Join us at 6:30 for a panel discussion with unaccompanied minors from Homies Unidos’ Central American Youth Council, who will talk about their experience. They will share their stories and work they are doing now to help others as they integrate into our community, schools and homes.
The School of The Americas(SOA) Watch Vigil is held every year in November. This year, it is being held from November 21-23. Thousands of individuals come together at the gates of the SOA and commemorate martyrs in
Latin America who lost their lives; such as the Jesuit priests in El Salvador and thousands of Guatemalan indigenous people due to training of Latin American military battalions trained by the U.S. SOA in Columbus, Georgia. Through our presence at this vigil, Homies Unidos members will learn to be advocates for Human Rights, hear from survivors of torture, and meet courage’s men and women who have been fighting to stop militarization in Central America during the 1980s. They will take part in a panel to speak of their ordeal as unaccompanied minors and the connection of U.S. continued involvement in destabilizing of the region.
Meet Jonathan at the School of the Americas Watch Vigil
These youth also took part of our Joven Noble rites of passage program and the Youth Leadership Training during the summer. They were the main organizer of the Central American Youth Leadership Conference this past September 19th. They are now forming the Central American Youth Council in which they will be working to address issues of Central American youth.
This is Homies Unidos 2nd participation of the vigil; in 2014 we took three youth. We drove back and stopped in different places to speak with community organizer working in labor issues in New Orleans, Immigrant issues in Arizona. Daniela Ojeda, one of the past participants, will be educating the new participants on her experience and will be join in us. Click to learn more
“PLACAS: The Most Dangerous Tattoo” a play by Paul Paul S. Flores, directed by Michael John Garces and starring Ric Salinas of Culture Clash will go on a six city U.S. Tour this coming spring including dates with the GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, DC, Salinas, Laney College Theater in Oakland, Los Angeles Theater Center,Su Teatro in Denver and the Traveling Puerto Rican Theatre Company presented by Pregones in New York City.
Played by Ric Salinas from Culture Clash
Inspired by true events and in part in the life of Alex Sanchez of Homies Unidos
Thursday April 3 Benefit event after performance for Homies Unidos Q & A with cast and Alex Sanchez. To buy ticket for play and benefit event call Alex Sanchez for info. 213-793-1050 or follow link: Homies Unidos Benefit
Friday April 4 @ 6pm pre-performance conversation “Healing From Violence” with Father Greg Boyle, Jerry Tello and Alex Sanchez Saturday
April 5 post performance party and reception with cast and crew Sunday
April 6 @ 1pm Youth Voice for Change featuring youth presentations from Boyle Heights
For details on dates in each city, click on the website links below
GALA Hispanic Theatre, Washington, DC
Friday – Saturday March 14-15
http://bit.ly/1mtvN4E
Alisal High School, Salinas, CA
Wednesday – Saturday March 19 – 22
www.brownpapertickets.com/
Laney College Theater, Oakland, CA
Wednesday – Saturday March 26-29
www.sfiaf.org/placas_2014
Los Angeles Theater Center, Los Angeles, CA
Thursday – Saturday April 3-6
www.thelatc.org
Su Teatro, Denver CO
Thursday – Sunday April 10-13
http://suteatro.org/
Traveling Puerto Rican
Wednesday April 16
http://www.pregones.org/
Information in English Below:
Homies Unidos y el Consulado de El Salvador les invita a una noche informativa para apoyar la Asociación Salvadoreña De Apoyo a Privados De Libertad En El Exterior (ASAPLE) es una organización en El Salvador que aboga para los derechos humanos de familiares Salvadoreños detenidos en las prisiones de California. Homies Unidos se ha unido a coordinar el trabajo de la Directora de ASAPLE, Elisa Jurado en Los Ángeles.
