Democrats Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Attorney General and candidate for Governor Jerry Brown and Democrat Obama's drug czar Gil Kerlikowski oppose Proposition 19 while all Peace & Freedom Party and its candidate for US Senate Marsha Feinland and Green Party candidates support Prop 19 which ends the prohibition on marijuana, thus ending the police state and its prison-concentration camp system. Are you still registered Democrat? The California Democratic Party is officially "neutral" on this crucial anti-police state measure because the Democratic Party, like the Republican Party, proudly supports the prison-concentration camp system which depends upon the drug prohibition laws to feed it slaves, all at taxpayer expense. Senator Feinstein has co-signed the ballot argument against Proposition 19. See http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=8257 On Democrat Obama's opposition to Proposition 19, see: http://stash.norml.org/the-hill-obama-drug-plan-firmly-opposes-legalization-as-california-vote-looms On the California Democratic Party's neutral position, see: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/18/local/la-me-pot-dems-20100719 On the opposition of Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer to Prop 19, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_19 and http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_19,_the_Marijuana_Legalization_Initiative_(2010) THIS IS NOT A MINOR ISSUE; THIS IS OUR TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT TO BUILD 20 PLUS PRISONS WHILE ONLY 1 UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN BUILT SINCE THE 1980S. This is, as the NAACP states in support of Proposition 19, a civil rights issue. Promoting prisons is FASCISM. Are you still registered Democrat? The contrived excuse is that the Democrats like to cater to the fascists. NO SANE OFFICE HOLDER HAS ANY BUSINESS CATERING TO FASCISTS WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. As to conservative voters, San Diego and Orange Counties, two of the most conservative counties, supported Proposition 215 in 1996 whih legalized medical marijuana because the medical doctors supported medical marijuana. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_215_(1996) and http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/1996-general/1996-general-sov.pdf THESE DEMOCRATS CALL THEMSELVES LIBERALS WHEN THEIR OPPOSITION TO PROPOSITION 19 MAKES CLEAR THEY ARE FASCISTS. Feinstein, Boxer and Brown are all primary leaders of the Democratic Party and thus it is clear that the Democratic Party, like the Republican Party oppose Proposition 19 because they are fascist, pro-police state parties. When drugs are legalized, the major one being marijuana, that is the end of the prison-concentration camp system and its police state, all by definition anti-workingclass and racist. Our tax dollars will finally go to schools and social services. Supporters of Proposition 19 may be found at: http://www.taxcannabis.org/ The Green Party and all its candidates support Proposition 19. See http://www.cagreens.org/elections/2010/Propositions.November.shtml Peace and Freedom Party and all its candidates support Proposition 19. See http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/2010/propositions Marsha Feinland of Peace and Freedom Party is running against Democrat Barbara Boxer for US Senate. She supports Proposition 19 as a supporter of the entire P&F platform. See http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/2010/us-senate/marsha-feinland Yes on 19! Marsha Feinland for US Senate! Vote Peace & Freedom or Green!

Southern California Immigration Coalition- SCIC is going to Arizona. Be at Arizona July 29 to stop SB1070

Cost $35.00 per person

Meeting place is Centro Cultural Francisco Villa
2100 Maple Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90011

We leave Wed night July 28
We return Thursday night July 29.
Please RSVP right away.
phone # 323-602-3425

Many of us in the peace movement are well into our eighth year of protesting the Iraq "war" on a weekly basis. Naturally, these vigils have become a bit burdensome at times--but for me, the Xmas Day vigils are a great way to start the holiday and to capture the spirit of "peace on Earth." Locations of our December 25 vigil have changed over the years. Yesterday, we had it in Eagle Rock. Six of us turned out. While many passersby were non-committal, many others gave us peace signs (and we exchanged waves with a police car). A few even thanked us for being there. Many of ours signs addressed the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, but support for same-sex marriage was also prominent.

