Community Rights Campaign

AB 549 needs your help as it moves to the Senate

Ashley Franklin — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:30:35 -0700

Support to strengthen AB 549

From Nation Magazine to South LA, CRC youth leadership stands out

Daniel Kim — Fri, 31 May 2013 13:19:03 -0700

LAT, La Opinion tout historic vote as LAUSD ends "willful defiance" suspensions and redefines role of police in discipline

Crystal McMillan — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:08:06 -0700

Calling it a "landmark policy", the media takes note as LAUSD votes 5-2 to end "willful defiance" suspensions and redefine the role of police in school discipline. The San Francisco Chronicle heralded as part of a nationwide educational trend to end the reliance on "zero tolerance" policys that swept the nation in the wake of the Columbine school shootings.

Making history--School Climate Bill of Rights passes 5-2 at LAUSD Board

Ashley Franklin — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:35:04 -0700

*The following is a letter from the Community Rights Campaign Steering Committee*

State bill to limit school police in discipline picks up steam, clearing first committee hearing (AB 549)

Zoe Rawson — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:02:41 -0700

On May 1st, AB 549 passed its first hurdle through the Assembly Education Committee, generating the news stories excerpted below.

New directions for new schools, not $4.2m budget increase for LA School Police

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:23 -0700

In LAT, HuffPo, Sentinel--campaign for School Climate Bill of Rights heats up public debate

Daniel Kim — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:28:32 -0700

For the past month and half, as a founding member of the Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition, the Community Rights Campaign has been a part of leading the "School Climate Bill of Rights" campaign. We've seen the campaign raise the level of public debate. Here's a recap as we head into the LAUSD board vote tomorrow!

On March 5th Vote No on LA's Measure A

Eric Romann — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:28:13 -0800

On March 5th, LA voters are being asked to pay another regressive sales tax, Measure A, which will generate another $215 million to cover the city's budget deficit

Going to DC on a Journey for Justice to fight school privatization

Haewon Asfaw — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:48:33 -0800

On January 29, 2013, the Community Rights Campaign and the Crenshaw Cougar Coalition headed to Washington D.C. to participate in a national forum held by the U.S. Department of Education at the demand of Journey for Justice, a grassroots coalition made up of students, teachers, parents, and community organizations.

CRC OpEd: Menos policía en escuelas (La Opinion)

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:19:49 -0800

Tras el tiroteo de Newtown lo que necesitamos es menos, no más, presencia policial en las escuelas de Los Ángeles. La premisa de que con cada crisis se necesita más presencia policial, más vigilancia, más supresión sirve para aquellos que ya tienen una idea pre-existente, no para los estudiantes, padres y docentes afro-americanos y latinos del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Los Ángeles (LAUSD). Debería escandalizarnos al ver que seguimos el mismo camino destructivo que tomó el país tomó después del tiroteo ocurrido en la escuela de Columbine.

Progress, broadening movement against more police in schools after Newtown

Daniel Kim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:11:24 -0800

The movement is broadening. National coalitions and juvenile court judges are weighing in with concerns and opposition, with national and local media responding. The CRC is publishing OpEds and being interviewed in HuffPo, Colorlines and national Spanish-language public radio.

CRC OpEd: Less police in schools after Newtown (published in La Opinion)

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:57:13 -0800

The nation's largest Spanish-language daily, La Opinion, has published our OpEd calling for less, not more, police in schools after Newtown. We must not let Newtown be another Columbine for LA's school-to-jail-track.

No to the national surge of police, posses, soldiers in our schools after Connecticut shooting

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:32:05 -0800

CRC is calling for non-violent schools, holding candlelight vigils and organizing to stop the expansion of police in our schools. Today Los Angeles grade-school students returned from the holidays to be greeted by 600 armed patrols at LA Unified School District (LAUSD). Just yesterday, Sheriff Arpaio unveiled armed volunteer posses at schools in Maricopa County, Arizona. Last month, Senator Barbara Boxer introduced a federal bill to send the National Guard into schools.

CRC Statement: New armed patrols in LA elementary schools erode students' civil rights and emotional well-being

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:15:53 -0800

By sending 600 armed LAPD patrols into our children’s schools, let us be clear that we are responding to violence with violence. Before we fall headlong down this path, we hope that LAUSD will reconsider and reflect deeply on the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: 'The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy…. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.'

CRC hosts community forum on school privatization and the school-to-jail track, national connections

Daniel Kim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:37:30 -0800

In the fight for educational justice, the struggle to keep public schools public has become as critical as ending the school-to-jail track. In Los Angeles, two historic Black high schools, Crenshaw HS and Dorsey HS, face daunting "reconstitution" that will undermine community leadership and roots. On Jan 12, we will gather with grassroots organizers from Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia to explore what forces are driving school privatization and how they intersect with forces behind the school-to-jail track.

Crenshaw High School: Policy Attacks Continue on LA's Historical Black and Brown Public High Schools

Eric Mann — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:33:17 -0800

Community Coalition fights efforts by LA School District to "Reconstitute" Crenshaw High School, which would start by firing all the current teachers there...

LA Unified School District threatens to fire entire teaching staff at Dorsey High School under "Reconstitution"

Eric Mann — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:23:15 -0700

The entire staff at Dorsey High School may be fired! Sharonne Hapuarachy and Taylor Broom discuss "Reconstitution" and what the impacts are for the student and the community and the movement to stop it.

Sharonne Hapuarachy and Taylor Broom: Fighting "Reconstitution" at Dorsey High School

Eric Mann — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:41:58 -0700

Sharonne Hapuarachyand Taylor Broom help us understand how LAUSD is threatening to destroy another historic South Los Angeles High School with "Reconstitution"--a radical and racist restructuring program.

Atlantic Magazine leads back-to-school news about our work--LA Times, Time Magazine, Our Weekly

Daniel Kim — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:59:32 -0700

It's September and back-to-school stories--and the CRC!--are in the news. Our work rolling back the daytime curfew (truancy/tardy ticketing) in LA is capturing attention and shaping the national debate with stories in Atlantic Magazine, Time Magazine, LA Times, and Our Weekly.

To protect students heading back to school from ticketing, CRC rallies: media & LAUSD respond

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:32:05 -0700

We had a great rally to set the tone for the new school year. We urged LAUSD to adopt a more comprehensive plan to protect youth from discriminatory ticketing and overpolicing. There had been some solid progress earlier in the summer in our meetings with LASPD and LAUSD. But with students coming back to school, we need the District to take more concrete steps forward.

Graduating High School and working with the CRC

Carla Gonzalez — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:53:29 -0700

Delona Washington, an intern with the Summer Youth Organizing Academy, writes about her experience as a young black woman newly graduated from high school.