Hay cientos de gente en las prisiones en California y muchos de ellos ya cumplieron sus sentencias, pero no los dejan salir, Unos se encuentran con enfermedades terminales y no reciben tratamiento apropiado, otros sufren violaciones de sus derechos humanos. La Sra. Elisa Jurado por más de ocho años ha estado luchando ganar la libertad de estos ciudadanos Salvadoreños. El Apoyo que reciben al llegar a El Salvador les ayuda a poder hacer la transición apropiada para no delinquir y ser ciudadanos productibles.
En un crimen hay más de una víctima, la familia de la víctima y el la familia de el victimario sufren el dolor de perder a su ser querido. Únanse con nosotros el sábado 28 de septiembre y escuchen las historias de nuestras familias mientras recaudamos fondos apoyar este importante trabajo. Tendremos una venta de yarda de 8-3PM el mismo día en el mismo lugar.
Los Angeles Workers Center
1251 South Saint Andrews Place,
Los Angeles, CA. 90019
$5 donacion minima
Parking en la calle
Checks can be made out to Homies Unidos Inc.
Correo: 2105 Beverly Blvd Ste. 219 Los Angeles CA 90057
Comida y Bevidas
Contact: Alex Sanchez 213-793-1050
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English: Homies Unidos and the Consulate of El Salvador invites you to an informative evening to support the Salvadoran Association in Support of Freedom Deprived People in the Exterior (ASAPLE) an organization in El Salvador, which advocates for the rights of Salvadoran relatives detained in the prisons of California. Homies Unidos has joined to coordinate the work of the Director of ASAPLE, and it’s Executive Director Elizza Jurado in Los Angeles. There are hundreds of people in prisons in California prisons who have already met their require sentences, but are not being let out, some are with terminal illnesses and do not receive appropriate treatment, others suffer violations of their human rights. Ms. Elizza Jurado for more than eight years has been fighting to win the freedom of these Salvadoran citizens. Come and learn of the work being done to help the transition of our citizens coming out of prison to become productive citizens in El Salvador. In a crime, there is more than one victim, the victim’s family and the family of the offender is suffering the pain of losing their love ones. Join us on Saturday, September 28 and hear stories of our families while we raise funds to support this important work. We will have a yard sale from 8-3 PM at the same day in the same place. Los Angeles Workers Center 1251 South Saint Andrews Place, street parking Checks can be made out to Homies Unidos Inc. Mail: 2105 Beverly Blvd Ste. 219 Los Angeles CA 90057 Food and beverages Contact: Alex Sanchez 213-793-1050 Online Donation: I want to DONATE online
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English Information Below:
Homies Unidos les invita a una noche de música y diversión en apoyo a nuestra familias encarceladas.
Homies Unidos y el Consulado de El Salvador les invita a una noche de música y diversión para apoyar la Asociación Salvadoreña De Apoyo a Privados De Libertad En El Exterior (ASAPLE) es una organización en El Salvador que aboga para los derechos humanos de familiares Salvadoreños detenidos en las prisiones de California. Homies Unidos se ha unido a coordinar el trabajo de la Directora de ASAPLE, Elisa Jurado en Los Ángeles.
Hay cientos de gente en las prisiones en California y muchos de ellos ya cumplieron sus sentencias, pero no los dejan salir, Unos se encuentran con enfermedades terminales y no reciben tratamiento apropiado, otros sufren violaciones de sus derechos humanos. La Sra. Elisa Jurado por más de ocho años ha estado luchando ganar la libertad de estos ciudadanos Salvadoreños.
En un crimen hay más de una víctima, la familia de la víctima y el victimario sufren el dolor de perder a su ser querido. Únanse con nosotros el sábado 4 de mayo y escuchen a Elisa Jurado y las historias de nuestras familias mientras recaudamos fondos apoyar este importante trabajo.
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA)
2845 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, California 90005
6PM-12AM
$5 Donacion Minima
Checkes se pueden hacer a Homies Unidos Inc.
Baile, Comida y Bevidas estara diponible
English: Homies Unidos Invites you to a night of music and dancing in support of our incarcerated families.