(JAI: I am afraid that the writer gives much too much attention to myself. For the record, I was and am one of the founding members of RAC. However, the credit for the idea and the work, the heart and the soul must go to my comrade, Mauricio. The first week of August marks 2 years and 9 months that RAC has 'served the people' every Sunday averaging well over 100 people with a workforce of 20-25 volunteer members of RAC. The Google translation is extremely rough (as for where it says that people come to "beg" for food. Anyone who has been to the Food Program knows better than that. We do thank the writer and his photographer.) Voluntarios operan su banco de comida La Opinion 7-18-10 P3A http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/la-california/2010/7/18/voluntarios-operan-su-banco-de-199790-1.html Cerca de 200 personas hacen fila cada domingo en el parque para recibir su caja de frutas y verduras. Los alimentos son donados por abarroterías que ya no pueden tenerlos en sus mostradores. Ciro Cesar/La Opinion 1/2 Empezó como una acción personal, de buena voluntad de John A. Imani hace aproximadamente dos años, y con el tiempo se le han unido otras personas. Es una obra de voluntarios. Todos los domingos, Imani y un puñado de estos descargan cajas con verduras y frutas en un costado del parque MacArthur, y las donan a las personas que las necesitan. Casi el 100% de estos son hispanos a quienes la situación económica ha arrastrado a aceptar alimentos regalados. El proyecto empezó con diez cajas, y ahora rondan el centenar. Frutas, verduras y legumbres. "Hemos visto hasta 200 personas que vienen a pedir comida", explicó Imani, que vive en el Sur de Los Angeles. Calcula que hasta ahora ha llevado a cabo 150 donaciones. A su obra se han ido sumando decenas de colaboradores. Al principio algunos de ellos se le acercaron para pedir alimentos, ahora echan una mano proveyendo a otros. "Míre, están contentos de ayudar", comentó Imani señalando a los voluntarios.. Uno de ellos es René Jijón, que se unió al grupo de Imani hace dos o tres meses. "Empezamos a las 9:30 y venimos terminando a las tres o las tres y media", explicó. Según él, el proyecto de banco de comida fue creciendo con el desempleo. El trasfondo de su esfuerzo es el descalabro económico de los dos últimos años, que según los economistas se expresa en la tasa más alta de desocupación desde los días de la Gran Depresión. En estos días, los bancos de comida, sancionados o no, proliferan. Imani recolecta los alimentos de abarroterías y otros negocios, que donan productos que ya no pueden tener en el mostrador porque ya están un poco pasados. A primera vista, sin embargo, las frutas y verduras desplegadas en la grama del McArthur se miran bien. Ciertamente los que las llevan a casa para alimentarse no le encuentran reparo. Antonia Samudio, que vive con su hija en un complejo de apartamento en la calle Beverly (a unas cuadras del McArthur), dijo haberse enterado del reparto por boca de una pareja en la calle. "Es el primer día que vengo", dijo. Foodbank de Los Angeles, una despensa humanitaria que opera en el condado anticipa que este año la persistencia del desempleo creará una situación difícil en la provisión de alimentos, especialmente en lo que concierne a niños y personas de la tercera edad. Según la fundación, uno de cada siete angelinos padece de hambre en la actualidad. Gracias a la ampliación de un programa del Gobierno Federal de donación de alimentos conocido como CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program), Foodbank Los Angeles empezó a llegar a más lugares, y con más frecuencia, donde se necesitan alimentos. Pero la necesidad es enorme, y mientras la economía no se recobre, los bancos de comida no institucionales como el de John Imani van a seguir activos. Empezó como una acción personal, de buena voluntad de John A. Imani hace aproximadamente dos años, y con el tiempo se le han unido otras personas. Es una obra de voluntarios. Todos los domingos, Imani y un puñado de estos descargan cajas con verduras y frutas en un costado del parque MacArthur, y las donan a las personas que las necesitan. Casi el 100% de estos son hispanos a quienes la situación económica ha arrastrado a aceptar alimentos regalados. El proyecto empezó con diez cajas, y ahora rondan el centenar. Frutas, verduras y legumbres. "Hemos visto hasta 200 personas que vienen a pedir comida", explicó Imani, que vive en el Sur de Los Angeles. Calcula que hasta ahora ha llevado a cabo 150 donaciones. A su obra se han ido sumando decenas de colaboradores. Al principio algunos de ellos se le acercaron para pedir alimentos, ahora echan una mano proveyendo a otros. "Míre, están contentos de ayudar", comentó Imani señalando a los voluntarios.. Uno de ellos es René Jijón, que se unió al grupo de Imani hace dos o tres meses. "Empezamos a las 9:30 y venimos terminando a las tres o las tres y media", explicó. Según él, el proyecto de banco de comida fue creciendo con el desempleo. El trasfondo de su esfuerzo es el descalabro económico de los dos últimos años, que según los economistas se expresa en la tasa más alta de desocupación desde los días de la Gran Depresión. En estos días, los bancos de comida, sancionados o no, proliferan. Imani recolecta los alimentos de abarroterías y otros negocios, que donan productos que ya no pueden tener en el mostrador porque ya están un poco pasados. A primera vista, sin embargo, las frutas y verduras desplegadas en la grama del McArthur se miran bien. Ciertamente los que las llevan a casa para alimentarse no le encuentran reparo. http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/la-california/2010/7/18/voluntarios-operan-su-banco-de-199790-1.html Google Translation: Volunteers operate the food bank Vegetable boxes are distributed on Sunday at MacArthur Park About 200 people line up every Sunday in the park to get a box of fruit and vegetables. Food is donated by grocery stores that they can not have them in their desks . Ciro Cesar / La Opinion 1/2 It started as a personal action, goodwill by John A. Imani about two years ago , and over time has been joined by others. It is a work of volunteers. Every Sunday , Imani and downloaded a bunch of these boxes with vegetables and fruit on the side of MacArthur Park , and donated to people who need them. Almost 100 % of them are Latinos who have dragged the economic situation to accept food gifts . The project began with ten boxes , and now are around a hundred. Fruits , vegetables and legumes. "We have seen up to 200 people who come to beg for food , "said Imani , who lives in South Los Angeles. Estimated that up to now has carried out 150 grants. In his work have been added dozens of employees. At first some of them approached him to ask for food, now providing a helping hand to others. "Look, are happy to help, " Imani said pointing to the volunteers .. One is René Jijón, who joined the group Imani two or three months ago . "We started at 9:30 and we have been closing at three or three and a half , "he explained . He said the food bank project was growing unemployment. Underlying their efforts is the economic downturn of the last two years, which economists say is expressed in the highest unemployment rate since the days of the Great Depression. These days, food banks , sanctioned or not proliferate. Imani collects food from grocery stores and other businesses who donate products no longer can have on the counter because they are a little old . At first glance , however , fruits and vegetables displayed on the lawn of McArthur look good. Certainly those who take them home to eat do not find shelter. Antonia Samudio, who lives with her daughter in an apartment complex in Beverly Street (a few blocks from McArthur ) , said he learned of the deal by the mouth of a couple in the street. "It's the first day I come , "he said . Foodbank Los Angeles, a store operating in humanitarian County anticipates that this year the persistence of unemployment will create a difficult situation in the food supply , especially in regard to children and the elderly. According to the foundation , one in seven Angelenos suffering from hunger today. With the extension of a Federal Government program known as food donation CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) , Foodbank Los Angeles began to reach more locations and more often , where food is needed . But the need is enormous, and as the economy recovers , the non-institutional food banks as John Imani will remain active . It started as a personal action, goodwill John A. Imani About two years ago , and over time has been joined by others. It is a work of volunteers. Every Sunday , Imani and downloaded a bunch of these boxes with vegetables and fruit on the side of MacArthur Park, and donated to people who need them. Almost 100 % of them are Latinos who have dragged the economic situation to accept food gifts . The project began with ten boxes , and now are around a hundred. Fruits , vegetables and legumes. "We have seen up to 200 people who come to beg for food , "said Imani , who lives in South Los Angeles. Estimated that up to now has carried out 150 grants. In his work have been added dozens of employees. At first some of them approached him to ask for food, now providing a helping hand to others. "Look, are happy to help, " Imani said pointing to the volunteers .. One is René Jijón, who joined the group Imani two or three months ago . "We started at 9:30 and we have been closing at three or three and a half , "he explained . He said the food bank project was growing unemployment. Underlying their efforts is the economic downturn of the last two years, which economists say is expressed in the highest unemployment rate since the days of Great Depression. These days, food banks , sanctioned or not proliferate. Imani collects food from grocery stores and other businesses who donate products no longer can have on the counter because they are a little old . At first glance , however , fruits and vegetables displayed on the lawn of McArthur look good. Certainly those who take them home to eat do not find shelter.

