Community Rights Campaign

We can't let this be the last word: "Almost every inmate in prison started out as a truant"

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:13:30 -0800

The San Fernando Valley Sun has been raising a public debate between us, the principal of Cleveland High, and LA School Police Dept Interim Chief Bowman. They've already written 3 pieces in a series. We need you to send letters to the editors because...

Prevention Beyond just "Say No" | Pre-Prison Diaries: March 4th, 2010

Kendra Williby — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:07:00 -0800

Jazmin Martinez, a senior at Manual Arts High School, blogs about being searched in a round-up with an auditorium full of students for being tardy. She writes about the need to end the racialization of the "war on drugs" by creating forms of prevention, intervention and ultimately decriminalizing drug usage in her blog, Prevention Beyond Just "Say No".

Marty Hittelman: Saving Public Education in California & Unlocking the State Budget Juggernaut

Eric Mann — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:57:55 -0800

The President of the California Federation of Teachers speaks about the statewide March 4 mobilization for public education, the ongoing attack on funding for public education in the state government, and how to unlock California's budget juggernaut to win real reform.

GUEST BLOG: Lessons from the Oscar Grant Tragedy – We Need to Get to Work

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:21:15 -0800

After weeks of nervous speculation, a victory against a court system that fails time and time again to convict and sentence police officers for murder. For Black people in particular, this perpetual lack of legal re-dress for one of the oldest problems impacting our community has created deeply entrenched pain, fear and anger. No matter the social status, economic class or skin tone, almost every Black person in America has experienced a nervous moment whenever a cop came near. This is not because we are a community of cowards. rather it is because...

Author Michelle Alexander to Speak on New Jim Crow, Mass Imprisonment of People of Color

Kendra Williby — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:35:33 -0800

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CNN features Community Rights on "zero tolerance," truancy tickets in schools

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:05:51 -0800

Just yesterday, CNN ran a top story in their legal news section that features our Community Rights work against truancy tickets and pre-prison conditions in schools: "But one thing is sure: Alexa's case isn't the first. At schools across the country, police are being asked to step in..."

GUEST BLOG: Mehserle’s Trial Suggests Change in Law Enforcement

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:06:34 -0800

The first pre-trial hearing for Johannes Mehserle - the Ex-BART officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant on New Years Day 2009 - brought out a tapestry of emotion and activity. The Foltz Criminal Justice Center was abuzz with scores of brave protestors, media representatives, and agents of the legal system all taking part in the early morning rush. It was an amazing scene considering that the hearing itself was rather basic and bland. The biggest developments of the day included...

Advancement Project Releases New Report: Test, Punish, & Push Out

Kendra Williby — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:21:49 -0800

The report looks at how punitive discipline and testing policies and practices have combined to turn many schools into hostile and alienating environments that drive youth out of school and toward the juvenile and criminal justice systems. We highly encourage our members and supporters to read this important document.

LAUSD Students Launch Campaign to Reform School Police

Kendra Williby — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:45:49 -0800

In actions at Manual Arts, Westchester, and Cleveland High Schools, LAUSD students from our Community Rights Campaign weathered the rain to launch a new initiative for greater accountability from the Los Angeles School Police Department. They reached out to students, teachers and community members to support CRC's 5 new policy recommendations for creating new policies and procedures that restrict the use of force and role of police in our schools to protect the civil/human rights of all.

CRC Launches New Report Against Problems of Police in LAUSD Schools

Kendra Williby — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:49:14 -0800

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Police in LAUSD Schools: The Need for Accountability and Alternatives

Kendra Williby — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:11:32 -0800

The Strategy Center's Community Rights Campaign in collaboration with the Los Angeles Chapter of Dignity in Schools Campaign release the first of two policy papers, Police in LAUSD Schools: The Need for Accountability and Alternatives, to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students and families.

Catherine Tactaquin & Sarahi Uribe: Criminalizing Immigrants & the Fight Against Sheirff Joe

Eric Mann — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:12:37 -0800

Two leaders in the immigrant justice movement talk about the national mobilization to challenge Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the fight to defend immigrant rights and win real reform.

Tom Hayden: A fair trial for Alex Sanchez?

