Los Angeles, CA – Today, Aug. 29, 2009, shows that our people are continuing the fight for equality and self-determination. It was demonstrated by the many groups that were present today at Salazar Park, including the student group MECHA and the new Brown Berets, to commemorate the historic day in 1970 when over 20,000 Chicanos marched down historic Whittier Boulevard in East L.A. to protest the war in Vietnam and the high casualty rate of Chicanos. The mass peaceful rally in 1970 was attacked by the Los Angeles Police Department and the sheriffs. Ruben Salazar, news director for KMEX, was killed, along with Angel Diaz and Lynn Ward. A similar example of repression took place on May 1, 2007 when the LAPD attacked a pro-immigrant rights rally at MacArthur Park.

This year’s event was organized by the local Chicano Moratorium Committee and had the backing of the East L.A.-based Latinos Against War. In Latinos Against War, we organize against the war in Afghanistan and against the military recruiters in our high schools. We support self-determination for Chicanos in the Southwest, the Chicano nation of Aztlan. Our strategy is working with community-based groups like the CSO to organize poor and working class Chicanos in our community to fight for our rights. This means fighting for better education, living conditions, for the rights of our people displaced by poverty in Mexico and Central America now living here and for full legalization.

The campaign “Escuelas Si, Guerra No,” (Schools Yes, No War) of CSO recently won the opening of a new high school in Boyle Heights. The Mendez Learning Complex had an open house today, and will open September 2009. The new school is a concrete victory won after years of struggle to relieve overcrowding at Roosevelt High School and to stop the U.S. military recruiters on high school campuses in East L.A. This is the way to build the annual Chicano Moratorium event that recently has had less participation, especially from the community.

Latinos against War also condemns and exposes the long history of U.S. military and political intervention in Mexico, Central and Latin America. For example many people do not know that U.S. Army General Pershing led an intervention during the Mexican Revolution to attack the forces of our famous hero General Francisco Villa; of course the U.S. failed.

In Central America the U.S. supported the brutal military regimes that killed many of their own people, who were struggling for democracy and self-determination. Now we have the example of Venezuela and Bolivia whose people have supported and elected leaders who defend sovereignty and work to improve the lives of the many poor in their countries. But U.S. intervention continues to sneak in – like in Colombia, which will allow the U.S. military to use several bases under the guise of fighting the war on drugs. But we all know it’s a war against the revolutionary forces in Colombia like the FARC, and to attack the independent and sovereign nations like Venezuela. The U.S. is also giving billions to the Mexican army under the Plan Merida to fight the drug war, but the army commits many human rights violations against the Mexican people.

So on this anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium, we commemorate a proud past of struggle and stand committed to a future where our people achieve liberation and self-determination.

Carlos Montes is a veteran fighter in the Chicano Liberation movement. He was a founder of the Brown Berets and the Chicano Moratorium. Montes is currently active in the Southern California Immigration Coalition, the East L.A.-based Latinos against War and with CSO, which organizes parents in the East Los Angeles area to fight against the privatization of public education in Los Angeles Unified School District.

#LosAngelesCA #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #MECHA #BrownBerets #ChicanMoratorium

These are statements from some of the many people who will protest against the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN on September 1-4, 2008.

Carlos Montes, Latinos Against War

I am marching on the RNC to unite with thousands of people who will be there to expose the Bush-McCain politics of war, racism and anti-immigrant attacks. I am marching to represent the Chicano-Mexicano people's struggle for self-determination and equality. Our struggle has a long history of resistance to U.S. oppression of our land, culture and economic and political power. We

as Chicanos stand in solidarity with the people of Iraq in their fight against U.S. occupation. The RNC agenda represents a pro-corporate anti-people politic. It is also an agenda that promotes the increased attacks and oppression against Chicanos and Mexicanos in our own homeland in the Southwest U.S. and other major cities.

Anh Pham, Anti War Committee, MN

When I first started protesting, it was amazing to me how much it mattered to other anti-war protesters; especially those who protested the U.S. war in Viet Nam War, to have me – a Vietnamese American woman join them. When I had the chance to go to Palestine after the start of the second intifada, I was deeply moved and inspired by the Palestinian people's struggle for the right of return and an end to the occupation. They saw their struggle as part of a whole movement against injustice worldwide. Drawing inspiration from them and others that I know are in the struggle with me, I march on the RNC to say no to the Republican agenda, no to racism and to any agenda that seeks to oppress the many to serve the needs of the few.

Steff Yorek, Freedom Road Socialist Organization

I am marching on the RNC to stop the war in Iraq and to defeat the Republican agenda. U.S imperialism is devastating the Iraqi people. John McCain is an advocate of war and occupation. A movement in this country to oppose the war and defeat McCain will help the Iraqi people free themselves. I am also marching to stop the devastation that capitalism is causing here at home. Homelessness and hunger are rising and New Orleans is still a disaster three years later. The rich care nothing about the people of this country and the Republicans are a big

part of that.