What’s happens to a Korean trans woman when she accompanies her sister to the public bath? On August 28, 2010, the Trans/Giving arts collective presents its second annual TG Film Fest. The festival, held at the Renberg Theater (LA Gay and Lesbian Center, 1125 N. McCadden Pl, Hollywood, CA), continues to showcase entertaining, poignant, and intriguing visions from the queerest part of the LGBT spectrum. The suggested donation is $20, with no one turned away for lack of funds. “Blink” comes from Silas Howard, whose “By Hook or Crook” won the Best Feature Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. Iris prizewinner Lee Mi-Rang’s “The Bath,” is the festival’s first film from Korea. Calpernia Addams, the real-life subject of the Emmy-winning “Soldier’s Girl,” receives dating advice in “Transproofed.” Zsa-Zsa Gershick’s bladder-wrenching “Door Prize,” won for “Best Short” at the 2010 Kansas City Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. From food to dating to bathrooms and yes, even sea cucumbers, the festival promises affirmation and surprises for everyone. Outside the theater, there will be a DJ and live performances in the LA Gay and Lesbian Center Courtyard from 11:30 am to 9pm, with vendors selling art and crafts. Trans/Giving is an award-winning series that showcases the immense talent of trans, genderqueer, and intersex artists from Los Angeles and around the world. “As a DIY collective, Trans/Giving does not charge admission to its events, but a $20 donation helps us continue to bring incredible festivals like this to the community,” says Cohen. Since 2003, Trans/Giving has created a space for trans, genderqueer, and intersex artists to connect with audiences in southern California. watch the Q&A from last year's TG Film Fest at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYs1s5lG060

EPCC NEWS July 16, 2010 CARSON UNVEILS DRUG FREE CITY WARNING SIGNS Carson—The City of Carson has just achieved another milestone in ordinance making. On July 15, the city has just declared Carson as a drug-free city. In a simple but well attended program that was held at the front courtyard of Carson City Hall, the City officials led by Mayor Jim Dear and Elito Santarina, Mayor Pro tem unveiled the drug-free city warning sign acclaimed by the cheering public. On April 16, 2010 the Carson City Council unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance that declared Carson as a “drug-free city and to provide enhanced penalties for the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession and illegal use of controlled substances. Including in the ordinance is the a series of Special Monitoring Areas (SMA’s) and the placement of the warning signs that says “ Drug Free City along city limits. A Haka Dance was performed by Maoris of New Zealand. Youths from AADAP who speak-out on the program voiced out their support for the drug-free ordinance. Richard Bis and Carol Almeda of AADAP were the emcees.

Photos from the Oscar Grant protest outside of The Los Angeles Court Bldg on the day of the verdict against Johannes Mehserle.

EPCC NEWS July 12, 2010 The Lotus Festival Minus the Fireworks. And the Lotus Los Angeles—If you want an example on how the City and the Mayor of Los Angeles treats the Asian Americans just look at the Lotus Festival last July 10-11, 2010 in Echo Park. The Lotus Festival is taunted to be the Los Angeles’ annual tribute to cross-cultural Asian heritage. This year it reemerged in Echo Park this weekend after a one-year hiatus but still without one significant participant — the lotuses. What Kind of Tribute? The 32-year-old festival has grown over the years from a modest one-day event to a weekend-long extravaganza that has attracted as many as 150,000 people. This year, organizers said they expected roughly 30,000 visitors. Formerly the City of Los Angeles is responsible for the Festival started by API non-profits. But last year it was canceled. They say due to lack of funds and the city's budget problems. But the question asked is that why did the city did not cancel the CInco De Mayo or the Broadway Festival? IS there money for Latinos but not for Asians.? This year. the festival was put t on by the nonprofit L.A. Lotus Festival Inc. and the city's Department of Recreation and Parks. But because of the scaled-back budget, organizers canceled the dragon boat races and the fireworks show and didn’t set up the children’s courtyard. The Lotus Festival without the Fireworks At this Lotus Festival ,the food vendors were back, hawking everything from pad Thai, to halo-halo, (a Filipino ice cream treat) and other fare. Singers, dancers and martial artists filled the stage. And festival-goers wandered through booths looking at art work and exotic birds. The saving grace for this year was that the People's Republic of China or PRC was the showcase of this year's Lotus Festival. The Chinese are the largest Asian nationality in the United States and in Los Angeles. This year's festival featured the arts and culture of the PRC. Much to the consternation the small anti-communist island of Taiwan or the Nationalist China. Still. a lot of people had a lot of questions about the missing events like the youth stage, the dragon boat races and most of all the fireworks that the people enjoy. What added to the woes was that even the traditional Fourth of July at Dodgers were absent. Yes, if there is something missing in the Lotus Festival it is the fireworks. " We missed the fireworks ( traditionally on Saturday nights) and the dragon boat races, but they’re happy the festival is back," But Where are the Lotuses? But while hundreds of people were out enjoying the sunshine, food and performances Sunday afternoon, there was one pressing question: Where were the lotuses? The pink and white blossoms once blanketed the lake. The plants were not only bright spots of color but a piece of Echo Park history, believed to be descendants of lotuses brought from China in the 1920s. But there was not a lotus bud to be seen this weekend, or for the last three years. City staff and festival organizers have given a number of possible explanations, including bacteria and chemicals in the water and non-native turtles or as the old wags says “The Asians are eating the plants.” In 2006, California identified Echo Park Lake as an impaired water body. But in 2011, Los Angeles plans to kick off an ambitious rehabilitation that will include bringing back the lotuses. The $65-million project will be funded by bonds approved in 2004 for clean-water projects. But the City have a ready solution to this problem. But his will cost money again. This time, they will import the Lotus bed. The flowers will come not only from China but also from Thailand, Bangladesh and other Asian countries, said Annamaria Galbraith, supervisor with the parks agency. The project’s target completion date is spring 2013, in time for the Lotus Festival. *******

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmlbiNAiyeg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUk3PH1_H4A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMdXgPiptl8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHP1kjrQXqw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpmJiaLo88w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRpBkDZfbG0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaAOeCLdRks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4U7eSL9ihs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj3khrl_nP4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hLILlMXzfc

I was injected forcibly and forced medical procedures at the LA VA Westwood in April of 2001. The LA VA Westwood was ordered to stop forced medical procedures in 1999 due to the deaths of some "alleged" heart patients. I am Kurt Brown, alias Saint Ram Bone, an investigative journalist and formerly an FDIC bank examiner. I survived an attack on my life in February 2001 while investigating an FDIC murder labeled suicide of a regional director. The federal police ignored my calls for help. When you have no police back up, you have no choice but to stay alive. I used to carry a gun. They tortured me for owning one and for investigating their sanctioned murders. I no longer believe in the lies of safety and truth that they try to make us believe in. We are on our own. Protect your own. Caste setting has set in. Poverty for all who fall under their charms.

