Over 150 people showed up in the blistering heat to participate in a people’s speak out against racism and police brutality, Saturday July 22. The speak out was initiated by the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). It was held at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Argyle Ave., the same place where just a few weeks ago on July 8 the Los Angeles Police Department viciously attacked a peaceful counter-demonstration against the racist, anti-immigrant “Minuteman Project.”
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The first speaker was Carlos Alvarez of the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, who began the by denouncing the LAPD’s brutality and defending the rights of protestors to confront the Minutemen. Other speakers included victims of the police beatings and false arrests, Jose Villa and Christen Westberry, and progressive organizers and leaders such as Diego Argoti of Youth and Student ANSWER, Juan José Gutiérrez of Latino Movement USA and Jim Lafferty of the National Lawyers Guild-LA.
Keishia Brunston, aunt of Deandre Brunston who was brutally murdered by Compton sheriffs in 2003, also spoke. Brunston talked about how racist police violence has affected her family and the importance of continuing to raise the issue of police brutality as a main demand in the struggle against racism. The microphone was soon opened to the crowd as people from the community voiced their frustrations and demands.
The speak out was charged with militant chants from the crowd such as, “Down, down, down with the Minuteman” and
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Saturday’s speak out showed the LAPD that protesters and the community will not be intimidated by police terror. Anti-racist, progressive people will continue to come together to organize, take to the streets and demand an end to racism, police brutality and injustice.
Click here to read about the July 8 anti-Minutemen protest.