Tammy Bang Luu — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:11:38 -0800

The journalist and former State Senator reports on the bail hearing and the prospects for a fair trial for Alex Sanchez, the gang member turned gang intervention leader now facing trumped up federal conspiracy charges.

Breaking the Spirit of Our Students | Pre-Prison Diaries: December 10, 2009

Kendra Williby — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:19:14 -0800

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GUEST BLOG: The Importance of the Oscar Grant Trial

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:28:53 -0800

A recent decision to move the criminal trial of Johannes Mehserle – the former BART officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant on New Years Day – to Los Angeles has again once thrust the city to the forefront of controversy involving police abuse and murder.

Ruth Cusick & Michael Murray: Creating Dignity in Schools

Eric Mann — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:52:05 -0800

An attorney and youth organizer from the Dignity in Schools Coalition discusses the National Resolution to End School Pushout being launched this week, and the discipline policies and class conditions that creating crisis of drop out/pushout for low income students of color in urban high schools.

California's future of education cuts & expanding prisons | Pre-Prison Diaries: November 11, 2009

Kendra Williby — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:53:21 -0800

"Pre-Prison Diaries" is a series from the Community Rights Campaign in which organizers, students and parents share stories and observations about truancy tickets, police in schools, zero tolerance, and other "pre-prison" conditions and experiences. Jackie Hill, current freshmen at Dominguez Hills, shares how the recent budget crisis and the increased spending on prisons in the last 25 years have impacted her life as a young Black woman.

Larry Aubry & Hamid Khan: What to expect and demand from the new chief at LAPD

Eric Mann — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:04:03 -0800

The Los Angeles Sentinel columnist and the director of South Asian Network reflect on the appointment of Charlie Beck to replace William Bratton as chief of LAPD. What should communities of color and civil rights activists expect and demand from the new leadership at LAPD?

End the Tickets: Alternatives for Youth

Kendra Williby — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:07:16 -0700

End the Tickets: Alternatives for Youth is a collection of reports and documents that reveal the problems of Los Angeles Municipal Code 45.04 and provide alternatives for youth that do not involve the use of tickets, police, probation or courts to address the root causes of LAUSD's 50% drop-out/push-out rate. This collection was presented to Los Angeles Unified School District at the October 20th, 2009 Board meeting as a platform to end the criminalization of truancy, tardiness and other disciplinary issues and as an alternative to the Verdugo Hills High model.

Voices From the Students: Testimonies on daytime curfew "truancy tickets"

Lisa Adler — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:22:30 -0700

Voices From the Students provides direct testimony from students who have receieved "truancy tickets." The testimonies document the consequences of these tickets and the experiences while receiving them from police officers.

Truancy Tickets as Exclusionary Discipline

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:54:44 -0700

School-wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) is a research-based, school-wide systems approach to improve school climate and create safer and more effective schools.

LAUSD Equal Protection Resolution

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:12:31 -0700

A resolution passed by LAUSD Board members Ms. LaMotte, Ms. Garcia, and Ms. Flores-Aguilar that supports equal protection and civil rights for all students in LAUSD.

Positive Behavior Support Discipline Policy

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:41:17 -0700

Los Angeles Unified School District's School-Wide Positive Behavior Support policy establishes a framework that focuses on proactive strategies designed to prevent discipline problems.

Sample Drop-out/Push-out Prevention and Truancy Reduction Programs

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:50:08 -0700

A document on a variety of examples of drop-out prevention and truancy reduction programs that can serve as examples of alternatives to ticketing and police/court involvement.

A Black Mother Takes Action to Challenge a “Guilty” Verdict on a Truancy Ticket | Pre-Prison Diaries: October 25, 2009

Barbara Lott-Holland — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:57:59 -0700

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Transformative Organizing: Lessons in Humility and Non-Judgment bv SYOA 2009 Alumni Luis Hernandez

Kendra Williby — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:40:57 -0700

I learned by experience what transformative organizing is, it is when we transform ourselves by having our values and actions aligned. Even though none of us are perfect, we should try to live our lives with full integrity...