CRC Youth travel to Children's Defense Fund Conference

Carla Gonzalez — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:12:09 -0700

Community Rights member Ezinne Nwankwo writes about her trip to Ohio for the Children's Defense Fund Conference.

Art as Resistance

Carla Gonzalez — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:28:58 -0700

SYOA intern Khushboo Gulati wrote this essay on the importance of Art as Resistance. "Resistance art is the product of stories unheard, resilience ignored, and ideas suppressed. It is a vessel through which people unite, histories are documented and through which one can learn. Recording our work, our struggle, our losses and our victories is the only way we can keep our unheard histories and herstories alive as US hegemony controls our textbooks and classes."

Kim McGill of Youth Justice Coalition on juvenile injustice system, police and prison funding, and the school to prison pipeline

Eric Mann — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 19:50:11 -0700

Kim McGill discusses recruiting and training young organizers around the issues of the juvenile Injustice system, police and prison funding, the school to prison pipeline, what it means to build a movement led by people and communities of color, especially youth of color.

Summer Youth Organizing Academy:Stephen's Story

Carla Gonzalez — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:06:30 -0700

As the Summer Youth Organizing Academy begins its program, we asked the youth to write about their experiences. First in the series is summer intern Stephen Samayoa.

CRC and Allies work together with LAUSD Board member Nury Martinez to pass resolution to reform school discipline

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:15:56 -0700

A coalition of parents, students and civil rights groups are working together to reform school discipline. Right now in California there are bills in the State Assembly that address school discipline policy and we are working with our Dignity in Schools allies to support this vital reform.

National and local attention being turned on LA School police as data released

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:21:10 -0700

National attention is being turned on the Los Angeles School Police as their data on citations is released. Community Rights Campaign has done a preliminary analysis which is showing troubling trends and an apparent pattern of unnecessary and unjustified policing.

CRC turns to challenge of LA School Police citations in wake of Truancy Vote

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:11:04 -0700

Since L.A.'s major win against truancy ticketing and the daytime curfew in February, we're trying to take the fight bigger and are now in the early stages of opening up a broader challenge to ALL forms of student ticketing and aggressive school policing.

Media reacts as LAUSD data shows black, brown students heavily ticketed

Haewon Asfaw — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:26:23 -0700

Building off the momentum of our victory in amending Municipal Code 45.04 and after four years of requests from the Community Rights Campaign (CRC), along with allies from the LA Chapter of the Dignity In Schools Campaign, Public Counsel and ACLU, the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) has finally released data for citations issued to students from 2009-2011. Releasing the data at a rally on May 3rd.

Cleveland High Taking Action 1000 Hoodie March

Carla Gonzalez — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:04:58 -0700

On April 12th, 2012, Cleveland High School's Taking Action organized a "1000 Hoodie March" with the support of the Village Nation and Black Student Union. Hundreds of students gathered outside the gym during lunch in solidarity with the nation's call for justice in the murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin.

Who's Streets? Our Streets! Spring Break Taking Action.

Carla Gonzalez — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:02:53 -0700

On Monday, April 2nd the Spring Break Taking Action begins. The club is a political education and action program that welcomes high school students from all over Los Angeles.

Truancy ticket fight resonates with local and national black press

Ashley Franklin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:26:39 -0800

Black columnists speak out about the increasingly obvious correlation between racial politics and school discipline. The issue of truancy tickets and harsh school polices has grown into a national educational crisis.

LAUSD and LASPD fail to report statistics to Federal Civil Rights Data Collection

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:22:11 -0700

In the latest report on school suspensions, expulsions, and school based arrests, Los Angeles Unified School District and Los Angeles School Police did not report figures to Civil Rights Data Collection.

Boys and Men of Color speak out

Carla Gonzalez — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:02:13 -0700

On March 2nd a historical gathering was held by members of the California State Assembly. Focusing on the issues facing boys and men of color in California communities, it was one of 5 regional hearings held.

What are they saying about us on NPR’s Morning Edition?

Daniel Kim — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:25:25 -0800

n/a

Counterproductive and Wasteful -- End the Tickets: Alternatives for Youth

Ashley Franklin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:07:16 -0700

End the Tickets: Alternatives for Youth is a collection of reports and documents that reveal the problems of Los Angeles Municipal Code 45.04 and provide alternatives for youth that do not involve the use of tickets, police, probation or courts to address the root causes of LAUSD's 50% drop-out/push-out rate. This collection was presented to Los Angeles Unified School District at the October 20th, 2009 Board meeting as a platform to end the criminalization of truancy, tardiness and other disciplinary issues and as an alternative to the Verdugo Hills High model.

Media gathers as LA City council ratifies changes to daytime curfew

Crystal McMillan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:54:16 -0800

On February 29th the Los Angeles City Council voted to ratify the amendment to LAMC 45.04, the Daytime Curfew Law. The media took note as Community Rights and a citywide coaltion of allies watched the 14-0, that ended the practice of punative truancy tickets .

Making history: CRC's 14-0 victory at City Hall to roll back the truancy ticketing law LAMC 45.04

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:55:12 -0800

In a letter from the CRC steering committee, we reflect on the meaning of our victory at City Hall last week, a 14-0 vote to roll back truancy ticketing and school policing under LAMC 45.04, the Daytime Curfew Law. Civil rights, our generation's fight against separate and unequal education, and the role of organizing...

"Updated" Media touts historic moment as LA City Council votes to amend truancy law

Crystal McMillan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:18:31 -0800

A standing room only crowd greeted the historic 14-0 vote with cheers and applause as the Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 to amend the Daytime Curfew Law, responsibile for punitive truancy and tardy ticketing of low-income students of color. News is rolling in from the LA Times, statewide California Public Radio, the Associated Press and much more...

Los Angeles Times sides with students and parents!

Crystal McMillan — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:37:43 -0800

On Sunday, the Los Angeles Times editorial came out in support of removing the fines from truancy tickets. The editiorial agreed with the position that "Hefty tickets for students who are late or ditch school are counterproductive. Requiring community service is a better idea."

Updated-CRC's media impact snowballs as truancy code amendment heads to city hall vote

Daniel Kim — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:37:08 -0800

Tremendous media coverage of our rally and press conference for the Public Safety Committee vote, where the amendment to reform LAMC 45.04 was sent forward to City Council successfully! Media coverage centered on the civil rights core of the problem. A lot of great visuals captured, too. Youth in CRC green shirts marching with Councilmember Tony Cardenas and...

In-depth investigative reporting on HuffPo: "LA Moves Haltingly Toward Ending Fines for Truancy"

Ashley Franklin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:37:11 -0800

In an in-depth story on the Huffington Post, investigative reporter Susan Ferriss (iWatch News) delves into two students' harsh treatment by police in Nov, raising questions as to whether new guidelines issued last year by LAPD and LASPD to curb truancy and tardy policing are working.

ALERT! City council to vote Wed 2/22 to roll back truancy ticketing--we need your support!

