Press Release
Contacts:
Alex Sanchez: (213)-383-7484 asanchez@homiesunidos.org
Walter Magana: (626)-500-3604 wmagana@homiesunidos.org

Vigil for the 375 incarcerated people Killed in Honduran Prison

WHAT: Organizations representing our community in human rights will have a vigil in front of the Consulate of Honduras denouncing the prison system in which prison guards participated in the death of more than 375 human beings in the prison of Comayagua, Honduras.

WHEN: Friday February 17th, 2012. 4pm
WHERE: Honduran Consulate of Los Angeles
3550 Wilshire Blvd #320
Los Angeles CA 90010
WHO: Speakers include:
- Policarpo Chaj, Mayavision
- Javier Staring, L.A. Archdiocese
- Union De Salvadorenos Estudiantes Universitarios(USEU)
- Alex Sanchez, Homies Unidos
- Ron Gochez, Union Del Barrio

Interviews available immediately following the press conference

WHY: Honduras for the third time is involved in human rights violations in the prisons of its country. On February 14, in the Comayagua prison in Honduras, more than 376 incarcerated people lost their lives in a fire within the prison. This has not been the first time; in 2003, 69 people were killed riddle with bullets and set on fire and 107 more in 2004 died in a fire in San Pedro Sula.

Homies United along other human rights organizations are outraged by this tactic on the part of Governments to solve the dilemma of violence affecting our countries in Central America. Every human being has their human right to live free of violence even if incarcerated.

We demand:
1. The Government put a Commission of non-governmental organizations to supervise the investigation.
2. That the Government will help affected families
3. the Government of the United States stop monetary aid until is stop human abuses and Zero Tolerance policies which has led to mass incarceration of our youth
4. A dismissal of all guards in the prison system of the Honduras including Security Minister Pompeyo Bonilla.

Happy Holidays

During these holidays we wish you all to enjoy every minute you spend with your families. It has been our experience in our oprganization that our youth need to maintain and improve the relationship with their families to start the healing process of change. We also take a minute to remember the bothers and sisters that are no longer with us or have been separated from their families by deportation or the criminal justice systems.

So on behalf of our staff and board of directors we wish you Happy and Safe Holidays !!!!!!

Please join us in a fundraiser event on

December 10th from 7:30PM to 1:00AM @ LA Founderie

1755  Glendale Blvd  Angeles CA 90026

To RSVP  or for sponsorship opportunities Call:

Claudia Arevalo 213-210-4784

Field trips to the Mountains, Leo Carrillo State Park and  Soccer Games at the Home Depot

For more information please contact: Juan Esparza at 213-383-7484 or jesparza@homiesunidos.org

Our next event is:

DONATE and support our youth activities. Your donations will help us continue our

important and needed work in our community. Your donation is Tax deductible!!!!

Sunday, May 1 · 10:00am – 5:00pm

Broadway and Olympic in Downtown Los Angeles

Full Legalization Now!!!
Stop Police/ICE Raids and their repressive technics !!!
No Guest Workers Program!!!
Worker Rights To Organize!!!

Come and join Homies Unidos Saturday, April 23  6:00PM-11:00PM, as we speak about current struggles of our youth in Los Angeles and El Salvador. “Fruits of War” documents the life of four members of Homies Unidos as they embark on a journey of redemption and social justice and the struggles they face through deportation and criminalization.

Film screening starts at 7:PM sharp. Bring some food and drinks to share.
at Basswerks
5411 W. Adams (West of La Brea)
Los Angeles, CA 90016

	If you cant make and would like to donate go to: www.homiesunidos.org/donate RSVP @ homiesunidos@homiesunidos.org or call 213-383-7484

April 5, 2011.

We will be having a indigenous ceremony for our Friend Tim Smith at El Centro Cultural Techantit on Thursday April 7th  at 6:30 AM. You Are welcomed to come.

668 S. Bonnie Brae

Los Angeles, CA 90057

Phone:  (626) 500-3604

In Alley: Between Bonnie Brae and Burlington

On March 31, 2011 Homies Unidos lost a very special friend. His name is Tim Smith, an anthropologist of Urban Studies professor at Cal State Northridge.   He was 79 years young and had so much more to give to this world. Hi life has inspired many to continue his legacy.

Eva, Tim’s wife of over 25 years said about when they meet:

“Were compatible with each other, He showed love for humanity, arts and others was what attracted her to Tim.”

