This article was originally posted on the website of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.)
July 25, 2012
Dear friends and supporters,
On Monday, the ANSWER Coalition was highlighted in the mass media for our role supporting the protests in response to the outrageous police attack in Anaheim. ANSWER placards and signs were highly visible in media photos and video. ANSWER volunteers were interviewed by mainstream media outlets.
That night, the ANSWER office in Los Angeles was broken into, ransacked and robbed. All of our computers, ten total, were stolen, in addition to all of our sound equipment and our bullhorns — the things essential to organizing and conducting protest actions. We had many other losses too and our files were ransacked.
Please click here to make an urgently needed donation to help us recover from this attack.
At this point, we cannot say with certainty the nature of this attack—but we believe the events leading up to it are noteworthy. After being in the national spotlight the ANSWER Coalition office was deluged with racist hate calls supporting the Anaheim police, who killed two unarmed men in 24 hours and inflicted so much brutality against the community. At the same time, right-wing websites began an internet-based attack campaign against the ANSWER Coalition labeling us “outside agitators.” Hours later the office was broken into and ransacked.
And we know that the United States—and southern California in particular—has a long history of police attacks on the offices progressive organizations, with the intent of disrupting or sabotaging their organizing efforts during key political crises.
Despite this attack, we are not deterred. We still managed to mobilize for the mass action at the Anaheim City Council meeting, and will be marching in Downey this Saturday against the police murder of Mike Nida.
However, our work has been severely disrupted. We are asking for your help to so that we can replace our equipment and rebuild our office. Please help us so that we can continue mobilizing actions against police brutality, the war in Afghanistan, budget cuts, and as we work to build a movement for justice and equality. Please click here to make an urgently-needed donation.
Your solidarity and support through this attack is critical to continuing our work, and is very much appreciated. Please make as generous a donation as you can. Standing together we can make a difference.
In struggle,
Peta Lindsay Mike Prysner
Coordinators, ANSWER Los Angeles
