2009

by Atwynn Delgado/Youth in Media Intern/POOR Magazine

Im 17. Im Black. I live in the United States and I'm gonna die very soon.
Maybe not today, but very possibly tomorrow. Not because of an illness, or
car crash, but because I will be shot.

After the shooting death of Joshua Cameron and other young men of color in
San Francisco last month and countless other youth of color shot dead in the
Bay Area over the last year, I traveled from Oakland, where I live, to
gather alongside several hundred youth, families and youth advocates on the
steps of City Hall in San Francisco last week to mourn their death and ask
why.

I know why. A lot of my friends know why. There are a lot of "whys"--
corporate media images perpetuating violence, the school to prison pipeline,
poverty and institutional racism and a society hinged on financial wealth
and consumerist values have conspired to promote violence as a living,
breathing thing that has a life of its own. Many of my friends, long ago
alienated by a gutted school system that no longer teaches us anything
except how to take a test; families, communities and generations destroyed
by years of poverty, de-stabilization, gentrification and joblessness, are
no longer listening to our elders and even if they are, they are shot by
other youth not listening to their elders, their ancestors, their cultures,
their humanity.

For many youth in poverty, the lack of real opportunities for living wage
jobs are staggering, so many of us are forced to earn income through
underground economic strategies. These strategies are criminalized, so if we
aren't shooting each other, we are being incarcerated and criminalized. Our
schools seem to be set up to discourage us with endless tests and things like
art, music and social studies being taken out completely.

The voices of the youth who spoke broke my heart--like they always do, like
they did for my cousin who was shot in Oakland two months ago; like they do
when I hear about anyone taken from this earth for no good reason at all; like I do when I hear about children and families shot in Iraq for a war we
have no reason to be in; like I do when I hear about another young person
joining the military to fight and probably get killed in this ridiculous
"war"; like I do when I hear of another young person being pushed out of
school cuz they didn't pass the barrage of tests they are given; like I do
when my mama cries in fear for my life when I go out at night.

One young man at the memorial for Joshua spoke of being afraid to walk
outside, for fear of getting shot. That's when I knew. It wont be today or
even tomorrow, but if we don't do something very different about these
"whys", me and my friends wont make it through this year.Im sure of that.

by Marlon Crump/PNN

"Nancy Pelosi is SO out of touch with the regular American, that it is pathetic. She said that this will be a NEW direction, but instead, they're going in the same!" said anti-war activist /Peace Mom, Cindy Sheehan, during an interview for POOR Magazine/ POOR News Network.

Following the interview, Cindy attended POOR Magazine's Community Newsroom, where she was collectively interviewed by my POOR family, on October 7th, 2008 on what her relation (s) and thoughts to the very issues that deeply impact people in poverty and even privilege, daily. October 7th also marked the three-year anniversary of my near death-experience of racial profiling, at the hands of a dozen members of the San Francisco Police Department.

Last year during an event in the backyard of the headquarters of both ISARC (Idriss Stelley Action Resource Center) and the S.F BayView National Black Newspaper, in San Francisco Bayview Hunter's Point, my comrade and godmother, mesha Monge-Irizarry, founder/director of ISARC introduced me to two women.

One of them was anti-war activist, Cindy Sheehan, Peace Mom, and founder of "Camp Casey" The other was former U.S Representative, and current Green Party candidate for the 2008 U.S Presidential election, Cynthia Mckinney.

I had the pleasure of meeting both of these women. During the festivities, I greeted Cindy Sheehan with a warm hug of solidarity, in the movement for struggle towards change from everything that affected people universally, from poverty, oppression, racism, war, etc, etc.

Sheehan, and many people, nationwide have fought a near-never ending battle to the end of a certain war, since its birth on March 20th, 2003 by the U.S President, George W. Bush:

The End of the Iraq War, and the U.S occupation in Middle Eastern countries!

For those who are unfamiliar with Cindy Sheehan, and her opposition stance against the War in Iraq, she joined the anti-war movement in 2004, following the news that her son, Casey Sheehan had been killed in the war. Casey was a specialist in the First Cavalry Unit, in Sadr City.

Since Casey's death, Cindy unleashed ultra-unrelenting attempts against the entire administration of President George W. Bush, towards ending the Iraq War, and the return of U.S Troops back home to their families.

For centuries, the children of Almighty God were often sent to wars, convinced that their self-sacrifice is to" serve their country" unaware of the frightening reality that they're really serving their country's "interests!" Glory for the greed of governments, guts spilled from children who're unsure if they'll ever return to their families, in one piece to say the least.

"In God We Trust" as it is hypocritically inked on the average U.S 1$ bill.

Despite Cindy Sheehan's efforts, from her appearances to the White House, arrests of civil disobedience, giving untold amounts of speeches, touring countries, and even purchasing property to bring "Camp Casey" near Bush's ranch, in Crawford, Texas; President Bush's heart remained hardened like Pharaoh who was constantly warned by Moses to either free the slaves of Israel from bondage, or feel God's wrath.

Instead of producing twelve plagues, however, Cindy chose different approaches by battling the Bush Administration with her very voice of resistance, struggle, and presence. In that process, she's received nationwide and international attention, with that same voice.

Most of the youth, sons and daughters that has ever served in the U.S Military, were either brought up in poverty, a working class family, or a place of privilege. "When my son was killed in an illegal war, he wanted to have college money. I suffered without health insurance." Cindy would later explain, during the interview.

Cindy Sheehan was born in Inglewood, California in 1957 to working-class parents who came of age during the depression and World II. Cindy's parents, Shirley and Dennis Miller met at the Lockheed Martin Corporation where they both worked during the 1950s. Shirley raised three children-Cindy, her younger sister Dede and her brother Scott-while Dennis worked as an electrician. Cindy attended public school in Bellflower, California.

In 1974, Cindy Miller met Patrick Sheehan. The couple married in 1977 in Norwalk, California. In the subsequent years, Cindy and Pat Sheehan had four children Casey, Carly, Andy and Jane, and settled their family in Vacaville, California.

When her youngest child was two, Cindy decided to go back to college to earn her bachelor's degree. She first attended Cerritos College where graduated with honors. Thereafter, Cindy transferred to University of California Los Angeles where she majored in U.S. history with a concentration in California history.

Following UCLA, Cindy worked as a Youth Minister at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vacaville, California for eight years and coordinated an after-school program for at-risk middle school children for the City of Vacaville.

Late last year, Sheehan decided to continue increase her efforts, by going into politics. On December 8, 2007 Cindy Sheehan officially opened her campaign headquarters in San Francisco, CA, where she is now running as an Independent candidate for the United States Congressional Seat, for California's 8th Congressional District, against current incumbent, U.S House Majority Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

Following this opening, the Cindy for Congress campaign acknowledged the poor population's motivation and commitment(s) towards change, after they appeared out of oppression-able isolation (including myself) to vote, volunteer, and spread the word towards helping Cindy Sheehan be placed on the November ballot.

On August 8th, 2008, this goal was accomplished after the required signature amount, were approved by the City and County of San Francisco, Department of Elections.

Many S.F voters share the same passion, with Sheehan for the removal of Pelosi, who failed deliver her "Articles of Impeachment" (among other U.S Government accountabilities) against U.S President, George W. Bush, following her successful win in the November 2006 Election.

I arrived at her campaign office, CINDY FOR CONGRESS, located at 1260 8th/Mission St, at around 1:50 p.m. After a brief welcome from her volunteer staff, and family members, I greeted Cindy Sheehan and began with the interview. "Should you win the election, what would be one of the first things that you would do? "This was my first question.