Hatem Abudayyeh

As a Palestinian Arab who was born and raised in this country, I have seen nothing but death, destruction and catastrophe for my people in Palestine, the rest of the Arab world and here in the U.S. Although these U.S. government policies have been consistent throughout both parties' administrations, this past era has possibly been the most devastating in generations for Palestinians and Arabs. So we must all march on the RNC, demand an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, demand self-determination, the Right of Return and liberation for the Palestinian people, and demand an end to all U.S. aid to Israeli occupation and colonization.

Larry Davis, Teamsters Local 743 Vice-President

There are a number of issues important to us – the Employee Free Choice Act, health care for everyone. The United States is a very rich country and everyone in America should have health care. Fair trade. Full equality for everyone – all workers in America should be treated fairly regardless to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or where they were born. We believe in affirmative action. The next president needs to support affirmative action as well as enact an affirmative action program. End the war – the human cost and the cost to America's economy are far too great.

Juzel Sanders, Welfare Rights Committee

The Poor People's Contingent at the RNC march is very important because it's time that we let these beasts in office hear what America is really thinking. We are tired of being poor, hunger, stressed and dying because we're living off of they feel is 'fare.' We have a chance to make history in more ways than one.This is the time that we all have to stand together and fight. It's time for a change and only we can make that change, so let's stand and march for us. Make them understand that we need money for human needs, not for war!

Guillermo Rafael Cohen, Colombia Action Network

This past June, President Bush said he had to handle many disasters, referring to Hurricane Katrina, the housing and financial crisis and the oil crisis. Nevertheless, I say Bush and the Republicans have been a great disaster for Latin America, especially promoting Plan Colombia and war against the poor. In his support for the corrupt, narco-trafficking President of Colombia, Bush said, “President Uribe has done everything we asked for and more.” We do not want more of the same, so we are protesting the Republicans and McCain in Saint Paul.

Jacob Flom, member Iraq Veterans against the War, Milwaukee Wisconsin

I'm attending the mass protests of the RNC to join and support the majority of Americans who are opposed to the Republican agenda. As a veteran I experienced the costs of the ongoing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. I saw friends and co-workers die, commit suicide, receive debilitating injuries and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), drug abuse, and alcoholism. The massive amount of suffering experienced by the Iraqis, soldiers and their families made me look deeper into the root causes for war. The occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan are not wars on terrorists, but occupations designed and executed to fill the pockets of American corporations.

Chapin Gray, SDS Tuscaloosa AL

Our chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), like many other chapters across the country, will be skipping classes to make the long trek to Saint Paul to face the Republicans head on. We're determined to show McCain that we refuse to be silenced by the increased repression we face from our own schools in this post 911 era and that we as students are a powerful force in the anti-war movement who will continue to fight to end the occupation of Iraq.

#StPaulMN #SaintPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #StudentMovement #Labor #News #WelfareRightsCommittee #SDS #Palestine #Colombia #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #AfricanAmerican #ChicanoLatino #AntiWarCommittee #IraqVeteransAgainstTheWar #ColombiaActionNetwork #LatinosAgainstWar #TeamstersLocal743 #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization

Los Angeles, CA – More than 500 students, teachers, union members and parents rallied and marched here, March 17 to demand an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq, that military recruiters get out of schools and to call for a stop to attacks on immigrants. Latinos Against the War organized the action. A statement from the organizers said, “The military recruiters target immigrant Latino youth while their parents are victims of racist legislation like HR 4437 and deportations by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The U.S. military recruits Latino youth for war and the ICE deports their parents.”

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #ChicanoLatino #militaryRecruiters #LatinosAgainstWar #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE

The event will also commemorate the 35th anniversary of the historic Chicano Moratorium of Aug. 29, 1970, when over 30,000 Latinos protested the war in Vietnam and the high casualty rate of Chicanos. That massive rally was attacked by the L.A. sheriffs department and L.A. police, causing a rebellion were three people died and hundreds were injured and arrested. Ruben Salazar, KMEX news director and LA Times writer, was killed by the Los Angeles County sheriffs, and became a martyr of the Chicano community.

Latinos feel that our war is here at home – in the struggle for genuine equality and justice, free from racism and poverty. Our fight is for education, health care and good jobs.

Latino youth are targeted by the U.S. military for recruitment, especially in inner-city schools with a high number of immigrant youth. These students already face overcrowded schools and high drop-out rates. The military offers money, immigration status and citizenship. These youth are sent to fight, die and kill in foreign lands in unjust wars and are not provided the opportunities for college admissions and skilled jobs. Many of these youth have fled harsh conditions in Mexico caused by NAFTA or have fled from war-torn Central America where the U.S. government supports repressive military regimes.

The recent Latino service men killed in Iraq is reminiscent of the high casualty rate of Latinos in the Vietnam War. “This targeting for military recruitment of our Latino youth is a racist practice. Our youth should be recruited to college and jobs, not war,” states David Cid, teacher at El Sereno Middle School and member of Latinos Against War In Iraq.