He expressed his caring through the art sculptures made of stone. They were done with such love and caring and this was what he felt with everyone he met. He was a traveler; he went to Paraguay, El Salvador Philippines, Africa, and his last trip to the Middle East, Turkey he almost did not make it. His body was already weakening. Eva mentioned that in the last two months of Tim’s life. Tim’s body had taken a toll and he expressed that he was ready to go. A noble thing to say by a man who was an adventure and to someone you love, from a man that was always in a road of discovery. This was his time to go and discover we will all go but never come back to tell anyone, what we all only imagine. Tim is on that journey now.

The love for humanity and people from all races was how to stumble on to Homies Unidos. His dedication for social change was what inspired me and young men and women to fight for what was right for us in our community. He stuck through the bad times when we became under attack by LAPD officers. He went to the police station and demanded answers. Officers did not understand why this older white man was demanding answers.

Tim was able to help me deal with the stereotypes I had of all white people. I for years distrusted people that were not my color. But this white man was the one who took me back to my roots when he was the first to invite me to participate in an indigenous ceremony. I had never participated nor had any clue of what a Sweat Lodge was. I was transformed after that experience. He taught me that there good people in all races and sometimes we are our own oppressors.

Today we celebrate Tim’s departure from our world to this new road of discovery he went on. Life is an adventure and Tim lived it as one.

Forever in our thoughts,

Alex Sanchez, Homies Unidos Board Members and the Homies…..

Title Of Event:  Know Your Rights

Date Of Event: March 27, 2011

Location: MacArthur Park Recreation Center 2^nd floor                                                                                     2230 W. 6^th St Los Angeles, CA 90057
Contact: Juan Esparza 213-383-7484

Description:

We will be answering questions about what to do if stopped by Immigration or Law enforcement.

We will have attorneys providing FREE consultations. Please call if you would like to have a consultation.

We will provide childcare.

Questions that will be answered:

• How can I protect myself from deportation?
• How can I gain legal status?
• Will I get deported if I am convicted of a crime?
• I received a Notice to Appear from Immigration, what does that mean?

The program will take place on Sunday March 27 from 10AM-1:30PM at the MacArthur Park Recreation Center, food will be available.

A weekend of solidarity with the indigenous people of El Salvador…

Fri, Jan 14 – Hip Hop Concert
Sat, Jan 15 – Indigenous Dancers, speakers, food and community award ceremony
Sun, Jan 16 – Mayan Ceremony

Details below:

FRIDAY – January 14, 2011

- HIP HOP POR LA PAZ -

8:00pm-12:00pm

@ Women’s Building

3543 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94110

$10 donation

Performing:

Reyes del Bajo Mundo – O.N.S. El Sonador – Amazon Blew – Geo Kiburym – Rap Squad – Santos – Inner City Dwellers Conflikto Armado – El Comandante Izalco – Wanako – Kingz & Marmota Fu – Browny Loco – Lirico Dios

Also included:

Alex Sanchez-Executive Director of Homies Unidos live via Skype, – Homies Unidos Callejeros Graff & Visual Art – Coperativa Cuscatlán via www.ustream.com

TV Channel/Cooperative Cuscatlán Radio Subersivar – Cinema Feliciano Ama – Question Everythink  – Tigres Y Violetas  – El Jorge

SATURDAY – January 15, 2011

- SPIRIT OF MEMORY –

14^TH Annual Commemoration of La Matanza

2:00pm – 7:30pm

@ Women’s Building

3543 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94110

$6 donation

After the tragic events of La Matanza in 1932, an unknown number of Salvadoran indigenous people perished, estimated between 10,000 and 30,000 people.  As a result, native communities in El Salvador took their ceremonies and culture into hiding.  78 years after these events, communities have re-emerged and are being recognized officially by El Salvador’s government.  We gather our collective Spirit of Memory with our Bay Area community and utilize it to discuss traditional culture and bi-nationality through discussion, song, and ceremonies.

Program:

Opening Prayer – JR Leywa, Wailaki, Round Valley Indian Reservation – Lenca-Poton Passage Song – Guanajuato Purepucha Dancers – Lenca Emplumado Dancers – Film: ‘Discovering Dominga’

Presentations:

• Julio Leyva—Comite de Izalqueños
• Dra. Concepcíon Saucedo-Martinez, Comisión De La Verdad 1932
• Dra. Robin Maria DeLugan, Assistant Professor-Anthropology, UC Merced

Community Honorees:

• Miguel “Gavilan” Molina – KPFA Radio “La Onda Bajita”
• Lizbett Calleros – Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
• Tory Canby, Teacher & Artist
• Alejandra Calderon – former Executive Director, HOMEY

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, January 16, 2011 (9am)

- Mayan ceremony -

Conducted By: Pascual Yaxon Saloj & Maya Caqchiquel

@ Pine Lake Park – Sloat Blvd & Vale Avenue, San Francisco (by Stern Grove)

Free

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