Proposals for Implementing Alternatives to Daytime Curfew

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:08:57 -0700

Having fought for equal access to quality education for decades, Black, Latino, Asian and other people of color are now facing a whole new barrier. The mostly Black and Latino students of the LA Unified School District are being criminalized and ticketed for absences or lateness ("truancy"), contributing significantly to their 50% dropout/pushout rate.

Truancy Tickets Aftermath | Pre-Prison Diaries: October 13, 2009

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:18:54 -0700

"Pre-Prison Diaries" is a new series from the Community Rights Campaign in which organizers, students and parents share stories and observations about truancy tickets, police in schools, zero tolerance, and other "pre-prison" conditions and experiences. Ashley Franklin starts the series with a look at the effects of the truancy ticketing law on one high school graduate.

We Are Alex: Join us in supporting a fair trial for Alex Sanchez

Lisa Adler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:08:44 -0700

Please join us in supporting ally and friend Alex Sanchez, internationally recognized peacemaker and co-founder of Homies Unidos in Los Angeles. Alex was arrested in June on conspiracy charges brought by the FBI. Alex was denied bail on June 30th. The bail appeal hearing is now scheduled for Monday, October 19th, 2009 and your action is needed to support the campaign for a free a trial.

Breakthrough: Community Rights Wins Withdrawal of Motion to Expand "Truancy Tickets" Law

Lisa Adler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:32:23 -0700

We are pleased to announce that LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan and Councilmember Tom LaBonge have withdrawn their motions to deputize police officers to issue LA Municipal Code 45.04 Daytime Curfew Citations, popularly known as "Truancy Tickets," inside LAUSD schools. Ms. Galatzan will now be chairing an agenda item on Truancy and Attendance at the October 20th Board meeting, where Community Rights Campaign organizers will be presenting. To advance this breakthrough, important next steps are still needed....

Lissett Lazo: Student Leader Reflects on "Truancy Ticket" Rally

Lissett Lazo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:49:57 -0700

"Teachers, Not Tickets!" Even though it's been well over two hours ago, I still feel the energy of today's rally! It was so inspiring to see all of the dedicated students that took their day off of school from Westchester High and Cleveland High and came out to support the Community Rights Campaign!

Student Rally Against Educational Racism: No Tickets on School Grounds!

Lisa Adler — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:29:19 -0700

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Alejandra Lemus: Student Leader Reflects on "Truancy Ticket" Rally

Alejandra Lemus — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:49:50 -0700

We had students from Westchester and Cleveland High School organizing and helping folks make phone calls to Board member Galatzan. It was inspiring to see the students from coming out of Manual Arts High School (off Vermont and King) asking questions about our campaign and making calls to Galatzan. The energy on the street was great and the drum and chant crew just made everyone even more pumped up.

An Open Letter to LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan To Withdraw Her Motion to Expand Los Angeles Municipal Code 45.04

Kendra Williby — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:17:25 -0700

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An Open Letter to LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan From Teachers and School Administration

Lisa Adler — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:33:25 -0700

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Take Action Against Educational Racism

Lisa Adler — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:47:14 -0700

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Community Rights on KPCC 89.9fm with Larry Mantle: Is Being Late to School a Crime?

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:52:52 -0700

As a result of the press release that the Community Rights Campaign sent out last week regarding the systemic problems within the Los Angeles School Police Department and the LA Weekly article titled LAUSD's Finest I will be on KPCC's Air talk with Larry Mantle tomorrow from 10:30-11:00am.

SYOA 2009 Grads | Spoken Word Video to End School Pre-Prison Conditions

Kendra Williby — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:04:36 -0700

On August 29th, 2009 the Community Rights Campaign and its Summer Youth Organizing Academy held our third annual Graduation Celebration at a local community marketplace, Mercado La Paloma. Through spoken word pieces, each SYOA alumni reenacted a revolutionary activist/organizer from the past that inspires their work today--as they train to be the next generation of civil/human rights organizers with the Community Rights Campaign.

Colorlines on CRC: Young, Brown—And Charged With Truancy

Lisa Adler — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:58:24 -0700

The Community Rights Campaign is a feature in the new issue of Colorlines. Specifically, the article features our campaign on the Los Angeles Unified School District to place a moratorium on giving tickets for tardiness and truancies as one important way to challenge the "pre-prison" conditions in LAUSD.