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #ChicanoLatino #militaryRecruiters #LatinosAgainstWar #ChicanoMoratorium

Los Angeles, CA – Fernando Suarez Del Solar, from Escondido, father of Jesus Aleberto Suarez del Solar Navarro, a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq, spoke at a rally Aug. 30, in Hollenbeck Park in the heart of Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles. Mr. Solar has been an active vocal critic of the U.S. war on Iraq and the high casualty rate of Latinos in the war.

Latinos Against War, students, teachers, union members, artists and parents held the Rally and Cultural Arts Festival to demand an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq and to raise the call, “New schools! Not new wars!” They also demanded the U.S stop attacks on immigrants and spoke out against Plan Colombia.

The rally commemorated the Chicano Moratorium march against the Vietnam War held in East L.A. in 1970 – the largest protest march organized by Chicanos in the U.S. The Moratorium protested the high casualty rate of Latino youth in the Vietnam War and demanded self-determination for Chicanos in the U.S.

This summer’s rally featured Latino fusion bands Uprground and Eztlinahua and the rap group Terrax. Colombian poet Antonieta Villamil and Chicana poet Felicia Montes presented their work. Speakers addressed the U.S. war on Iraq, local school conditions and the U.S.-funded Plan Colombia.

Blanca Dueñas, a parent leader of the Centro CSO Education Committee, denounced the racist and overcrowded conditions at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights, and the 50% drop out rate.

Angel Hurtado, from the Roosevelt Revolutionary Students, spoke about the bad conditions at Roosevelt High School and the need to build two new schools in East Los Angels to begin to relieve the overcrowded conditions. The two groups just launched a petition drive to pressure the Los Angeles Unified School District to speed up the building of new high schools, demanding one in Boyle Heights, at the corner of First Street and Mission Street.

Other speakers exposed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s investments in Coca-Cola, and that company’s role of collusion with the paramilitary death squads killing workers and union leaders in Colombia.

The event was cosponsored or endorsed by Centro CSO, SEIU Local 660, Roosevelt High Revolutionary Students, Free Rosario Muñoz Committee, HERE Local 11, the Casa Bohemia Show on KPFK radio, LA ANSWER and International Action Center.

Join us: Latinos Against War, c/o: Centro CSO, 511 Echandia St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 221-4000. www.latinoscontralaguerra.org or www.newcentrocso.org

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #News #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #ChicanoMoratorium #ElCentroCSO

The community members came to hear speakers, along with a slide show, break-dancers and youth doing some political rap. The program provided examples of how the U.S.-led wars cause destruction throughout the world and raised questions like: Why is it that the U.S. budget for military spending is $400 million, while only $52 million goes to education? Or: Why are there more military recruiters, rather than college recruiters, on our high school campus? Students expressed their concerns about overcrowded conditions and how it is hard to learn from teachers who cannot help you because there are too many students in every classroom.

Student speaker Marlene Mendoza, of Roosevelt Revolutionary Students, pointed out that out of 1800 students that enter the high school, only 500 graduate. This is just one reason why we need two new schools in East Los Angeles.

John Fernandez, a teacher at Roosevelt High School, stated that it is very difficult for the instructors to provide quality education when there are 40 students in each classroom. Rosie Martinez, from SEIU Local 660, told the audience that when she attended an East L.A. school in the 1960's, the high school drop out rate in East Los Angeles was 50% – today the dropout rate is 60%.

Roosevelt High School is one of five schools in the East Los Angeles that has been hit by overcrowded and racist conditions. School administrators are putting students in places like the backs of auditoriums or teachers' lounges because the schools lack classroom space. On some campuses, students must stand up to eat their lunch because there is no room to sit during the lunchtime.

The Los Angeles Unified School District made a decision to build two new schools in the East Los Angeles area. Due to the bureaucracy and red tape, it may take five or six years to begin the construction of the new schools. The overcrowded conditions have frustrated teachers. It makes it difficult for them to teach, and creates an environment that makes it hard for youth to learn. The result is that youth are demoralized and drop out of school.

Our youth are being treated like cattle. There is no quality education and there is a lack of human dignity. That this has gone on so long is a clear form of discrimination and racism directed against the Latino community.

Latinos Against the War and El Centro CSO are fighting to make the LA school district speed up the process of construction for the two new schools in East Los Angeles. These groups are continually raising the demand, “Schools not jails! Schools not wars!” and are planning to continue the struggle to educate the Latino community about U.S. imperialist wars, and how they effect our community.

The way to provide quality education is to build 'New schools, not new wars!' Join us: Latinos Against War: www.latinoscontralaguerra.org and Centro CSO 511 Echandia Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 221-4000. www.centrocso.org

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #News #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #ElCentroCSO #RooseveltRevolutionaryStudents

Los Angeles, CA – The Latino community has taken a strong stand against the Bush war drive and invasion against the people of Iraq. Here in Los Angeles, a new group, named Latinos Against War In Iraq – LAWII – was formed and immediately plunged into a series of demonstrations.