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:08:41 -0800

We are looking for support on over-turning the punitive truancy practices for LAUSD. Two vital votes will be held this month. The Public Safety Committee on Feb. 13th and the full LA City Council vote on Feb. 15th. We are collecting signatures on petitions and asking for support from students and their families to let our City leaders know where we stand.

Sign our petition to tell City Hall you support rolling back truancy ticketing!

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:21:09 -0800

City Hall will vote next week on whether or not to roll back the infamous truancy law (LAMC 45.04). We are asking everyone to sign a petition to the Mayor, City Hall and city leaders to express our support for ending this assault on our most vulnerable students!

Media takes note as Student Attendance Task Force releases recommendations

Crystal McMillan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:44:23 -0800

The media took notice as the Student Attendance Task Force released a report recommending "Have zero tolerance for zero-tolerance policies." and ensuring that students get adequate counseling in school before suspension.

CRC, Public Counsel and ACLU Applaud Task Force Recommendations for Remaking Truancy Law

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:37:56 -0800

On February 2nd, the Los Angeles County Education Coordinating Council announced their decision to unanimously endorse the findings and recommendations from the multi-agency Student Attendance Task Force.

LA School Board President thanks Community Rights Campaign as board votes to roll back punitive truancy policies

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:49:30 -0800

In her press release announcing the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) resolution to amend their daytime curfew law, Board President Monica García gives credit to the Community Rights campaign for their struggles to amend the law.

LA School Board (LAUSD) votes to support City Council motion to reverse punitive tardy/truancy ticketing

Ashley Franklin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:16:02 -0800

In the latest advance in CRC's campaign to roll back punitive truancy/tardy ticketing, the elected board of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) yesterday voted to support City Councilmember Tony Cardenas' motion to amend the ticketing law itself .

CRC Students Featured in Special Issue of Rethinking Schools

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:42:05 -0800

CRC student leaders are featured in the current issue of Rethinking Schools magazine, a special issue titled, "Stop the School to Prison Pipeline." The article, titled, "Arresting Development- Zero Tolerance and the criminalization of children," is by Annette Fuentes, who wrote a guest blog with the CRC in August.

Los Angeles Juvenile Courts Will Dismiss Curfew Tickets for Students on Their Way to School

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:40:47 -0800

Los Angeles' top judge for juvenile courts has released new guidelines to eliminate fines and unnecessary court time for students receiving truancy / tardy tickets. The court will also direct students who miss school to school- and community-based resources that are shown to improve academic achievement and get struggling students back on track. This is a major step toward CRC's goal of rolling back truancy and tardy ticketing that targets low-income students of color.

With Advancement Project, L.A. to Host Regional Action Camp for Activists Against School-to-Prison Pipeline

Carla Gonzalez — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:04:13 -0800

In February, the Community Rights Campaign and several local and national allies--including Dignity in Schools Campaign, Padres & Jovenes Unidos, Youth United for Change and the Alliance for Educational Justice--will be working with the Advancement Project to host a national training in Los Angeles, one of four regional action camps to train school-to-prison pipeline organizers, activists and advocates from across the country.

What the Community Rights Campaign means to me

Crystal McMillan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:37:01 -0800

A Blog by Michael Alvarado

You Are Just A Number: A Tour of County Jail

Carla Gonzalez — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:12:21 -0800

Read a blog by Community Rights Member Elizabeth Chaidez on the human impact of incarceration. Imagine being taken out of society, and forced to live in cell for 5, 10, 15 or maybe 20 years, or forever, for a crime you may or may have not committed. You do not have any human contact except when you are transferred from one place to another. However, when you are transferred you are handcuffed and chained by the waist like an animal.

Education Under Arrest: The Case Against Police in Schools

Ashley Franklin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:11:48 -0800

The increase in the presence of law enforcement in schools, especially in the form of school resource officers (SROs) has coincided with increases in referrals to the justice system, especially for minor offenses like disorderly conduct. This is causing lasting harm to youth, as arrests and referrals to the juvenile justice system disrupt the educational process and can lead to suspension, expulsion, or other alienation from school. All of these negative effects set youth on a track to drop out of school and put them at greater risk of becoming involved in the justice system later on, all at tremendous costs for taxpayers aswell the youth themselves and their communities.

Campus newspapers cite victory as LASPD issues new curfew protocols

Ashley Franklin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:15:22 -0800

Both High School and College campus newspapers respond to a victory for the community as LASPD adopts new protocols for enforcing daytime curfew and issuing truancy tickets to students.

What Are the Advances in New Victory with LASPD by CRC and Dignity In Schools?

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:17:34 -0700

We're really gaining ground in our fight for civil and human rights in our schools and communities. We need to highlight a few reasons why the policy changes on truancy/tardy ticketing that we won two weeks ago from LASPD are important. The media coverage was great but there's a few things they didn't cover.

Report Shows Time Is Now for Los Angeles to End Discrimination in School Discipline

Ashley Franklin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:45 -0700

This statement is from parents, students, and community and civil rights groups in response to a report released today about the Los Angeles Unified School District's implementation of the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support policy. The policy was adopted in 2007 with support from Public Counsel and CADRE parents to reduce out of school suspensions, particularly of students of color, and improve graduation rates, student performance and school culture. The report was conducted by the University of Oregon Institute on Violence and Destructive Behavior in consultation with LAUSD leadership. Public Counsel, CADRE, Youth Justice Coalition, Community Rights Campaign and Children's Defense Fund are part of Dignity in Schools Los Angeles.

Media buzzes as nation’s largest school district police force joins LAPD in adopting new protocols

Crystal McMillan — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:02:25 -0700

Media trumpeted the news as the Los Angeles School Police Department unveiled protocols intended to reduce the number of daytime curfew tickets written to students. The revised procedures are a result of collaboration and discussions between Public Counsel, the Community Rights Campaign, the ACLU of Southern California, Children's Defense Fund, CADRE, and Youth Justice Coalition - groups that work to keep students in school - and Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) leaders.

Push Back against the Push out: Dignity in Schools 2011

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:40:19 -0700

The collective voices of students and parents rang through the cities of Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland and Los Angeles as they demanded an end to the criminalization of their children, increased parental involvement in all school related decisions, and greater funding for schools. The event, which was hosted by the California Endowment, included a rally, a school to prison pipeline art installation and finished with a panel.

No Place for Kids:The Case for Reduciing Juvenile Incarceration

Crystal McMillan — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:28:09 -0700

In the United States, we rely heavily on incarcerating kids. In total, 336 of every 100,000 of the world's incarcerated youth is locked away in a U.S. prison facility. That's nearly five times the rate of the next country on list, which is South Africa.

