Vaya con Dios dear SF Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi. Dear Ross...

... I'm not saying good bye, far from it, I'm welcoming you back to the civilian world -- Which will happen on Friday, January 8 2016 at noon -- and wishing you the best in all of your present and future endeavors. Count me in.

As a community activist, I know that we'll be meeting each other in the same circles, for, how could it be otherwise? Yes, you were what I refer to as a community activist who chose to also run for elected office to represent and serve the people from there, indeed Ross, that's my impression of you.

You were always with the people, in the good times and in the not so desirable ones, no matter the day, or the time of day, you were always there, in those moments of much need of support when we welcome the presence of humans' humane company and solidarity, especially in tragic moments, you were there.

A community's concern translated by you meant the need to do something about it, which you did so many times and sucessfully I might add. Plastic shopping bags poluting our streets, flying around in the wind tunnels that regularly are what we call 'the streets of San Francisco', chocking water fowl and fish in the bay, plugging our sewage systems? Presente! In those concerns you saw the need to do something, you did and it's been working like a charm ever since. Good job Ross.

Displacement of tenants? You were there, and are. Women's rights? You were there, and are. Gay rights? Or closer to me, Transgender issues? You were there, and are. Human and civil rights for immigrants? You were there, and are. Law enforcement and criminal prison system? You were there, and are. I could go on, and on listing all the issues whose concerned advocates can look at you and say, thank you Ross for being there for us.

And there were a few of them who called in the radio program you were on today, Jan. 4, '16. They took the opportunity to say 'thank you' on a day you went on radio, Hecho en California at La Grande, KIQI 1010AM in SF, for the last time as SF Sheriff to say good bye and thank the audience who in large part supported you, as it turns out, callers were the ones who felt they had to recognize your contributions and thank you instead. You were there for us.

Clip of his radio appearance

There is so much to do and the need to do something about it, as you pointed out on the air today, and as you do every time you get the opportunity to speak up. I know that you will continue to work in helping fix our broken justice system, even so you will no longer be an elected official, at least for the time being... (Emphasis added) but I know it will be a blessing in disguise your being out of office, sometimes people are far more effective and hence, successful working form the outside. No doubt you'll help move forward the innovative programs your predecessor, Sheriff Michael Hennessy and you, put into effect in the San Francisco City And County jail system; it is not a jail problem, but an education and training matter in preparing inmates to deal, once released, with the vagaries that life and society present us with on a daily basis.

I'm with you that the drug problem is not a criminal matter, or an enemy that you need to declare war on it, it is a health issue and should be treated as such, by the same token, I'm also with you in that undocumented immigration it is not a criminal issue too, but a labor and human rights matter and that violations to immigration laws, are at worst administrative violations. I'm with you in those as well because you've been there for us in these too.

So, again, welcome to the civilian world and now that you are in between jobs, join us in working from the outside at least for the time being!

I will be in touch...

SF Peaceful march for health care on Sept. 13, 2009

"Hello true believers!"

(View pictures of the event)

With these words, At City Hall, State Sen. Mark Leno, who represents the 3rd Senate District-- including portions of San Francisco, saluted us after our march, of course, it is always a pleasure to give and receive a hug and a peck on the cheek by an old friend who is doing many good things.

I'm so glad I did March, I saw so many beautiful people who are very committed to fight for True Health Care Reform for All.

I got to talk to Elizabeth Ward is a 53-year-old Republican who held a sign stating "Rational Republicans for Reform." - She is part of a disappearing breed, 'Rational Republicans'

I got to talk to members of two sight-seeing groups, from Spain and from Italy, they took pictures of us and maybe wondered: 'what is wrong with this country?'

A middle-aged Italian lady, borrowed my sign for her friend to take a picture of her holding it.

I do not own a camera and I didn't even take pictures with my cell, I was more focused on marching and displaying the signs I made -

I'm terrible at making signs, but they had a lot of work and loving care in them - in one I placed a picture or our dear and, sadly departed friend, Teddy, with the captions "THANK YOU TEDDY, FAREWELL!" "THE DREAM LIVES ON... IN US!", on the lower right hand side in a 8 1/2" by 11" page, I included two quotes from our President:

"If we are'nt willing to pay a price for our values, then we should ask ourselves whether we truly believe in them at all"
-- Barack Obama
From his autobiography "The Audacity of Hope"

The other quote was:

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
-- Barack Obama<> 'February 2008 Election Night'

My intentions for adding these quotes, were not so much to inspire us in following our President's beautiful words, no, quite the contrary, I wanted for us to let him know that we remember the words with which he inspired so many of us, to put aside our cynicism and loss of faith in politicians, and to believe against historical facts, that maybe in him we had found 'un frijol de un kilo' (A bean which weighs one pound (old Mexican saying)), and that he was ready to work with us to make the changes that the people in this country, and the country itself, desperately need.