EPCC NEWS June 18, 2010 LAKERS WIN, LA FOLKS RIOTS Los Angeles-- As the EPCC NEWS expected, the Los Angeles Lakers victory in the NBA championships ended with the Los Angeles Police Department officers clashes with rowdy fans. The EPCC said, "this is only a symptoms of the economic crisis and the people's anger on the stringent budget cuts, public services cut and higher rates that the government ( from the federal to the city) is imposing on the people of LA. Don't ever believe the official line that the Lakers victory is the sole cause of these disturbances." The EPCC NEWS noticed that the LAPD brought large numbers of officers into the Staples Center area hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's looting and violence. This was the magnet for violence. The mere presence of the police incites people to attack the LAPD. Most of the fans went on a rampage in some parts of downtown L.A., throwing rocks, shattering windows, rocking cars and setting fire to at least one vehicle and several other objects. At Figueroa Street and Venice Boulevard, police fired less-than-lethal rounds at fans after they overturned a city parking enforcement vehicle and set fire to orange fire cones. Among other incidents: --The YMCA at 11th and Olive was attacked by crowds who smashed windows and tagged walls with graffiti. --Crowds rocked and jumped on cars around Figueroa Street and nearby roads. --A KCAL-TV Channel 9 news van was attacked by a crowd, which smashed its windows. --Groups were seen in several downtown locations knocking down news racks, throwing bottles at officers, setting off firecrackers and defacing signs. LAPD reaction The LAPD was making numerous arrests, but the exact number was not immediately available. Police were able to clear the areas around Staples Center and the L.A. Live shopping complex. But the crowds moved into surrounding neighborhoods, causing problems. Some fans ran onto the freeway. Police Chief Charlie Beck expressed general satisfaction with the way the massive police force was handling the challenge of dispersing 20,000 people and tamping down several violent groups. "Obviously, some people didn't heed our admonishments to celebrate safely, but unlike last year this has never gotten out of control. This has been a controlled exercise in crowd control. Unfortunately, we've had to manage some people more than we would have wanted." ******

Numerous LA organizations including LA CAN, CES, Bus Riders Union, Vecinos Unidos, South Asian Network, SAJE, and others (please add in comments) marched to Councilmember Eric Garcetti's home to send him a message about his "flip-flop" vote on a 4-month freeze on rent increases at larger rent-controlled apartments on May 21.

During the city council meeting, the discussion and vote on the freeze was delayed, and the period for comments was cut very short. Consequently, activists, who had waited some five hours to speak, were frustrated in their appeal; protesters staged a sit-in, and police came in, used small scale "riot squad" techniques to attack protesters, and arrested three people.

Eric Garcetti had originally been in favor of a rent freeze, but changed his vote. The rent freeze proposed was for four months, and would prevent a scheduled increase in rent on rent-controlled properties with more than four rental units. 4-plexes and smaller were exempted and could increase rents a scheduled 3%.

Problematic for Garcetti is the fact that he's considered the most visibly "liberal" member of the City Council. Members who voted for the freeze were Alarcon, Hahn, Huizar, Krekorian and Wesson. Notably, members who voted against a freeze and are representing other low-income tenant-dominated districts were Parks, Perry, and Reyes.

References
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2010/05/239243.php http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/22/local/la-me-0522-council-rent-20100522 http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7455676

This case is of utmost importance since it is the first time in the history of California that a police officer is being tried for murder while on duty.

Media Release Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) June 14, 2010 Los Angeles, CA JFAV /AWARE Marked the 65th Year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass in Los Angeles Los Angeles—Scores of veterans and widows, advocates and guests marked the 65th year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass, June 14, 1945 with a simple program, Monday, June 14, 2010. The rites was held at the Church of the Nazarene Hall Social Hall at 3401 W.3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020 at around 9:00 AM. After the opening invocation given by Pastor Sonny River, the guests of honor , the Philippine Consul General Los Angeles, Mary Jo B. Aragon spoke about the significance of the Battle of Bessang Pass. The Consul General Aragon pointed out “ The Battle of Bessang Pass in June 14, 1945 is the only military victory of the Filipinos Arms against the Japanese imperial forces in World War II. The division size all Filipino forces was led by five American officers.” Media man Romy Borje, in an emotional tone, son of the Hero of Battle of Bessang Pass, Major Eduardo Borje spoke about his father’s role in the great battle. Then Major Borje, a battalion commander led the charge at Bucual ridge at the Battle. Romy Borje showed the group pictures of Maj. Borje and his group after capturing Bessang Pass. Mel Ilomin, field representative of Senator Gil Cedillo of the 22nd District of California awarded certificates to AWARE and JFAV. He called on the community to kept on remembering and working for community empowerment. Significance of the Victory at Bessang Pass, 1945 The victory at Bessang Pass in 1945, avenged the defeat at Bataan when it surrendered on April 9, 1942 when the Filipino and American forces where forced on a Death March to Capas, Tarlac. More than 30,000 Filipino and American died during this 65 kilometers force march. The victory at the Battle of Bessang forced Japanese General Tomuyaki Yamashita, the “Tiger of Malaya” to surrender to the USFIP-NL later in Kiangan, Ifugao on September 6, 1945. Bessang Pass is the last line of defense of the Japanese Imperial Army in Northern Luzon during World War II. It was a military holiday in the Philippines by President Elpidio Quirino in 1952. But even the AFP do not celebrate it today. Only the surviving veterans and their advocates here in the U.S. commemorates the event since its 60th anniversary in 2005 in Los Angeles. For more information please call Al Garcia at (213)241-0995 or email at jfav_us@yahoo.com

Maschi has lived within David Dreier’s district for almost ten years and went to speak with him about issues unrelated to disabilities. Maschi is partially disabled and uses a cane or crutches to walk. In order to get to his Representative’s office he had to painfully climb the stairs. Numerous federal laws require public accommodations to be accessible to people with disabilities. Likewise, people with disabilities must be able to access these accommodations in order to apply for work or, if hired, to work. More, were a fire or other emergency suddenly occur, the physically disabled may not be able to exit via the stairway quickly enough to prevent injury or death. Maschi is currently looking into a variety of legal options. It is unconscionable that Representative David Dreier, an elected federal employee, would intentionally disregard the civil rights of disabled people by locating his public office, financed by our tax dollars, in an inaccessible place. Dreier should immediately apologize to his constituents and either install an elevator in this building or relocate.

