Story Archives

by Sam Drew/PNN

Two helicopters hovered menacingly above the crowd keeping a watchful eye on the group below. Several SFPD squad cars drove by and barked orders in an attempt to keep law and order.

Now what had action had elicited this heavy police response? Either someone had just robbed a bank and was holed up in a residence, or maybe the bomb squad had been called in for a suspicious package left in park, or maybe even a crazed radical had made an attempt on the life of a beloved politician. But no, sadly the real reason for this menacing police presence was the Service Employees International Union 24/7 (S.E.I.U. 24/7) rally in support of the striking security officers fighting for fair wages and affordable health care.

Your intrepid POOR Magazine reporter (and undercover security officer) was up at 5:30 a.m. to report and sup-port by joining the security picket line for this historical union action. SEIU 24/7 is only five years old, a relatively new union that represents 5,000 officers in the Bay Area .The majority of the officers are African –American with a large representation of Pilipinos and most of them protect multi–million dollar buildings in San Francisco.

They are responsible for hundreds of lives because they are first responders in case of any disaster or emergency. But these first responders have to deal with inadequate health care and in many cases inadequate training, even though they work for some of the richest property owners in the world. Have you ever heard of Morgan Stanley or Shorenstein Properties? These are some of the heavy weights who can’t afford to provide decent wages and health care benefits for their security service employees, but can for their janitors and engineers. Local 24\7 found that “security officers average $5 an hour less than other union workers in the same building.”

“Security officers are our partners in public safety, but they are unable to get adequate training because you can’t train a workforce that’s in a revolving door” said John Hanley San Francisco Fire Fighters Union President.

According to the SEIU, ““experts estimate the turnover among security officers to be up to 400 %,” which is far higher than even the fast food industry.”

As soon as I arrived in front of 50 Fremont around 6:30 a.m., organizer Larry Ball smiled and asked, “Where were you? You’re late,” as he handed me a sign to carry. I was quickly escorted to an already active picket line with security officers and other union members chanting. Rows of purple and yellow strike signs were placed on the sidewalk like picket fences on well-manicured lawns in the Midwest. I squeezed in between the lady with the bullhorn and the guy with the bent sign.

“Spread out,” shouted Mr. Ball “Keep the line tight,” he reminded everyone. We began marching in lockstep going round in circles screaming, “What do we want? A contract. When do we want it? Now!” After 15 minutes of marching and chanting I know where in for a long day. We were supposed to be on the line until 6 p.m. that night. I was glad I brought my comfortable shoes.

After 15 minutes it was time to rest a few minutes and get to know my fellow protestors. As I sat and talked, Mr. Ball sat down near me. “Even though your sitting you still have to hold the sign,” he said as he attempted to show me the right way to hold the sign. Larry Ball has a unique way of giving instructions in a non-threatening way always with a smile on his face.

We were all there to let the public as well as the companies know the reason for our grievances. Pamphlets were being handed out to all those who would accept them and most people did as they passed by. Some people rejected them as force of habit of living in the big city.

My fellow protestor is from Los Angeles. She is a member of SOULA the Los Angeles union for security officers. As we talked, we found out that we have had similar difficulties with the major security companies.

I told her about the check difficulties I had throughout my career. “One time I was shorted out of 8 hours overtime pay, I kept the paperwork as proof I did the overtime and I had to spend time and money to go to the headquarters to confront the company but when I first came in and gave my proof I was told I was wrong…the short of stature representative told me ‘We’ve already mailed the overtime checks out Mr. Drew’ but I remained unmoved and repeated my demand for the payment for work performed, but the company man refused to look me in the eye and continued to stare at his computer. He called in his fellow company man and exclaimed to his buddy ‘This one is on you homie, I’m on vacation.’

Yes, I was owed for overtime but short of stature representative said I had to wait till next pay period 2 weeks from now to get paid. I know the rules state that the company has to pay you within 3 days but the company man says,” I just work here Mr. Drew, I don’t make the rules!”

It was time to start the protest line again. Ed Meyers, representative for S.E.I.U. 24\7 exclaimed that other unions have to respect our picket line and not cross it. Not only did we have to chant, walk in circles and inform every one about our action, but we also had to challenge other unions to respect our line. This is too much like work, I thought to myself.

But then suddenly the media arrived with their cameras and tailored suits. This is the type of news the mainstream eats up. Antagonist pitted against each other on film for the six o clock news. We did our little protest thing for the camera and then they left.