There was no ambiguity during last year's campaign in what he proposed we would accomplish were he, with our support, be elected President; then, why the ambiguity now?, the parsing of words?, the compromising of the bargain we made during his campaign and which was sealed at the Ballot Box?

I wanted to tell him, yes Mi Presidente, I remember your words and I want to also ask you if you still believe that we must ask ourselves if we truly meant what we said, as you so beautifully stated, I know many of us did and still do, how about you?

Anyway, back to the story about our SF March, staff from the SFSU Student paper were covering it, Martha Vallejo, a staff writer wrote a piece and there were two staff photographers, Anthony Anastasi and Maria Katrina Echon who took some great pictures which they share in a photo gallery.

Well, that's about it on the March for HealthCare in San Francisco, organized out of OFA, except, that I can't get out of my mind the thoughts that I had while we were marching: "Many of us here worked very hard to elect B. H. Obama President and give Dems majorities" And there are many others, millions actually, who did the same, "Where are they?", "Did they lose their hope and faith?", "Did they miss the words 'it is up to you to make change happen' that our candidate kept voicing?"

Oh well, I guess it is much easier to complain that Barack Obama is not doing this, or doing that, hey! What a great way to relieve oneself of any responsibility, isn't?

While it is true that our President and the Dems seem to be ready to throw us under the bus, it is also true that many of us are abdicating our responsibilities inherent in a Participatory Democracy, albeit Representative in large part, it is still supposed to be participatory and allegedly is what we have in these United States of America.

But in any event, it is up to us because we are the stakeholders in this Franchise, yes indeed, we are the Government and whatever is done in our name or happens, it is on us.

There is a quote whose words I have been trying to find out, for quite awhile, who voiced them, Cesar Chavez's name keeps popping in my mind as the possible source, maybe one of us here can help me with it; I include it because I do so happen to believe it to be true, paraphrasing:

'Our Struggle will be lost the moment we take it from the streets to the boardrooms'

Dear Teddy, Until I see you again, I pledge to continue the fight for True Health Reform

There is not much else that I can say, he left us knowing that his dream for health Care reform for all, has not become a reality... Yet.

I pledge to continue this fight until it is won, or until I die.


I strongly suggest to those of us who will be demonstrating on Labor Day, September 7 at Noon in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco, to the hopefully millions who will be marching nationwide on September 13 for true Health Coverage for All and to the ones who make it to the Washington Mall, we dedicate our efforts to Senator Edward Kennedy, not only repeating his words, but living them.

AND THE DREAM LIVES ON!!!

LET'S BRING IT TO REALITY

I, Aurora Grajeda from San Francisco California USA (AKA Tranny and CihuaMexica), pledge to continue the fight he fought for so long until it is a reality... Or till the moment I die!
WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.



Senator Ted Kennedy Speaks at Alaska Democratic Convention in 1968
A proud Liberal then - A proud Liberal all of his life -- A Liberal to his death
Always fighting for equality, for justice and Dignity for All

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy speaks to the Alaska Democratic Party Convention in Sitka on April 7, 1968, shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Senator Kennedy was standing in for his brother, Robert, who'd been scheduled to speak. Courtesy the Alaska State Library Historical Collections. The original material is a 1 open reel video tape in an unusual format, labeled only Ted Kennedy Sitka.

The tape was transferred to an accessible tape format by a contractor specializing in media conservation. When we watched the video for the first time, we were quite surprised, says Damon Stuebner, Media Specialist for the Alaska State Digital Archives program.

For being a 40-year-old video tape, it is in near perfect condition.

"BROADCAST BLUES" San Francisco Premiere

Broadcast Blues wins Laurel at Sacramento International Film Festival!