LAWII was started in late January, to form a united front of groups and individuals to organize the Latino communities’ voice against the war on Iraq, and to expose the racist conditions Latinos continue to suffer in the U.S. The meeting was initiated by Centro CSO, Carlos Montes, Javier Rodriguez, Rosie Martinez, Guillermo Bejarano and Antonieta Villamil. Over 80 people attended the first meeting, with Central American, South American and Chicano-Mexicano representation.

The groups that came together felt the strong need to form a Latino organization which made sure that the voice of our community was saying “No!” to war and racism and demanding schools, healthcare and jobs.

Latinos Against War In Iraq sees the U.S. war drive as a superpower’s attempt to control the oil, the politics and the economics of the Middle East and to support Israel. The Latino group feels that the war is here at home – in the struggle for genuine equality and justice, free from racism and poverty.

Action Against Recruitment

On Feb. 7, the LAWII held a march from Roosevelt High School to the army and marine recruitment centers in the town of Boyle Heights. Over 250 people marched through the heart of town, down Soto Street, demanding no recruitment of Latino youth. Chants included, “No to war! Escuelas si, guerra no!” and “Recruit us for college, not for war!”

The march and rally helped to expose the U.S. Department of Defense advertising campaign targeting Latinos for military recruitment. Latino youth, especially in inner-city schools, are targeted for recruitment to the armed services with false promises of careers and college tuition. Recruiters invade barrio schools where racists and bad conditions force students to drop out.

These same youth, who are not provided the opportunities for college admissions and skilled jobs, are sent to fight, die and kill in foreign lands in unjust wars. Many of these youth have fled harsh conditions in Mexico and war-torn Central America, where the U.S. government has supported repressive military regimes.

The U.S. Army currently has allocated special monies to target Latino recruitment, with a target of 27% of its total force. The number of recent Latino service men killed in Iraq is reminiscent of the high casualty rate of Latinos in the Viet Nam War. “This targeting for military recruitment of our Latino youth is a racist practice; our youth should be recruited to college, not to war,” states David Cid, teacher at El Sereno Middle School and LAWII member.

Protests Continue, Groups Unite

On March 9, a large march and rally was organized in East Los Angeles. This march took part of the same route that the Aug. 29, 1970 anti-Vietnam War Chicano Moratorium. This enthusiastic march went through East L.A., down Whittier Boulevard and to the historic Salazar Park. Over 1000 people condemned the U.S. war as an imperialist war for domination of the people of the Middle East.

The speakers clearly exposed the U.S. drive for world domination and denounced the racists’ attacks against Muslims, Arabs, Latinos and immigrants. Groups participating, endorsing or speaking included the SEIU Local 660 and UNITEI, the Free Palestine Alliance, Bayan, American Indian Movement, Peace in Colombia, Black Students Against War, MECHA de UCLA, Roosevelt High School, HERE Local 11 and the National Chicano Moratorium.

LAWII and the National Alliance for Human Rights have initiated a call for broader unity among the diverse Latino, Mexican and Chicano groups who are doing work in many communities and on different issues. The March 9 march was, in part, due to a call by Dr. Armando Navarro of the National Alliance for Human Rights, at a conference held in Riverside for a united action.

Various groups agreed to unite for a large march and rally on April 12 in Boyle Heights to honor the legacy of Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata and to protest the invasion of Iraq. The April 12 Zapata march, initially called by Frente Unida de Pueblos de America, promoted unity and brought together Latino groups from Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

Speaking Out

LAWII spoke at the L.A. national conference of the National Association of Chican@ Studies, on a panel on Chicano anti-imperialism and war. Marta Guererro, a teacher in East L.A., and Marlene Mendoza, a student, spoke of LAWII’s work in the school and community. They called on college professors and students to work with the community and unions in building greater unity and actions to oppose the current and future wars.

LAWII was invited to speak at the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)-organized mass marches and rallies held in Los Angeles and San Jose in February and March. ANSWER has been key to organizing the largest mass marches against the war since April 20, 2002.

The Latino group has received wide coverage in the local and national media, especially the Spanish language TV and press. On Jan. 30, soon after LAWII formed, it held a press conference in front of the Roybal Health Center in East L.A. to protest the cutbacks to healthcare by Los Angeles County and to voice opposition to a war on Iraq. Over 30 students, teachers, union members, actors, families, activists and elected officials attended.

Latinos Against War In Iraq has continued to organize teachings and community meetings to expose the war and military recruitment at Roosevelt High School. LAWII will participate in the May 3, San Diego and May 4 San Ysidro protest marches against war and immigrant abuses.

For more information, see www.latinoscontralaguerra.org or www.centrocso.org, or call (323) 221-4000.

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #News #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #CentroCSO #BoyleHeights

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Latinos Against War on the hunger strike for legalization. On April 24 the hunger strike entered its second day and a massive immigrant rights demonstration is planned for May 1.

Hunger Strike for Legalization: Support Grows

The Hunger Strike for Legalization is receiving wide support after kicking off its first day Monday, April 23 with 14 people. Staying overnight, members of FOMUUSA, March 25 Coalition, Latinos Against War, and Casa El Salvador stayed in tents to call for real immigration reform and an end to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations.