The San Francisco Labor Council, the local body of the AFL-CIO that represents 150 affiliated labor unions, support the strike. This is proven when a young man attempts to make a delivery. I kindly informed him this is an SEIU 24\7 strike line. He looked at me and rapidly spewed, “I ain’t crossing no picket line.” He then quickly got on the phone to inform his employers there would be no deliveries that day.

During my 10 hours on the strike line there were many examples of support. Construction workers walked by letting us know they could hear us chanting 20 floors up. Well-wishers dropped off food and local merchants gave out gift certificates. The striking guards from 50 Fremont had streams of community supporters from their building giving them words of support. Evidently, they appreciate the security officers more than the security companies or the property owners.

At 5 p.m. we all gathered on Market Street for a final rally. Speakers included San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano, Oakland Assemblyman Sandre Swanson and representatives from the offices of San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly and Assemblyman Mark Leno. They all spoke to the tired S.E.I.U. picketers and their supporters. Assembly member Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) and his peers in the state legislature released “Separate but Unequal” a report that urged the leading property owners of commercial real estate to end the double standard that keeps security officers in poverty.

One after another they voiced their support of working people in San Francisco seeking livable wages and affordable health care. As a religious leader prayed for our just struggle, I glanced up to the sky after hearing an unusual noise coming from the heavens. It was two helicopters hovering above as if they were spying on the procession. Then I thought to myself “It makes perfect sense- in San Francisco- a city that’s ranked third in the nation for the highest income inequality between the haves and the have nots- it’s a crime for working people to seek decent wages and affordable healthcare…Book em’ Dano.”

by Joseph Bolden

What Now?

Apologies to those who waited for part two of the fiasco called the U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta, Georgia.

What a concept especially when the free and independent press were literally in makeshift cages until a public breakout and response revealed its false front.

Other more newsworthy people or were much better at showing the sham for what it is.

My thoughts are of a friend’s upcoming birthday. I’m no gift maker guy, baking cakes,cookies has to be precise,sent at correct times.

I don’t the mailing system not even Express Mail to get it to the intended party on time.

Jewelry,earrings, gemstones,too much money, plus she or other friends are free agents in this age of economically self ownership somewhat free of male crappola.

Then it came to me!

From cycles in life I see in a watch repair store what could be perfect gifts or not depending on momentary whims of aforementioned friend.

All I know is these two items plus songs from the heart hopefully will convey my high my regard.

This is my What Now for the time being not thinking much of anything until that dawning day is done.

by Joseph Bolden

Walkin’ The Walk

I just heard about "The Longest Walk" from books by Peter,Birchall,George Meegan,Slavomir,Rawicz,and other authors on the subject.

Info [www.amazon.com/Long-Walk-True-Story-Freedom/dp/1558216847 -185k–www.amazon.com & en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Walk also you can google it up too.

The 300 mile forced walk of Navajo and Hopi "First Real Americans into exile in New Mexico.

There are long walks all over the country in remember,honor,this occasion.

Also to commeorate The Longest Walk of 1978 from San Francisco to Washington DC., bringing attention to indigenous sacred sites.

I wanted to go on this long journey by foot myself and could have had I known of it earlier.

Being formally houseless,jobless it would’ve been nothing to trudge along the trail with many more for dissimilar backgrounds truth is I couldn’t,not being psychological or mentally healthy state of mind.

Now it I can,except for minor inconveniences of finally having a regular job,pay check,other opportunities literally inviting me to San Diego.

In 2007 last year was the first S.F. to Wash,DC, trek.

Well,cannot go now but doesn’t mean I cannot donate cash,clothes,walk for a few days in this second his/her-storic making march.

A friend who is partly indigenous convinced me to do what I can if I couldn’t walk all way.

So a commitment is made for 2008’s donation to the walk and in 2009 to clear all commitments for this strenuous five month foot journey.

I have a year to cleanse my body of commercially grown toxins,be physically, mentally stronger with a combination of Yoga-Pilates,Tai Chi, swimming,and traditional weight training,lastly because I haven’t a car to walk as much as I can barring overworking myself to exhaustion.

So everyone out their including a certain San Diego couple needing a decent,honest, Housesafegy

I certainly would except the job offered (Do hope they have good,kind, neighbors,and/or friends that will contact them about this column).

If not may they check my slight ad change regarding negotiable prices.

