for justice for Alex, because in the eyes of a color conscious law enforcement system, we people of color-are all Alex Sanchez.