Participants include Galdys Pinto, Javier Rodriguez and Carlos Montes.

The March 25 Coalition is calling on all sectors of the community to participate in the hunger strike by committing to one or more days. On Tuesday, April 24 the independent port truckers will join.

The groups are calling all to participate in the May 1, 2007 Grand Boycott II, by no shopping, no work, no school, no economic activity. Also, to join the march and rally set for Tuesday, 12:00 noon on May 1, 2007 starting at Olympic and Broadway.

Latinos Against War continues to protest the presence of military recruiters on high schools and ICE agents in the Eastside. The military recruiters target immigrant Latino youth to serve as soldiers in this immoral war to kill families in Iraq! With the reward of U.S. citizenship as an incentive. While their parents are victims of deportations by the ICE.

The immigrant community will also voice their opposition to President Bush’s immigration plan, the current ICE raids and demand a plan for legalization.

#LosAngelesCA #ChicanoLatino #Statement #LatinosAgainstWar #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #March25Coalition

Los Angeles, CA – 100,000 enthusiastic demonstrators took the streets here May 1. Marching up Broadway to a mass rally at City hall, they demanded legalization for undocumented immigrant workers and an end to raids and deportations. The event was well organized and included security for the protest. The event was led by the March 25 Coalition, which has brought together dozens of community and labor groups, including Latinos Against War.

The Los Angeles rally included speeches by prominent African American leaders like former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who talked about the similar historical independence struggles of Blacks and Latinos in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as Haiti and Mexico. She drew tremendous applause from the crowd that included migrant families from Mexico and Central America. Minister Ishmael Mohammad from the Nation of Islam got a great response, speaking in Spanish and talking about our shared oppression and struggle for liberation.

Hunger strikers and March 25 Coalition leaders Gloria Saucedo, Hermandad Mexicana and Javier Rodriguez demanded full legalization and criticized the current proposed immigration legislation. Other speakers included labor activist Alejandro Stephens of SEIU 721 and Fernando Ledesma of United Teachers of LA. Undocumented migrant families spoke out, as did students from Boyle Heights including, the Duenas family and students from Roosevelt High School who work with Latinos against War.

Speakers and supporters included Bayan International, FMLN, FOMUSSA, singers, poets and a wrap-up speech by the veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes calling for linking the immigrants struggle to the fight for freedom and self-determination.

Police attack peaceful rally

Later in the afternoon the Los Angeles Police Department attacked another peaceful rally at MacArthur Park. The rally was put on by Somos America, a coalition of non-profit groups and unions. The LAPD shot rubber bullets into the gathering without a warning to disperse. Latino families, TV news crews and other journalists were beaten. One of the March 25 hunger strikers was beaten in the neck and back and forced to seek medical attention. This attack by the LAPD is a move as a political organization to repress the growing militancy of the immigrant’s rights movement – a movement that has grown in strength in the last year. This is a racist police attack against the Mexican/Latino community.

History of repression

After the attack, Latinos Against War issued a statement slamming the long history of repression in Los Angeles. It read in part: “We know that the local police and FBI have historically attacked our community like the August 29, 1970 Chicano Moratorium where KMEX news director Ruben Salazar, Angel Diaz and Lynn Ward were killed the by LA County Sheriffs. Ruben Salazar was killed with a tear gas missile shot to his head. Another example of political repression is the federal Counter Intelligence Program that infiltrated and attacked the Black and Chicano movement organizations like the Black Panther Party, Brown Berets, Chicano Moratorium and the Crusade for Justice in the late 1960s.”

The March 25 Coalition held a press conference in front the of the LAPD headquarters May 2 to announce a class action lawsuit by the Mexican American Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild against the LAPD. Speakers condemned and exposed this attack on our movement for equality and self-determination. Latinos Against War states, “We are committed to continue the struggle for migrant rights and not let this racist blatant attack derail our movement.”

#LosAngelesCA #News #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #May1March #March25Coalition #LAPD

The long line of speakers at the hearing included members of the Somos America Coalition, who had held the late afternoon rally at Macarthur Park, young people, activists, and lawyers. They all were united in stating what happened on May 1 was a police attack against our Mexican/Latino community.

A statement from Latinos Against War pointed out: “This racist police attack was a planned political attack against our movement that has been growing in the last several years. It is a racist police attack against the Chicano/Mexican people and the movement for equality. The local power structure and police are sending us a message to stay in our place as oppressed people. But we will continue our fight not just for legalization but for full equality and self determination.”

Javier Rodriguez, of the March 25 Coalition and Carlos Montes, of Latinos Against War spoke at the hearing pointing our how the police had earlier harassed and tried to limit the march and rally held in downtown Los Angeles. Montes stated that due to the fact that the March 25 Coalition had organized its own security with the help of the community and had the enthusiastic support of the 100,000 masses marching chanting legalization stop the raids, the police would not dare attack the event.

Racist Minuteman Confronted

Racist Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist arrived at the hearing to show support for the police and try to blame ‘outside agitators.’ In the police headquarters lobby, holding a press briefing, Gilchrist blamed the attack on the families and praised the police – but he was confronted by Carlos Montes who called him a liar and a racist, thus putting an end his arrogant display.

