Category Archives: Análisis // Analysis
THE CA TRUST ACT AND THE BATTLE FOR JUSTICE FOR WORKERS, CAMPESINOS AND UNDOCUMENTED RAZA
Barack Obama designates a memorial tribute to Cesar Chavez one week after California Governor Brown Vetoes a Series of Pro-Migrante, Domestic and Agricultural Workers Bills
On Monday, October 8, 2012, President Barack Obama arrived in California to deliver a thirteen minute speech at Villa La Paz, the burial site of Cesar Chavez, the pioneering United Farm Workers (UFW) organizer and icon of the farmworkers’ movement. Crowds of hundreds inundated the searing Central Valley as they lined up excitedly and patiently waited to be allowed inside. The program commenced as Arturo Rodriguez, current president of the UFW, introduced President Obama who approached the podium with the phrase “Sí se puede”, “Yes, we can.” Obama opened his presentation thanking all of the Democrats who assisted throughout the project and contributed to the establishment of the Chavez monument. We are certain that Cesar Chavez turned over in his grave when, in a rushed mumble of an introduction, Obama awkwardly thanked Governor Jerry Brown.
This same Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA) vetoed a series of pro-migrante and pro-worker legislation days before with a cold stroke of a pen, on Sunday September 30, 2012. In an 11th hour decision shamefully carried out in in the dark of the night and hidden from the public, Brown vetoed bills that would have brought minimal protections to the state’s most vulnerable population: undocumented and working-class Raza of California. The governor dared not host a large daytime press conference, fearing what he would have undoubtedly faced–an outpouring of rage from the public.
The bills vetoed by the governor had attempted to ensure basic reforms to agricultural and domestic workers’ rights. One such bill, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights AB-889, aimed at providing overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, as well as adequate sleeping conditions for live-in workers (including house-keepers, child-care providers, and caregivers). Other bills blocked by Brown, SB-2346 and AB-2676, aimed at ensuring that campesinos obtained the right to sue employers and would make it a criminal misdemeanor punishable by jail, including fines of up to $200,000, if employers failed to provide access to water and shade for farm workers across California.
TRUST ACT Blocked Signaling the Continued Expansion of Poli-Migra Collaboration and the Consolidation of Mass Detention and Deportation Programs
A fourth bill, AB-1081, known as the TRUST ACT, aimed at restraining the infamous (In) Secure Communities Program (S-COMM) by curbing indiscriminate “detainers,” of undocumented individuals who were suspected criminals, at local city or county jails. Despite massive state-wide pressure from grass-roots organizations, moderate political forces, as well as several supportive law enforcement agencies, the TRUST ACT was vetoed by Brown.
In various counties across the state community and activists mobilized in an attempt to publicize before state-level legislators, that local police collaboration with S-COMM has continually terrorized migrante communities and led to unjustifiable separation of families. For example, Los Angeles Assemblyman Gil Cedillo—despite being a ‘co-author’ of the TRUST ACT—rather than actively support the TRUST ACT, opted to concentrate the end of his term on advocating for a limited-scope “Driver’s License Bill”—a bill that would grant licenses for students and youth who qualified under Deferred Action (DACA). However, even organizing leaders from the Dreamers’ movement have identified Cedillo’s bill as a ‘fake’ and empty bill, since these students would already have access to drivers’ licenses without the pathetic handout that the Democrats, including Cedillo and Brown, tossed at our community with this bill.
Another example is the struggle that took place in the central coast, during which community and activists organized on the streets to pressure Assemblyman Das Williams (34th District) of the Ventura/Santa Barbara County region to support the TRUST ACT. Not until there were amendments that included the ability for local law enforcement to detain ‘suspected criminals’ (read: Not tried or convicted) did Assembly Williams finally voice support for the watered-down version of the TRUST ACT.
In the end, Governor Brown sustained his support for the prison/detention/mass-incarceration industrial-complex and with the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS-ICE). As of August 22, 2012, the ‘Secure Communities’ project has nearly reached full ‘jurisdiction Activation’—with 3,074 out of 3,181 jurisdictions (97%) and 58 out of 58 (100%) jurisdictions in California. This allows the ENDGAME mass deportation mandate to establish the infrastructure and all resources needed for “removing all removable aliens.” We can only expect rapid acceleration of the amount of deportations through poli-migra based operations, sweeps, etc. The worksite E-Verify documentation inspections or ‘silent raids’ will continue as will the militarization of the U.S./Mexico border and our communities in general.