After winning the "Outstanding Environmental Vision" Award at the Sacramento International Film Festival, this high impact Documentary, 4 years in the making and directed by Emmy Award Winner Sue Wilson, is coming to San Francisco's Victoria Theater after a successful premiere in Sacramento on March 22nd 2009 at the Crest Theater

The San Francisco Premiere will be on June 28th 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

In a film review by Gary Chew in Sacramento on March 15, 2009, he had this to say:

In another effort to describe what happens in a society that vigorously embraces the laisse-faire when it comes to the notion that bigger is always better, northern California independent journalist, Sue Wilson almost bites-off more than she can chew with “Broadcast Blues.” In just under 75 minutes, this new documentary chronicles a long list of the electronic media’s snowballing shortcomings over the last three decades.

Broadcast Blues” tackles corporate media growth and consolidation, deregulation, the Fairness Doctrine, manipulation of news content, indecency, the importance of broadcast Localism, how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responds to citizens who petition it---and more.

I had the opportunity to preview the documentary and I found it gripping; while Broadcast Blues is about the Media Consolidation, about the abuse and misuse of the privilege we give them to transmit over 'our' airwaves, more than anything else, it leaves you with the awareness of the harm it does to our Democracy, to our well-being and that of future generations, it is about the 'dummbing down of America' in order to acquire more power, more control of politics and policies, a dive to the bottom line of obscene profits - Broadcast Blues is a call to Action to get back what is rightfully ours, for our own sake.

This film is for both, the barely informed people on this issue and for the super informed ones, I highly recommend it - I thank and applaud Sue for another outstanding production of her illustrious filmmaker career.

In addition to the great success in Sacramento, she had the distinction of being targeted and attacked by Rush Limbaugh, who did the right thing in following the suggestion that 'when you have to pick a fight with someone, you always engage your better', way to go "Rush", you just may learn a few things sorely missing in you understanding of what a true Democracy is and what The United States of America is supposed to be, get enlightenment on the principled heights we aim to reach and the Ideals we passionately embrace.

PRESS RELEASE / COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

for immediate release

The Movie the Media Does Not Want You to See!

Broadcast Blues blows the whistle on today's media madness, from the rise of Rush Limbaugh to the court ruling that news does not have to be true. This documentary is everything TV and Radio owners do not want you to know, so Common Cause and the Media Alliance are making sure you get a chance to see it, and find out what you can do about it.

Public Interest Pictures' Broadcast Blues features Danny Glover, Naomi Judd, Phil Donahue, Helen Thomas, Amy Goodman and many others. But it's stories of real people who have been damaged and even killed by reckless broadcasters that steal the show.

This special screening of Broadcast Blues will be held 4 PM Sunday, June 28, at San Francisco's Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street, at the 16th St BART station. Tickets are $12 at the box office, or $10 in advance at www.commoncause.org/broadcastblues .

Directed by Emmy winner Sue Wilson.

"We the People are taking the media back."

# # #

---

para distribución inmediata

La película que los medios de comunicación no quieren que usted vea!

Broadcast Blues suena el silbato en la locura que son los medios de comunicación de hoy, desde el ascenso de Rush Limbaugh en la radio hasta a el fallo judicial de que las noticias no tienen que ser verídicas. Este documental es todo lo que los propietarios de la televisión y la radio no quieren que usted sepa, por lo que Common Cause y la Media Alliance se están asegurando de que usted tenga la oportunidad de verla y saber lo que usted puede hacer al respecto.

Broadcast Blues de "Public Interest Pictures", Presenta a Danny Glover, Naomi Judd, Phil Donahue, Helen Thomas, Amy Goodman y muchos otros. Pero son las historias de personas reales que han sido dañados e incluso asesinados por los imprudentes organismos de radiodifusión, los que se roban el show.

Esta proyección especial de Broadcast Blues se llevará a cabo el Domingo, 28 de junio, a las 4 PM en el Teatro Victoria de San Francisco, en el 2961 de la calle16ª, cerca de la estación del BART de la 16 ª. Los boletos son $ 12 en la taquilla, o $ 10 por adelantado en www.commoncause.org/broadcastblues.

Dirigido por la receptora del premio Emmy, Sue Wilson.

"Nosotros, el Pueblo, estamos reclamando los medios de comunicación"

# # #

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Workers Without Borders, United in Struggle: San Francisco Mayday '09 March

Other Mayday and we march again in cities throughout the Country, in San Francisco, once more, we will be starting from my favorite Park, the beautiful Dolores Park on the corner of 18th & Dolores.