"Well, I'm running on a very detailed, progressive, populace platform. My major issues are of course the immediate troop with drawls, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and holding George Bush and Dick Cheney accountable." Sheehan replied. "That's why I am running against Nancy Pelosi because she refuses to hold Bush and Cheney accountable, as well as the occupations in Iraq, and Afghanistan."

I then asked, "Miss Sheehan, what was the feeling you got after meeting with President George W. Bush?" (The devil of devils, monsters of monsters, I thought to myself.)

"Two months after Casey was killed on April 4th, 2004 me and my family met with him. (Bush) He met with us, and approximately 17 other families. The feeling that I got from him was that he didn't care about our loss, and he didn't even want to be there."

As I continued the interview, it quickly dawned on me that her son's death was on the same date that the most famous civil rights leaders in history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was struck down by an assassin's bullet. The news of King's death caused chain reactions of sorrow, anger, and violence to thousands nationwide.

Thirty-six years later, on April 4th, 2004, there was another news explosion that every mother and father dread. When Cindy received word of her son's demise, via Bush lie, Cindy's internal emotions snapped, like the many that felt lost without Dr. King. Angered, and saddened beyond measure, Cindy Sheehan joined the anti-war movement as a Peace Mom.

During her years of anti-war activism(s) in the road to end the Iraq War, outcries could often be heard in the distance:

"Bush lied, thousands died!"

"Bush lied, thousands died!"

"Bush lied, thousands died!"

Though there exists criticism of her alleged use of her son's death to selfishly achieve her own agendas, Cindy countered this criticism with the inner emotion and strength she carries by transforming tragedy into triumph.

Others have also turned tragedy into triumph, before and after Cindy, such as John Walsh, host of the T.V show "America's Most Wanted", Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D) and mesha Monge-Irizarry, founder, director of the Idriss Stelley Action Resource Center, a non-profit grassroots organization that counsels victims of police brutality.

Cindy, herself, started an organization that founded the Gold Star Families for Peace, (an organization of families who've lost loved ones, to the Iraq War)

I paused as she briefly tended to her grandson. After a few minutes, I then continued the interview. "How has your journey been for you against George Bush?" I asked. Cindy's face seemed to answer that question, by giving a slight shift that showed an expression of the weary road that she left behind, and the road that lies ahead of her.

"It was hard to do in mourning my son." she softly replied. "It was physically exhausting, emotionally, and financially draining. It is still very difficult to be so committed to fundamental positive change, when the system is so stacked against it. "I asked her in regards to change, "Do you think that after you're elected that you can accomplish that?"

Cindy replied, "Well first of all, I am running against the Queen (Pelosi) of the system. "When we (Cindy and her supporters) take her down (defeat her at the November ballots) that is really wounding the system."(From a changing perspective.) "We have the people's platform.

"When Pelosi's out, that puts everyone else in Congress on notice that their jobs are in jeopardy. They will have to listen to their constituents............not their lobbyists."

I then asked about her thoughts regarding the gentrification movement(s) that's occurring, locally, and universally. "How do you feel about gentrification, Miss Sheehan?" She replied, "I think that privatization and gentrification harm communities, because they destroy diversity. Not only is it destroying communities, but it is profoundly harmful to poor families."

It has been reported that Nancy Pelosi supports the housing land development company, based out of Miami, Florida called Lennar Corp. Lennar was recruited by S.F Mayor, Gavin Newsom sometime ago to join the city's "redevelopment" (gentrification movement) against the poor of the entire community of S.F Bayview Hunter's Point.

Recently, Pelosi supported George Bush, after he and Treasure Secretary, Henry Paulson proposed to Congress to sign into law a "Bailout Plan " known as The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to solve the "financial crisis" and "rescue" mortgage companies, banks, and stock markets of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street to avoid another "Great Depression."

However, it is yet to be reported of a "Bailout Plan" for those plagued in poverty, and not another Economic Stimulus Plan that would once again fail to boost the economy in crisis.

"This massive bailout is nothing short of a scheme by irresponsible corporate pirates to privatize gains and socialize debt," Sheehan stated recently in an interview on PRNewswire. "Such a move will only further add to the burden of individuals and families, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Not one of our tax dollars should go toward rescuing an industry that is failing because of unregulated lending and trading practices."

"WE ONLY NEED ONE BILLION!" These are the current cries and pleas of seniors, people with disabilities, families, and people living in poverty to gain equity access from U.S Congress towards affordable housing. (This is also in reference to the October 3rd POOR article by "Tiny" Lisa Gray-Garcia, regarding her analysis of the U.S $700 Billion "Bailout Plan" that included the wealthy, but excluded the poor.)

Sheehan pointed out a clear conflict of interest on the part of her opponent, Nancy Pelosi, and other members of the Democratic Party leadership pushing the "corporate bailout" forward. Apparently, Pelosi is one of more than 50 members of Congress, who is said to have investments in the companies involved in the current "financial crisis."

Sheehan also explained how on PRNewswire how Pelosi has half a million dollars in stock invested in AIG (American International Group) alone, which is included in this "bailout" situation. "We need elected officials who will stand up for our interests, not protect their own pockets or the pockets of the very same people who got us into this mess in the first place."

"We are tired of giving golden parachutes to greedy corporate interests. We're standing up and saying, not this time, not with my money and not with my consent!" This "Bailout Plan" is also expected to cost each taxpayer in America $2,300 in the future!

"If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home. And if you fall on the side that is against this war and against George Bush, stand up and speak out.'" -----Cindy Sheehan, BuzzFlash August 20, 2005.

by Staff Writer

by Catherine Limcaco/POOR Magazine Race, Poverty and Media Justice Intern

Women & revolution are alive & inseparable." In her opening keynote address, celebrated poet and unionist Nellie Wong put it bluntly: "This weekend, we continue the fight for women's liberation because it's as necessary as breathing. The revolution is ours to make. It is our greatest duty. It is our greatest joy." Such sentiments permeated the high-energy event. As one young Chicana noted, "Thunderous applauses, tears of pride and cheers of laughter empowered and emboldened those who came to build the revolutionary feminist movement."

Participants traveled from far and near to attend Radical Women's 41st anniversary conference, The Persistent Power of Socialist Feminism. The landmark Women's Building was a tapestry of ethnicities and colors, feminists born in the United States and many other places, such as Somalia, Iran, Puerto Rico, China, South and Central America, and Spain.Convened in the midst of the imploding U.S. economic crisis, the four-day conference of keynotes and policy resolutions, panels and workshops, sparked intense discussion. The result are concrete action plans to strengthen women's leadership in the social movements, to build united fronts with other committed activists, and to foster solidarity among working people at home and abroad. Merle Woo, one of the volunteers on behalf of Radical Women says , "In these times of economic meltdown, the rise in ranks of economically-distressed workers, the unemployed and homeless, the Radical Women Conference was a true antidote to all these ills, because our goal is to build a grassroots socialist feminist movement that is independent of the Democrats and Republicans and which will truly represent us, the majority, in theory and action."

One pivotal resolution was for a U.S. feminist movement independent of the twin parties of war and reaction. The author, Oregonian mom and bi-lingual teacher Laura Mannen, provided concrete advice on how women can organize independently of the two major parties. "On the job where we are already reviving union power," said Mannen. In coalitions where an army of grassroots women organizes in every community and social movement. In the anti-war movement, pressing it to include youth, women, people of color, queers, socialists, anarchists, pacifists, GIs, veterans and unionists in the crucial war against U.S. militarization. The point, she stressed, is to work together, not separately.