Media Release Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) June 10, 2010 Los Angeles, CA JFAV /AWARE Marks the 65th year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass in Los Angeles Los Angeles—Honor our Veterans,Celebrate their victories! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) will mark the 65th year commemoration of the victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass, June 14, 1945 with a commemorative program Arturo P. Garcia , JFAV national coordinator and Mrs. Lulu Astilla, AWARE president announced that the commemorative event will be held on Monday , June 14, 2010 at the Church of the Nazarene Hall at 3401 W.3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020 at around 9:00 AM. The confirmed guests of honor are Philippine Consul General Los Angeles, Mary Jo B. Aragon, Mel Ilomin, field representative of Senator Gil Cedillo of the 22nd District of California and Romy Borje, son of the Hero of Battle of Bessang Pass, Major Borje. Significance of the Victory at Bessang Pass, 1945 The Battle of Bessang Pass in June 14, 1945 is the only military victory of the Filipinos Arms against the Japanese imperial forces in World War II. The division size all Filipino forces was led by Col. Russel Volckmann of the USFIP-NL. This victory avenged the defeat at Bataan when it surrendered on April 9, 1942 when the Filipino and American forces where forced on a Death March to Capas, Tarlac. More than 30,000 Filipino and American died during this 65 kilometers force march. The victory at the Battle of Bessang forced Japanese General Tomuyaki Yamashita, the “Tiger of Malaya” to surrender to the USFIP-NL later in Kiangan, Ifugao on September 6, 1945. Bessang Pass is the last line of defense of the Japanese Imperial Army in Northern Luzon during World War II. More than 2,000 Filipino soldiers died in a the four month battle. The USFIP-NP is an all Filipino army division except for the five American high ranking division officers during the war. It was a military holiday in the Philippines by President Elpidio Quirino in 1952. But even the AFP do not celebrate it today. Only the surviving veterans and their advocates here in the U.S. commemorates the event since its 60th anniversary in 2005 in Los Angeles. The ceremonies will start at O9:30 AM. We call on all veterans of this campaign to please attend and wear your veterans uniform or veterans cap. The JFAV will also discuss our current case against the DVA for denied claims. For parking please enter at Juanita Street where the parking lot is located ). For more information please call Al Garcia at (213)241-0995 or email at jfav_us@yahoo.com

EPCC NEWS June 07, 2010 ( Note; We published the letter of Traci to the family of John Delloro, a union leader who passed away unexpectedly. We pay tribute to this great guy -Editors) Saturday, June 5, 2010 Dearest Mina and Malcolm, I'm sure this finds you alongside a large pile of notes, letters, and cards on your dad for you and your mom. I wanted to share some thoughts with you - thoughts that will surely live among an infinite number of countless stories that so many of us out here in the world have about your dad. I hope they all reach you, hold and lift you with the love we have for him and all of you. This is just one of an innumerable many. I met your dad when we were both in college. He was a fresh, young and fiery organizer at UCLA and I was a curious student at Cal State Fullerton in Orange County. I was going all the way to UCLA from Fullerton just to be around the great energy of new friends working for the justice, peace, health and happiness of all. It was a profound time of finding I was not isolated, not such a minority after all - there were many others who saw the identity of all people-loving people as their own. Ryan Yokota, Alyssa Kang and others introduced me to great folks and spaces around the campus community there. On some random day in the spring when I was ditching class back in Orange County I was reading material from a table at a community fair on the UCLA campus. This guy asked me if I had heard about the Jessica McClintock campaign and I of course knew nothing. He spent the time right then and there to break it down to me - the campaign, the garment industry, the bigger picture. It made complete sense and there was urgency and care because this guy was talking about real people. He introduced himself to me...John Delloro. He asked me what he asked many students that day, "What are you doing tomorrow?" There was a march the next day at the Jessica McClintock boutique in Beverly Hills - you could pull up and a valet would come to park your car for free while you step out right in front of the boutique to join the rally. And so I did. I got out of my car to hear the chanting, led by an impassioned voice who was singing, really. That was your dad. Not only was he singing and yelling those chants, he was dancing, running, jumping about in a tight formal dress and makeup on his face to make the most riveting and compelling chant leader I'd seen or heard before or since. There was a reason why Jesse Jackson called your dad the "Asian James Brown" - he truly is one of the best organizers around. Not just for his style in breaking down the information with ease and clarity, and leading chants in the platform of song and theatre, but for his passion in building the most of all important things - real relationships and understanding each individual's personal story. He was humanity. He was dignity and respect. He was love for all people. And he loved you all so very much. After his first heart attack, he was constantly reflecting on how he would change his lifestyle out of full-time union organizing in order to take the time for his health, for you. Of course, he never really stopped being a "full-time organizer", but he was always dedicated through and through to doing it better in order to be there for you. Whenever we got together, whether to just hang out or to meet about a project or one of his classes, every extended conversation would inevitably lead to how he was trying to make smarter decisions for the sake of his health because you all were his main priority above all else. Susan, Mina, Malcolm - I know I am far from being alone in offering my full support and love for all of you. I promise you, Mina and Malcolm, I will tell you every story I can ever remember about your dad and from your dad about you. I promise to support you as you grow up and continue to share these stories with those I grow with - he will continue to live on through you and all of us. It is because of him that this world is not only better off, but it is because of him that we may continue. As much as many of us had big plans with him in the mix, we will find ways for him and because of him. Honestly, I don't, at the moment, know how I will do that without him, but that's just because I don't want to. No matter what was going on or how much work need be done, he always took the time to ask if i was happy and good and doing well. For everything he is to all of us, this is a change I'm not quite ready for. But I trust we will all keep on keepin' on together, and with your dad alongside us in our spirit and our hearts. Your dad is one of the biggest reasons I am inspired to move and keep moving. I have so much love and care for you, we all do. Please know you will all have us in your corner as you grow. With great respect and love, traci akemi