Back to the commitment– this column is basically one long public bulletin for anyone and everyone who can participate physically or like me do what they can even if they’re unable to participate fully as a one of many healthy thousands– yes,I said thousands on this walk.

People,Please Donate what you can in tents, blanket,clothes,lanterns, medical supplies,fireproof matches,fruit,meat,and vegetarian,or other dietary options,lastly some people can be in cars who drive up ahead incase of medical emergencies crop up suddenly.

I for instance control my asthma by walking, some exercise,and pills or an inhaler.

I’m susceptible to extremes of cold and heat especially the cold.

Living on the street has left me vulnerable.

If not flu then flu like symptoms which upsets and acerbates my lungs.

The human body can only bare so much extremes living outside unprotected for many extreme exposure eventually causes the body to shut down and cease to function resulting in morbidity DEATH.

I guess its good not to go in 2008 because of my health but in 2009 might be healthy enough to go out on the trip.

For all of you that can and do go from San Francisco to Washington, DC.

I pray you appreciate both the journey and the marvelous,common miracle, that your healthy body affords you.

It’s the main reason last week I challenged Multi billionaires to place their blood,cells, neurons, bones,ligaments,joints, veins,genes,down to the molecular strands level to create a new birthright for all people-kind A.I. Appropriate Immortality,
an example inapropriate immortalty shown later.

[Along with that other famous A.I. you know?

Add nanotechnology to the mix and what have you got?]

I don't have a clue but I'd have new lungs,body, reworked,improved neural netted brain plus maybe a slight extended lease on my otherwise shorterned life span.

Here is an example of Inapropriate Immortality.
Nightmares of eternal 5 to 12 year old children.

The correct, A.I. is a 25 to 40's 70 to 90 year olds looking,acting younger and who actually are youthful no matter their age.

I’d certainly go for it if the opportunity presented itself to me secretly or publicly.

Wouldn’t mind being the reverse "Ben Richards"
[lookup "The Immortals by James Gunn–and a 1970’s TV movie and series by the same name].

I don’t know short of rediscovering the Philosopher’s Stone my shelf life is shortened by a few decades unless applied science makes its breakthroughs despite this Church ‘n’ State combo where a President and Evangelical Religious Right hold sway.

I do know if all scientists,researchers, students,professors,and business folks running global medical corps.

Globally,if they decide "Let’s Do This." This administration couldn’t impede,delay, retard,slow,or stop the life extending to immortalizing knowledge tsunami tidal wave hitting the world at different points simultaneously or in spurts.

Lets face folks politics is a stop gap eventually all governments fall though people survive.

I say let's all of us make it through,survive, and live,love healthier after long after this current administration is only a bad,sad,weird footnote in history.

People were here long before and will stay long after governments fall but our civilizations must evolve beyond planetary governing.

Guess I kind of got of main topic.

Those who can do the long walk do it! Those who cannot support it as much as possible.

by Leroy Moore

In the last two months I’ve had a wonderful opportunity to see and read books by authors of color with disabilities. Although our bookstores are still filled with mostly white authors in the disability section, it seems as the day has finally come where people of color with disabilities are getting some exposure in the literary world

As most of you know I’ve always collected books, music and artwork by people of color with disabilities but in the last couple of months I’ve found and ordered more books by disabled authors of color then ever before. Most of the books didn’t come by shopping in bookstores but were found online. I hope this continues and our bookstores, educational institutions and non-profits will begin to add some of the powerful books I’m about to list to their bookshelves, libraries and curriculum.

Check out this short list and do what I did, Google the authors’ name, get their contact info and support their writings. Invite them to your class or radio show, buy their books and, if you teach, make it a reading assignment for your class.

These are books I received in the last month or so:

The Pro Se: A Disabled Women’s Journey Towards Social Justice Activism Volume One
by Milan Mitchell
www. Milanmitchell.com

Sentences: The Life of MF GRIMM
by Percy Carey Illustrations By Ronald Wimberly
www.vertigocomics.com

Gay, Black, Crippled, Fat: A Collection of Short Stories

By Adarro Minton
www.outskirtspress.com

Ancient Tradition: Soul Poetry

By David Weeks
www.myspace.com/ancienttradition

Going Full Circle: From Life to Death to Life

By Kenneth Tyson Jr.
www.ktysonenterprises.com

UN Armed But Dangerous

By Tawana Williams
www.Tawanawilliams.com

Gangs, Drugs and Denial: A Disabled Latino Immigrant Struggling in the U.S.A

By Angel Garcia
www.poormagazine.com

thefemaleking: Poems

By Maria R. Palacios
http://www.myspace.com/goddessonwheels

These are only some of the fabulous books recently I found by disabled authors of color. Support them!