Other movements for immigrants, people of color and queer rights we're spotlighted at this conference. Seattle Radical Women president, Christina López, motivated Estamos en la lucha: Immigrant women light the fires of resistance, the second major policy resolution of the conference. A Chicana-Apache, López exposed the harsh impact of U.S. immigration policies on women and children and heralded the leadership of migrant women fighting for the right to survive around the world. Radical Women members voted unanimously to step up defense of immigrants and to send López on a national speaking tour to address these critical issues.

A panel of Asian American, Black and Chicana/Latina members spoke on "The galvanizing impact of multiracial organizing in a society divided by racism." From its founding in 1967, emphasized Emily Woo Yamasaki, New York City president of Radical Women, the group has fiercely defended its fundamental political position that there can be no revolutionary change without the leadership of women of color. How to teach and practice this made for riveting discussion.

Queer activists at the conference, eager to address issues beyond same-sex marriage, want to combine their issues with the struggle for immigrant rights. The conference pledged to help a guest from Arizona, one who is integrating these struggles in her community. The group also agreed to highlight transgender rights and organize to support the New Jersey Four — Black lesbians being prosecuted for defending themselves.

Moving into action. The conference concluded with National Organizer Anne Slater's report and proposals, Rising to the challenge of socialist feminism in a neoliberal world. Radical Women members affirmed plans outlined by Slater, including the need to maintain a strong national organization and build chapters. The group decided to canvass door-to-door in workingclass neighborhoods to see what issues are of interest to women in local communities, and then organize campaigns around those topics. Furthermore, it was agreed to send resolutions of support and solidarity to political prisoners including the San Francisco 8, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Marilyn Buck, and Leonard Peltier in the United States, Lori Berenson in Peru and Lex Wotton in Australia.

At the end of the four-day conference, it was clear that socialist feminism is alive and thriving. Linking arms across age, race, gender and sexual orientation lines — attendees went forth fortified with the ideas and practical knowledge needed to build a stronger, independent women's movement. Woo believes breaking these racial barriers was one of the highligts. So what's next? Woo says, "A lot needs to be done to implement some power in youth and start crossing generational lines. The youth are the ones who will be left to carry the movement."

by Tony Robles/National Poverty Racism and Resistance Report (NPRRR)

"We'd like to take what we're doing in Arkansas to other states. It would be great if every state had a citizen's lobbying group", says Bruce Lockett, co-chair of Citizen's First Congress (CFC), a grassroots organization based in Arkansas. CFC is made up of organizers and activists from 44 different organizations working together to shape public policy and to put power in the hands of low-income and working class Arkansonians in a state where big business wields so much power.

CFC is at the forefront of issues such as prison reform, economic justice, health care, Global warming and increasing the state’s minimum wage. Lockett sees Arkansas as a state where things are moving forward. "CFC is one of the few grassroots lobbying organizations in the state. Most people don’t have the resources or ability to lobby. It takes money and lots of logistical work".

CFC practices what POOR Magazine calls interdependence, rather than the cult of independence. CFC has coalesced into a formidable organization bringing together the most important of resources --the community. CFC successfully bridges organizers and activists from different fronts of struggle and unifies their efforts to form public policy in the state legislature.

CFC is a visionary organization that is thinking both locally and globally. The organization recently brought together scientists, environmentalists and scholars to lobby the Arkansas legislature to study the effects of global warming. As a result, the state assembly created a global warming commission to look at this global phenomenon and to develop strategies to ameliorate the damage being done to our planet. The corporate power elite in the state has power to shape policy towards pollution - a policy damaging to our basic human right to water and clean air. "We have a large group of environmentalists in the CFC", says Lockett. "We pushed for environmentally friendly technology. We have a windmill plant making windmills for the Texas market right now".

Through the lobbying efforts of the diverse organizations that make up the CFC, the Arkansas Department of agriculture was formed. Small farmers are now taking advantage of the many subsidies and programs via the federal government—opportunities denied them due to non-existent state body to disburse those funds. Thanks to the efforts of the CFC, small farmers can partake in subsidies that the larger farmers monopolized.

I met Bruce at a fundraising seminar in San Francisco a few months back. He was a guy you don't meet too often at fundraising workshops and seminars - warm, down to earth - real. We connected immediately. We talked about raising money and how hard it is for organizations to make it - especially ones that do not sell their souls to the non-profit industrial complex.

I asked him about homelessness in his state. He indicated that there are problems but they are limited to the bigger cities. "Little Rock has the biggest problem when it comes to homelessness. Arkansas is primarily rural. We have a population of 2.5 million in the entire state. The majority of our people live in rural areas". He cited Acorn (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) as being at the forefront of the state's housing issues.

In 2007 the CFC lobbied the legislature to focus on HIV/AIDS. The state formed an HIV task force this year in response to the disproportionate cases of HIV/AIDS plaguing women, African-Americans and Latinos. A task force’s findings will be released next month.

Predatory lending is a problem in poor communities with check cashing establishments offering payday loans - charging exorbitant interest rates, getting rich on the backs of the poor. That day is over. "We got Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to work on predatory lending with all the high fees", said Bruce. "Pay day loans were banned and Arkansas shut down the check cashing places". Check cashing establishments were charging 371% interest on these loans - higher than the 17% the state allows.

CFC is an example of interdependence - elders, scholars, activists, youths and environmentalists working together for the overall good of the community. As Bruce Lockett says, "People see strength in numbers".

by Teresa Molina/Voces de Inmigrantes en Resistencia at PNN

For English Scroll Down:

Cualquier ser humano merece el derecho a amar y tener ese amor sancionado sin prejuicios ni fronteras. El amor es amor, no importa a quién o qué lo sientes y nadie debería tener la autoridad para invalidar cualquier tipo de amor. Estos fueron dos de las demandas de la comunidad LGBT latina orgullosa que se reunieron en un evento llamado Amores Sin Fronteras en el Parque Dolores el mes pasado. Otras demandas lógicas y justificadas fueron: que su validez como amantes, seres humanos cometidos sea reconocido por una sociedad y sistema homófoba y que deben tener la oportunidad de ser feliz, viviendo una vida con sus amantes.

William Romero, un organizador voluntario del evento dijo: "Este festival es genial porque es nuestra oportunidad para que nuestras voces sean escuchadas y nuestras demandas se cumplan", añadió, "Lo que queremos es ser respetados y tratados mejor". William es una figura poderosa en la comunidad latina LGBT como él es un gran organizador que ayuda a planificar este evento cada año. William añadió: "Las cosas han cambiado para mejor. Hoy en día, por lo menos tenemos la libertad de expresión de nosotros mismos, pero la lucha no ha terminado y no será acabada hasta la igualdad de derechos exista para nuestra comunidad".

Trajes coloridos y rostros sonrientes decorarón el paisaje alegre y ilumino la sinceridad en los corazones de muchos. Un grupo de lesbianas, gays y personas transgénero celebraron con orgullo su identidad y demostraron sus talentos muy confiadamente mostrando su amor.

La doctrina religiosa es tan arraigada, no sólo en nuestra sociedad, sino que también tiene una presencia muy fuerte en la cultura latina. Como todo el mundo sabe, de acuerdo con la Biblia, ser homosexual es un pecado, y si la familia de uno no puede romper de la creencia de que la homosexualidad es inmoral y un pecado en lugar de sólo una preferencia sexual, es muy difícil tanto para los homosexuales en la familia, y la propia familia para entender unos con otros, y, además, empatía con los demás. La presión de nuestros padres latinos, compañeros, y la mayoría de familiares, a ser heterosexual; y no sólo heterosexual, sino llevar a cabo este acto machista si es un niño, y actuar como una dama reservada si eres una chica. Es sólo a partir de los últimos anos que la comunidad LGBT latina ha sido aceptado en nuestra comunidad más abierta, por lo que la lucha por la aceptación realmente comienza en casa, con nuestras abuelitas, tíos, tías, madres y padres.

