Dear friends, check out some of the work we have been doing!
On Tuesday (3/1), the Gender and Sexuality Webinar discussed some potential topics the group may want to explore in the coming months. They also provided updates on popular education materials that have been in the works about the LAPD’s practice of targeting sex workers.
On Wednesday (3/2), the Coordinating Team met to plan the Coalition’s upcoming Spring Into Abolition virtual fundraiser. The fundraiser, hosted in partnership with Resource Generation LA, will feature exciting performances by the LACAN Freedom Singers, Sonny Singh, poet Claire Schwartz, and playwright Miranda Haymon. You can register for the event here, and donate at this link.
On Thursday (3/3), the Coalition held our Mapping meeting led by Cris who famously built automatingbanishment.org. Tiff led the team in a deep dive of the San Fernando Valley’s history of predictive policing and led a group discussion orienting what direction this community-based research should take. The group also described ways they could uplift some of the findings of the SARA work group through mapping.
On Friday (3/4), the Coalition attended the Services Not Sweeps Summit at the Robinson S.P.A.C.E. Services Not Sweeps is a coalition of organizations including Street Watch, LACAN, and Ktown For All combating the violence enacted upon unhoused community members through sweeps. Unhoused community members and organizers shared space to discuss the constant criminalization unhoused people face and how to mobilize against state efforts to banish community members.
Also on Friday, to honor the birthday of our beloved coordinating team member, Chella, the Coalition participated in a self-defense kit distribution for femmes held outside the LAPD’s Central Station. The event featured music by Y.G.S.L.R.H. S.T.F.U.T. A special shout out and thanks to Ni for organizing the exhilarating event and assembling the self-defense kits. It rocked!
To plug in with any of the work groups listed above, or for more information about the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, email us at stoplapdspying@gmail.com. If you or your organization are interested in hosting a teach-in or discussion regarding our report please fill out this google form.