Community Rights holds a "Precious Knowledge" movie night

Carla Gonzalez — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:36:41 -0700

On Tuesday October 4, 2011, the Strategy Center held a screening of "Precious Knowledge:" The Love Struggle of Learning, a documentary about the battle to save the Ethnic Studies Program in Tuscan Unified School District. The documentary follows four high school seniors in the Mexican American Studies Program and their emotional journey to put an end to HB-2281.

Dignity in Schools: National Week of Action

Carla Gonzalez — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:31:38 -0700

So why is it important to know your rights? Throughout the week of October 1-8, 2011, thousands of parents, youth, and educators are taking part in student-led actions and events in 27 cities to expose the school pushout crisis in our nation and advocate for the human right of every young person to a quality education and to be treated with dignity.

Los Angeles City Councilmembers Cardenas and Parks Introduce Motion to End Truancy Tickets for Students on Their Way to School

Crystal McMillan — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:51:53 -0700

During the past two years, the Los Angeles City Council in conjunction with the LAPD, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), County courts, other regional government agencies and community groups including: Public Counsel, ACLU of Southern California and the Community Rights Campaign, have been collaborating to revise existing LAPD procedures aimed at reducing the number of daytime curfew tickets issued. Cárdenas' motion seeks to amend Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 45.04, which imposes a daytime curfew on youth under the age of 18.

CRC joins Dignity In Schools (LA) training for 200 LASPD officers

Carla Gonzalez — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:37:19 -0700

It looks like a school assembly except that sitting in the auditorium are 200 LA School Police officers, and on the stage is a panel of community organizers who are giving the police officers a workshop in how to treat students more fairly.

Addressing the root causes of chronic absences and truancy

Ashley Franklin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:53:51 -0700

Youth Justice Coalition is reaching out for help to move the vote on SB9

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:55:31 -0700

Youth Justice Coalition has been fighting hard to reform the law that determines youth sentencing. The YJC feels that it is a basic human right not to sentence a youth to a life sentence. While they feel very disappointed in the difficulty in passing this small reform to the bill, it now stands that they are one vote away! It is a small reform, which allows the right to petition after 15 years served. This matter will come up to another vote at the beginning of September.

Community Rights Campaign guest blog by author Annette Fuentes on the August 23rd Truancy Task Force

Crystal McMillan — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:44:06 -0700

On August 23rd, the Community Rights Campaign was featured in the newest California Endowment Foundation article written by Annette Fuentes, a journalist and author of the recently published book about punitive school discipline and security policies, "Lockdown High: When the Schoolhouse Becomes a Jailhouse." Ms. Fuentes recounts the testimony of parents, students and school administrators to the Los Angeles County Educational Coordinating Council's Truancy Task Force at a recent Community Hearing hosted by the Community Rights Campaign and presided by Judge Nash of the Juvenile Informal Court.

Students bring demands to the Truancy Task Force

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:14:08 -0700

In Los Angeles County, during the years of 2005 to 2009, there were over 47,000 youth cited under the "Daytime Curfew Law" Municipal Code 45.04. 88% of the youth cited were Black and Latino students yet they only made up 74% of the school age population. For the first time, Community Rights brought together students, their families and administrators to hear the private impact of the ongoing criminalization of tardiness and truancy.

Student turned organizer: Reflections on People's Poetry

Alejandra Lemus — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:19:02 -0700

I was pumped and rejuvenated to see the next generation of warriors stand and fight back for a transformative and revolutionary educational system.

LA Times covers Community Rights Campaign's newest victory

Ragini Kathail — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:21:41 -0700

"The Los Angeles Police Department has agreed to avoid ticketing tardy students who are on their way to school, lawyers and advocates for students announced Thursday."

In LA Times, HuffPo, Colorlines, LAPD "Truancy" Ticketing Victory Reaches City Hall, Cardenas Responds

Daniel Kim — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:12:23 -0700

As news of our "truancy" ticket victory rolled through local and national media. the Community Rights Campaign carried the momentum of our coalition into City Hall on Monday, where Councilmember Cardenas presided over an unprecedented meeting where community voices were heard, and councilmembers were moved.

CRC in the news: Truancy ticket campaign attracts community media attention

Ragini Kathail — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:48:58 -0700

"Criminalize kids early and often? What’s next? Truancy – the new gateway crime? While this effort may generate short term statistical ‘success’, it is a jaw droppingly wrong headed, counter-productive way to treat kids," writes Home Education Magazine.

Strategy Meeting - Building a School Pipeline Toward Justice

Kendra Williby — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:29:42 -0700

Saturday, April 2nd 2011: Join us for an interactive and participatory citywide meeting to pave the way toward ending school push out and transforming our schools into healthy, enriching, and sustainable learning communities!

Truancy ticketing resonates with journalism students in Los Angeles

Ragini Kathail — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:43:55 -0700

"Clearly, I’ve missed an important lesson in logic as it totally blew my mind that students could be fined for coming to school," writes Rachel Ferreira, a student at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Van Nuys, sharing her own experience receiving a truancy ticket.

How 2 minutes can change your entire life | An Intimate Portrayal of a Black Mother's Fight to Save her Son

Kendra Williby — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:05:12 -0800

Let me share with you a story of a courageous and fierce Black mother. Her persistence to have her children do more than merely "survive" or "make it" and commitment to justice took her on a truly transformative journey that has inspired us all.

CRC Statement Letter Regarding the Hiring of New LASPD Chief Steven Zipperman

Kendra Williby — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:04:50 -0800

The Community Rights Campaign sent their statement letter to LAUSD Superintendent Cortines and the Board Members on November 12th, 2010 in response to Mr. Cortines announcement of the selection of the newly appointed LASPD Chief, Steven Zipperman, which involved virtually no community participation in the selection process.

Taking it Up a Notch: CR's Maze & Resistance Art Exhibit

Patrisse Cullors — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:57:19 -0700

On October 2nd 2010 the Labor Community Strategy's Center's Community Rights Campaign erected a "School to Prison" pipeline Walking Maze & Resistance Art Exhibit. This innovative art piece displayed a day in the life of a high school student at a LAUSD school. The exhibit was not only a viewing of art, but also a theater piece that encapsulated the experiences that a student faces when attempting to get to school on a poor y run and expensive bus system and the police harassment they encounter when they finally arrive to campus.

Without Public Notice, Input or Vote LAUSD Launches Truancy Detention Centers

Kendra Williby — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:07:21 -0700

From our view point, the AIC will serve as "truancy detention" centers rather than a space that has the actual resources and services to implement successful forms of prevention and intervention to address the underlying reasons for the student's tardiness/truancy. Thus, the Community Rights Campaign is urging the LAUSD Board to rollback and re-conceptualize the Attendance Improvement Centers.

CA's Prop 19 Starks Debate: Is Marijuana Substance Use/Abuse a Crime or a Health Issue?