Leroy Moore

by Joseph Bolden

Heroes of Dark and Light

We love dark heroes, the ones with suicidal tendencies when battling evil or part of that evil within themselves.

Our beloved dark hero is Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

A supernatural being, irresistible to both sexes.

Cursed, evil, fighting evil within themselves.

They seek for redemption.

I’ll mention part of the title has moon in it about a change human literally married into.

Unlike Werewolves, that can walk,work,in the day,fear the full moon.

Vampires shun sunshine,rise in pitch of night feed,he blood on hapless humans.

In today’s time save lives from those like him/her self.

Yet another hero isn’t as easily afforded much fanfare they are diametrically opposed to their dark brother’s and sister’s.

Their power from denial of most of what human call earthy living.

They slave away in hidden corners secrecy is a must for they know what happens when exposed.

The Alchemist looks to change lead to gold as a test of spiritual purification.

If they can purify lead supposedly to higher gold content then the tincture or red glowing elixir is ready to consume.

When it’s all done as her or she drinks said liquid of the philosopher’s stone only then is all the time, effort,poverty,illness, loss of family,or having a family.

The elixir supposedly confers near unlimited powers to those partaking of the drink.

From speaking with God,other sentient beings.

Mental/physical genetic changes quantum leaping evolution.

To unlocking all the hidden potentials of humanity!

Unfortunately in this a permanent awakened state our illuminated human must shield him or herself from empathic, unshielded minds of sleeping humanity.

They’re younger,skin so pure to glow from within.

They find solutions to problems plaguing people kind for thousands of years.

The laws of physics, chemistry,everything is easily assessable to them yet they are humble,shy, servants,caretakers,of humanity disguised as ordinary people.

Hard to make shero or hero out of those who actively shun the glare of fame.

There may rise a person whom by accident or design was given the elixir as cosmic joke only this now fully forever awakened Joy/Jim average can do all he wants!

They might attract another ancient alchemist or more who’s school them in the vast powers they have while the newcomer teaches the ancient how to remain vital when the other thought the dreary centuries as a waste of sentience.

Hmmm,a hero who has mischievous moments, isn’t evil but a sense of humor and as for whichever opposite sex lets say our hero only has three main worries.

Learning the difference between being irresistible from extreme likeability, and true love, producing illuminated progeny, dealing a vastly extended life span, and learning his/her new found powers, what they are,their limits,and going beyond them.

On second thought who wants a shining hero able to control great power without being corrupted by it who know untold secrets,saves lives in small unknown ways and has God,or Gods, ancients,also other alchemists,or sentient beings even saints and angels to back him up if he really fouls things up?

I guess a Vampire Detective is easier to work with than an near all powerful,youth person accidentally (by design) given awesome reponcibity and powers.

by Dee Allen/PNN

"Unwritten Law" was created with the corruption and brutality of New York City, Philadelphia and most of all New Orleans cops in mind. In late 1994, nine New Orleans cops were busted/indicted for illegal firearms sales, drug trafficking and a long history of brutality inflicted upon New Orleans' local African and Asian communities. Before this instance of police corruption/brutality became national news, one woman from the N.O.P.D.'s Internal Affairs Division uncovered it and, as a result, paid with her life.

Law enforcement officers tend to not follow their own protocol. Instead, they obey and enforce a policy that's not written in the law books. A law stemming from hatred and greed.

_____________________________

The only good cop that lives is

A bad cop who keeps his mouth shut.

Thrown to the wall

& handcuffed

W/ insurmountable force

You question the

Physical harshness

Used against you-----

Swung club to the spine

Swung fist to the eye

& random pounds & kicks

Were the only response-----

Curbside justice

Badge & a gun

Eyes full of hatred

5 on 1

Unwarranted search

Unwilling pawn

In a game of pinata

Where in lieu of a paper beast,

A human ribcage gets smashed

Dickbrained

Domineering, depraved

Volunteer

Gunrunning, drugselling slave

Protector-----Uniformed fool

Aggressor-----Rich man's tool

Which of these portrayals best fit

He who circumvents the Law

He's sworn to uphold, the

Policeman or Sheriff?

ALL.