What is there to be done? Community Organizing for Resistance and Self-Defense
Despite a glimmer of hope for the passage of the TRUST ACT, most—especially independent community resistance forces—were prepared for the worst. History has taught us that we cannot solely rely on politicians to act in defense of our communities. During Obama’s 2008 bid for presidency, many pinned their hopes on the Democratic Party’s promises of reigning-in a so-called “Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” Yet four years later, the president has earned and surpassed his title of Deporter-In-Chief, breaking historical records by deporting 400,000 undocumented workers annually for the past two consecutive years.
Even with the prospect of four more years under Obama, the promise of an ‘immigration reform’doesn’t appear on the horizon. His administration has already proven this to our community, and we cannot simply settle for the ‘lesser of two evils’ as we ‘hope’ for a difference. We must prepare by increasing the quality and quantity of community organization towards the purposesof self-defense and resistance. As the mission statement for the Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo notes:
“We must always practice accountability to the communities we serve. The Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective is a community-based and Action-oriented group organizing demonstrations, fundraisers, workshops and trainings. Whenever possible we will network, collaborate, and dialogue with allied organizations on the basis of principled unity. While we welcome strategic engagement with lawmakers and public officials, our demands for justice can only be won if they are backed by an organized social force working tirelessly and deliberately to secure meaningful change. Engagement and communication with those forces that oppress and attack our community are inevitable – but our dignity is non-negotiable.
A goal which we will consistently work towards is the general participation of our communities in the broad undertaking of common defense, preparation, and mutual aid. As such, our goal is the development of organized, independently-led networks and “Barrio Defense Committees” which are capable of looking out for one another on a neighborhood level.”
It is clear now more than ever that, as difficult as it may seem, we must take on this obligation. We, the people, will build our own capacity to defend ourselves outside of the grip of the status-quo party establishment. This means working independently of the Republicans and the Democrats. Not only have the politicians from these parties turned their backs on our communities, but they were never walking with us to begin with – unless it was to advance their own careers.
In his speech at Villa La Paz on Monday Barack Obama addressed Helen, Cesar Chavez’s widow, and stated, “Helen, today we are your guests. We appreciate your hospitality, and you should feel free to kick us out whenever you want.”
Helen Chavez and our community should have never let these opportunists in!
ALL VIDEOS: 9/11/12, COLONIA TO DOWNTOWN OXNARD: March for Justice Against Police Brutality // Marcha por Justicia Contra la Brutalidad Policial
9/11/12: Teresa D. Ramirez and Desiri Flores appeal to the Oxnard City Council and Oxnard Chief Jeri Williams to investigate and punish those police officers who beat and attacked Robert Ramirez after family friends called for medical help following a potentially lethal dosage of drugs. Instead of saving Robert, he died in their custody. Teresa provides details she learned personally from eye-witnesses to Robert’s brutal beating at the hands of Oxnard police.
9/11/12: Elliott Gabriel (Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective) speaks to the Oxnard City Council about its unwillingness to face up to the issues of police brutality, abuse, & mistreatment like that which led to the death of Robert Ramirez
Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo issued a symbolic “subpoena” to Oxnard Police Chief, Jeri Williams, to have her and the 7 unnamed officers who beat Robert Ramirez while he was handcuffed and in desperate need of medical attention, leading to his death. Those subpoenaed were ordered to appear before a people’s tribunal and face the community to be held accountable for their actions.
THE SUBPOENA:
Click to access peopletribunaldemand.pdf
Police Chief’s response letter:
Click to access responsetopeopletribunal.pdf
Notice how Police Chief Williams repeatedly asserts that she cannot comment on this matter because there is an open investigation yet she COMPLETELY COMMENTS ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE MATTER by stating, “…the evidence to date does not supports claims that Mr. Ramirez was beaten by officers. If such evidence exists, we need to be made aware of it.” She has the audacity to state this after hearing the victim’s mother tell her, point blank, a description of the first officer who started beating her son and how the rest joined in on the beating. Yet, Police Chief Williams claims that WE are the ones spreading false information. The TRUTH doesn’t lie.
Justice for Robert Ramirez!
9/15/12: [OXNARD, CA] Las autoridades en Los Ángeles [, Oxnard, y Anaheim] están bajo investigación por la reciente brutalidad policiaca en las comunidades y en las cárceles.