Lawsuit Filed, Organizing Continues

The March 25 Coalition held a press conference in front the of the LAPD headquarters on May 2 to announce a class action lawsuit by the Mexican American Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild against the Los Angeles Police Department. Activists condemned and exposed this attack on our movement for equality and self-determination. A spokesperson for Latinos Against War states: “We are committed to continue the struggle for migrant rights and not let this racist blatant attack detour our movement. We must continue our focus on the demand for full legalization.”

#LosAngelesCA #Interview #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #LAPD #SomosAmericaCoalition #Minuteman

Los Angeles, CA – I met Elvira Arellano briefly on Aug. 18, at Los Angeles’s Placita Catholic Church, after our pro-immigrant rights march in downtown. I was tired but meeting her and her son Saulito energized and inspired me.

She is a strong woman committed to justice for the 12 million undocumented immigrants living under the attacks of the Bush administration. We spent a few happy moments talking about the organizing in L.A. and Chicano history like the East Los Angeles Walkouts. She has seen the HBO movie about the Chicano students’ fight for better education and liked it. Her son Saulito asked me who was a Chicano, I responded that he was.

The next day Elvira, Saul, Emma Lozano and Reverend Slim Coleman spent Sunday at the church masses with the immigrant community of Los Angeles. At about 1:30 p.m. they left the church to travel to other sanctuary churches, but a block away four cars from the Department of Homeland Security, with about ten armed agents, stopped and arrested her. By 10:00 p.m. she was deported to Tijuana, Mexico. In Tijuana she has stated that she will continue her struggle for legalization and justice for immigrant families.

Her arrest was condemned by the entire immigrant rights movement and has led to unity of those demanding her return, legalization now and an end to raids, detentions and deportations. A new united front network has come into being that includes March 25 Coalition, and CHIRLA and religious leaders. They have called for a mass march on Aug. 25 in Los Angeles, endorsed the national call to protest in Washington D.C. Sept. 12 and urge a national labor and economic boycott.

Elvira had been in sanctuary in Chicago for over a year, not willing to be deported or separated from her son. She has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for the millions of immigrants and the immigrant rights movement that fight for legalization and equal rights.

Carlos Montes is a veteran Chicano activist and a leader of the immigrant rights movement.

#LosAngelesCA #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #ElviraArellano

Unite to Struggle

We must unite all progressive forces in a united front to beat back these attacks and again take back the offensive to win complete legalization for all immigrants and end the war in Iraq. We call on all pro-immigrant rights and progressive organizations to join us for a national unity conference on Feb. 22-23, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan.

Plan of Action

At this conference we will unite on a plan of action for mass national mobilizations in major cities for May 1, 2008. Without struggle there will be no victories. We will not wait for a change in politicians; our people demand an end to the attacks now and legalization! We do not have the luxury of waiting for another administration while families are being torn apart by deportations.

We know that the masses are the real makers of history and by uniting and mobilizing the masses we will change history. We are living in a time of crisis, with wars, recessions and racist attacks and it is during critical times that major changes take place. Lets all be part of making history and join us in Detroit, to build unity and a plan of action on Feb. 22-23, 2008. The conference is organized by the National May 1st Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights.

Carlos Montes is a veteran fighter in the Chicano Liberation movement, a founder of the Brown Berets and the Chicano Moratorium. He is a leader in the March 25th Coalition and Latinos Against War, both based in East Los Angeles, California. For more information contact: www.latinoscontralaguerra.org

#LosAngelesCA #Commentary #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #deportations #CarlosMontes #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #BrownBerets

Los Angles, CA – More than 10,000 immigrant workers and their supporters took to the streets here, May 1, to demand legalization, an end to raids and deportations, justice for the undocumented and an end to the war in Iraq. Three marches converged on downtown Los Angeles for the massive rally.

“We demand full legalization, full equality and say no to the raids and deportations,” said Carlos Montes, of Latinos Against the War. Montes, who helped organize the protest, added, “We want an end to discrimination of all kinds against the undocumented, real equality for Latinos and self-determination for the Chicano nation.”

#LosAngelesCA #News #LatinosAgainstWar #May1March

Los Angeles, CA – Students and their families gathered here Oct. 10 to oppose raids on the undocumented by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Chants included demands for equal rights and full equality now, to stop racist raids, detentions and deportations and for the defeat of John McCain.

Said veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes, “This protest was very important because it shows that the whole community is angry with the ICE repression and is willing to fight back and stand up for their families and demand equality.”

The protest was led by the Chicano Student Club, El Sereno Middle School and supported by Latinos Against War. It was held in solidarity with the national Ya Basta call and International Indigenous Peoples Day.

#LosAngelesCA #News #LatinosAgainstWar #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #InternationalIndigenousPeoplesDay

Fight Back! is circulating the following statement issued by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Chapel Hill, NC – After the April 14th demonstration against former Republican representative Tom Tancredo, which involved two hundred students from numerous organizations, solidarity letters have poured in applauding the protesters’ actions. The statements have come from local, state and national social justice organizations — including notable immigrant advocacy groups.