English Sigue:

Any human being deserves the right to love and have that love sanctioned without prejudice or borders. Love is love, no matter who or what you feel it for and no one should have the authority to invalidate any particular kind of love…,These were two of the demands from the Latin pride community who gathered in an event entitled Amore Sin Fronteras (Love without Borders) at Delores Park last month. Other demands equally logical and justified were that their validity as loving, committed human beings be recognized by a homophobic society and system and they should have the opportunity to be happy creating a life with their partners.

William Romero, a volunteer organizer of the event said, "This festival is great because it is our opportunity to make our voices be heard and have our demands be met" he added, "What we want is to be respected and treated better." William is a powerful figure in the Latino LGBT community as he is a major organizer that helps plan this event every year. William added, "Things have changed for the better. Today, we at least have the freedom to express ourselves but the fight isn't over and it won't be over until equal rights exists for our community." Colorful outfits and smiling faces decorated the joyful landscape and illuminated the sincerity within the hearts of many. A group of lesbian, gay and transgender people proudly celebrated their identities and demonstrated their talents very confidently displaying their love.

Religious doctrine is so engrained not only in our society but also has a really strong presence in the Latino culture. As everyone knows, according to the bible, being gay is a sin, and if one’s family cannot breakaway from the belief that homosexuality is immoral and a sin rather than just a sexual preference, it is very difficult for both the homosexual in the family, and the family itself to understand with each other, and furthermore, empathize with each other. The pressure from our Latino parents, peers, and most relatives is to be straight; and not only straight, but carry out this macho act if you are a boy, and act like a reserved lady if you’re a girl. It is only as of recent that the Latino LGBT community has been accepted in our community more openly; so the struggle for acceptance really begins at home, with our abuelitas, tios, tias, and padres.

by Tiny aka Lisa Gray-Garcia/POOR Magazine-PNN

The officers were waiting, loaded firearms dangling from their wastes, steel filled chests puffed out, glassy stares behind helmets, all three thousand of them - or maybe there were only 8? One got the woman from behind, one got her from the front... they knocked her down, they physically harmed her. She was one woman alone. She was a journalist doing her job. She was attacked by the police for no reason at all. Her only crime was being a media producer in a hostile location.

The story you just heard could be the well-known story of Democracy Now's Amy Goodman's experience of police terror at the Republican National Convention. It also could be the rarely heard story of KPFA long-time volunteer and media producer Nadra Foster's experience of police terror at the KPFA offices in Berkeley last month.

Just a few days before when Amy Goodman was experiencing the fascist silencing of her powerful voice and that of her fellow Democracy Now colleagues by what POOR Magazine calls the po'LICE, Nadra Foster, a mother of two, an apprenticeship graduate and 12 year long unpaid media producer at KPFA was experiencing a similar form of po'LICE terror at the KPFA station in Berkeley because she was allegedly using the phone for personal calls.

This is where the similarities end. When the Amy Goodman story broke, there was national news coverage, which was great, because it detailed the ways in which the fascist police state we are all living in is only increasing. When the Nadra Foster story broke, it wasn't considered real news by the powers that be inside KPFA and Pacifica, including Amy Goodman.

My questions go to the heart of this difference and this idea that somehow things that happen to some people constitute real-ness, that some people are real, that some media is real, that some perpetrations of abuse are real, that some use of fascist force is ok, sanctioned, and alright because we are doing it and its about us, and that its for "legitimate" reasons.

All of my conscious colleagues at KPFA, Democracy now, Pacifica, Free Speech Radio News, The SF Bay view, KPOO, The POCC Block Report, and POOR Magazine are desperately concerned and dedicated to the increased fascism that is being perpetrated on all people locally and globally, on migrant scholars at the border, on youth of color in Oakland, on families, children and individuals in Iraq and Afghanistan and Palestine, on poor people in struggle everywhere, This station and all the Pacifica stations across the globe are reporting, writing, recording and broadcasting every day on the wrong-nesses perpetrated by police, armies, militias and beyond -so why is it ok to perpetrate abuse on our own folks, EVER?

To insure that we are not EVER practicing hypocrisy and because of our work and dedication to all fights of injustice and oppression- we as a poor people led/indigenous people led organization who have personally and organizationally been abused by corporate and insitutionally racist and classist systems like the police, practice the same standards of community, care-giving, accountability and self-protection that we promote and expect of all humans, organizations and communities. At POOR Magazine we clearly understand that we all need to self-protect and stay safe in what ever that means for all of us individually - which is why we have developed different forms of redress and community accountability to deal with wrong-nesses perpetrated by any one of us against any other of us. If there is an egrious act committed against one of us we call for a cross-organizational Community Council. WE model it after tribal councils that exist in indigenous communities across the globe, councils of organizational elders that listen/hear from all people concerned and as a community decide what is a proper form of redress for people's actions. WHAT WE DO Not do is call the police - EVER! -the police as all of us are always reporting on - are used as agents of capitalism, fascism and power and operate under a culture of terror- They are taught to use force and weapons. They are instructed to apply harm, the same way as they do in East, West and North Oakland with youth of color, with migrant workers, with houseless folks, with Palestinians on the Israel border.

My challenge to readers, my fellow media producers, artists, reporters, writers, activists and service providers from Amy Goodman to the management of the KPFA station, as well as several non-profit organizations that have also fallen into this same illogical pattern, is to adopt a policy of NO POLICE calls EVER - and with that adopt other forms of inter-organizational redress, and accountability that is NEVER about violence. Yes, that might take more time and more involvement of more people - but that ultimately means that we are not becoming the monsters that we are so focused on reporting on and working against, - that we truly understand that our personal and organizational behavior MUST not emulate the perpetrators who we are fighting , and that if we are going to report on the wrong-nesses of others we must start by fixing the wrong-nesses of ourselves.

For more information on POOR Magazine's indigenous model of Community Accountability, call us at (415) 863-6306 or email us at deeandtiny@poormagazine.org

by Staff Writer

No I’ve Written No Columns.

There are many reasons for the statement above.

I won’t bore my many readers with multiple excuses.

Said simply there were

and are changes in my life going on at the moment.

From physical, psychological stresses to housing situations that have kept me from the POOR MAGAZINE offices and San Francisco Liberation Radio. Net. programs.

Ultimately I’ve been my own worst enemy (no pun intended)of new recent tv show.

For the past few months either hold up in a bed bug infested room doing the “woe is me” stuff forgetting that I’m blessed to be alive, healthy, and relatively sane.

Being A politictal with all the swirling news about the upcoming election has also gotten to me at times.

I will not worry who’s best for job as the next President or Vice President that’s up to every voter on Nov. 4th.

2008 is a momentous sea change, may usher in changes we cannot yet conceive of.

Personally, sometime after this election is over, the economy still limping along I have some decisions already made
involving travel, jobs, and career goals that just a weeks ago I could not imagine as possible.

CHANGE SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF THE WORLD.

My firm belief is that it is positive and ongoing for everyone involved.
For me it means turning some tapes in CD’s, going places outside the U.S.

All I’ll say is “If you don’t go and vote, don’t bitch and moan afterwards.

All comments please send to

ne.com.