Somewhere tonight, the unwritten

law of brutality & hate is being

carried out on unarmed innocents.

Arrogance, fascist grace

Under a red-blue red-blue

red-blue red-blue

squadcar lightglow.

The only good cop that lives is

A bad cop who keeps his mouth shut.

-----Or so they say.

For Stan "The Man" Finchem.

by Sam Drew/PNN

Sadly, in our consumer society even beauty and truth are just commodities that can be sold to the highest bidder. That's why it is so refreshing to encounter principled people whose souls cannot be bought like a carton of milk at your local Walgreens. Such an individual is Queennandi, a race and poverty scholar at POOR Magazine who has written an uncompromising set of poems entitled Life, Struggle and Reflection that has been recently published by POOR Press. Queennandi's poetry is raw, uncut, ruthless and daring.

Life, Struggle, and Reflection , is a collection of poetry that surfaced from the struggle of my soul, she reflected. This struggle of the soul has lead to thought provoking verses that is sure to win hearts and open minds.

Queennandi's poetry may be rooted in pain and struggle but the outcome for the reader is healing and uplift. I have endured oppression, mental slavery, and racism. Brutalization, betrayal, death and with my own eyes saw a once strong unified people be neutralized. I recognize this hell and the love I have inside my heart urges me to share the pain, to teach , to uplift, and to heal the people, exclaimed Queennandi.

Life, struggle and Reflection is dedicated to the heroes and sheroes of The Black Panther Party and the Black liberation movement who suffered at the hands of the government, explained Queennandi.

"This is dedicated to our fallen souljahz, past and present who gave their lives\freedom so that we and the generations to come could survive and grow in wisdom and knowledge, Our heroes and sheroes did not make this ultimate sacrifice so that we could keep continuing on genocidal ignorance," she said.

Whatever subject Queennandi's poetry touches on, she writes it with frankness, humor and aplomb. Just listen to a small piece of the poem entitled I Just Wanna Be and you will feel the strength that carries this powerful Black woman towards the truth. As Queennandi writes, "I just wanna be a Black woman that speaks up on those that violated me. In every way Set Me Free!"

Just absorb a fragment of the incendiary poem Fury of Beauty, where she warns all that she's a "Queen wit a heart of gold and eyez that see. Eyes that see what is being done to the people that she loves

Even though her forceful book is garnering rave reviews, Queennandi refuses to be separated from her people and their struggle as she calmly states, "By no means am I out to judge, ridicule. or paint a picture of myself to be holier than thou towards the people."

Truth and beauty are timeless and incorruptible concepts. The old adage says beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Those who pickup Queennadi's Life, Struggle and Reflection will be happy to find out that beauty is in the hands of the book holder.

For more information on Queenanndi and her work or to order a book please see http://www.poormagazine.com/static/queennandi/index.html or call 415-863-6306

by Queenanndi/PNN

I have caught more than enough hell being a woman- black, strong, and a proud independent freedom fighter- that's being punished for just being me!

This is my story

I was born black. I was born proud. I was taught to be strong by one of the strongest women in the world-Carolyn Brantley X. That is how I fought through and survived the mean, unmerciful streets of frisco. In a way, that helped me to know and grow into the person that I am today. Regardless of my youthful wisdom, I constantly find myself dodging the stones that are casted upon me. I'm sure many women can relate to my story, the story I'm about to share.

First, before I go further, I want to express great acknowledgement and love to all those who are at the mercy of the wicked elements, that's out on a daily fighting to see to it that we all live on our knees.

I didn't think for one minute that such a force would roam in my home. I am the head of my Queendom, and my family, my Po ridaz. These along with my God- given talent is all I have in the whole world. No money, no man and want to go somewhere, but can't. Faced with having to cope with the demise of my parents, and the suspicious death of my kid brother- all in less than a year, AND the left and right losses of many of my childhood friends, I pretty much got not a full plate, but a buffet to deal with on the table.

Even though it's hard as hell, I manage to hold down my job, be fierce at my writing, and raise my younginz' the best way I can-alone. Daddy's assistance comes 3 maybe 4 times a month (depending on availability) but even with so little contact, the home is not peaceful. We couldn't make it as a whole. Poppa's a Rollin' stone- I'm more settled.