“Students and young people in the U.S. have historically been in the forefront of the civil rights and peace movements, and we are inspired that you are setting the example by standing in solidarity with the immigrant rights movement,” said Carlos Montes, an organizer from the Los Angeles-based Latinos Against War, and member of the Southern California Immigration Coalition.

A statement from the Palante Action Network of Durham, North Carolina, said, “It is vital to movements for social justice and human rights that white supremacists like Tancredo are met with strong resistance wherever they go. We commend your willingness to stand up and make it clear that you oppose his racist anti-immigrant hatred and that hate speech cannot be part of a democratic or respectful environment. As citizens and activists, we are honored to express solidarity with you.”

The International Action Center, a grassroots organization founded by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, expressed its full support.

“The message sent by the UNC students is welcomed by progressive forces in the United States and worldwide. And it is a clear answer to hate speech: No attempt to mobilize a racist, anti-immigrant campaign can be allowed without confrontation from these progressive forces,” the IAC said.

Hatem Abudayyeh, the executive director of the American Arab Action Network in Chicago, said: “As an organization that upholds the rights of immigrants and all oppressed people in the U.S. and across the world, we support your first amendment right to protest Tancredo and the racism, hate, and criminalization of immigrants that he represents. White supremacist formations like the Youth for Western Civilization, the student group that invited Tancredo, should be confronted and denounced at every turn, and the students at UNC who participated in these protests should be esteemed as the heroic fighters for justice that they are.”

Multiple chapters of Students for a Democratic Society, from UNC-Asheville to University of California at Los Angeles, have written letters of congratulations and encouragement.

“It is sickening that people like Tancredo and his supporters, who never missed an opportunity in recent years to cheer for more unlawful detentions, more prison camps, more destruction of families and more suppression of freedom of speech for millions of working people in this country now whine that they have been denied their rights at the first sign of opposition to their hateful views,” said UCLA’s chapter of SDS.

Many of the statements denounced the egregious police violence visited on protesters at Tuesday’s action. They joined UNC’s chapter of SDS in its call for oversight of police activity on campus.

A statement from Philadelphia SDS said, “Campus security's violent escalation against nonviolent student protesters was an outrageous abuse of power. Students who were not threatening bodily harm against anyone, but following their conscience and expressing their freedom of speech should never have been met with violence. We expect UNC security and administration officials to learn from this event not to escalate chaos in tense situations by violently assaulting students.”

As messages of solidarity with the UNC students continue to arrive, they will be posted to the website of UNC-Chapel Hill Students for a Democratic Society (http://www.chapelhillsds.org), one of many organizations involved in the protest.

#ChapelHillNC #ImmigrantRights #Tancredo #LatinosAgainstWar #StudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #SouthernCaliforniaImmigrationCoalition

Los Angeles, CA – Thousands of Latino workers, students and shopkeepers stayed away from work and school Dec. 12, in support of the statewide Latino Economic Strike. The Latino Economic boycott was called by the Mexican American Political Association and Hermandad Mexicana Latino Americana, with the support of hundreds of other organizations, to protest the repeal of SB 60, the law that allowed undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses.

The license law was passed in October 2003. It was later repealed by the new Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, under the threat of a right-wing led anti-license initiative.

Large demonstrations were held in San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego and other cities to support the strike. High numbers of students boycotted school from San Diego to Los Angeles to San Jose. Statewide, school districts reported high absentee rates. Los Angeles’s Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights had over 1700 students absent in support of the strike. 1500 workers at American Apparel, the largest apparel manufacturer in Los Angeles, shut down the plant for the day. Dec. 12 was also selected because it is the day Mexicans worldwide honor the religious Virgin de Guadalupe – the indigenous symbol of resistance to colonization and exploitation.

The successful strike energized the large Latino community throughout California and received wide support in many other states.

Action in East L.A.

The Centro CSO – Community Service Organization – led a march and rally in the heart of Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, where many small businesses closed for the day. The march and rally was endorsed by Latinos Against War, SEIU Local 660, Roosevelt High School Revolutionary Students, Comite Pro Uno, Casa Bohemia Show on KPFK and L.A. ANSWER.

The march started at Prospect Park with a busting of a piñata of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mothers, families, workers and students marched, chanting “Yes to licenses, not to war! School not war!” and “Terminate the terminator.” The march was met by another group of 300 enthusiastic workers coming from La Placita. All the groups then rallied together and marched to downtown L.A. for another rally.

Another afternoon rally near Roosevelt High School included many more students and teachers who busted another piñata of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, striking a symbolic blow against racism, exploitation and imperialist war. The English and Spanish media covered the events extensively.

Struggle for Licenses

The struggle for licenses has lasted over six years and is an important demand for millions of undocumented workers who need to drive to work and school. Latino communities know too well the hardships of the constant ticketing by police, getting cars impounded and arrests. Latinos already face exploitation and hard racist conditions, including INS and police harassment, low paid jobs and bad living conditions – especially for recent immigrants without residency paperwork.