Barbara Lott-Holland — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:39:33 -0700

California's Proposition 19 has raised some interesting debates around defining the thin line between substance abuse and "criminal activity" under our current legal system. Previous to these heated exchanges, I agreed that the use of marijuana needed to be decriminalized, because in my opinion it was no more addictive or harmful than other "legalized" substances, such as alcohol, caffeine or tobacco, but what was thought provoking for me was that it should be treated as a health issue.

Solutions for Los Angeles School Police

Kendra Williby — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:32:35 -0700

Real LASPD reform is now on the table

Kendra Williby — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:09:24 -0700

For the past two months, the proposals in our Solutions for Los Angeles Schools Police Department document have been part of a successful organizing and advocacy effort. We are now in a strong enough position to move them into actual policy changes. Please continue reading to get the details around our School Police reform platform to reverse the impacts of the school-to-prison pipeline!

Back by Popular Demand: CR's Resistance Art Exhibition!

Kendra Williby — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:25:02 -0700

With such great reviews and high level of community participation & discussion we have brought back our "school-to-prison" pipeline maze for a second showing! Last Saturday, over 150 students, teachers, parents, and community members from various Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools and social & educational justice organizations joined the Community Rights Campaign at our Caps & Gowns NOT Jail Cell Bound event!

SYOA Notebook: It is our Duty to Fight for Freedom | August 30, 2010

Lissett Lazo — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:06:58 -0700

Lissett Lazo, SYOA Alumni '07 and Community Rights Organizer, reflects on the highlights and breakthroughs of this year's Summer Youth Organizing Academy class. She looks back to her own experience as a SYOA student as a pivotal point in her own growth and transformation as an organizer and young Salvadoreña, Hondureña, Nucaraguense womyn.

SYOA Notebook: What I’ve Learned So Far in SYOA | August 3rd, 2010

Bryan Mauricio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:44:41 -0700

Junior Summer Youth Organizing Academy, participant Lamont Harrell, writes about his reasons for coming back to the junior SYOA Program.Hi my name Lamont Harrell and I'm in Junior SYOA . I was in SYOA last year but I decided to come back for 3 reasons. Reason 1: I wanted to learn more about campaigns and I like to organize.

SYOA Notebook: There are no Small Jobs in Building a Movement | August 3rd, 2010

Bryan Mauricio — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:26:23 -0700

Karla Chavez is a member and volunteer for the Community Rights Campaign. She is our volunteer photographer for the Summer Youth Organizing Academy. She blogs about her role in helping build a movement to end the criminalization of our people and the importance of documenting our work through photography.

Mapping LAMC 45.04 "Truancy Tickets" by Geograhical Area, Race and Gender

Ashley Franklin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:10:13 -0700

The Community Rights Campaign has created a new map to track the geographical areas and the break down of the race and gender composition of students that have received Daytime Curfew "Truancy" Tickets under the Los Angeles Municipal Code 45.04. This map is an important tool in making the legal case that "truancy" tickets violate the civil and educational rights of the 90% Black and Latino students that attend LAUSD schools....

Truancy Tickets Resulting in Unreasonable Police and School Searches

Zoe Rawson — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:19:42 -0700

The Community Rights Campaign recently provided a "Know Your Rights" training where students, parents and organizers came out from around the city. We focused on the daytime curfew restrictions (informally known as "truancy tickets") the court process and we covered legal rights on police and school searches. As a group, we analyzed the ways in which the police, the schools and the courts interact with students and communities.

SYOA Notebook: It's Organizing Season Again!! | July 24th, 2010

Bryan Mauricio — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:54:02 -0700

Summer Youth Organizing Academy participant, Damien Romero, shares his lessons and experiences of organizing with the Community Rights Campaign for the first time. "Organizing for the first time was a very moving experience. Even though I was a bit nervous to be placed into conversation with strangers, the fact that I was able to carry them out was very reassuring as the day went on...."

SYOA Notebook: The Next Generation of Civil & Human Rights Organizers in Training | July 24th, 2010

Bryan Mauricio — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:34:13 -0700

Summer Youth Organizing Academy, participant Desirae Monique Duncan, writes about her first day of organizing in buses. "People that are heavily impacted by the prison system need to be organized because if they share their experiences it will open our eyes to the conditions we're all exposed to and how unjust they really are...."

Spring Break Take Action: The Building Ground for the Next Civil/Human Rights Organizers

Jeanette Charles — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:58:01 -0700

Jeanette Charles, Strategy Center member and co-coordinator of the 2010 Spring Break Take Action, blogs about the most impactful lessons the group experienced and the inspiration she gained witnessing the youth take leaps and bounds in their own organizing skills and expanding their understanding of our histories in this country as...

GUEST BLOG: What are the Real Intentions around LAPD's "Truancy" Sweeps?

Jorge Lopez — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:28:53 -0700

Jorge Lopez, social activist in East Los Angeles and world history teacher at Roosevelt High School, recently got involved with our "No to Pre-Prisons" Campaign. After feeling frustrated and angry at the increased ticketing of his students he began referring his students to us for legal services and support. Questioning the real intentions about the "truancy" sweeps at his school he writes in his blog: "I believe that if the Mayor had no interest in ticketing our students, there would not be one of his point persons overseeing the operation, and LAPD...."

Michelle Alexander: Mass Incarceration is the New Jim Crow

Tammy Bang Luu — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:35:37 -0700

A leading civil rights attorney and scholar argues in her new book The New Jim Crow that the mass imprisonment of Blacks and Latinos in the US - and its impact on former prisoners, their families and communities -- has created a new racial caste system in the US.

We can't let this be the last word: "Almost every inmate in prison started out as a truant"

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:13:30 -0800

The San Fernando Valley Sun has been raising a public debate between us, the principal of Cleveland High, and LA School Police Dept Interim Chief Bowman. They've already written 3 pieces in a series. We need you to send letters to the editors because...

Prevention Beyond just "Say No" | Pre-Prison Diaries: March 4th, 2010

Kendra Williby — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:07:00 -0800

Jazmin Martinez, a senior at Manual Arts High School, blogs about being searched in a round-up with an auditorium full of students for being tardy. She writes about the need to end the racialization of the "war on drugs" by creating forms of prevention, intervention and ultimately decriminalizing drug usage in her blog, Prevention Beyond Just "Say No".

Marty Hittelman: Saving Public Education in California & Unlocking the State Budget Juggernaut

Eric Mann — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:57:55 -0800

The President of the California Federation of Teachers speaks about the statewide March 4 mobilization for public education, the ongoing attack on funding for public education in the state government, and how to unlock California's budget juggernaut to win real reform.