For many of us, this park has spiritual significance, for centuries this is where the bones of native ancestors were laid to rest and, in our time, this is where we have ceremonies in observance of Native Americans Traditions.

Appropriately this is where we, their descendants in the struggle gather in our quest for fairness and justice.

Dolores Park -- officially Mission Dolores Park -- is named after Mission Dolores, established by Spanish missionaries in 1776. Native Americans of the Ohlone tribe inhabited the area for several centuries before Spanish missionaries arrived. The Ohlone shared the land with Spanish ranchers and shopkeepers until the 1849 Gold Rush, when new settlers, gamblers, and tavern keepers flooded San Francisco.

San Francisco, a city of Immigrants, a city of Workers, the city of Saint Francis of Assisi, once more honors it's tradition as the accepting place we have come to know and love.

A city of workers where we have written a history of struggle, sacrifice and advances for the betterment of all, is writing another chapter in solidarity, honoring our worker tenet that "An Injury to One, Is An Injury to All", this year Union and Non-Union workers will be marching shoulder to shoulder making the statement that "Native or Foreign Born, We Are The Same Working Class" ("Nativa o Extranjera, La Misma Clase Obrera")

The AFL-CIO and Change to Win, the nation's top two labor federations announced a framework for comprehensive immigration reform, setting aside differences with the hope of pushing legislation through this year.

Bravo for Organized Labor for finally doing the right thing, yes indeed, a worker, is a worker, is a worker, period.

Immigrant Rights Groups and Unions in the Bay Area have announced their support for the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) . Workers Without Borders, United In Struggle is a coalition of organizations representing of the different communities advocating for the rights of immigrant and workers, and currently is organizing the May 1^st March in San Francisco.

“We want to show that we support the initiative for the liberty of all the workers in this country to decide to collectively organize in unions to improve their standard of life.”

An historical alliance during a Mayday March in a city where Labor and Immigrants have made our mark and have established San Francisco as a city of Workers and Immigrants and where the Honorable Board of Supervisors in a Resolution, Proclaimed May 1st 2008 to be "International Workers Day, affirming San Francisco as a Sanctuary City and urging the Congress of the United States to repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005"

Sf Mayday09 Flier Eng

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Sf Mayday09 Volante Esp

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Sfbos Mayday08 Intl Workers Day Resolution

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Infamous day for the SFPD, arresting a 9 year old boy & followed by brutality.

NOTE: UPDATE FROM A.N.S.W.E.R AT FOOT OF POST WITH PRELIMINARY VICTIMS AND ARRESTS COUNT - SEEKING EYEWITNESS TO THESE EVENTS.

Yesterday (March 21, 2009), I attended the action organized by the ANSWER Coalition in SF against the 6 year-old occupation of Iraq, what started as a day with some drizzle, turned out to be beautiful weather for a peaceful demonstration / rally at Civic Center Plaza.

It was peaceful in spite of a couple of dozens pro-Iraq occupation counter-protesters, waving Israeli flags, and the usual verbal exchanges between the two sides across a cops-lined Polk street.

I started hearing that the cops were arresting a young boy behind the stage, I was located to the left of the stage as you face it and saw that there was a commotion to my right and saw cops and ANSWER Security volunteers moving toward the side where I was, the group marched and continued to an area to the left of my location, I started to shot video with my cell camcorder as I moved toward the area where they had stopped.

As you will see in the video, the group was calm, I started to hear that the cops had decided not to arrest the boy after all, while I have not confirmed that this is what happened, this was indeed the info that was circulating among the people around me.

One of the cops in the back of the group, relative to my location, can be seen given instruction to the other officers, then he moves in to where the boy and what I assume was his mother, were starting to leave walking in my direction, the cop intercepted the boy and started to push him to the back and right, members of the group started to yell in protest of the cop's action, what happened next was chaotic, to put it mildly, the other officers charged the group, pushing them as other cops converged in a flash, pushing, shoving and clubbing people in what appeared to me to be in a undiscriminated and unwarranted fashion.

As a eyewitness to these events, in my opinion, the police over-reacted and their actions were totally disproportionate to the situation, they inflamed an, albeit emotionally charged, peaceful conditions, into a melee where police abuse of force can be seen.