I think?/telljoe@poormagazine.

by John X ( aka The Indigent Litigant) PoorNewsNetwork

While arguing politics with a friend of mine at a local homeless drop-in. we got to the part about aggressive panhandling, proposition N and the police department and how they normally "deal" with our fellow brothers and sisters trying to scrounge up a buck or two. At this point one of the men in our discussion group, Andre, began his story…..

Being a budding entrepreneur for several years, Andre Rucker washes cars as his main source of lively hood and like myself stays in whatever shelter has the shortest line that evening. Andre has had a business license for over 12 years and has always had some sort of business enterprise going. He like many others attempted to apply for General Assistance only get into arguments with the workers about something or other in the "application process" needing to be corrected or failure to provide documentation not previously asked for but resulting in your immediate denial of assistance for the next 60/90 days till we clear it up or you starve and die on the streets of San Francisco whichever comes first.

Andre had decided to set-up shop across the street from one of the local area shelters to do his car wash business. He had the permission of the property owner to use the water and the space so his customers could meet him at a specific spot regularly. Apparently since some of the shelter staff specifically the Director knew Andre as a "client" and as Andre himself put it " they did not feel I should be allowed to work at least not in this capacity". You see Andre is self-employed and can charge what the market will bear which is about $100 per hour for his services. Andre is not just a car washer but a car detail specialist and it is his signature service that draws customers to him. Now, if Andre were out their busting his ass for minimum wage nobody would have ever bothered him because he was "in his place". I don’t make that statement so much as Andre is a black man as I do he is a poor man at least by all appearances. And as it were this shelter contacted the police to have Andre removed from the property as he was not to be in the vicinity of a shelter after leaving in the morning hours. Here again another "policy" of a shelter attempting to dictate peoples behavior as if it were law and using the police to enforce illegal practices.

So when the police were called Andre immediately got on his cell phone ( The essential tool for the efficient 21st century homeless person) to the Board of Equalization and of all people Willie Brown.Da Mayor. Ironically enough Mr. Brown is also a client of Andre. Andre advised the police officers that his conduct was constitutionally protected and he was allowed to do any type of business he wanted to as he had permit from city hall of which he showed to the police officers. After the exchange of a few words between the officers and Andre the Willie asked to speak to one of the officers and they were soon to depart. In the course of their exit their was some snickering that apparently Da Mayor overheard since he was still on the phone as was the Board of Equalization and had Andre ask the officers why they had not left the area and to dispense with their commentaries.

The point to this story is this, there are more people claiming to want to help us that have done and continuously do more harm regarding our plight than actually help us. My friend Andre as I stated earlier in this story stepped out of his place. He was using his own intelligence and resources to better his financial situation and because of that resourcefulness and independence was singled out by someone who in my view was better of financially but not emotionally. This shelter employee took a position of authority and manipulated and abused it for their own means by invoking some bizarre sense of authority and means to control this person's financial future. Had my friend groveled for every morsel whether food, shelter or general respect and dignity he would be accepted by the community based organizations system but because he continuously strives and struggles and uses his intelligence he is routinely outcaste and pointed out in the homeless community as a trouble maker or someone with an attitude or issues.

I wish to commend Andre on his fortitude and perseverance in the face of continuous obstacles. I wish him luck in his pursuits and ask if any of you have a story such as this you wish for me to highlight contact me here at POOR Magazine.

The Indigent Litigant column (aka JohnX) on PoorNewsNetwork welcomes your questions, comments and letters on the legal and constitutional issues regarding police harassment, race and class based profiling and assorted other crimes of poverty. You can email him at johnX@poormagazine.org or mail him your letters JohnX/ POOR Magazine 1448 Pine Street #205 SF, Ca 94109

by Marlon Crump/PNN Revolutionary Legal Scholar

"The goal of this initiative is to breed widespread fear and panic among the public. It relies heavily on law enforcement strategies and incarceration as a means to promote public safety. This Prop 6 is resurrecting failed crime polices from the past in effort to promote the prison industrial complex."

Prop 6 is a proposed ballot initiative called the "Safe Neighborhoods Act" which is a subsequent "gang injunctions" gentrification tool that is aimed towards the youth, in communities of color........... at the hands of wealthy land developers.

The trend of these injunctions have traveled, and have descended upon major U.S. cities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA, El Paso and Forth Worth, TX, Chicago, IL, and most recently Durham, NC.

This political plague is swarming towards threatening the youth, (from 16-14 yrs old), funding for treatment programs, undocumented immigrant youth, and even the hip-hop generation.

This proposal, according to Community Justice Network for Youth (CJNY) Program Manager, Christina "Krea" Gomez, is alleged to "Protect Victims, Stop Gang and Street Crime" is another "Get Tough on Crime" initiative in California that targets the poor communities of color.

Gomez summarized her extensive research, investigations, and the final analysis of Prop 6 to my family and comrades of POOR during our frequent first Tuesday-of-the-month Community Newsroom, on September 2nd, 2008.

She feels a sense of urgency to oppose

this initiative, before it arrives on the ballot in November. All of us at POOR un-arguably agreed!

One of the main concerns I have with this "initiative" are the youngsters who are viewed as "unfit" for juvenile court from ages 14 to 16--ultimately unleashing more wolves on the youth upon their entry into the savage system, at a younger age............... than almost anywhere in the country.

Prop 6, also known as the "Runner Initiative" is being sponsored by California Republican senator, George C. Runner Jr, and is authored by Mike Reynolds, also the author of Three Strikes. The primary funding machine of Prop 6 is fueled from Henry T. Nicholas "Nick" III, an American communications technology businessman and co-founder of Broadcom Corporation.

The Runner Initiative strengthens gang injunctions. Some of its causes and damaging effects are defining the service process for civil gang injunction.

This would increase the normal standards of these injunctions by applying this to everyone in the gang, and not just individually. Prop 6 would give increased strength towards gang injunctions so that a violation can lead to prison time.

It would target communities by providing funding to local housing authorities, WITH the requirement that people who are housed with public housing subsidies, WITH additional family members also listed on their lease, to submit to annual criminal background checks.
(The intention is to remove housing subsidies of people with recent criminal convictions.)

Even worse, this prop would explicitly allow evictions or closures to be entered and eliminates the 30-day eviction notice process!

The average cost to incarcerate one person in a California prison is $13,000 per year. Increasing incarceration rates have only a negligible effect on reducing violent crime. Proven prevent programs such as the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care have produced up to a 22% drop in offending, at a cost of less than $7,000 per participant.

The Legislative Analysts Office has estimated that the Runner Initiative will cost taxpayers $1 billion the first year and $500 million every year after that to pay for prisons, probation, and law enforcement.

California currently has a gang database, called CALGANG. It is the largest statewide gang database in the country and lists more than 100,000 names. The criteria behind the data, is so untrustworthy that former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer refused to forward them to the federal authorities.

According to Lockyer, "This database cannot and should not be used, in California or elsewhere, to decide whether or not a person is dangerous or should be detained."

In reference to that statement, the Los Angeles DA's Office found that close to half of Black males between the ages of 21 and 24 had been entered in the county's gang database.............. even though no one could establish that all of these young men were current "gang members." One has to wonder who's name is going to go where and when and for what reasons.

Prop 6 threatens the hip hop generation by continuing to manipulate to the minds of the public that the youth of color are a threat to their safety, or as AmeriKKKa defines it, "National Security."

Speaking of "security" isn't one of Prop 6's sponsors, Henry T. Nicholas "Nick" III, ranked # 195 in 2007 in Forbes Magazine's list of richest Americans, currently under indictment for federal charges for felony drug, conspiracy, and securities fraud?