Astrid Solorzano nos cuenta cómo la comunidad reacciona a esta noticia.
Entrevista de Chuy Rocha (Colegio de Ventura), Verónica Flores, y Teresa D. Ramirez
“Small city with big problems”: Oxnard Residents March to Community Relations Commission, Police Department to Demand End to Brutality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective
Tel. (805) 328-4763
poder805@riseup.net
“Small city with big problems”: Oxnard Residents March to Community Relations Commission, Police Department to Demand End to Brutality
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Bereaved Mother Displays Son’s Photo Indicating that Brutal Beating Played Role in Son’s Death, City of Oxnard and Police Covering-Up Foul Play
(OXNARD, CA) On Monday, August 20, 2012, over a hundred local residents gathered in Oxnard’s Plaza Park before marching through downtown and into City Council Chambers to denounce police abuse and brutality at the Community Relations Commission (CRC) meeting. The community strongly conveyed that the CRC must carry out its mandate, “to promote better human relations among all city residents,” and ensure that these issues be placed on the next agenda of the Oxnard City Council. The community marched to the Oxnard Police Department headquarters where they powerfully chanted “Killer Cops, Off our Streets!” and similar slogans for approximately 30 minutes before returning to the park.
Full video here (28:13) : http://youtu.be/-RTZWFSJzAs
The Commission originally informed the Oxnard-based Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective that there were going to be formal presentations on the matter, and that the issue of severe misconduct on the part of the Oxnard Police Department (OPD) was going to be an item on the agenda. However, four days prior to the meeting, organizers were informed that interim City Manager Karen Burnham, City Attorney Alan Holmberg, and Chief of Police Jeri Williams had met and decided to block the item. Despite this setback, the community persisted by testifying on their experiences of police brutality and laid out its demands during the public comment segment of “items not on the agenda.”
The community’s core demands mandated systemic change to Oxnard Police Department practices in order to halt the ongoing pattern of police abuse and brutality. Additionally, the community called for the establishment of an independent, community-based, Police Complaint Review Board with the power to take action when police officers mistreat or harm the community in any way.
The bereaved family of Robert Ramirez, who died in the custody of the Oxnard Police Department on the night of June 23, 2012, spoke out and made an anguished appeal for an independent investigation of his brutal death. Concerned that Ramirez was possibly experiencing a drug overdose, family friends who were seeking medical attention called 911. Eye witnesses (who wish to remain anonymous) informed the family that they saw what appeared to be Tasers used on the young man, in addition to the savage beating of the handcuffed Ramirez by seven to ten Oxnard Police officers. A poster-sized photograph of the deceased Robert Ramirez was presented by the family before the CRC clearly indicating extensive facial bruising and physical trauma – evidence that the young Ramirez had been severely beaten prior to his tragic death.
Robert Ramírez’s Death in Custody of Oxnard Police Department Raises Question of Brutal Practices
Choking back tears, Teresa Ramirez stated that the OPD’s current practices could claim the lives of Commission members’ children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews if OPD brutality isn’t put to an end. The grieving mother noted, “I’m not saying that every single police officer in this town is brutal and mean. But everyone knows who they are, and they’re still in our streets.” She also asked, “Why does the City ignore us? We are being brutally abused.” She then called for an independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding her son’s death.
Individuals present during public comments were unanimous: “We’re a small city but we have big problems.” This statement was made by Alberto Ramirez, who emotionally detailed his experiences with Oxnard police officers: “I’ve got bills from the hospitals because officers also abused me. And I end up having to pay for them – for the x-rays.” Appealing to the Commission, he asked that they “just help us out… the police are getting away with too much.”
Also, the marchers strongly urged the CRC to assess the large, discriminatory gap between the police budget (which consumes nearly 60% of the city budget) versus monies allocated to parks and recreation, youth programs, and the employment of local youth.
A sign displayed by a community member read “Crooks and Killers Step Down!” Foul play has long been an open secret at the Council Chambers of the City of Oxnard. Recently, the City was the target of a two-year FBI investigation that began with federal raids on the offices and homes of city officials and ended by uncovering what the Ventura County district attorney office has gently called, “a clear pattern of fiscal waste.” This pattern of waste and corruption has included “improper borrowing” by the currently-suspended City Manager Ed Sotelo as well as self-rewarded retirement perks. The DA’s report (read complete report here)also uncovered the usage of “virtually unlimited” city funds spent on “travel expenses” related to lavish vacations by city officials, including trips by the outgoing Mayor Tom Holden to the home of a wealthy Oxnard land developer—undoubtedly—an issue of conflict of interests. The disgraced mayor and suspended city manager are currently facing a combined $23,000 in fines from the state ethics agency.