GUEST BLOG: Lessons from the Oscar Grant Tragedy – We Need to Get to Work

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:21:15 -0800

After weeks of nervous speculation, a victory against a court system that fails time and time again to convict and sentence police officers for murder. For Black people in particular, this perpetual lack of legal re-dress for one of the oldest problems impacting our community has created deeply entrenched pain, fear and anger. No matter the social status, economic class or skin tone, almost every Black person in America has experienced a nervous moment whenever a cop came near. This is not because we are a community of cowards. rather it is because...

Author Michelle Alexander to Speak on New Jim Crow, Mass Imprisonment of People of Color

Kendra Williby — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:35:33 -0800

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CNN features Community Rights on "zero tolerance," truancy tickets in schools

Manuel Criollo — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:05:51 -0800

Just yesterday, CNN ran a top story in their legal news section that features our Community Rights work against truancy tickets and pre-prison conditions in schools: "But one thing is sure: Alexa's case isn't the first. At schools across the country, police are being asked to step in..."

GUEST BLOG: Mehserle’s Trial Suggests Change in Law Enforcement

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:06:34 -0800

The first pre-trial hearing for Johannes Mehserle - the Ex-BART officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant on New Years Day 2009 - brought out a tapestry of emotion and activity. The Foltz Criminal Justice Center was abuzz with scores of brave protestors, media representatives, and agents of the legal system all taking part in the early morning rush. It was an amazing scene considering that the hearing itself was rather basic and bland. The biggest developments of the day included...

Advancement Project Releases New Report: Test, Punish, & Push Out

Kendra Williby — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:21:49 -0800

The report looks at how punitive discipline and testing policies and practices have combined to turn many schools into hostile and alienating environments that drive youth out of school and toward the juvenile and criminal justice systems. We highly encourage our members and supporters to read this important document.

LAUSD Students Launch Campaign to Reform School Police

Kendra Williby — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:45:49 -0800

In actions at Manual Arts, Westchester, and Cleveland High Schools, LAUSD students from our Community Rights Campaign weathered the rain to launch a new initiative for greater accountability from the Los Angeles School Police Department. They reached out to students, teachers and community members to support CRC's 5 new policy recommendations for creating new policies and procedures that restrict the use of force and role of police in our schools to protect the civil/human rights of all.

CRC Launches New Report Against Problems of Police in LAUSD Schools

Kendra Williby — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:49:14 -0800

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Police in LAUSD Schools: The Need for Accountability and Alternatives

Kendra Williby — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:11:32 -0800

The Strategy Center's Community Rights Campaign in collaboration with the Los Angeles Chapter of Dignity in Schools Campaign release the first of two policy papers, Police in LAUSD Schools: The Need for Accountability and Alternatives, to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students and families.

Catherine Tactaquin & Sarahi Uribe: Criminalizing Immigrants & the Fight Against Sheirff Joe

Eric Mann — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:12:37 -0800

Two leaders in the immigrant justice movement talk about the national mobilization to challenge Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the fight to defend immigrant rights and win real reform.

Tom Hayden: A fair trial for Alex Sanchez?

Tammy Bang Luu — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:11:38 -0800

The journalist and former State Senator reports on the bail hearing and the prospects for a fair trial for Alex Sanchez, the gang member turned gang intervention leader now facing trumped up federal conspiracy charges.

Breaking the Spirit of Our Students | Pre-Prison Diaries: December 10, 2009

Kendra Williby — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:19:14 -0800

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GUEST BLOG: The Importance of the Oscar Grant Trial

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:28:53 -0800

A recent decision to move the criminal trial of Johannes Mehserle – the former BART officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant on New Years Day – to Los Angeles has again once thrust the city to the forefront of controversy involving police abuse and murder.

Ruth Cusick & Michael Murray: Creating Dignity in Schools

Eric Mann — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:52:05 -0800

An attorney and youth organizer from the Dignity in Schools Coalition discusses the National Resolution to End School Pushout being launched this week, and the discipline policies and class conditions that creating crisis of drop out/pushout for low income students of color in urban high schools.

California's future of education cuts & expanding prisons | Pre-Prison Diaries: November 11, 2009

Kendra Williby — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:53:21 -0800

"Pre-Prison Diaries" is a series from the Community Rights Campaign in which organizers, students and parents share stories and observations about truancy tickets, police in schools, zero tolerance, and other "pre-prison" conditions and experiences. Jackie Hill, current freshmen at Dominguez Hills, shares how the recent budget crisis and the increased spending on prisons in the last 25 years have impacted her life as a young Black woman.

Larry Aubry & Hamid Khan: What to expect and demand from the new chief at LAPD

Eric Mann — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:04:03 -0800

The Los Angeles Sentinel columnist and the director of South Asian Network reflect on the appointment of Charlie Beck to replace William Bratton as chief of LAPD. What should communities of color and civil rights activists expect and demand from the new leadership at LAPD?

Voices From the Students: Testimonies on daytime curfew "truancy tickets"

Lisa Adler — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:22:30 -0700

Voices From the Students provides direct testimony from students who have receieved "truancy tickets." The testimonies document the consequences of these tickets and the experiences while receiving them from police officers.

Positive Behavior Support Discipline Policy

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:41:17 -0700

Los Angeles Unified School District's School-Wide Positive Behavior Support policy establishes a framework that focuses on proactive strategies designed to prevent discipline problems.

Sample Drop-out/Push-out Prevention and Truancy Reduction Programs

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:50:08 -0700

A document on a variety of examples of drop-out prevention and truancy reduction programs that can serve as examples of alternatives to ticketing and police/court involvement.

Truancy Tickets as Exclusionary Discipline

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:54:44 -0700

School-wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) is a research-based, school-wide systems approach to improve school climate and create safer and more effective schools.

LAUSD Equal Protection Resolution

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:12:31 -0700

A resolution passed by LAUSD Board members Ms. LaMotte, Ms. Garcia, and Ms. Flores-Aguilar that supports equal protection and civil rights for all students in LAUSD.

A Black Mother Takes Action to Challenge a “Guilty” Verdict on a Truancy Ticket | Pre-Prison Diaries: October 25, 2009

Barbara Lott-Holland — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:57:59 -0700

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Transformative Organizing: Lessons in Humility and Non-Judgment bv SYOA 2009 Alumni Luis Hernandez

Kendra Williby — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:40:57 -0700

I learned by experience what transformative organizing is, it is when we transform ourselves by having our values and actions aligned. Even though none of us are perfect, we should try to live our lives with full integrity...

Proposals for Implementing Alternatives to Daytime Curfew

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:08:57 -0700

Having fought for equal access to quality education for decades, Black, Latino, Asian and other people of color are now facing a whole new barrier. The mostly Black and Latino students of the LA Unified School District are being criminalized and ticketed for absences or lateness ("truancy"), contributing significantly to their 50% dropout/pushout rate.