The Runner Initiative excludes members of the communities most impacted by violence from making decisions about our own safety. This is done, by requiring that the juvenile justice coordinating councils, be responsible, for developing county responses to juvenile crime.

However representatives from community-based drug and alcohol programs, nonprofit organizations serving minors, and the community at large are excluded! This would injure mental health services, in part.

"Prop 6 will take away the community voice and mental health component." argued JewnBug co-founder of POOR's Family Project, and member of Parent Voices. "You can't make a safe neighborhood WITHOUT the community's voice."

POOR Magazine has an Arts, Media, and Literacy program for anyone struggling in poverty looking to publish either a book or a CD. One of the POOR Press Authors, name Angel Garcia had published his first book, titled "Gangs, Drugs, and Denial" just last year. (I personally did the review on his book.)

"I felt the cop's hard boot hit my neck, I heard the wind pass as he lifted back and swung his foot onto my neck and upper back, I tasted the warm blood drip down my mouth..........."

Garcia was a former gang-banger who turned his life around, and published his first book, with the intent that others wouldn't make the same mistakes that he did. If Prop 6 gets passed, what would this mean for youngsters wanting to make a difference in their life?

With community-based organizations and non-profits stripped of their involvement, who are supposed to lead them on a positive path?

This "initiative" also denies the right to a pretrial release to undocumented immigrants who are accused of serious, or gang-related crime from being released on bail or their own recognizance, while awaiting trial.

It would also require local sheriffs to alert the Immigration Central Enforcement (ICE) of the arrest and charges of people who are undocumented.

Prop 6, as it clearly seems, allows the City of San Francisco to establish even more power to criminalize the undocumented youth immigrants to the dooms of deportation........from a not- so "Sanctuary City".

It is not coincidental and/or un-questionably clear that "gang injunctions" and "undocumented immigrant youth" are BOTH placed on the ballot, in the disguise of Prop 6, in the biggest election of the year.

The not so hidden agenda of Prop 6. The "Runner" and "initiative" is to ................initially run off the youth population. Is that really a Safe Neighborhoods Act?

by Joseph Bolden

His/Her story made by all of us
Well,here it is momentous,undeniable history being made.

Just being alive to choose who’ll be next president of U.S.A. is an awesome choice.

Many literally fear change coming as old standards flounder, flail,new truths revealed.

For me,not being in Washington isn’t as big a deal as voting for the candidate in the White House
and seeing her or him with left hand raised,right hand on the bible sworn in as the highest office in America is occupied by another person other than Bush.

You know what I say. “If you don’t study the issues, vote your choice… Don’t Bitch ‘N’ Moan about the outcome.

Its up to all of us. As for the two A-holes racist Neo-Nazi Skinheads bone head Kill 88 by beheading

According to documents unsealed in U.S. District in Jackson, Tenn. By A.P. writer Laura Jakes Jordan

Also the numbers 88 and 14are symbolic in the White Supremacist community.

The spree, continues targeting [italics mine] unidentified predominantly African-American School, ending with the Two men driving toward Obama, “shooting at him from the window,”

The court documents show.

Again I thank Associate Press reporter Laura Jakes Jordan
For reporting this.

So,Drive By shootings of Black Schools and a Presidential Candidate…
Well, boys, girls, Women, Men, People- Can we smell not spell the word F E A R, true fear of a first ever Black President?

I’m voting then doing my personal run for life Extension.

I don’t care which political party, or socio economic strata you are from, of, have recently entered maybe re-enter.

My deal: get healthier, improve on it, and get down to research on the best Life Extension therapies.

The next Frontier is a personal stake living way longer than any of us ever expected to live!

I’m not the only one thinking this way.

Its no joke, laughing matter or simply nerdy to think it weird. I’ve got hard work cut out for me to live long, make few enemies have more friends, lovers and see this next evolution stage of People-kind Homo Mathuselah and I’m talking odd walk of dwarfs.

Vote and be ready for change and if it don’t happen become your own change.

Got to go folks and bet that between both Goddess/God and global humanity life extension to eventual personal physical immortality is a given.

The only question is: stay the course ‘til death or change for a chance for the hard earned gift of a very healthy prolonged lifespan.

You know me I seek the enlightenment, illumination not the gray bleak foggy darkness we’ve lived through so far.

Send comments to telljoe@poormagazine.org or www.poormagazine.org

by Tony Robles

Jimmy, Jimmy, oh Jimmy Mack

When are you coming back?

--Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

It was 1980 and the thick smell of sugar cane from the factory was heavy in the air. My family had just moved to Waipahu, Hawaii from San Francisco. I would walk the roads with the red clay earth under my feet. I was a newcomer. I didn't know the history of where I was. All I really knew were the messages I got from tourist propaganda. I didn't know about the Hawaiian monarchy and how it was overthrown by the US. I didn't know about the workers who had labored under severe conditions on the sugar and pineapple plantations in the early days. I had no idea that Pilipino workers had shut down the factories to protest inhuman working conditions. All I knew was the dirt under my feet. I tried hard to get rid of it.

My father, Jimmy Robles, had taken a chance moving to Hawaii. He labored more than 20 years as a janitor for the city and county of San Francisco. One day he said goodbye. He, his wife, my brother and sister and I packed up and moved to Hawaii. My grandmother had warned my father against the move. To her, the smart thing was to remain in his job, retire and collect a pension. Life in Hawaii was hard. The economy was bad and nobody seemed to have any money. My father had started his own janitorial business in San Francisco and brought his equipment to Waipahu. His vacuum cleaner, mops, brooms and floor waxing machine sat idly near a mango tree in the backyard of his father in law's house.

My father walked the same road that I did. He said he was looking for work he wasn't but he was looking for something else, something deeper. Somehow I knew he was looking. And while I was at school listening to a girl say to me, "You talk like one haole" the same red earth clung to the bottom of my father's feet in Waipahu when he came upon a house. Unlike me, he didn't try to get the dirt off his feet.

"I was in Waipahu," my father says as he recalls that day over 20 years ago, "I saw these guys in a garage. It was a beautiful dance. A guy in a ponytail came out. His name was Snooky Sanchez. He knew my father and my brother. I watched these guys sparring and I was inspired. I sought out this art.

What my father had encountered on that day was the Pilipino fighting art of Escrima. Escrima is a Philippine fighting style which utilizes sticks, knives and open hand techniques as well as fluid body movements and footwork. The movements are explosive. The origins of the art predate the Spanish invasion and subsequent colonization of the Philippines. My father explains the warrior's mentality that goes with being a successful practitioner of the art. "To do well, you have to have a war mentality. You have to be strong and in condition. You have to be in total relaxation and from that come a burst of energy. You go down into your spirit; you go beyond your limit."

My father worked at the art and became an instructor, an indigenous warrior scholar who has resisted the American occupation and colonization of his mind, heart and spirit. He befriended another martial artist, Joe Behic, AKA Joe the volcano, and the two experimented with the art, synthesizing different styles, developing their own style that they've named Sayaw Ng Mandirigma, which means "Dancing with the warriors" in Tagalog. "Our style is like a cobra. As we retreat, we're ready to attack at any time. It's a reality-based combat. We developed this system over a period of 5 years."

My father says that in the old days, you learned the art through your family only. Hawaii is an integral center for martial arts people have come from all over for generations, bringing their different styles. "A lot of masters came and planted roots here in Hawaii," dad says. I remember my father trying to pass the art to me. He'd take his sticks and he'd show me the basic strikes, which I still remember. For some reason I didn't take to it. Perhaps it was the bad memories I had of him showing me boxing, with me on the receiving end of more punches than I landed. I ended up gravitating towards writing.