Los Angeles Times: Corruption Investigations in Oxnard
Los Angeles Times: Oxnard officials face ethics fines for accepting improper gifts
The Todo Poder al Pueblo Collective has called for a mobilization to the next meeting of the Oxnard City Council, Tuesday, September 11th. The action is set to begin at Plaza Park (5th and C St.) in downtown Oxnard at 6pm and the City Council meeting will begin at 7PM.
“Ciudad pequeña con problemas grandes”: Residentes de Oxnard marchan a la Comisión de Relaciones Comunitarias, Departamento de Policía, para exigir fin a la brutalidad
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo
Tel. (805) 328-4763
poder805@riseup.net
“Ciudad pequeña con problemas grandes”: Residentes de Oxnard marchan a la Comisión de Relaciones Comunitarias, Departamento de Policía, para exigir fin a la brutalidad
Miércoles, 22 de agosto 2012
Madre afligida comparte foto de hijo mostrando brutalidad que jugó papel en su muerte, Ciudad de Oxnard y Policía encubren mala conducta
(Oxnard, CA) El lunes 20 de agosto, 2012, más de cien residentes locales se reunieron en la Plaza de Oxnard antes de marchar por el centro y llegar al Concilio de la Ciudad donde denunciaron incidentes de abuso y brutalidad policial ante la Comisión de Relaciones Comunitarias (CCR) durante su junta. Saturada con fuerza y valor, la comunidad exigió que el CCR lleve a cabo su mandato de “promover las buenas relaciones humanas entre todos los habitantes de la ciudad,” y asegure que estas cuestiones se incluyan en la agenda de la próxima reunión del Consejo Municipal de Oxnard. La comunidad marchó hasta la sede del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard donde gritaban enérgicamente, “¡Policías asesinos, fuera de nuestras calles!” y otros lemas similares durante media hora antes de regresar al parque.
Grabación de Vídeo Completa (28:13) : http://youtu.be/-RTZWFSJzAs
La Comisión le había comunicado al Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo, basado en Oxnard, que se iban a llevar acabo presentaciones formales sobre el tema durante la junta, y que la cuestión grave de mala conducta por parte del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard (OPD) se incluiría en la agenda oficial. Sin embargo, cuatro días antes de la reunión, los organizadores fueron informados que el administrador municipal interino Karen Burnham, el abogado de la ciudad Alan Holmberg, y el Jefe de la Policía Jeri Williams, se reunieron para lograr impedir que el tema fuera parte de la junta. A pesar de este obstáculo, la persistencia de comunidad la llevó a testificar sobre sus experiencias de brutalidad policial y a presentar sus demandas durante los comentarios públicos de la sección “asuntos no incluidos en el orden del día.”
Las demandas de la comunidad exigen un cambio sistémico a las prácticas del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard con el fin de detener el patrón de abuso policial y brutalidad. Además, los presentes pidieron que se establezca una comisión independiente, basada en la comunidad, que funcione como Junta de Revisión de Quejas Policiales y que tenga el poder de tomar acción cuando agentes de la policía maltraten o abusen de la comunidad en cualquier manera.
La familia de Robert Ramírez, quien murió en la custodia del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard la noche del 23 de junio de 2012, se pronunció ante la CCR e hizo un llamado para una investigación independiente de la muerte brutal del joven. Preocupados por Ramírez, quien parecía estar pasando por una sobredosis de drogas, amigos de la familia buscaron atención médica llamando al 911. Testigos presentes (que desearon permanecer anónimos) informaron a la familia que vieron lo que parecía ser uso de armas Taser por parte de los policías, además de presenciar la golpiza salvaje del inofensivo y esposado joven a causa de entre siete a diez miembros de la policía de Oxnard. La familia presentó ante la CCR una fotografía de tamaño póster del difunto que demostró claramente el trauma extensivo en su cara—lo cual ayuda a comprobar que Ramírez fue severamente golpeado antes de su muerte.