Finally, with the leadership of Hermandad Mexicana Latino Americana, its president Nativo Lopez and Senator Gil Cedillo (a former SEIU union leader), SB 60 was made into law during the state recall election of November 2003.

But the racist Republican Party and Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to repeal the new SB 60 law.

Under threat of a statewide ballot initiative to permanently outlaw drivers licenses for undocumented workers, an effort led by the right-wing racist Ron Price, Senator Cedillo agreed under pressure to repeal the law, with a verbal agreement for a new stricter version of the driver license legislation to be introduced in early 2004.

Some critics of the law bought the lie that this law would make it easier for terrorists to get identification.

New Power

The Latino and immigrant communities have now sensed the strength of their collective power and are demanding amnesty, legalization and equality, along with the demand for licenses. Moderate groups like CHIRLA (the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles) did not support the Latino Economic Strike.

Activists formed the Organizing Committee of Mexican Organizations, and have planned a major summit for the weekend of March 12-14, at Pitzer College in Los Angeles County. The purpose of the summit is to unite around a plan of action for demands, campaigns and a mass march on October 16, 2004. That date will commemorate the historic 1994, 150,000-person march by Latinos against the racist 187 initiative.

The Latino community is under attack by right-wingers like Ron Price and under constant threats from racist laws and deportations, as we become the scapegoats for the economic crisis and so-called threats of terrorism. But Latinos also have a long history of resistance against racism, war and exploitation. We Latinos will continue to fight back and provide the leadership and organization to build a powerful movement for self-determination!

Come and join us in the fight for equality, democracy and social justice for Latinos and all immigrants. Join us at Centro CSO: Community Service Organization, 511 Echandia Street, Los Angels, Ca 90033, (323) 221-4000, www.newcentrocso.org.

#LosAngelesCA #News #ChicanoLatino #LatinosAgainstWar #CentroCSO #MAPA #LatinoEconomicBoycott #SEIULocal660 #RooseveltHighSchoolRevolutionaryStudents #driversLicence #NativoLopez

Los Angeles, CA – Students, teachers and parents demonstrated here with Latinos Against War on March 20, the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, marching from Roosevelt High School to the building that houses a military recruiting center and the Eastside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center.

The militant protest hit the largest recruitment center in Los Angeles, which targets young Latinos in the East Los Angeles high schools.

Protesters also slammed the ICE raids and deportations, demanding full legalization for the 12 million immigrants. They also protested the increase in repression against Mexican, Chicano and Latinos communities, by ICE, which targets workplaces and engages in home raids.

The march and rally built support for the planned May 1 march for legalization, against ICE repression and opposing the war in Iraq. The march and rally will take place in downtown Los Angeles.

Latinos Against War organizers note they have organized a protest on the anniversary of the Iraq war for the last five years in Boyle Heights with the firm aim of building local grassroots movements for self-determination and against repression.

The march and rally was organized by Latinos Against War and Chicano Club El Sereno Middle School and supported by Mecha de RHS, American Friends Service Committee, International Action Center, Students for a Democratic Society-UCLA, SEIU 721 Latino Committee, May Day Unity Coalition and Padres Unidos de Boyle Heights.

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #StudentMovement #News #Iraq #ChicanoLatino #militaryRecruitment #selfdetermination #LatinosAgainstWar #workplaceAndHomeRaids

The historic conference brought together the main centers of the anti-war movement, including the Troops Out Now Coalition, International ANSWER and United for Peace and Justice. These are the coalitions that have organized the largest anti-war mobilizations over the past five years.

The Conference was organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War.

Videos:

Jess Sundin speaking for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. Sundin is a founding member of the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee. She has participated in or coordinated solidarity trips to Iraq, El Salvador and Colombia.

Leslie Cagan- coordinator of United for Peace and Justice, an anti-war coalition with more than 1400 member groups.

Sara Flounders representing the Troops Out Now Coalition. She is also co-director of the International Action Center.

John Beacham representing International ANSWER, a coalition of hundreds of organizations with organizing centers in scores of cites and towns across the country.

Carlos Montes of Latinos Against War and veteran leader of the Chicano and immigrants right movements.

Phyllis Walker- President of AFSCME 3800

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #Labor #News #OppressedNationalities #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #TroopsOutNowCoalition #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #UnitedForPeaceAndJustice #LatinosAgainstWar

Minneapolis, MN – Carlos Montes, of Latinos Against War and veteran leader of the Chicano and immigrants right movements, along with Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee were among the many prominent activists who addressed the Feb 9-10 Organizers Conference here to prepare the massive anti-war march planned for the opening day of the Republican National Convention.

The Organizing Conference brought together the leading centers of the anti-war movement and many other progressive movements.

Fight Back! will be providing additional audio and video coverage in coming days.

Click here for additional previously posted podcasts from the February 9-10 RNC protest conference.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #WelfareRightsCommittee #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #LatinosAgainstWar #antiwarProtest