SF Cop moves in to arrest 9 year old boy

In this clip (1 of 4), a Cop moves in to arrest 9 year old boy - 032109 SF Anti Irak Occupation March & Rally

This is one of the clips I shot with my cell camcorder during the protest in SF against the 6th year occupation of Irak, some of it was done with my hand over the head trying to aim by feel, sorry if I miss the heads of participants in some scenes but by chance I got some of
the action.

As a witness, in my opinion, the cops' actions were unprovoked and disproportionate to the situation, they over-reacted, although to call it over- react may not be the correct term to use, a more accurate description would be to say 'they acted'

On this clip, you can clearly see how all was relatively calm, as the video rolls, there was a small cluster of people and cops on the street, the young boy they wanted to arrest, his mother? when the young woman, the boy and a young man started to walk away because I believe the decision was made not to arrest the boy, a cop on their right moved in to stop them and push the boy back, from then on, as you know, was very chaotic, anyway, this is the clip that captured some of that action.

UPDATE: This video taken by Meklorka of same scenes but clearer.

- Here is a completely unedited video of the very beginnings of this confrontation, which clearly shows the police attacking the crowd without provocation. The situation began when it was announced from the stage that the police were trying to arrest a nine year old Palestinian boy for reasons they would not divulge. A crowd of people rushed over to video tape and witness what was going on.

UPDATE: This video taken by herbnotbombs is more complete in that it shows the very beginning, it also includes the scenes of the other two videos above.

- The video start after the police have plucked the boy from the other demonstrators, from here they walked in the direction where I was located, you can see that all was calm, you can see protest's volunteers talking to officers in what appear to be negotiations to not have the boy arrested. The peaceful discussion continued until one cop goes and talks to a grup of officers and then moves in to detain the young boy, this scenes ware the ones captured by the videos above.

Young man arrested - cop with loaded grenade launcher

- In this clip (3 of 4), I captured some of the activity when a young man was arrested and at the end he was led away, somewhere in the middle of the clip, there is cop with a fully loaded grenade launcher and two more grenades on the butt of the launcher, he looked very menacing,on two times I focused on him, you will catch a brief sights of another cop on his right with what appears to be a belt full of grenades

Seeking Eyewitnesses & Video of Mar. 21 SFPD Attack; Demand Release of Those Arrested San Francisco police arrested 10 people and assaulted many more during and after a permitted March 21 rally in the Civic Center marking the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Dozens of people suffered bruises, cuts and other injuries in unprovoked attacks. The police particularly focused their attack on young Palestinians and other Arab Americans. As of this writing, eight of those arrested remain in jail, all but one facing felony charges, their average bail is set at $50,000. One of the women arrested remains hospitalized for a head injury inflicted by an SFPD officer. The ANSWER Coalition, which was one of the central organizers of the March 21 march and rally is calling upon everyone to take action. What follows are: 1) An appeal for anyone who has eyewitness testimony and/or video to call the National Lawyers Guild Hotline; and 2) An appeal from Arab American community organizations to make calls to the offices of the Mayor, District Attorney and SFPD demanding that charges against all those arrested at the March 21st rally be dropped and that they be immediately released. Legal Update from the National Lawyers Guild on Mar. 21 Anti-War March in S.F. There was a large amount of police violence at yesterday’s anti-war rally and march. The SFPD arrested ten people. Five are being held on felony Lynching and Resisting charges after a skirmish with police in the Civic Center. Their bails are $53,000 each. At least one woman reportedly suffered a head injury during the arrests. During the same incident SFPD also reportedly seriously injured two women who were not arrested but were hospitalized with numerous injures including reports of head trauma and multiple broken bones. Another five people were arrested in the BART station as the rally was ending after an incident involving pepper spray. Police arrested five Arab youths who were reportedly the victims of the pepper spraying. Two of them who were under eighteen were released to their parents; the other three are being held on Battery and Conspiracy charges also with bails of $53,000 each. The NLG and legal volunteers are keeping track of evidence concerning these arrests. If you witnessed the incidents or know anyone who did, please have them call the legal support hotline at 415-285-1011. The NLG will also be looking for lawyers to help with arraignments anticipated for next week. Immediate Action Alert from Arab American Community You can use the following to call or email city officials about the March 21st arrests: Hi my name is____________________________. I am calling about the arrests of: Mustafa Albouyha Majdi Abu Hamdieh Elizabeth Haskell Mohammed Ibrahim Nadeen Elshorafa These individuals were wrongfully arrested while participating in a legal, peaceful march yesterday. We are demanding that the charges be dropped immediately and that they be released to their families. Make your call immediately to all of the following: SFPD Public Affairs (415) 553-1651 (ph) (415) 553-9229 (fax) sfpd.online@sfgov.org SF District Attorney Bureau of Investigation: (415) 553-1030 Public Inquiries: Erica Terry Derryck (415) 553-1167 Connie Chang (415) 553-9108 Mayor Gavin Newsom (415) 554-6141 gavin.newsom@sfgov.org If you find out any update about these arrests during your calls, please let us know by calling (510) 534-7933. Additional calls for action are to follow. Forward Widely
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Act Now to Stop War & End Racism http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org http://www.answersf.org answer@answersf.org 2489 Mission St. Rm. 24