After a messy divorce, I waited a long while before dating again, and then I met this man. First impression, this brotha was baadd! I mean sharp! People used to see us together walking like regal panthers together, calling us "Farrakhan & Ms. King." Well they called us that, due to the strong interests we shared when it came to the people. After almost two years of dating, I became pregnant, and six weeks into my pregnancy, poppa tha Rollin' stone rolled right out the picture. He didn't roll back in till massa' told him to. Egypt was almost eight months old by then.

The experience I had with this man was very traumatic for me. Arguing, pleading for his trust in the fact I carried his seed went in vain. Wanting him to be there when his child was born was not in his agenda. I made an appointment to terminate my pregnancy, because we were unwanted, but an angel intercepted- my mother! As she eased my pain, I can still hear her saying to me to this day: "Baby, imma tell you somethin' you are not the first single mother, and you won't be the last. Sistas have been raisin' children on their own since God gave us light. Hell, black women even raised Massa's children! Slight difference is that in dem days, more men were lynched, as compared to the men that walked out on their families. That is YOUR child inside you- a nation! You WILL NOT destroy the Queendom God has blessed you to birth!!! Once I felt Egypt kick, I knew this was my girl fo' life! I love her! Mama was right. So I had no choice but to go to the man to get info on this paternity test thing, cuz poppa was gone own up to his lil' Queen, one way or another! And sho nuff Oohh rollin' stone poppa She's yours! Take care!

It took a lot of prayer for strength and the ability to forgive, and before I knew it, here was this man back in our lives in the family way, but a stranger. Me bein' the woman that I am, I attempted to see if we can once again, bring back to life our relationship. I ended up compromising myself and allowing for him to build me up, just to let me down. Like I said- I allowed it, so sho nuff, he did it. That didn't make me feel like Queennandi AT ALL, and of course my spirit was uneasy. When I expressed my self worth, typically he'd make me feel like I done something wrong, puttin' me down n' stuff. I felt like he was all there was for me- until I looked into the mirror. I know my worth better than anyone else God put breath into. It seemed like every since my primary supporter (momz) passed, I have been under attack. I tell myself that I MUST stand strong! For me, and my children. MUST stay focused on the struggle! Poppa has gone maniacally wild, trying to fit HIS unstable friends into MY child's life and I'm not havin' none of that! Only QUEENNANDI'S hand rocks QUEENNANDI'S cradle!

I'm getting headaches from this man for my decision. I believe that whenever possible, a child should have both parents in his/her life, doing what needs to be done to keep things stable and peaceful. I love that more than anything. But when one parent goes buck wild it is the responsibility of the other parent to call the shots- and make judgments in favor of what's best for the child. Messy chicks and confused pregnant broads is something that doesn't fit into ANY child's life-period! Persecute me! What's right is right- wrong is wrong! I'll go thru the fire for my blessings, and that's what my kids are. They come first.

The sad thing is that the kids see mama & daddy's communication is shallow, and it's shameful that the babyâ's first words were War of the roses. Sometimes I think to myself “damn, haven't I been thru enough? This world is hell on my back already, now my so-called God given twin is gonna put more hell on me?! Then he is not my twin, but a angry soul in slumber. All I ever wanted was to make things right, and I got nothing for this, but a slap in the face! Sooo, as I handle this alone, keeping my queendom movin, I vow not to compromise myself no more! I refuse to fold! If centuries of spirit-breaking techniques didn't work, what makes a dormant man thinks HE can break QUEENNANDI?

I share this to say that I am an expert of everyday oppression, suffering, and resistance. I go thru this struggle, but I keep tha faith in my God to see me through the storms and on to victory. WOMEN OF THE WORLD!!! Your opposition will not last. Ya must learn to armor-up on your strength! You can do it! (Oh, yes you can!) Have faith in yourself! If I didnâ't believe in us, I never would've had the courage to uplift and motivate women NOT to sell themselves short, and to stand strong thru all persecution mentally, physically, emotionally. Also I would never have told my story.

by Angel Garcia/PNN

I remember back in the day, when me and a couple of my homeboys would sit in Dolores Park. We would just relax, talk and soak up the shining afternoon sun.

It was during one of these peaceful afternoons that my friends and I would experience police profiling and brutality in one of the worst ways.

After my homies and I had gathered as usual in the park, the rest of the crew showed up and we began to organize a soccer game like always. One of the homeboys looked at me and said, "Hey what's going on little homie.do you want to play with us?"

I happily joined the game and took the position of goalie. It was then that the police rolled up to the park and one of the officers looked up, cracked a smile and said, "Hey look at the cripple playing soccer."