ALLIANCE PHILIPPINES Statement May 31, 2010 HUNDREDS PROTESTS ISRAEL'S GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY IN LA Los Angeles-- More than three hundred protestors turned out in an emergency protest action called by ANSWER-LA at the Zionist consulate in Los Angeles, afternoon of Memorial Day, May 31. An Al Awda Speaker said: " There is only one Al Awda, we will never abandon our right to return." He also proclaimed that " We are all Palestinians!" Another speaker, Tracy Winograd, a candidate for congress in the November election stated her support for the stop on Zionist Israel war against the Palestinian people in Gaza. ANSWER LA leader Cory Esguerra lambasted Israel's disregard of international and humanitarian laws by its dastaradly attacks on the international aid mission. The hundreds of protestors flew big and small Palestinian and Turkish flags. Many of those killed were Turkish activist and this prompted Turkey to condemn Israel's action.They occupied both sides of the Wilshire Avenue with absence of the usual Zionist counter-protestors in LA. Gunboat Diplomacy on the high seas Meanwhile the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) in the e United States, condemns Israel and its major backer- the United States in committing a blatant of piracy in international waters by attacking ships that is supposed to aid the blockaded people of Gaza.The raid cause the death of 10 people. The Alliance (AJLPP) also said that the incident just goes to show that the imperialist powers and its Zionist puppet Israel uses gunboat diplomacy and acts of high seas piracy for their selfish ends, and are still using it today. Historically, people should be reminded that the United States forced open Japan and China in the 1800's, attacked the Spanish Empire in Manila Bay, Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico in the early 19th century and gained colonies through gunboat diplomacy. They have blockaded China in the 1950's , Cuba and North Korea in the 1960's and all their enemies with their naval fleets and air forces and even their armies to starve the revolutionary nations but they failed. The progressive people of the world will not tolerate modern acts of piracy in pursuit of their " national interests." STOP THE BLOCKADE OF PALESTINE! FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE! ************