Coalition of Migrant Grupos celebrate the United Nations International Day of the Migrant

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el Dia del Migrante Internacional/International Day of the Migrant Coalition of Migrant Grupos celebrate the United Nations International Day of the Migrant By: Marlon Crump/PNN Sunday, December 28, 2008; "S.F.P.D, don't conspire with I.C.E!" (Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) "No Human Being is ILLEGAL!" "Stop Illegal Raids!" "Municipal I.Ds NOW!" "Free Trade is not Fair Trade!" "Newsom, meet with us your constituents! 40% of all San Franciscans are Immigrants!" The sounds of these protest signs by numerous Immigrant Rights protesters and supporters couldn't have spoken louder than the outcries of the protesters, themselves. These signs, carried by protesters and supporters took their siege on the steps of San Francisco City Hall on a nippy, dew-dropped sunshine-shifting, Thursday afternoon, in response to the sieges/ raids (deportation) that were unrelenting against migrant workers, at the hands of I.C.E (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The lack of intervention(s) by the City of San Francisco itself, vs the immediate intervention and outrage for numerous San Franciscans, shows everyone that once again the real power comes from the voice and actions of the People...........not the politicians. This day of December 18th, 2008 marked the day of the International Migrants Day as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly. This was also a landmark, in sink with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which celebrated its 60th anniversary a week ago. As "proclaimed" by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as race, color, or national origin." The ongoing battle/movement for the Rights of Undocumented migrant Families, Youth, Workers, and people in general in the face of City, State, and ultimately the U.S Government continues. This year's Migrants Day occurred at a time when S.F's Immigrant Community is facing unbearable budget cuts to critical public services. Today's Migrants Day also occurs at a time where the Human Rights of all Undocumented Immigrants are constantly under attack, alongside of the budget cuts. "My basic concern is that they (I.C.E) are deporting the Youth, 12 and up." Ray from H.O.M.E.Y (Homies Organizing the Mission and Empowering Youth) explained to me as I kept my other ear to the rally. "They're deporting these kids to unfamiliar countries with no money, no clothes, and no families to go to once they get to that country that they are deported to." H.O.M.E.Y was just one of the estimated 30 organizations that saturated the steps of S.F City Hall to voice their total opposition to the rampant attacks against Undocumented Immigrants. Teresa Molina of POOR Magazine's Voces de Inmigrantes en resistencia program which teaches POOR Magazine’s brand of revolutionary – change journalism to migrant workers was there with me re-porting and sup-porting on the important action for PNN. "Young Latino people are being picked up (racially profiled) by the S.F.P.D for small offenses." Abigail Trillin from the San Francisco Immigrants Legal Services explained to me. She further explained that minor offenses often turn into felonies, which then are reported to I.C.E by the S.F.P.D. Constant questionable traffic stops of people of presumed Latino ethnicity have not gone unnoticed as well. Elizabeth Alexander of the Central City Collaborative (also in attendance) brought awareness of this issue to me, a few weeks ago as I strolled through the Tenderloin District on my way to a meeting. "We've had multiple cases of young looking Latino men being stopped and accused of running red lights and having expired tags." said Barbara Lopez, of La Voz Latina Project of Tenderloin Housing Clinic. "They (S.F.P.D) are pretexts to uncover unlicensed drivers and tow their cars." The San Francisco Immigrants Rights Defense Committee has revealed a platform of proposals to make Dignity a matter of Equality, and Due Process of law a reality for all San Franciscans, including Immigrants. In recent months, the administration of S.F Mayor Gavin Newsom has taken a number of measures that have had a wounding impact on Immigrant Families and threaten to undermine the fundamental Human Rights principles in San Francisco . The Committee calls on the City of San Francisco to do the following: * Uphold the 1989 Sanctuary City Ordinance, including ending Racially Biased Policing and all law enforcement's harassment. * Revise San Francisco 's new Juvenile Justice policy, implemented this past July, because it denies due process to Immigrant Youth by requiring that probation officers refer these youths to I.C.E.........before a hearing. (Undocumented Immigrant Youth breaking the law must be routinely processed through Family Court, not the Adult Criminal Justice System, as it now stands). * Announce a specific date for the implementation of the Municipal ID program. * Advocate to stop Federal Immigration raids, and any S.F.P.D