Homies Unidos and the Consulate of El Salvador invites you to a night of music and fun to support the Salvadoran Association in support of freedom deprived in the Exterior (ASAPLE) is an organization in El Salvador, which advocates for the rights of Salvadoran relatives incarcerated in the prisons of California. Homies Unidos has joined to coordinate the work of the Director of ASAPLE, Elisa Jurado in Los Angeles.
There are hundreds of people in prisons in California who have completed their minimum require sentences, but they continue in prison year after year, some are with terminal illnesses and do not receive appropriate treatment, others suffer violations of their human rights. Ms. Elisa Jurado for more than eight years has been fighting to win the freedom of these Salvadoran citizens.
There is more than one victim in a crime; the families of the victim and the aggressor suffer the pain of losing their loved one. Join us on Saturday, May 4 and listen to the stories of our families while we raise funds to continue the very important work of Elisa Jurado.
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA)
2845 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, California 90005
6PM-12AM
$5 minimum donation
Checks can be made out to Homies Unidos Inc.
Dancing Food and beverages will also be available
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TAGSPPES Statement on the One-year Anniversary of the Truce in El Salvador
 Statement:
March 9th 2013 marks the one-year anniversary of the truce between El Salvador’s two major gangs, MS-13 and Barrio 18. The peace agreement can be credited with saving thousands of lives and dropping El Salvador for the first time off the list of countries with the highest homicide rates for 2012. Despite much public skepticism about the reliability and durability of the truce, the benefits of the truce continue to grow. It is important to recognize what an enormous and historic achievement this peace represents, and to credit the small group of individuals and groups that have worked tirelessly to make this peace a reality — in particular the leadership of MS-13 and Barrio 18, the facilitators of the truce, Raul Mijango and Monsignor Fabio Collindres and their team, and those within the Salvadoran government who sup-ported this process. The Organization of American States (OAS) deserves special mention for its courageous stand as guarantor of the truce and the leadership it has taken in the international community.
It is imperative that this process, which has established greater public safety in El Salvador than years of expensive and harsh law enforcement, be supported by all stakeholders. The benefits of a safer and more peaceful society accrue and belong to all of Salvadorans , not only the participants of the truce. The introduction of the second phase, the violence free municipalities, is a welcome opportunity to share the peace dividend from the truce to some of the communities most affected by violence in El Salvador. The formation of the Fundacion Humanitario and the addition of three other gangs (Mao Mao, La Máquina y la Mirada Locos), Father Antonio Rodriguez and mayors from both major political parties to the ranks of those supporting the truce and actively working for peace gives strength and additional legitimacy to the process. However despite the success of the peace process and additional supporters, there is much more sup-port required to ensure the peace lasts and cycle of violence that has afflicted El Salvador for over thirty years ends. For this reason it is imperative that all of Salvador-an society be part of this process in order for it to succeed. Los Angeles, Alex Sanchez: asanchez@homiesunidos.org
New York, steve.vigil@gmail.com
Declaración de TAGSPPES Sobre el Aniversario de Un Año de la Tregua en
El Salvador
Declaración: El 9 de marzo 2013, se cumplió el primer aniversario de la tregua entre las dos pandillas más grandes de El Salvador, MS-13 y Barrio 18. Se puede dar crédito al acuerdo de paz por salvar miles de vidas y por sacar a El Salvador por primera vez fuera de la lista de países con las tasas más altas de homicidios en el 2012. A pesar de un gran escepticismo público acerca de la durabilidad de la tregua, los beneficios de la tregua continúan creciendo. Es importante reconocer que esta paz representa un gran logro histórico, y se puede dar crédito a los individuos y grupos que han trabajado incansablemente para hacer que esta paz sea una realidad – en particular el liderazgo de la MS-13 y Barrio 18, los facilitadores de la tregua, Raul Mijango y Monseñor Fabio Colindres y sus equipo, y a los que estan dentro del gobierno salvadoreno que apoyaron a este proceso. La Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), merece una mención