Statement from Monique Duenez on joining the National BrownBerets:
When my Tio Ernest Duenez Jr.was murdered by John Moody of the Manteca Police Department on June 8 2011, a big chunk of happiness and heart was taken from my family as well as myself. We have been fighting every Sunday since then at the Manteca Police Department. As a Part of my Tio's fight for justice I have met a lot of families along the way who I have gained so much love and respect for, I see what these families are going through and I know why they fight so hard and never give up. I do it because of the love and respect and pain in my heart I have to go through to see my family in pain and relive that event over and over each time we go to protest or a march, so I stand on that street in front of MPD with my sign raised high reading JAIL FOR MOODY to support my family in this FIGHT, this is my passion,where my heart is at and I want to do the same for each and every other families going through the same, because I see my grandmother and grandfather in pain, with anger and a fire within them and having to remember why they are out there fighting each Sunday. That is the same pain, anger fire and love driven emotion I see these families going through, I am driven with the same emotions to help and fight along-side each family including my own, to show them all "I am Here.. I feel your pain,and I am with you all the way!" when my family has events and marches and we have supporters coming from far and wide, the feeling in our hearts of support and solidarity is also what helps us keep pushing and fighting, support is everything in the fight for justice to all families because we all need each other and we are all feeling the same way. My Tio Jr ALWAYS had my back, he NEVER left me hanging , he was one of my best friends and he always gave me his best advice, I don’t speak much about my pain I usually just put it into the fight but the reason I go so hard for my uncle, the reason I am the warrior I’ve become is because I know for a fact, if roles were reversed he would have me ina minute, he would have never given up on me so I am never giving up on him! When I’m out fighting for justice even if it's at another family march or protest, I feel him with me more than any other day, giving me the motivation to fight with my fist up in the air yelling no justice no peace and my heart feels at ease for the moment. His son Dominic is my godson, and I made a promise to my tio jr that I will always have his baby boys back, just like he had mine. I see my godson and know he will never get the chance to know who his father is and that puts drive into me even more and makes me want to fight for John Moody to be behind bars like he is supposed to be, so I also fight for the children of these victims of police brutality. My Tio Jr is putting this drive in me, I feel him every day and each time I’m fighting I can feel him standing with us all, so proud to know his family isn’t giving upon him. That’s what makes me fight.
When I first saw the Brown Berets was in June 9 2013 at our march for my Tio's2 year anniversary, they made an impact on me and everyone else, so powerful,united, and marching along-side us all making us feel at ease, the Brown Beretscame from Santa Paula. Having an inspirational group supporting us was an awesome feeling, I Saw the Brown Berets again on July 21, 2013 at the Year after Anaheim Statewide March. I was standing with Theresa Smith, all the families where gathered and I heard marching and a voice over a microphone yelling "no justice no peace"turning the corner , it was the Brown Berets I said to myself "that’s awesome", I can hear families saying how powerful there entrance was and how happy they were for the Brown Berets to be there, it made me happy to know that such a strong powerful group of chican@s has these families backs and was there to protect them.
I spoke with some of the Brown Berets that day including Chimalli and Capone, and asked them if they have a chapter near where I lived they said they were working on it, Chimalli was telling me the expectations and who they are,Me not yet knowing I was soon to become a Brown Beret, was so excited about meeting them, I shook hands with them and went on. After that day I found myself looking up who they were, educating myself more on the Brown Berets, andI would tell my mom they are awesome! I want to join! The way they help our people, our communities and how they march side by side, and support each family and when you speak to them they have so much love for what they do, it’s an inspiration. I Met Jesse Ornelas I call him Mr. Miyagi , he came down to protest with us and I asked him If they were starting a chapter out here because we need it, he said yes they were planning and all it takes is one person, and I told him “well I am that one person”, he said okay and we went about protesting, he messaged me to let me know the commander of NBB wanted him to train me to be in the NBB and we started that process, one thing that made me so happy and so excited was Jesse told me he wanted me to be the voice of my family and these other families, and I knew this is what I’m supposed to do…this is what my Tio Jr wants me to do and this is where my heart is, I cannot explain how much this means to me and to be involved with the La Causa , my heart is in this, for the people , for my family , for all the other families as well and to know I get to march along-side some awesome Berets is exciting!And what other way to Observe, Serve, and Protect then with my new Familia LaCausa, National Brown Berets.
In an official statement from National Brown Berets:
The National Brown Berets are very pleased to have Monique Duenez join the NBB family. The reason why is because she has felt the grip the dirty hateful oppressors have on her community. She and her family have paid the ultimate sacrifice when that hateful murderous poor excuse for a cop killed Ernest Duenez Jr in cold blood some time ago. Monique and her family have made it their life mission that the dirty dogs that hide behind badges be brought to justice. The National Brown Berets are dedicated to protecting and serving the families that have taken up the fight for justice and we will do what it takes by any means necessary. CHICANO POWER!!!!! ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!PRISON FOR MURDEROUS COPS!!!!!!! JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE !!!!!!
Respect & Power
Minster of Defense for the National Brown Berets - Jesse Ornelas
You can learn more about the National Brown Berets at www.nationalbrownberets.com
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You can watch the video of the murder of Ernest Duenez Jr.on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhnY17F_eiQ
You can join our fight for accountability from law enforcement on October 22nd in Sacramento at the California StateCapital on International Day Against Police Brutality – this will be a statewide call to action.
Our last Statewide Call to Action July 21st 2013- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v358Nj_-Qxw
See other action we are taking in California – if you would like to join a forum like this please contact us directly – the murder of Ernest Duenez Jr. and countless others are highlighted in the documentary C.O.P. Crimes of Police: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJZi7nogu84
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWdb4N3U8q0&feature=youtube_gdata_player