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Weekly Update – March 10, 2023

Greetings, here’s what we’ve been up to:

On Tuesday (3/7) , the Coalition held a press conference in front of city hall with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Los Angeles Community Action Network opposing LAPD’s acquisition of a Robot Surveillance Dog.

We then mobilized public comment against LAPD’s acquisition of the military surveillance robot. Public comment was universally opposed to the robot dog. After debating the matter, City Council continued the motion for 60 days. We continue to fight.

That evening we held a Gender and Sexuality webinar where we provided updates on the various projects the group has been working on. We also looked more closely at the attack on Skid Row community pillar Stephanie, whose famous “White House” was attacked and destroyed by LAPD and Los Angeles Sanitation workers.

On Wednesday (3/8), we continued with our residency with the STEM to the Future youth. This week the kids expanded each of their priority points for building a better future. With a focus on their priority to have “More Trees in Communities” we discussed the clearing of trees by state entities. We used Cop City’s development in Atlanta as an example of trees being cut down to expand policing. In honor of Cop City’s week of action, the students created their own banners supporting forest defenders.

That evening, we held our monthly coordinating team meeting, where we provided updates on our various fights and discussed upcoming projects.

We also take a break to honor International Women’s day by giving our femme comrades at LA CAN their flowers (literally)!

On Thursday, Radio Insurrection highlighted the work of LA CAN”s Downtown Women’s Action Coalition. The powerful group of women do incredible work amplifying the needs and voices of unhoused women in Skid Row. We also discussed an upcoming report written by friend of the Coalitoin, Victoria Copeland, in collaboration with the DWAC highlighting the perpetual violence maintained by Los Angeles County’s Department of Child and Family Services.

To plug in with any of the work groups listed above, or for more information about the Stop
LAPD Spying Coalition, email us at [email protected].

If you or your organization are interested in hosting a teach-in or discussion regarding our report, Automating Banishment, please fill out this google form.