HUD's Public Housing Privatization Scheme "PETRA" Is Rejected May 27, 2010 Petition In Opposition To The Privatization Of Public Housing Feel free to sign a petition in opposition to the Obama Administration’s Transforming Rental Assistance (TRA) initiative to privatize public housing by clicking on the following link below... http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-public-housing.html >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (Press Release) Congresswoman Waters Expresses Concerns about Changes in Public Housing Programs Washington, May 25 - 2010 http://waters.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=187239 Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) today expressed concerns about the Obama Administration’s Transforming Rental Assistance (TRA) initiative which would make changes in the nation’s public housing programs.  At a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee, Congresswoman Waters – who chairs the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee – identified several areas of concern about the “Preservation, Enhancement, and Transformation of Rental Assistance Act of 2010”, legislation designed to implement TRA.  She outlined her objections both in a statement and while questioning Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), following his testimony. Congresswoman Waters’ statement follows: I appreciate Secretary Donovan joining us for today’s hearing on the Transforming Rental Assistance Initiative (TRA). TRA is designed to change the funding structure of the public housing program so that housing authorities are able to charge market rents, enabling them to receive a greater subsidy. Its other purpose is to enable the Department to consolidate its different rental programs into one. However, I have serious concerns about this proposal and how it would impact our public housing stock and the 1.2 million families who call this resource home. Instead of receiving operating and capital funds from HUD, housing authorities would now have a long-term project-based assistance contract which would allow them to mortgage their public housing developments. I am very concerned about this aspect of the proposal. First, I have questions about replacing public housing – which for the most part is affordable into perpetuity – with long-term contracts with a finite term. Under HUD’s proposal, housing authorities would enter into 20 or 30 year contracts with HUD and at the end of that term, the owner would either renew the contract or allow it to expire, giving the tenants vouchers. We know that this model doesn’t work. For example, as Ms. Montanez will testify on the second panel, since 1996, 400,000 affordable housing units have left HUD’s inventory. This is why Chairman Frank has worked for several years on legislation that would encourage more owners to remain in the program when their contract expires. Second, I am very concerned about the bill’s one-for-one replacement provisions. The bill would allow developments in areas with an excess supply of affordable housing to replace 50 percent of public housing with vouchers. If TRA is supposed to preserve public housing, I fail to understand why vouchering out that housing is necessary for its preservation. Third, I am concerned about what happens to public housing in the event of a foreclosure or bankruptcy. Right now we are in the middle of the worst foreclosure crisis this country has ever experienced. Many lenders made loans that simply weren’t sustainable and homeowners subsequently defaulted on those loans. While the foreclosure of one home may be a tragedy, it is an event that only affects one family. The foreclosure of a public housing development would have a devastating impact for dozens – and in some cases – hundreds of families.  Finally, I am concerned about whether or not this proposal represents the privatization of public housing. I think there is value in public housing, particularly in the fact that it is “public” in the sense that its owners – housing authorities – are not profit driven. Public housing is very effective at serving the “hard to house” population – people who for one reason or another, can’t navigate the private rental market. Allowing the private sector to enter may provide housing authorities with more capital, but for-profit actors will be looking for a profit. Neither this Congress nor this Administration should allow anyone to profit at the expense of public housing residents. Many housing advocacy organizations from across the country submitted written statements for the hearing record opposing TRA, including the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness and other Los Angeles housing and human rights organizations. >>>>>>>>>>>> (Berkeley Daily Planet) The Far-Right Policy Shift to Privatize 1.2 Million Public Housing Units By Lynda Carson Tuesday May 25, 2010 In a stunning move that targets the poor, the Obama Administration is pushing hard to privatize our nations 1.2 million public housing units, in addition to proposing a radical change to the way 13 major federal subsidized housing programs including the Section 8 voucher program, are being funded by congress. Click below... http://tinyurl.com/37gabru >>>>>>>>>>> (Indy Bay News Wire) HUD's far-right policy shift to privatize 1.2 million public housing units by Lynda Carson -- May 25, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/25/18648805.php >>>>>>>>>> (Maxine Waters - AOL News) SAVE AMERICA's PUBLIC HOUSING - No on PETRA! - NO on TRA! Click below... http://news.aol.ca/topic/maxine-waters/?topicid=3035077634 >>>>>>>>>> (Truthout) HUD is Trying to Privatize and Mortgage Off All of America’s Public Housing Click below for full story by George Lakoff... http://tinyurl.com/35vwfku >>>>>>>>> (Common Dreams) HUD is Trying to Privatize and Mortgage Off All of America’s Public Housing Click below for full story by George Lakoff... http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/05/21-1 >>>>>>>>> Open Letter To President Regarding PETRA Legislation Click below... http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/1516821 >>>>>>>>> (Progressive Radio Network) Obama Administration on the Verge of Giant Sell-Out to Conservatives -- How to Stop Them MAY 24, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/36ksdmc >>>>>>>>>> (Around Harlem.com - The Voice of Urban America) PETRA — Is the Future of Public Housing in Jeopardy? by APRIL DAVIS on MAY 23, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/2f932tc >>>>>>>>>> Residents of Public Housing In Richmond Against Mass Eviction May 23, 2010 Click below... http://rephrame.blogspot.com/ >>>>>>>>>>> (Open Left.com) Privatizing public housing--Obama's "Shock Doctrine" march to the right of Bush by: Paul Rosenberg Sat May 22, 2010 at 12:00 http://tinyurl.com/248kqko >>>>>>>>> Report: Public Housing Works, When You Invest In It Saturday 22 May 2010 by: Jamilah King  |  ColorLines Click below... http://tinyurl.com/2be32rd >>>>>>>>> LA's Project Tenants Mobilize Against HUD's Transforming Rental Assistance Initiative (Low-income tenants feel sold out, don't want Section 8) Bell Gardens Sun - Gloria Angelina Castillo - ‎May 6, 2010‎ By Gloria Angelina Castillo, EGP Staff Writer Click below... http://egpnews.com/?p=17943 >>>>>>>>> Berkeley Housing Authority Commissioner lashes out at critics by Lynda Carson -- May 12, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/12/18647741.php >>>>>>>>> (Street Spirit Newspaper - May 2010) Housing Officials Charged With Conflict of Interest in Plan to Terminate Berkeley's Public Housing Click below, see bottom half of page two... http://tinyurl.com/2f3ad8t >>>>>>>>>> (Street Spirit Newspaper - April 2010) Berkeley Officials Act to Terminate Public Housing Click below, see page two... http://tinyurl.com/29kur9f >>>>>>>>> (Street Spirit Newspaper -- February 2010) Berkeley Public Housing Tenants Demand Resignations Click below, page two... http://tinyurl.com/26lbu82 >>>>>>>>> Oakland Housing Authority ducks question of public housing privatization By Lynda Carson -- May 5, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/05/18647046.php >>>>>>>>>> Conflict of interest corrupts Berkeley's public housing privatization scheme By Lynda Carson -- April 29, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/04/30/18646238.php >>>>>>>>>> (Daily Californian) Housing Authority Considers Privatizing Low-Income Units By JASMINE MAUSNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Monday, April 26, 2010 Plans to privatize 75 low-income public housing units in Berkeley, long opposed by tenants and local housing advocates, took another step forward as housing officials heard a proposal from a private developer during a special meeting Friday. Click below for full story... http://www.dailycal.org/article/109260/housing_authority_considers_privatizing_low-income >>>>>>>>>> (Berkeley Daily Planet) Using Section 8 funding to dispose of Berkeley's public housing By Lynda Carson Tuesday April 27, 2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/2c6mwrr >>>>>>>>>> (Indy Bay News Wire) Using Section 8 funding to dispose of Berkeley's public housing by Lynda Carson -- April 26, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/04/26/18645740.php >>>>>>>>>> (WEAP) ICF International's Carole Norris moves to terminate Berkeley's public housing program By Lynda Carson
IndieBay
April 20, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/2b25e7n >>>>>>>>>>> (San Francisco Bay View Newspaper -- April 12, 2010) Berkeley public housing residents were not informed of their rights by Lynda Carson Click below... http://tinyurl.com/3alm4qa >>>>>>>>>>> (Urban Habitat) Efforts to terminate Berkeley's public housing program has stalled Dateline: 04/09/2010 Source: Indy Bay News Wire. by Lynda Carson Click below... http://urbanhabitat.org/node/5335 >>>>>>>> (Indy Bay News Wire) Efforts to terminate Berkeley's public housing program has stalled by Lynda Carson -- April 9, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/04/09/18644143.php >>>>>>>> (Oakland Post -- Berkeley Tri City Post) BHA intends to terminate it’s public housing program Posted by admin on April 5th, 2010 By Lynda Carson Click below for full story & photo... (a.k.a. Berkeley's public housing residents were not fully informed of their rights) Click below... http://www.postnewsgroup.net/postnewsgroupcom/?p=5939 >>>>>>>> (Indy Bay News Wire) BHA's public housing residents were not informed of their rights By Lynda Carson -- March 29, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/03/29/18643284.php >>>>>>>> (Urban Habitat) BHA attempts to block residents from buying their long-time public housing units Dateline: 03/25/2010 Source: Indy Bay By Lynda Carson Click below... http://urbanhabitat.org/node/5318 >>>>>>>> (Indy Media) Nonprofit developers want Berkeley's public housing, without the poor by Lynda Carson Click below... http://indymedia.us/en/2010/03/41344.shtml >>>>>>>> (WEAP) Nonprofit Developers are Interested in Berkeley's Public Housing, Minus the Poor By Lynda Carson -- March 21, 2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/ybp6krd >>>>>>>> Berkeley's scheme to privatize public housing, double-crosses the poor By Lynda Carson -- March 16, 2010 Click below.... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/03/16/18641467.php >>>>>>>> Mayor Tom Bates may have appointed BHA chair commissioner to annihilate Berkeley's public housing program By Lynda Carson -- March 24, 2010 http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/03/24/18642787.php >>>>>>>> (SF Bay View) Berkeley Housing Authority's shady operations -- San Francisco Bay View March 6, 2010 -- According to documents recently released online by the Office of the City Manager in Berkeley, the Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA) may ... By Lynda Carson Click below for full story... http://www.sfbayview.com/2010/berkeley-housing-authority’s-shady-operations/ >>>>>>>>>>> (Urban Habitat) Berkeley Housing Authority's shady operations Dateline: 03/06/2010 By Lynda Carson Berkeley – According to documents recently released online by the Office of the City Manager in Berkeley, the Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA) may receive kickbacks from a local non-profit housing developer in a scheme to privatize, revitalize and sell off its public housing. The scheme involves a vice president of consultant ICF International.
 Click below... http://urbanhabitat.org/node/5270 >>>>>>>>>>> (Oakland Post) BHA May Get Benefits From Privatizing It's Public Housing Sites by Lynda Carson -- March 5th, 2010 Click below... http://www.postnewsgroup.net/postnewsgroupcom/?p=5249 >>>>>>>>>>> Shady operations in the Berkeley Housing Authority, may involve ICF International by Lynda Carson -- March 3, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/03/03/18639429.php >>>>>>>>>>> BHA may get kickbacks for privatizing it's public housing sites by Lynda Carson -- February 28, 2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/02/28/18639061.php >>>>>>>>>>>>> (Post Group Newspapers) Berkeley Public Housing Tenants Demand Resignations by Lynda Carson -- February 1, 2010 Click below... http://www.postnewsgroup.net/postnewsgroupcom/?p=4853 >>>>>>>>>>>>> (Berkeley Daily Planet Newspaper) Berkeley to Sell Off Public Housing Stock By Riya Bhattacharjee Berkeley Daily Planet -- Thursday January 07, 2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/yb6hupx >>>>>>>>>>>>> Local Housing Authority Plans To Privatize Units
 Stephanie Baer, The Daily Californian, 1/21/2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/yhngdxo http://www.dailycal.org/issue.php?id=2391 >>>>>>>>>>>>> Tenants Rally Against Sale Of Public Housing
 Riya Bhattacharjee, Berkeley Daily Planet, 1/21/2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/ybvsjdn >>>>>>>>>>>>> City's Plan To Sell Public Housing Raises Tenants' Concern Stephanie Baer, The Daily Californian, 1/20/2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/yhyzsk9 >>>>>>>>>>>>> BHA attempts to block residents from buying their long-time public housing units Dateline: 03/25/2010 Source: Indy Bay By Lynda Carson Click below... http://www.urbanhabitat.org/node/5318 >>>>>>>>>>>>> (Indy Bay News Wire) Berkeley's public housing residents oppose privatization of their housing by Lynda Carson ( tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com ) Saturday Jan 2nd, 2010 4:50 AM Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/01/02/18634048.php >>>>>>>>>>> (California Black Media) Berkeley Public Housing Residents Oppose Privatization Friday, 08 January 2010 09:32 By Lynda Carson ... Click below... http://tinyurl.com/yzp9sa3 >>>>>>>>>>> (Berkeley Daily Planet Newspaper) Partisan Position: Residents Oppose Privatization of Berkeley Public Housing By Lynda Carson Berkeley Daily Planet -- Thursday January 07, 2010 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/yajn84p >>>>>>>>> (Berkeley Post Newspaper) Berkeley’s public housing residents oppose privatization By Lynda Carson -- January 6 - 12 Click below... http://tinyurl.com/ybhkhgk >>>>>>>>> Commentary: Berkeley’s Public Housing Residents Oppose Privatization Of Their Housing Lynda Carson, Bay Area Indymedia , 1/1/2010 Click below... http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/news/print.asp?id=30236 >>>>>>>>> (SF Bay View Newspaper) January 4, 2010 Berkeley’s public housing residents oppose privatization By Lynda Carson Click below... http://tinyurl.com/y874tvm >>>>>>>>>>>>> (January 23, 2010 -- San Francisco Bay View Newspaper) Berkeley public housing tenants demand resignations by Lynda Carson Click below... http://tinyurl.com/yfrtwvq >>>>>>>>>> Berkeley Public Housing Tenants Demand Resignations
 Lynda Carson, Bay Area Indymedia, 1/20/2010 Click below... http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/01/20/18635737.php >>>>>>>>>>>>> (Los Angeles Indy Media) Berkeley public housing residents demand resignations 
by Lynda Carson Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM Click below... http://la.indymedia.org/news/2010/01/234245.php >>>>>>>>>>>>> News > Housing - The Daily Californian A plan to sell Berkeley's 75 public housing units to private developers was approved by the Berkeley Housing Authority in December...Read More" ... Click below... http://www.dailycal.org/category.php?id=21 >>>>>>>>>>>>> (Urban Habitat) Berkeley's public housing residents oppose privatization of their housing Dateline: 01/01/2010 Source: Indy Bay By Lynda Carson Click below... http://www.urbanhabitat.org/node/5073