La muerte de Robert Ramírez en custodia del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard presenta cuestión de prácticas brutales
Conteniendo sus lágrimas, la madre de Robert Ramírez, Teresa, indicó que las prácticas actuales de la OPD llegarán a tomar la vida de los hijos de los miembros del CCR, sus nietos, sobrinas y sobrinos, si es que no se pone un fin a la brutalidad por parte del OPD. La afligida madre señaló: “No estoy diciendo que cada uno los oficiales de policía en esta ciudad sea brutal y malo. Pero todo el mundo sabe quiénes son y todavía están en nuestras calles.” También preguntó, “¿Por qué nos ignora la ciudad? ¡Nos están abusando brutalmente!” También ella pidió una investigación independiente sobre las circunstancias que provocaron la muerte de su hijo.
Las personas presentes durante los comentarios públicos fueron unánime: “Somos una ciudad pequeña pero tenemos problemas grandes.” Esta declaración la hizo Alberto Ramírez, quien emocionalmente detalló su experiencia con los agentes de policía de Oxnard: “Tengo las facturas de los hospitales porque los oficiales también abusaron de mí. Y yo acabé teniendo que pagar por ellos – por los rayos X.” Apelando a la Comisión, pidió que “sólo ayúdenos…la policía se está saliendo con demasiado.”
Además, los manifestantes instaron firmemente a la CCR para que evalúe la brecha grande y discriminatoria en el presupuesto municipal, comparando el departamento de policía (que consume casi el 60% del presupuesto de la ciudad) con las sumas asignadas a los departamentos de parques y recreación, programas y empleo para jóvenes locales.
Un letrero que mostró un miembro de la comunidad afirmó “¡Ladrones y Asesinos Fuera!” La mala conducta y la corrupción han plagado la ciudad por parte del Consejo Municipal. Recientemente, la ciudad fue sujeta a una investigación de dos años por el FBI que comenzó con incursiones federales en las oficinas y viviendas de los funcionarios de la ciudad, y terminó por descubrir lo que la oficina del abogado fiscal del Condado de Ventura ha llamado ligeramente, “un patrón claro de residuo fiscal.” Este patrón de malgasto y corrupción incluyó “préstamos indebidos” por Ed Sotelo, el administrador municipal actualmente suspendido, así como la auto-recompensa de beneficios de jubilación. El informe de la fiscalía (véase en su totalidad aquí) también descubrió el uso de fondos de la ciudad “prácticamente ilimitados” que se usaron para “gastos de viajes” en relación a las vacaciones espléndidas por funcionarios de la ciudad, incluyendo viajes hechos por el Alcalde Tom Holden a la casa de un adinerado desarrollador inmobiliario de Oxnard—sin duda—una cuestión de conflicto de intereses. El deshonrado alcalde y el suspendido administrador de la ciudad actualmente se enfrentan a un total de $23,000 en multas por la agencia estatal de ética.
Los Ángeles Times: Las investigaciones de corrupción en Oxnard
Los Ángeles Times: Funcionarios de Oxnard enfrentan multas de ética por aceptar regalos
El Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo hace un llamado para la próxima reunión del Consejo Municipal de Oxnard, el martes 11 de septiembre. La acción está programada para comenzar en La Placita (Calles 5 y “C”) en el centro de Oxnard a las 6pm y la reunión del Consejo Municipal comenzará a las 7pm.
HispanTV: Comunidad de Oxnard enfrenta a la policía local
La comunidad de Oxnard, una ciudad agrícola en el centro de California, enfrenta a la policía local demandando la detención del problema creciente de brutalidad policial.
Astrid Solórzano nos amplía la noticia.
**Nota**: El video por HispanTV usa la palabra “pandillero” en su descripción del joven Robert Ramirez. Es importante aclarar que Robert NO ERA pandillero y que ese comentario estuvo de más. La preferencia de CTPaP es que ese comentario sea omitido en la edición.
Justice for Robert Ramirez and all of the victims of Police Terror in Raza and Oppressed Communities!
By Francisco ‘Chavo’ Romero
(Note: The following note was presented on August 4, 2012, at 6pm, where there was a vigil taking place at La Placita in Downtown Oxnard, in memory of Robert Ramirez and all victims of police brutality.)