LA Weekly Shows LA School Police Department - Community Rights Campaign Calls on the LAUSD Board to Protect Students

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:37:22 -0700

The LA Weekly article titled LAUSD's Finest (by Max Taves, September 4th), on the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) reveals what the Community Right Campaign has known from our past 3 years of work-the need to reign in the Department for their neglect of the human rights and personal safety for the 680,000 LAUSD students and everyone in their 710 mile jurisdiction.

LA Times Op-Ed: The Racism of Marijuana Prohibition

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:43:12 -0700

In his Sept 7 OpEd in the LA Times, Steven Gutwillig points out how the cultural mainstreaming of marijuana ignores the "racism of marijuana prohibition." The Community Rights Campaign applauds Mr. Gutwillig for bringing to light the racist treatment of Black youth by drug laws and enforcement.

Major Expose of the LA School Police - Read it Now

Lisa Adler — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:20:18 -0700

A major expose of the Los Angeles School Police force is titled LAUSD's Finest: Los Angeles School Police: How an oblivious school board lets a tiny, scandal-ridden force endanger L.A. kids.

Community Rights Campaign Highlighted in Our Weekly Article

Kendra Williby — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:06:09 -0700

Following our August 18th "No to Pre-Prisons" press event, on-line journal Our Weekly covered the Community Rights campaign in detail...check it out!

Join CURB in urging the Governor NOT to appeal fed. court prison reduction order

Lisa Adler — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:18:50 -0700

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Problems of Los Angeles Daytime Curfew Law

Lisa Adler — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:14:30 -0700

Why were 12,000 students fined up to $250 each just for being late or away from school in 2008? We surveyed approximately 1,400 students and parents, held several focus groups, researched the citation process, and consulted with educational justice and civil rights organizations around the country.

Community Rights Launches No to Pre-Prisons Platform as the Start of the School Year Approaches

Lisa Adler — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:29:59 -0700

With the new school year approaching, the Community Rights Campaign unviels its "No to Pre-Prison" Human and Civil Rights Platform to demand the end to LAMC 45.04 and Truancy Tickets.

Will state resist court order to release 44,000 prisoners?

Lisa Adler — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:52:19 -0700

On August 4th, a panel of 3 federal judges ordered California to reduce the prison population by 44,000 prisoners in the next two years to address the inhumane conditions caused by prison overcrowding! As the LA Times reported: "The 185-page opinion...accused the state of fostering "criminogenic" conditions, compelling former prisoners to commit more crimes and feed a cycle of recidivism."

Summer Youth Organizing Academy Launches

Mark-Anthony Johnson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:09:34 -0700

Our 4th annual Summer Youth Organizing Academy is underway. We launched SYOA last week with 18 students!

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi & Peter Bibring: The end of the LAPD Consent Decree

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:22:11 -0700

In the wake of the police murder of Suzi Pena, Dante Story Jr. and the May 1st shootings in MacArthur Park, federal oversight of the LAPD has now ended. Two leaders in the fight against police brutality talk about the history of LAPD's history of crime and what was and was not accomplished by the ten-year consent decree.

Free Prof. Gates, Free the US 2 Million

Eric Mann — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:15:24 -0700

At this point we all know the story of racist arrest of Prof Gates. "So where do we take this story? I say we take this story to the US prison system where racial abuse from the police state is happening in genocidal proportions. We have to place the focus on protecting the rights of black people of all classes with a primary focus on the mass incarceration of the black working call and poor in genocidal proportions." Click the link to hear the rest of Eric Mann's commentary.

La Opinion investigates Truancy Tickets

Lisa Adler — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:34:15 -0700

The most read Spanish language newspaper in LA covered our testimonies at the LAUSD Board on truancy tickets. The reporter interviewed our organizers and members, but he also further investigated the issue by interviewing other high school students and parents as well as school police.

In the Media Spotlight: BRU Rally at Mayor's Inauguration

Anson Stewart — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:50:35 -0700

BRU's rally at Mayor Villaraigosa's Inauguration yesterday received extensive media coverage. Along with our allies from the South Asian Network, and the Los Angeles Community Action Network, we were calling on the mayor to reduce his prioritization of police funding over social services.