Los Angeles Right to Housing Collective Fights for Tenant Rights City Council and LAPD respond by betraying tenants and arresting three LA CAN members City Council made tenants wait over five hours before declining to vote on a moratorium against rent increases. Instead, Council President Eric Garcetti introduced a motion to send the issue back to committee. The motion passed 10-5, essentially ensuring rents will go up for most tenants on July 1st. The votes in favor of tenant rights were Councilmembers Alarcon, Hahn, Huizar, Krekorian and Wesson. When tenants voiced their anger, frustration and disappointment by chanting loudly in Council Chambers, Acting President Dennis Zine ordered Los Angeles Police Department to remove tenants from council. About 30 LAPD officers began roughly forcing tenants out of Council chambers. One Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN) member was forced to the ground against a wall by several officers, his tee shirt ripped almost in two, and another was hog tied after being roughly pulled to the ground by his neck. Another disabled female LA CAN member was arrested solely for shouting at Council that this was all Council’s fault. More than four hours later, all are still being detained and LAPD claim they are being “processed.” City Council spent the first two and a half hours of the meeting giving out ceremonial awards, making hundreds of people who had come to Council wait. Although the chambers were 90% filled with people interested in the moratorium, on either side of the issue, Council heard several other items before finally hearing the item. The measure would have suspended an automatic 3% rent increase for four months, with an exemption for “mom and pop” landlords. Tenants asked for this relief because the rent increase, usually based on the Consumer Price Index, was negative .6 last year and so they did not believe landlords should be entitled to an increase. In the 25 years since the 3% “floor” was enacted, the CPI has been under 3% eleven times, thus giving landlords a rent increase regardless of inflation. As low-income people are facing cuts in wages and benefits, unemployment, hikes in bus fares and DWP costs, and more, a rent increase may just be the final push, forcing families into the streets. Raw video is available at: http://www.ktla.com/videobeta/8dc76858-78e8-41c6-bebd-14dc1797721c/News/KTLA-Rent-Control-Advocates-and-LAPD-Clash-at-City-Hall-Raw-Video