***
Good evening everyone,
First and foremost, I offer my deepest condolences to Robert Ramirez’s familia. Your loss is felt within all of our corazones. One could only imagine how heart-wrenching it must have been bury your son, brother, sobrino, at such a young age. We are here to offer any type of support that we can in the unjust death of Robert at the hands of the Oxnard Police Department. I will talk a little more about that in bit.
I wanted to introduce myself to everyone here. My name is Francisco ‘chavo’ Romero and I am a member of Union del Barrio which has been organizing for over 15 years here in Oxnard against police brutality and injustices against our gente. I am also here today as a member of the Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo, which has for the past 2 years has led some community actions and organizing in defense against the mirgra raids, detentions, deportations and police-migra collaboration, along with this issue, police brutality.
Also, as some of you may know, Robert was my student nearly 12 years ago. He was in the first class that I ever taught in. I shared with you at the rosary that was held the night before we buried Robert, that he was an extremely intelligent young man. He was so advanced for his age in junior high and he always asked of me to give him more challenging work. He came in to class late often, and he only lived a block away! The entire class always loved when he came in and made his daily grand entrance. He always went out of his way to walk around the class and help other students with their work, he would usually help all of the girls in class especially. With a huge smile on his face he would come up to me throwing up his two thumbs up and winking at me, because he was able to get one of the girl’s number.
In fact, this is how we all must remember him I am sure. He was always smiling it seemed, all day and night. He also walked with a flow, a rhythm, a strut. It was as if he had music playing in his head as he danced down the school hallways and down the block in the neighborhood. He was what one would call, a Cool Cat… suave with style. This is how I will always remember him for the rest of my life. In fact, I know he is smiling amongst and within us all here in this placita tonight. He is in our hearts and soul, que no, I am sure you feel what I am saying.
I would like to ask everyone, to close their eyes and envision Robert with us here, or perhaps, take a trip into your mind and play out one of the most fun or happiest times you had with Robert. Maybe he was dancing with you at that backyard boogie, or eating dinner with you, or kicking back at the parque. Close your eyes please in this moment of silence.
Thank you, and with our left fist symbolizing our commitment to struggle and fight to bring justice, we say Rest in Power, Robert Ramirez, Presente! Robert Ramirez, Presente!
Now, this brings me to the political struggle that we are currently waging to bring those that are responsible for Robert’s death to justice.
First, I want to let the Oxnard Police know, please do not come up to us with smiles and try to shake our hands like everything is fine and dandy. It is not… Seven of your officers, on the night of June 23rd, responded to a call where Robert needed medical attention, yet you came full force, surrounded him, brutalized him terribly thereby causing his death. At the order of police chief Jeri Williams, your assistant chief, Scott Whitney authored and pulled a movida, a dirty move, this past Tuesday by releasing the 911 audio of that night. We know clearly that this was done just days before this vigil tonight to cast a negative image of Robert. Rather than face up to the reality of the role the seven cops that arrived at the scene played in his wrongful death, you cops have opted to attempt to discredit and dishonor Robert and his familia! You want to paint Robert as just another young Mexican man that was caught up in drugs and that he was probably just going to die anyways.
You cowards came in rough rugged and raw that night, as usual. Beat down or shoot first, ask questions later, that is how you operate in our barrios. Believe me, I know from personal experience. That is not how cops operate in the rich neighborhoods, best believe this would not happen if the Oxnard PD showed up to Oxnard Shores and some rich white kid was going through the same scenario. I guarantee that the cops would have not even laid a hand on that gabacho. They would have brought in a trained negotiator to attempt to calm things down and deescalate the situation. They would have had the paramedics assist that gabacho on the scene and ensured he made it to the hospital alive and received the highest quality of medical attention, and then rehabilitation programs.
The Oxnard Police on that night, judged, convicted and took Robert’s life, squeezing the last breath out of him by beating him to a pulp. We hear that he might have even been handcuffed already and that Robert screamed for them to stop as the cops proceeded to take cheap shots at him, como cobardes. Robert was denied those privileges afforded to those that have power, the rich and their children.
What we are talking about here tonight is that the very fabric this entire genocidal sistema we live under was woven and is soaked with blood of the indigenous peoples’ and the African slaves by a Culture of Violence that established the laws that govern us today and hire the police that now roam our streets.