Oscar Sanchez: The Arrest of Gang Intervention Leader Alex Sanchez

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:55:59 -0700

The brother of arrested gang intervention leader Alex Sanchez discusses Alex's path from being part of the Mara Salvatrucha to internationally recognized activist for gang reconciliation, the shocking conspiracy charges brought by the FBI, and the what people can do to support Alex's defense.

People's Poetry Night brings down the house

Daniel Kim — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:19:20 -0700

False Choices, Unhealthy Relationships and California’s May 19th Elections

Damon Azali-Rojas — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:34:51 -0700

Have you ever been in an unhealthy relationship? Has it been because in some way you enabled your partner to continue to behave in unhealthy ways? Unfortunately when it comes to our relationships to policy makers in Sacramento we continue to enable unhealthy choices that in the end affect us in dire ways. Resources that we need to have sustainable, well-educated and healthy communities are being given away to corporations through tax breaks while the legislators increase our taxes; spend billions of dollars on freeway and rail expansion that exacerbates global warming; construct shiny new prisons and hire prison guards and police while the golden state's schools are crumbling and teachers and counselors are being cut.

Spring Break Take Action

Kendra Williby — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:20:33 -0700

As a young black womyn, I think back to my experiences attending public school where I was often the only person of color in the honors or advanced classes. I think about what it would have meant to have a space with other working class and students of color to discuss our concerns about the future of our people, our histories from a womyn’s and oppressed nationality perspective, build camaraderie and support with my fellow peers and most important gains the skills and knowledge to shift our conditions and history...

Check out what happened at the No to Pre-Prisons Community Meeting

Lisa Adler — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:35:12 -0700

On April 23rd we held our first community meeting on "truancy" tickets and school police conduct...find out more and learn how to get involved!

Westchester students petition against teacher layoffs

Lisa Adler — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:43:51 -0700

Punished For Coming To School

Edith Honorato — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:17:22 -0700

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What I liked this year about Spring Break Take Action

Jackie Hill — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:52:51 -0700

Spring Break Take Action this past week really challenged me-in a good way. SBTA teaches us to communicate to our people that we have a common struggle.

Reflections on Spring Break political education

Cristian Rendón — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:51:05 -0700

The discussions in the last few days of Spring Break Take Action have a connection to the topic of Prison Industrial Complex. This is a major issue that needs to be dealt with. Reality is, this is actually something that has a negative affect on many of us, if not directly then indirectly. It affects us in the sense that it can lead to you being separated from family members, like not being able to have a relationship with your own father, mother or any other person.

Thinking about the War on Drugs at SBTA

Jahmal Rivas — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:25:31 -0700

My name is Jahmal, and today we read and discussed this extremely interesting article on the Drug War by Graham Boyd. This 'war' on drugs is paralleled to America's dark history of slavery, seeing as how the number of black men in jail is equals the number of black men enslaved in the 1820s.

First day on the buses with Spring Break Take Action

Kassie Walters — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:15:50 -0700

Today was the first day we went out on the buses to organize people. Honestly it was very interesting, because it was the first time that I have actually tried it. It was kind of awkward because you're on a bumpy metro bus trying to keep your balance and hand out flyers at the same time, lol! The best conversation I had was with a man who worked for LAUSD, because... well...he works for LAUSD!

My first day at Spring Break Take Action

John Salinas — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:23:48 -0700

My name is John Salinas, I am a 9th grader at North Hollywood High School. I have been a member of the BRU for 3 months. What I really liked about my first day in Spring Break Take Action is how easily I spoke out because normally I am a shy person. I usually do not engage in a conversation, I just step back and let other people speak. I'm usually shy because I'm afraid of responding wrong or saying something that I think may not be suitable for the discussion.