especial por su valiente posición de garante de la tregua y el liderazgo que ha tenido en la comunidad internacional. Es importante que este proceso, que ha establecido una mayor seguridad pública en El Salvador que en los años de aplicación de la ley costosa y extrema (Mano Dura), siga adelante con el apoyo de todos los grupos de interes. Los beneficios de una sociedad más segura y más pacífica pertenecen a toda la sociedad salvadoreña, no sólo a los participantes de la tregua. La introducción de la segunda fase, los municipios libres de violencia, es una buena oportunidad para compartir el dividendo de la paz de la tregua a algunas de las comunidades más afectadas por la violencia en El Salvador. También es importante la formación de la Fundación Humanitario y la adición de tres otras pandillas (Mao Mao, La Máquina y la Mirada Locos), Padre Toño y los alcaldes de los dos partidos políticos principales en las filas para que apoyen a la tregua y trabajen activamente por la paz, dar fuerza, y den legitimidad adicional al proceso. Los Angeles, Alex Sanchez: asanchez@homiesunidos.org
New York, steve.vigil@gmail.com |
SUPPORT MOUNTS FOR SALVADORAN GANG TRUCE
BY TOM HAYDEN
Longtime gang peace process advocates in Los Angeles announced new support on Memorial Day for the 11-week truce called by incarcerated Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street gang leaders which has sharply reduced homicides in El Salvador
An estimated 700 lives have been saved since March as homicide rates have fallen from 14-15 to 4-5 per day, or a 65 percent reduction. For the first time in decades, polling shows Salvadoran public opinion defining poverty reduction as their first priority, ahead of sweeps and mass detention. The truce, which is supported by Salvadoran president Mauricio Funes, began Mar. 9 when 30 truce leaders were transferred from a super-max prison to high-security facilities where they were permitted contacts with family and friends. The transfer was approved by the Salvadoran Minister of Justice and Security David Munguia. On March 20, it was confirmed that mediation efforts were being led Raul Mijango, a former guerrilla commandante and legislator, and the head chaplain of the armed forces and police, Bishop Fabio Colindres.
As LA-based peace advocates gathered Monday at La Placita church on Olvera Street, the secretary-general of the Organization of American States [OAS] was set to travel on a supportive visit to El Salvador, to be followed by United Nations and European Union representatives.
A new “Transitional Advisory Group in Support of the Peace Process in El Salvador” was announced at the LA press conference. The twenty-member committee includes a new official presence in gang peace efforts, Paula Cruz Takash, president of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, and a cross-section of leaders with deep roots in past gang peace efforts, including the author Luis Rodriguez and his wife Trini of the Tia Chucha Cultural Center, Aquil Basheer and “Niko” of Maximum Force Enterprise, Aqeela Sherrells of the original Watts truce, Enrique Hurtado of Aztecs Rising, Angela Sambrano of CARACEN, Fr. Michael Kennedy of the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative, Fr. Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries, Hector Verdugo, also of Homeboy, and Javier Stauring of the LA Archdiocese. Chairing the press conference was Silvia Beltran, former director of Homies Unidos and currently on the staff of the LA City Council. Also speaking were a Salvadoran student at Cal State Northridge, Elvira Padilla, and a sister of one of the incarcerated men, Mayra Rivas.
The new transnational committee is represented in Washington DC by Luis Cardona and Carmen Perez of the Gathering for Justice [founded by Harry Belafonte] and Juan Pacheco, director of Barrios Unidos.
The purposes of the transnational committee are to work for the safety of those involved in the Salvadoran truce, doing an inventory of the gang members specific needs, and building support and resources for the community-led process. Needs identified so far include: new mattresses for family visits, mental and medical health services, sentence reductions for good conduct, and vocational training in prison with job placement upon release. The MS and 18th Street representatives also call on the army and police to control and prevent ongoing human rights violations, and protect the safety of the peace process Female gang members are demanding the involvement of women’s and family service organizations to address their specific needs.
Besides initiating the truce, the gang leaders so far have defined schools as “safe zones”, ordered the end of forced recruitment of young people, and suspend criminal activities and attacks on each other.