My father was in Hawaii with some of his Escrima students when he was invited to attend an Escrima world championship tournament on the Island of Cebu in the Philippines. My father's parents arrived in the US in the early 1920s. This will be his first visit to the birthplace of his parents. "I'm happy to go to the motherland, the roots. My people came from there. It's gonna be emotional for me. The students he will accompany will be visiting for the first time as well.

It is befitting that this world championship will be held on the Island of Cebu, the place that Ferdinand Magellan was killed by the Philippine warrior Lapu Lapu in an act of resistance to the colonizing of the Spaniards.

He leaves for Cebu on July 16th. When he gets off the plane I'm sure he will have the same red earth on the bottoms of his feet, having arrived just in time to dance that beautiful dance which is his life.

by Marlon Crump/PNN Revolutionary Legal Scholar

"I think that in order to win you have to talk a certain way, without compromising yourself."

These were the charismatic statements from San Francisco Candidate for District 9 Supervisor, Eric Quezada during POOR's monthly Community Newsroom, on August 8th, 2008.

Quezada was collectively interviewed by all of POOR's poverty scholars, writers, and journalists present, regarding his candidacy run for the upcoming November 4th Election for the current seat of incumbent, District 9 Supervisor Tom Ammiano.

POOR's co-founder/my mentor, "Tiny" Lisa Gray-Garcia no-nonsensely navigated the meeting, in her normal fashion by ensuring that all questions asked to Quezada were quick enough for everyone to ask.

"I come from revolutionary politics." said Quezada. "I came into radical politics at an early age. If I win, I want my office to be a tool for the movement. Tell no lies and claim no easy victories."

When he was asked about the affordable housing and displacement(s) situation regarding S.F's poor population, Quezada replied, "We're trying to slow down gentrification and get more affordable housing."

A native San Franciscan, Eric Quezada is a longtime community and housing activist in San Francisco's Mission and Bernal neighborhoods.

Prior to joining Dolores Street Community Services in the fall of 2005, Eric worked for the Mission Housing Development Corporation, co-founder of the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition (MAC) and the Mission Economic Development Agency.

Quezada also serves on the Board of Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and PODER (People Organized to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights).

In the 90's during the Dot.Com boom, Eric Quezada took the lead on challenging live/work development in the Mission in the 90’s and has worked since on stopping the gentrification of the neighborhood.

Before and after, he has been at the forefront of the District's most pressing issues, ranging from affordable housing, immigrant rights, family services, economic development, and environmental justice.

"What makes me stand out against the other candidates (S.F Police Commissioner, David Campos, and Mark Sanchez) is that I've been working on these issues for twenty years."

Eric Quezada also expressed his feelings on the treatment of poor people living in affordable housing and S.R.Os (Single Room Occupancy) Hotels, in the face of law enforcement abuse by police officers.

(Which I knew far too well from my own experience in October 7th, 2005..)

"I think that just because you live in affordable housing doesn't mean that your constitutional rights are to be left at the door." he said.

At the People's Rally on July 10th, 2008 at San Francisco City Hall, residents of the Mission, South of Market, Potrero Hill, and Chinatown flooded its steps. Myself, and POOR were there to re-port and su-port the rally, among other neighborhood community activists.

The people in attendance were fed up with the zoning/owning plans that were exchanged, between the S.F Planning Department, and the S.F Planning Commission, and how it would possibly have an "eminent domain" affect on their neighborhoods.

Present in the crowd was Eric Quezada, in support of the rally.

The topic shifted to the destructive issue of the criminalization of S.F's poor, a discussion that proved lengthy. A recent proposal by S.F Mayor Gavin Newsom for a court strictly for S.F's homeless population for "misdemeanor offenses" was approved for funding by the S.F Board of Supervisors, despite objections and protests of many.

As a result of Newsom's "proposal" and its support by numerous S.F. Board of Supervisors, the Community Court Justice Center (defined by POOR as Poverty Court.) was born, on June 22nd, 2008.

In response, Quezada suggests that, "What should really happen is organizing the supervisors."

Quezada discussed the treatment of S.F's youth population, regarding the very racist and classist "gang injunctions" introduced by the San Francisco City Attorney's Office, a little over a year ago.

"It was all about getting money from Homeland Security while trying to keep new residents safe, during targeted gentrified areas in S.F. All it really does is lead to more racial profiling."

Towards the end of the interview, Quezada discussed how he felt about non-profit developers profiteering off of poor people's lives. "Holding non-profit developers accountable actually got me into trouble." Quezada said, in reference to his employment at Mission Housing Development Corporation.

"There are developer fees and these developer fees should be coming back into the community. To say we (S.F.) are going to give 400 acres to Lennar Corp is crazy. The Mayor's Office on Housing is always putting funding on big sites."

by Elizabeth Reiser/POOR Magazine Race, Poverty and Media Justice Intern

I woke up in bed this morning. I brushed my teeth, took a shower and ate scrambled eggs with toast. I drove to Dr. Andrew's office where I winced at my tetanus shot and then headed to Walgreens to pick up my prescription.

Although the first hour of my morning was a common one, it was also one of privilege. My ease in obtaining basic necessities and health care is at odds with the significant struggle for many citizens living in San Francisco. As clothes pile in bedroom closets and medications stack on the shelves in bathrooms of the "haves" resources for the "have nots" drain from supply closets at shelters and health clinics. Mayor Gavin Newsom's proposed 2008-2009 budget for San Francisco signals a harsh future of painful shortages of essential necessities for those most in need. There will be no longer a trickling down of supplies but instead a severe drought of survival resources.

Reduced funding for non-profit health and housing centers further endangers the most vulnerable citizens in our city. For Ella Hill Hutch, Episcopal Community, Next Door and many other health and support shelters assisting hundreds daily, services would be significantly cut or worse, their doors would close. And, when this proposed budget closes a door, there will be no opened window.

In desperation for my concerns to be heard, while re-porting and sup-porting for POOR Magazine, I joined a worried community at the budget protest on the front lawn of city hall. "We have a city and leadership that is indifferent to our people," stated Supervisor Bevan Duffy of District 8. How can such apathy exist in a democracy? My voice would not be heard in the Budget Committee meeting; however, the voices of my fellow citizens would echo within the walls of the Supervisors' Chamber as we marched in during our budget protest on Thursday, June 26th.

"When services are under attack. What do we do?"

"STAND UP FIGHT BACK!"

Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) along with members of Tenderloin Health Resource Center, Coalition on Homelessness, and other activists crammed into the chamber at City Hall. The flame of frustration in the security guards was a tea candle compared to the fire burning in those most affected by the proposal. Their fierce and determined chants gave meaning to Tom Ammiano's comment, "the cruelest thing is that they get very angry and they worry." The proposed 2008-2009 budget causes stress not only about simple necessities but also about basic survival.

Among the purple sea of the SEIU, I stood next to members of the Tenderloin Health Resource Center, the largest community center in San Francisco providing essential services and housing to thousands of individuals annually. It is the only service open 365 days a year, 18 hours a day. Although 16,000 individuals access this center over 180,000 times per year, many of these services have been deemed expendable and their clients disposable. Tei Okamoto, a manager of Tenderloin Health stated that the proposed budget will cut their $800,000 funding nearly in half. She exclaimed, "this can't serve our population." And, this is just one of many shelters that will be significantly impacted or closed due to the budget cuts.

A further look at Mayor Newsom's budget shows over 1,000 front-line service jobs eliminated while management jobs increased. This continues the 10 year trend of high paid management positions increasing at a rate 7.7 times greater than the lower-paid positions for workers directly involved in delivering city services.

