Dear friends, check out some of the work we have been doing!
On Sunday (5/15) the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition joined the Palestinian Youth Movement in commemorating the 74th anniversary of the Nakba. Our members joined in a march and rally at the federal building in Westwood, we heard from Coordinating team members Akhil and Ni who spoke on behalf of the Coalition. Fellow Coordinating Team member Maraky also spoke in their capacity as LA organizer for the Black Alliance for Just Immigration.
On Monday (5/16), our very own Hamid Khan moderated a panel hosted by Rise Up for Justice alongside Pete White of LA CAN, UC Riverside Professor Dylan Rodriguez, and Youth Justice Coalition Organizer Gloria Gonzalez.
The group discussed Community Policing as Counterinsurgency, and the different players that propel police counterinsurgency efforts. The panelists discussed the US Counterinsurgency manual as a framework for policing, and the importance of framing community policing as counterinsurgency in order to truly encapsulate its true intent.
You can watch a recording here.
On Tuesday (5/17) our SARA work group led outreach with unhoused community members in Echo Park. Tabling was conducted in collaboration with SARA work group members who have been building power among Echo Park unhoused community members.
We distributed snacks, hand sanitizer, and water, using the opportunity to talk to community members about LAPD surveillance and criminalization. We also shared copies of our zines and popular education materials. We look forward to returning and continuing to learn with the community.
Later that day the Coalition held our highly anticipated Social Media in the Police State Townhall at the Robinson Space.
The Townhall, done in collaboration with the Brennan Center for Justice, featured a presentation by Rachel Levinson-Waldman with Brennan Center, Guardian journalist Sam Levin, and Emilio Zapien with Youth Justice Coalition. The evening concluded following some questions and conversation with attendees.
We’re so grateful to our friends at the Robinson S.P.A.C.E for allowing us to use their location for this collective learning opportunity. We also want to extend a special thanks to Melissa Acedera of Polo’s Pantry for providing delicious food!
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.