“Public Transportation NOT Truancy Tickets”

Lisa Adler — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:09:42 -0700

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

Lisa Adler — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:24:40 -0700

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

Ticketing towards prisons: LAUSD’s truancy tickets and the pre-prisoning of our youth

Lisa Adler — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:22:32 -0700

Did you ever come late to school? Of course, we all did. You'd get a look from the teacher, a warning about your grades, or even detention. Well, times have changed. Being 15 minutes late can now get you handcuffed by school police and issued a ticket for $250 with a mandatory day in court. Black and Latino students have been telling us about their experiences with these "zero tolerance" policies.

Westchester HS reaches 250 incident form returns

Daniel Kim — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Westchester students reached a milestone in documenting the criminalization of youth in schools. They have collected 2500 incident forms (link to form and action) since beginning last October.

The Omnivorous Police/Prison State and the California "Budget Crisis"

Damon Azali-Rojas — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

So let's look at how the police/prison growth industry has been affected by the economic downturn. At a time when the California government can't pay its bills or cut welfare checks to the neediest, a time when it is sending IOUs for tax returns, it is driving forward (guns a blazin') with the largest prison construction project in the world. We're talking about AB 900 and its evil twin ABX1-10.

Rose Braz and Guillermo Mayer: Budgets, stimulus, prisons and buses

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:51:48 -0800

Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) spokesperson Rose Braz and Public Advocates civil rights attorney Guillermo Mayor unmask California's budget crisis, prison juggeraut, and future of public transportation.

Esther Portillo: Salvadoran elections

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:29:27 -0800

Southern California-based Salvadoran activist, Eshter Portillo, talks about Path to Power: FMLN wins big in Legislative Elections

Stacy Perlata and Skipp Townsend: Crips & Bloods: Made in America

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:01:17 -0800

Offering unprecendented access into the world of active gangs, a new film looks at culture and context for the Bloods and Crips...

Pete White: "Safer Cities" and the criminalization of homelessness

Manuel Criollo — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:52:30 -0800

Director of Los Angeles Community Action Network, Pete White, says cleaning up downtown means a police assault on homeless people…

Loyda Colon: The murder of Sean Bell

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Member of the justice comittee, Loyda Colon, talks about police aquitted of Sean Bell's murder.

Pete White: Villaraigosa calls for more police

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, Pete White, talks about Villaraigosa's call for increased police funding and cuts in social services.

Zachary Norris: Proposition 6 and the Books Not Bars Campaign

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:37:23 -0800

Director for the Books Not Bars campaign at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, California, Zachary Norris, talks about Prop 6--14 year olds tried as adults!?

Roberto Lovato: "How Immigrant Crackdowns Build the National Security State"

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:11:52 -0800

A contributing Associate Editor with New America Media, Roberto Lovato, talks about how immigrant crackdowns build the national security state.

The Wire: Sonja Sohn and Rafael Alvarez

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:27:19 -0700

Starring in The Wire, the HBO series, Sonja Sohn and Rafael Alvarez, talk about the show with Eric Mann.

Jorge Mariscal: Chicano anti-war activism

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:27:06 -0700

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Barbara Becnel: Remembering Stanley Tookie Williams

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:59:42 -0800

Barbara Cottman Becnel, close friend of Stanley Tookie Williams, talks about the final days of ex-gang member's life.

Lisa Kung: Prop 83, sentencing laws for sex offenders

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:57:52 -0800

Southern Center for Human Rights representative Lisa Kung discusses California 2006 ballot initiative--Proposition 83 re: sex offenders and draconian sentencing law.

Eveline Shen: Proposition 85 and the fate of reproductive rights

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:54:50 -0800

Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, Eveline Shen, takes a closer look at a new initiative requiring parental notification for minor abortion and the question of reproductive access

Beverly Wright: Struggle to rebuild post-Katrina Black New Orleans

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Long time scholar and activist in the environmental justice movement, Beverly Wright speaks on the struggle for the right of return for Katrina Survivors and the remaking of New Orleans.

Kim McGill: Fight against gang injunctions and the California gang database

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:51:17 -0800

Los Angeles's Youth Justice Coalition representative Kim McGill takes a closer look at 100+ years of racist anti-gang measures in California

Ruthie Gilmore: California prison boom and the conditions of women prison

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:48:59 -0800

Radical geographer of the political economy of prisons in the neoliberalized state of California, Ruthie Gilmore, exposes the incarceration of women in California's exploding prison system.