What we are talking about here tonight is privilege, racism, and economic/political/social oppression. What we mean by this is that, the police have the privilege of going back home, which is not here. They do not live amongst us; they live as far as they can from us. You better believe that cops would treat our community differently if they lived next door to us. We would know where they live if they even hinted at wanting to brutalize us. We are also talking about the privilege of not dealing with the impoverished conditions the majority of our community struggles with, working the lowest paying jobs, having the least in funding for education, community recreation programs, and employment opportunities for our youth.
Over half of the City of Oxnard budget goes to the Oxnard Police, so that they can put more police on the street to brutalize us, and so that they can buy all of their weapons they use against us. We guarantee you, give us, the community, $10 million dollars per year and we will improve the conditions in our barrios. They won’t give us those resources though, it is controlled by the cops, this city has historically been a white-landowner and police run city and it still is! Usually to get elected around here, you have to kneel and kiss the ring of the cops, power-brokers and their lackeys.
So, we are here tonight to say Ya Basta! We are tired of this systemic, state-sanction terror against our gente. We will at minimum demand for an independent investigation into the death of Robert at the hands of the police. We will demand and organize the formation of an independent Community-Based Police Review Board with the power to fire any cop that unjustly lays their hands or causes harm to our youth, men, or women. We will demand that the killer cops be removed off our streets. We will demand more resources for our communities for youth programs.
We are also here to say, that we will continue to bring justice to the wrongful death of Robert Ramirez, and we will take actions, actions outside of your permission, actions that will disrupt business as usual and that will bring this issue to the front pages of the media for the world to see. We may have to organize a huge marcha and take over the next city council meeting, looking at the council and the chief of police in their face and tell them that we are not backing down. In a recent statement that my organization Union del Barrio published regarding the police-terror against the community in Anaheim when the cops killed two young men, about the same age as Robert, in that statement we wrote:
“The solution to this type of state sanctioned terror is not to slow down. It is not to calm down, and it is not to go home. The only solution is to take to the streets, to organize our neighborhoods, and build the kind of organization and movement capable of fighting on our own terms, for our collective interests and in our own defense.”
Justice for Robert Ramirez and all of the victims of Police Terror in Raza and Oppressed Communities! Que Viva la Raza!
Organize to Resist Police Brutality: Self-Defense is Our Duty and Our Right!
The cold-blooded murder of 26-year-old Robert Ramirez on June 23, 2012, is only the latest incident in a long history of police brutality in our community. Every day in our barrios, workers and youth are subject to state violence which comes in the form of insults, beatings, profiling, harassment, frame-ups, and murder.
In Oxnard, we’re surrounded by modern-day slave plantations while our working-class communities are plagued by poverty. Meanwhile, cops who don’t even live in our neighborhoods patrol our streets like an occupying army, controlling our movement and flow of life through checkpoints, curfews, tickets, and injunctions.
The Oxnard Police Department, the largest and most violent gang in the region, exists for the purpose of spreading terror throughout our neighborhoods and barrios by relying on violence and incarceration for the purpose of keeping our people in line, obedient, and oppressed.
Some people say that the community is to blame, and that gangs and street crime justify the brutal police presence on our streets. This is a slave mentality reflecting media lies that slander all of our youth as potential thugs, junkies, and criminals.
Drugs and street crime are real problems, but the root cause lies with the system itself. Instead of spending our tax dollars on schools or creating jobs and services, politicians have used the police to criminalize and incarcerate some of our most talented youth, ripping apart our community’s social fabric.
“A realistic analysis of who benefits from our oppression will clearly show that the head and heart of our movement must be the community and it is our present unorganized state which allows the police, Migra, and politicians to bully us. History and experience show that unity and organization are capable of transforming a situation of passive acceptance into one where people are able to defend themselves from a position of strength and can take the initiative in the fight for a dignified future. An optimistic, assertive, and self-determined people are capable of overcoming the fear, hostility, and general corruption of those who take aim at us.”
– Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo Mission Statement, “Perspective”
Our community must step up and take the lead in fighting for our dignity. NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE. We have absolutely no reason to peacefully submit to being brutalized or subject to abuse. Things don’t have to be this way: it’s our duty and our right to organize our communities to stand up and build our strength to put an end to police brutality!
Our Demands:
- HANDS OFF OUR YOUTH: No more beatings, profiling, or harassment!
- ACCOUNTABILITY BY THE OPD: Killer cops, off our streets!
- Money for services, not the militarization of our community!
- TRANSPARENCY: We need Civilian Complaint Review Boards NOW!
Colectivo Todo Poder al Pueblo 