Truancy Tickets Aftermath | Pre-Prison Diaries: October 13, 2009

Ashley Franklin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:18:54 -0700

"Pre-Prison Diaries" is a new series from the Community Rights Campaign in which organizers, students and parents share stories and observations about truancy tickets, police in schools, zero tolerance, and other "pre-prison" conditions and experiences. Ashley Franklin starts the series with a look at the effects of the truancy ticketing law on one high school graduate.

We Are Alex: Join us in supporting a fair trial for Alex Sanchez

Lisa Adler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:08:44 -0700

Please join us in supporting ally and friend Alex Sanchez, internationally recognized peacemaker and co-founder of Homies Unidos in Los Angeles. Alex was arrested in June on conspiracy charges brought by the FBI. Alex was denied bail on June 30th. The bail appeal hearing is now scheduled for Monday, October 19th, 2009 and your action is needed to support the campaign for a free a trial.

Breakthrough: Community Rights Wins Withdrawal of Motion to Expand "Truancy Tickets" Law

Lisa Adler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:32:23 -0700

We are pleased to announce that LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan and Councilmember Tom LaBonge have withdrawn their motions to deputize police officers to issue LA Municipal Code 45.04 Daytime Curfew Citations, popularly known as "Truancy Tickets," inside LAUSD schools. Ms. Galatzan will now be chairing an agenda item on Truancy and Attendance at the October 20th Board meeting, where Community Rights Campaign organizers will be presenting. To advance this breakthrough, important next steps are still needed....

Alejandra Lemus: Student Leader Reflects on "Truancy Ticket" Rally

Alejandra Lemus — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:49:50 -0700

We had students from Westchester and Cleveland High School organizing and helping folks make phone calls to Board member Galatzan. It was inspiring to see the students from coming out of Manual Arts High School (off Vermont and King) asking questions about our campaign and making calls to Galatzan. The energy on the street was great and the drum and chant crew just made everyone even more pumped up.

Lissett Lazo: Student Leader Reflects on "Truancy Ticket" Rally

Lissett Lazo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:49:57 -0700

"Teachers, Not Tickets!" Even though it's been well over two hours ago, I still feel the energy of today's rally! It was so inspiring to see all of the dedicated students that took their day off of school from Westchester High and Cleveland High and came out to support the Community Rights Campaign!

Student Rally Against Educational Racism: No Tickets on School Grounds!

Lisa Adler — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:29:19 -0700

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Take Action Against Educational Racism

Lisa Adler — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:47:14 -0700

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An Open Letter to LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan To Withdraw Her Motion to Expand Los Angeles Municipal Code 45.04

Kendra Williby — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:17:25 -0700

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An Open Letter to LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan From Teachers and School Administration

Lisa Adler — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:33:25 -0700

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Community Rights on KPCC 89.9fm with Larry Mantle: Is Being Late to School a Crime?

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:52:52 -0700

As a result of the press release that the Community Rights Campaign sent out last week regarding the systemic problems within the Los Angeles School Police Department and the LA Weekly article titled LAUSD's Finest I will be on KPCC's Air talk with Larry Mantle tomorrow from 10:30-11:00am.

SYOA 2009 Grads | Spoken Word Video to End School Pre-Prison Conditions

Kendra Williby — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:04:36 -0700

On August 29th, 2009 the Community Rights Campaign and its Summer Youth Organizing Academy held our third annual Graduation Celebration at a local community marketplace, Mercado La Paloma. Through spoken word pieces, each SYOA alumni reenacted a revolutionary activist/organizer from the past that inspires their work today--as they train to be the next generation of civil/human rights organizers with the Community Rights Campaign.

LA Times Op-Ed: The Racism of Marijuana Prohibition

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:43:12 -0700

In his Sept 7 OpEd in the LA Times, Steven Gutwillig points out how the cultural mainstreaming of marijuana ignores the "racism of marijuana prohibition." The Community Rights Campaign applauds Mr. Gutwillig for bringing to light the racist treatment of Black youth by drug laws and enforcement.

Colorlines on CRC: Young, Brown—And Charged With Truancy

Lisa Adler — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:58:24 -0700

The Community Rights Campaign is a feature in the new issue of Colorlines. Specifically, the article features our campaign on the Los Angeles Unified School District to place a moratorium on giving tickets for tardiness and truancies as one important way to challenge the "pre-prison" conditions in LAUSD.

LA Weekly Shows LA School Police Department - Community Rights Campaign Calls on the LAUSD Board to Protect Students

Damon Azali-Rojas — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:37:22 -0700

The LA Weekly article titled LAUSD's Finest (by Max Taves, September 4th), on the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) reveals what the Community Right Campaign has known from our past 3 years of work-the need to reign in the Department for their neglect of the human rights and personal safety for the 680,000 LAUSD students and everyone in their 710 mile jurisdiction.

Major Expose of the LA School Police - Read it Now

Lisa Adler — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:20:18 -0700

A major expose of the Los Angeles School Police force is titled LAUSD's Finest: Los Angeles School Police: How an oblivious school board lets a tiny, scandal-ridden force endanger L.A. kids.

Community Rights Campaign Highlighted in Our Weekly Article

Kendra Williby — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:06:09 -0700

Following our August 18th "No to Pre-Prisons" press event, on-line journal Our Weekly covered the Community Rights campaign in detail...check it out!

Join CURB in urging the Governor NOT to appeal fed. court prison reduction order

Lisa Adler — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:18:50 -0700

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Problems of the Los Angeles Daytime Curfew Law

Lisa Adler — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:14:30 -0700

Why were 12,000 students fined up to $250 each just for being late or away from school in 2008? We surveyed approximately 1,400 students and parents, held several focus groups, researched the citation process, and consulted with educational justice and civil rights organizations around the country.

Community Rights Launches No to Pre-Prisons Platform as the Start of the School Year Approaches

Lisa Adler — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:29:59 -0700

With the new school year approaching, the Community Rights Campaign unviels its "No to Pre-Prison" Human and Civil Rights Platform to demand the end to LAMC 45.04 and Truancy Tickets.

Will state resist court order to release 44,000 prisoners?

Lisa Adler — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:52:19 -0700

On August 4th, a panel of 3 federal judges ordered California to reduce the prison population by 44,000 prisoners in the next two years to address the inhumane conditions caused by prison overcrowding! As the LA Times reported: "The 185-page opinion...accused the state of fostering "criminogenic" conditions, compelling former prisoners to commit more crimes and feed a cycle of recidivism."

Summer Youth Organizing Academy Launches

Mark-Anthony Johnson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:09:34 -0700

Our 4th annual Summer Youth Organizing Academy is underway. We launched SYOA last week with 18 students!

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi & Peter Bibring: The end of the LAPD Consent Decree

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:22:11 -0700

In the wake of the police murder of Suzi Pena, Dante Story Jr. and the May 1st shootings in MacArthur Park, federal oversight of the LAPD has now ended. Two leaders in the fight against police brutality talk about the history of LAPD's history of crime and what was and was not accomplished by the ten-year consent decree.