collaboration with I.C.E. that tears Immigrant Families apart. * Preserve funding for essential services for all, including Immigrant Youth and Families. As I continued the painstaking process of reporting and supporting, the chants tremendously increased solidarity for the Rights of Undocumented Immigrants, deafening my eardrums: "Who's City?" " Sanctuary City !" "Who's City?" " Sanctuary City !" "As proud San Franciscans, we're just asking for the right to be accepted." Adoubou Traore, executive director of the African Immigrant and Refugee Center said to me, amidst the crowd's chants. "If our rights are violated, there is NO due process. Africans are the most recent group of immigrants to San Francisco . We intend to fully participate in its community." Se ve, Se siente" "El Pueblo presente esta" "We are greatly alarmed by what is a growing climate of fear and repression that is taking over our communities." Lamoin Werlein-Jaen from the Unite Here Local 2 Restaurant Hotel Worker's Union stated to me. He expressed his growing concern to the crowd regarding the I.C.E raids, and the rapid, subsequent retaliation ramifications , retaliations that are often aimed at the Undocumented Immigrant Community, should they so much as demand their right to their very own Rights. "¡Si, Se Puede!" "¡Si, Se Puede!" "For me, it is very significant that today's event really showed all of the suffering and struggles that the Youth, Families, and people who are affected by the raids are going through." Teresa Molina of POOR Magazine De Voces Immigrantes said, with a bit of hope towards the end to the I.C.E. raids. "As a Christian Minister and follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that when we welcome the stranger in our midst, we are welcoming God among us." Reverend Brenda Vaca of Nueva Vida Ministries said to me "In the Christmas Season, we remember a young family wandering in the cold night looking for a warm place to rest. Jesus and his family were migrants." There were numerous members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, themselves that were apparently in support of Migrants Day and the end to the criminalization of the Undocumented Immigrant Community: Supervisors Chris Daly, Jake McGoldrick, Ross Mirkarimi, David Chiu, the recently elected Eric Mar, John Avalos, and David Campos were in attendance. All of them voiced their concerns, and support for Undocumented Immigrants' Rights. Supervisor-elect David Campos for District 9 gave assurance to everyone in attendance that he would exhort his fellow board members to push towards ending the attacks on the Undocumented Immigrant Community, speaking as a former Undocumented Immigrant himself, from the country of Guatemala . "We will NOT accept second class status!" Campos ' voice splashed into the crowd. Campos informed everyone that on January 15th, 2009, the issue of "Municipal I.Ds" and the Public Safety Committee will be presented on the Board of Supervisors' Item Agenda list for review.(On public television broadcast.) Another S.F Supervisor Elect, Eric Mar of District ended his support speech: "Keep holding us supervisors accountable!" MORE STORIES: el Dia del Migrante Internacional/International Day of the Migrant el Dia del Migrante Internacional/International Day of the Migrant Es pura basura/Its Pure rubbish! Es pura basura/Its Pure rubbish! Fue la noche, una noche muy oscura/It was night, a very dark night Fue la noche, una noche muy oscura/It was night, a very dark night MUERTE LIMITE PARA TRASCENDER/DEATH To Transcend MUERTE LIMITE PARA TRASCENDER/DEATH To Transcend Ahora todo lo que tenemos es nuestra memoria de el./Now all we have is his memory... Ahora todo lo que tenemos es nuestra/Now all we have is his memory... What NAFTA did to the Campesinos... What NAFTA did to the Campesinos... We Move Migrant Movement Melt the ICE Derretiendo el ICE /Melt the ICE Amores Sin Fronteras Amores Sin Fronteras Criminalizing Poor People means criminalizing all people Criminalizing Poor People means criminalizing all people 21st Century Slavecatchers 21st Century Slavecatchers The Violence of ICE The Violence of ICE The Son of a Filipino Immigrant The Son of a Filipino Immigrant They appeared out of nowhere and pointed their guns at us Aparecieron derepente y nos apuntaron sus armas Don't Run/No Corran-Una campana educativa de emergencia Don't Run/No Corra-Una campana educativa de emergencia Palabras de Resistencia de Medios/Words of Media Resistance Palabras de Resistencia de Medios/Words of Media Resistance Derramando mas sangre inocente/Shedding More Innocent Blood Derramando mas sangre inocente/Shedding More Innocent Blood Imaginese si ese era usted Imaginese Si Ese Era Usted Las Gallinas De Ingrid-La Verdadera Historia! (Ingrids Chickens- The True Story!) Las Gallinas De Ingrid La Verdadera Historia! (Ingrids Chickens- The True Story!) From Guatemala.. From East Oakland... The Journey of two poor mothers De Guatemala...al Este Oakland....El Viaje de dos pobres madres (From Guatemala..From East Oakland .. The journey of two poor mothers)