Luis Rodriguez and Aqeela Sherrells spoke passionately and at length about the history of past peace process efforts in Watts, East Los Angeles, and among deported gang members in El Salvador. “Peace comes from the heart of people, from a rejection of violence by the people, and when it comes from the ground up we must stand with them”, Rodriguez began. “This has happened before, has been sabotaged before, and failed before for lack of resources and respect, but out of every failure there rise new peace warriors.” Rodriguez said he sees “peace surging again, and we have to learn the lesson that peace doesn’t come from institutions, peace doesn’t come from peaceful people, peace can come in the end from the people who began the violence, the best sometimes can come from the worst.”
Sherrells recalled that 20,000 died in LA’s gang wars between Crips and Bloods before the 1992 truce. “It was a war zone, but we created a culture of peace on the streets”, he said, attributing ten percent of the violence reduction to policing. “Gangs are not inherently negative, do not come like outside aliens, but arise among our sons and daughters, and they need healing, a public health approach, a community-based approach.” He pointed out that gang homicides have continued to fall in Los Angeles even while poverty rates have been climbing. “We love you”, he declared to the largely-immigrant gathering. Bashir, an ex-Panther, added that “we have to unify or die.”
In the most dramatic moment of the day, Homies Unidos leader Alex Sanchez spoke for the first time in public since his June 2009 federal indictment on gang conspiracy charges. Los Angeles police anti-gang officers and prosecutors have charged Sanchez, a former MS member, with continuing to secretly participate in the gang as a so-called “shot caller.” Sanchez and his many supporters argue that a key role in violence reduction can be played by respected former gang members when they mediate conflicts and create alternatives to the violent gang life. But any such “association” is suspect to law enforcement and often prohibited by anti-gang laws and regulations.
Sanchez was arrested by the LAPD and faced deportation over a decade ago, but all charges were dropped and a federal immigration judge granted Sanchez political asylum. He was arrested again in 2009, charged with multiple conspiracies,. He was granted bail in 2010 after representatives of the LAPD and FBI were unable to prove in federal court that he would be a social danger if released. His trial now is set for next June.
Imprisoned Salvadoran gang members and their families, as well as Salvadoran officials have made phone requests for Sanchez to intervene as a mediator and coalition-builder on behalf of the fragile process. The irony is that Sanchez is prohibited from communicating with any MS members except in the office of his Los Angeles public defender, Amy Jacks. Despite the technical difficulties, Sanchez seemed energized on Sunday by the opportunity to act positively in a context painfully familiar to him, after two years of defending himself in numerous court appearances. On this Memorial Day, he called out the names of Homies Unidos members killed in El Salvador – Hector, Ringo, Bullet, and Smoky, among others – saying, “this is a baton thrown out to us, and it is our duty to pick it up. ”
Twenty years of organizing in Los Angeles have yielded two models which can be useful for El Salvador, Sanchez said. The first, peace work in the streets and prisons by former gang members like Sanchez, is already adopted and funded in LA as an official “gang prevention and intervention model”, endorsed as well by the LAPD after years of debate. Since the intervention model was developed in part from the experience of Salvadoran gang members it already is “indigenous”, not a foreign model run by government bureaucrats, Peace Corps-style.
Second and equally important, Sanchez and others stressed, is the urgent need for rehabilitation, training and jobs modeled at Homeboy Industries under the inspiration of Fr. Boyle, who has been involved in the Salvadoran community for years. At Homeboy, where the motto is “nothing stops a bullet like a job”, young homeboys and homegirls are counseled, trained and directly employed by the agency, the largest of its kind in the US.
Homeboy staff are expected to confer directly with Salvadoran parties, private investors and government agencies interested in the model of such direct employment. They will stress that gang violence reduction is the key to attracting foreign investment to the besieged country, and jobs the key to violence reduction – a virtuous circle in place of a vicious one.
Gang rappers and poets in El Salvador have long described themselves as the fruits of the war – “las fruitas de la guerra.” There now is the possibility of a great reversal, with gang members, their families and all of El Salvador realizing the fruits of peace. #