My newly acquired happiness disappeared quickly and the sunny afternoon abruptly turned dark.

A minute later the officers ordered my friends and I to get down on the ground. I was only 14 years old and could not speak English, so I didn't understand what he was demanding. Watching everyone else, I quickly got on the ground, when suddenly an officer came up behind me and kicked me on the back of my neck.

This was just one of the many incidents of police brutality that I faced living as a poor immigrant in California.

This particular incident happened long before the words gang injunction had ever been mentioned; yet the cops were already harassing us- just for being a group of Latino kids hanging out in the park. I can't even imagine the affects that a statewide gang injunction would have on people like me and my friends.

The proposed gang injunction won't even let young people stand on a street corner together and even worse will categorize almost any youth of color as a "gang member" or even "terrorist."

Yet again the government that we live under has found another way to discriminate against poor people and youth of color.

The government and police say they exist to protect youth, families and community members, yet this law gives them free reign to treat us like criminals.

Being poor and Latino, I am already suffering from constant police harassment and abuse and this gang injunction will only make me more of a target. It is just a way for our government to legally persecute people simply for being young, poor and of color.

Our youth need to be educated, not harassed and thrown in jail. Gang injunctions are simply not the answer.

Angel Garcia is a writer for PoorNewsNetwork and the author of Gangs, Drugs and Denial, a memoir exploring his life as a former gang member and drug addict on the streets of San Francisco.

by Bruce Allison/PNN

"Be seen, but not heard." These words are often spoken to misbehaving children, yet this is what the Safety Security officer, Keith Troy (badge number 4810), patronizingly said to me and a group of fellow seniors, as we gathered inside the State Capitol in Sacramento. I remember him clearly, a young, tall, white man with blonde hair. He looked like an extra in an advertisement for the highway patrol, as he stood behind a velvet rope in front of the Governor's office, like some sort of dictator out of a cheap movie from my childhood.

About twenty of us, all seniors, met at Saint Mary's Cathedral, nicknamed the Lady of the Washing Machine, early in the morning on September 20th. We represented both Healthcare Action Team (HAT) and California Alliance of Retired Americans (CARA). A charter bus pulled up and we all climbed aboard ready for the journey to Sacramento to meet with the Governor.

On the bus, Jodi Reed, the Director of CARA, reviewed the bills that we wanted the Governor to sign. One bill we were going to petition was to not condodize trailer parks and another bill would require all pharmacies to give out information on medications,

We arrived at the State Capitol around 10:00 a.m. and went to the Eureka Room for some coffee and bagels. There, Jodi announced some good news. The Governor had signed one of our bills. As we walked down the hall towards the elevator we began singing joyfully for senior healthcare. In the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic we sang, "Seniors all united we are standing here right now, we need your help to sign the bill. So we can get good healthcare, and no Ellis Act on trailers."

As we got to the Governor's office I turned around to see two cameras filming us, one from Channel 11, NBC, and the other from a local station, as well as a number of tourists taking pictures of us. At this point two Safety Security Officers approached us. Keith Troy said, "Be seen, but not heard." They fined us for singing in the hallway near the Governor's Office and told us we needed a permit. Jodi had specifically called earlier in the day requesting a permit to sing in the State Capitol. The secretary laughed and said there was no ordinance or permit to give, and we didn't need one.

At the State Capitol we were in fact fined under what the security officers called harassment and interfering with government business. Strangely the officers were part of the Highway Patrol wasting California money on fining a group of seniors for singing and expressing their First Amendment rights.

Jodi and some other people in our group were taken down the hallway and berated like children by several Highway Patrol officers. They said we were not allowed to draw attention to ourselves. They went on and said, "We can take you outside to do your 'Freedom of Speech'." We walked back down to the Eureka room to reconvene. The security officers escorted us downstairs reminding us each step of the way not to make any noise, as if we were back in the first grade. Once in the Eureka room, out of sight from the media, we were told our meeting with Governor was canceled.

We stayed at the Capitol and attended an Assembly meeting where we were invited to perform a play called, "To be discharged on a Friday Night." The purpose was to bring attention to hospital discharge policies and get a bill passed that would make mandatory rules about your rights to appeal discharge.

When did the United States become a dictatorship? As a Veteran, I am now embarrassed that I am a U.S. Citizen. We are living not in the free society the United States preaches of. Our civil liberties are being denied. We are living in an enslaved society.