POOR MAGAZINE IN THE NEWS:
Power in Prose, Venise Wagner, San Francisco Chronicle
LA Times-Hard News, Maria L. La Ganga, LA Times
What It Means To Be Poor, Nina Siegal, SF Bay Guardian
Poor Magazine gives a fresh, vibrant voice to the poor,Emily Gurnon, San Francisco Examiner

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La Política en las redadas de ICE

El dia 22 de Octubre del 2008, ICE efectuó 17 operativos de redadas en la ciudad de San Francisco, en los distritos del Bay View, Tenderloin y Mission.

Ese mismo día, El Movimiento por Una Ammistía Incondicional (MUA) y ALDI, lanzaron una convocatoria para un Rally para el día siguiente, Octubre 23 a las 4:30pm.

La siguiente grabación es una entrevista con el Sr. Miguel Pérez de MUA:
(mp3)

Octubre 23, 2008 - 630 Sansome St., San Francisco - Photo: Aurora Grajeda

Según los reportes preliminares, los agentes de ICE actuaron de una forma brutal, destruyendo objetos en por lo menos una vivienda y decomisando aparatos electrónicos, en la familia que radica en esta dirección, vari@s son ciudadan@s de los Estados Unidos.

Existen muchas preguntas que deben tener respuestas, como mencionó el Sr. Pérez, los detalles hasta el momento, aún no están claros.

Miguel también habla de como esta clase de operativos, dan paso a cobertura en los medios, especialmente las personas que tienen una agenda preconcebida y que parece que se les pegó la aguja, como es Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer, este 'señor', parece que se quiere especializar en cubrir noticias que de una forma ú otra tienen que ver con imigrantes y los encabezados de sus reportes siempre tienden a ser políticamente inflamatorios, como este último "MS-13 gang suspects arrested in Bay Area raids", en el mismo artículo, reporta que también hubo redadas en Richmond y South San Francisco, además de que Oficiales de la Policía de Richmond asistieron a los agentes de ICE, la policía de South San Francisco confirmaron que también hicieron lo mismo y de acuerdo con el vocero del Alcalde Gavin Newson de SF, Nate Ballard, dijo que el SFPD a trabajado con las autoridades Federales por años en el caso y que "Están orgullosos del trabajo investigativo en el que nuestro departamento de policía ha estado envuelto" (Mi única fuente sobre las redadas en Richmond y SSF es este artículo - Espero confirmación)

Cabe mencionar, que este 'señor', no hace mencion alguna de los métodos abusivos usados por Agentes de ICE, que se han descrito como brutales.

Estaremos pendientes de los pormenores de este caso, reportandolos en cuanto sean de nuestro conocimiento, es de nuestra incumbencia y responsabilidad, el reportar 'el otro lado de la moneda'

Aurora Grajeda
SFCA 102408