As Chris Daly quieted the unified crowd in the Supervisors Chamber, he declared, "Sustained pressure is important, we need to unite as a city to save services." With these words I raised both my head and my sign higher as I processed out of the room. However, my shoulders returned to their slouched position, weighed heavily by the sight of the men and women on the street lying outside closed doors. The backs of those struggling citizens turned away from overcrowded, under-funded shelters circled through my mind in response to their cycle of poverty. How many doors must be slammed in the face of those most in need of an open one?

Later that evening as I brushed my teeth and removed the band-aid from my tetanus puncture another question surfaced. In remembering a fellow protestor's sign, "Patients not Profits," I suddenly realized that even full-funding would still be just a band-aid. Mayor Newsom's budget may be saving city dollars, but what about saving human lives?

*Supervisors' funding requests known as "add-backs" were added since the production of this article restoring almost full-funding to the Tenderloin Health Resource Center. However, this and many other health centers and shelters are still significantly under-funded and in danger of closing. The 2008-2009 budget process has not yet been finalized so ongoing pressure is still vital.

by MARLON CRUMP/PNN Revolutionary Legal Scholar

"There is a legislation of an immigrant's Municipal I.D Card. We want to make sure that the police department (San Francisco Police Department) acknowledge immigrant rights."

In the upcoming November 2008 election for District 9's current incumbent, Tom Ammiano's seat, San Francisco Board of Police Commissioner David Campos voiced his concerns regarding a number of issues, including immigrant rights here, in San Francisco, CA to my fellow POOR Magazine comrades.

This was during POOR's Community Newsroom, on November 6th, 2007. Tom Amiano's District consists of the Mission District, Bernal Heights and Portola neighborhoods. David Campos, himself, was an undocumented immigrant when he arrived here in the U.S with his family, from Guatemala at age 14.

Campos also briefly discussed an S.R.O Hotel (Single Room Occupancy) presentation that was going to be on the following day, at the San Francisco Police Commission, at S.F City Hall.

I referenced David Campos' address to my POOR comrades, in regards to this long anticipated presentation of San Francisco Police Department members and their interaction with people (including myself) who live in S.R.O Hotels in the City of San Francisco.

"It's David's commitment as a police commissioner in getting the police department to know the community of Bernal Heights better, is why we were able to get things done regarding community policing." John Perry, a Bernal Heights resident boomed his voice to a large "Campos 2008" capacity crowd at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, in San Francisco's Mission District, on November 29th, 2007.

Among the many in attendance was fellow San Francisco Police Commissioner, Petra DeJesus, Sheriff Michael Hennessey, John Perry, Axis of Love executive director, Shona Gouchenaur, District 9 Supervisor, Tom Ammiano, David Campo's family, and your's truly from POOR Magazine.

When I asked him in a follow up interview what motivated his run for District 9, Campos replied, "I am running for Supervisor because I believe that the most disenfranchised people in District 9 (the poor, immigrants, the homeless, working families) need a voice on the Board of Supervisors."

"I was an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who came here with nothing. For many years, my family struggled to make ends meet. After a lot of work and the support of my family, friends and my community, I managed to put myself through college and law school.

As an attorney, I also brought the perspective and knowledge of how to get things done, as evidenced by my work on the San Francisco Police Commission, where I have pushed for real and meaningful police reform. I believe that because of my personal and professional experiences, I can be that voice."

David Campos was born in 1970 in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. He came to the United States with his family when he was only 14 years old. As an undocumented immigrant who spoke only Spanish, David grew up in the barrio of South Central Los Angeles.

He excelled in his classes, earned scholarships to college and law school, and remained true to his roots as a progressive civil rights advocate and Democratic leader. He has earned a BA at Stanford, University in 1993 and a Law Degree from Harvard, in 1996.

David has served as Lead Counsel to the San Francisco Unified School District from 2004-2007. He has worked to desegregate San Francisco schools, investigated corruption, and bring open government to the School District. Campos has also worked in the San Francisco City Attorney's Office, from 1999-2004.

In addition to these accreditations, Campos is Co-chairman of BALIF (Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom) and a Board of Directors member for the San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association.

When I asked him of his plans for the immigrant families that are currently going through issues of deportation, he replied, "As Supervisor, I would push for the City and County of San Francisco to help those families. Because the federal and state governments are going after these families, the City and County of San
Francisco needs to stand up for them."

"We as a City need to send the clear message that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion whether or not they have papers. The City should develop a support system that gives these families assistance, to give them an opportunity to stay in the country."

Then I questioned his thoughts of the City of San Francisco's attempts towards establishing Municipal Codes for undocumented immigrants, “" assume you're talking about the Municipal ID card." David said. "I totally support it. Most of us take it for granted but having an identification card is critical."

"Without it, it's almost as if you don't exist. Since the federal government and the state government are unwilling to give these individuals a driver's license or some other form of identification, then it is only appropriate for the City to step in and give it to them. My hope is that the identification will allow them to do basic things like opening a checking account, for instance."

I asked him what his thoughts were of a very crucial and critical issue regarding the marijuana debate of cannabis patients here in San Francisco and the protection of their rights, especially in the face of the S.F.P.D, D.E.A, and other law enforcement agencies.

"I believe that we should protect the rights of medical cannabis patients. This is really a human rights issue. It is a very simple. People who need medication should get it. I don't see why the federal government is getting involved in something that is truly a local matter".

The fact is that the people of the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco have spoken, they believe in medical cannabis and the feds should leave patients alone."

I asked Campos how he would address the problems facing youth in San Francisco, and the lack of employment available to them. "I will work tirelessly (pushing for jobs for the youth) to do that. As someone who once was one of those youth who felt like I didn't have many options, I know the importance of giving our youth a hand".

Many of these kids get in trouble because they have no where to go. We as a City need to make an investment in them and develop more programs that allow them to explore their potential, programs that give them options in life."

My next question was something he was all too familiar with for the past two years that I knew him, since he was appointed to being a member of the Board of San Francisco Police Commissioners, in late December of 2005.

"Do you feel that there have been changes in the San Francisco Police Department, regarding many complaints and grievances brought by complainants, since you've been on the Board of Police Commissioners?", I asked.

Campos replied, "I believe that there have been positive changes since I became a Police Commissioner. One good example is that for the first time that I can remember, we are developing a program where tenants are going to the Police Academy to give cadets training on tenants' rights."

The goal that I personally pushed for with Campos, and several other members of the S.F Police Commission for two years, was for the department to re-train their police officers with proper conduct assessments and behavior, particularly people of race, class, and poverty status.

This was in response to the October 7th, 2005 incident when a dozen members of the S.F.P.D illegally stormed my S.R.O Hotel room without a warrant and with their guns drawn, in a "mistaken identity" scenario.

After 25 months, this S.R.O presentation before the S.F Board of Police Commissioners finally became imminent.

"This is happening because commissioners like myself believe that police officers need to hear from the people they serve. It's truly unprecedented that for the first time we are going to have tenants, including SRO tenants, telling police officers about their concerns and problems."

Following the S.R.O Presentation on November 7th, 2007 presented by S.F.P.D Captain Corriea, and Officer Nate Steger of the Mission District Station, Campos, several S.R.O tenants, and I attended the S.F.P.D Citizen's Academy Training for the youth recruits that would be the future of law enforcement, on March 25th, 2008.

"Our hope is that as a result of this training, we will have a police department that is more in tune with what tenants in this City deal with on a daily basis. I also hope that this helps develop mutual trust."