Free Prof. Gates, Free the US 2 Million

Eric Mann — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:15:24 -0700

At this point we all know the story of racist arrest of Prof Gates. "So where do we take this story? I say we take this story to the US prison system where racial abuse from the police state is happening in genocidal proportions. We have to place the focus on protecting the rights of black people of all classes with a primary focus on the mass incarceration of the black working call and poor in genocidal proportions." Click the link to hear the rest of Eric Mann's commentary.

La Opinion investigates Truancy Tickets

Lisa Adler — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:34:15 -0700

The most read Spanish language newspaper in LA covered our testimonies at the LAUSD Board on truancy tickets. The reporter interviewed our organizers and members, but he also further investigated the issue by interviewing other high school students and parents as well as school police.

In the Media Spotlight: BRU Rally at Mayor's Inauguration

Anson Stewart — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:50:35 -0700

BRU's rally at Mayor Villaraigosa's Inauguration yesterday received extensive media coverage. Along with our allies from the South Asian Network, and the Los Angeles Community Action Network, we were calling on the mayor to reduce his prioritization of police funding over social services.

Oscar Sanchez: The Arrest of Gang Intervention Leader Alex Sanchez

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:55:59 -0700

The brother of arrested gang intervention leader Alex Sanchez discusses Alex's path from being part of the Mara Salvatrucha to internationally recognized activist for gang reconciliation, the shocking conspiracy charges brought by the FBI, and the what people can do to support Alex's defense.

People's Poetry Night brings down the house

Daniel Kim — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:19:20 -0700

False Choices, Unhealthy Relationships and California’s May 19th Elections

Damon Azali-Rojas — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:34:51 -0700

Have you ever been in an unhealthy relationship? Has it been because in some way you enabled your partner to continue to behave in unhealthy ways? Unfortunately when it comes to our relationships to policy makers in Sacramento we continue to enable unhealthy choices that in the end affect us in dire ways. Resources that we need to have sustainable, well-educated and healthy communities are being given away to corporations through tax breaks while the legislators increase our taxes; spend billions of dollars on freeway and rail expansion that exacerbates global warming; construct shiny new prisons and hire prison guards and police while the golden state's schools are crumbling and teachers and counselors are being cut.

Spring Break Take Action

Kendra Williby — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:20:33 -0700

As a young black womyn, I think back to my experiences attending public school where I was often the only person of color in the honors or advanced classes. I think about what it would have meant to have a space with other working class and students of color to discuss our concerns about the future of our people, our histories from a womyn’s and oppressed nationality perspective, build camaraderie and support with my fellow peers and most important gains the skills and knowledge to shift our conditions and history...

Check out what happened at the No to Pre-Prisons Community Meeting

Lisa Adler — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:35:12 -0700

On April 23rd we held our first community meeting on "truancy" tickets and school police conduct...find out more and learn how to get involved!

Westchester students petition against teacher layoffs

Lisa Adler — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:43:51 -0700

Punished For Coming To School

Edith Honorato — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:17:22 -0700

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What I liked this year about Spring Break Take Action

Jackie Hill — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:52:51 -0700

Spring Break Take Action this past week really challenged me-in a good way. SBTA teaches us to communicate to our people that we have a common struggle.

Reflections on Spring Break political education

Cristian Rendón — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:51:05 -0700

The discussions in the last few days of Spring Break Take Action have a connection to the topic of Prison Industrial Complex. This is a major issue that needs to be dealt with. Reality is, this is actually something that has a negative affect on many of us, if not directly then indirectly. It affects us in the sense that it can lead to you being separated from family members, like not being able to have a relationship with your own father, mother or any other person.

Thinking about the War on Drugs at SBTA

Jahmal Rivas — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:25:31 -0700

My name is Jahmal, and today we read and discussed this extremely interesting article on the Drug War by Graham Boyd. This 'war' on drugs is paralleled to America's dark history of slavery, seeing as how the number of black men in jail is equals the number of black men enslaved in the 1820s.

First day on the buses with Spring Break Take Action

Kassie Walters — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:15:50 -0700

Today was the first day we went out on the buses to organize people. Honestly it was very interesting, because it was the first time that I have actually tried it. It was kind of awkward because you're on a bumpy metro bus trying to keep your balance and hand out flyers at the same time, lol! The best conversation I had was with a man who worked for LAUSD, because... well...he works for LAUSD!

My first day at Spring Break Take Action

John Salinas — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:23:48 -0700

My name is John Salinas, I am a 9th grader at North Hollywood High School. I have been a member of the BRU for 3 months. What I really liked about my first day in Spring Break Take Action is how easily I spoke out because normally I am a shy person. I usually do not engage in a conversation, I just step back and let other people speak. I'm usually shy because I'm afraid of responding wrong or saying something that I think may not be suitable for the discussion.

“Public Transportation NOT Truancy Tickets”

Lisa Adler — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:09:42 -0700

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We Want Human Rights in Los Angeles, Not a Growing Police State!

Lisa Adler — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:24:40 -0700

Community Organizations from across Los Angeles Call on Mayor Villaraigosa and other City Leaders to Support Healthy Communities in this Year's Budget!

Ticketing towards prisons: LAUSD’s truancy tickets and the pre-prisoning of our youth

Lisa Adler — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:22:32 -0700

Did you ever come late to school? Of course, we all did. You'd get a look from the teacher, a warning about your grades, or even detention. Well, times have changed. Being 15 minutes late can now get you handcuffed by school police and issued a ticket for $250 with a mandatory day in court. Black and Latino students have been telling us about their experiences with these "zero tolerance" policies.

Westchester HS reaches 250 incident form returns

Daniel Kim — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Westchester students reached a milestone in documenting the criminalization of youth in schools. They have collected 2500 incident forms (link to form and action) since beginning last October.

The Omnivorous Police/Prison State and the California "Budget Crisis"

Damon Azali-Rojas — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

So let's look at how the police/prison growth industry has been affected by the economic downturn. At a time when the California government can't pay its bills or cut welfare checks to the neediest, a time when it is sending IOUs for tax returns, it is driving forward (guns a blazin') with the largest prison construction project in the world. We're talking about AB 900 and its evil twin ABX1-10.

Rose Braz and Guillermo Mayer: Budgets, stimulus, prisons and buses

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:51:48 -0800

Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) spokesperson Rose Braz and Public Advocates civil rights attorney Guillermo Mayor unmask California's budget crisis, prison juggeraut, and future of public transportation.

Esther Portillo: Salvadoran elections

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:29:27 -0800

Southern California-based Salvadoran activist, Eshter Portillo, talks about Path to Power: FMLN wins big in Legislative Elections

Stacy Perlata and Skipp Townsend: Crips & Bloods: Made in America

Manuel Criollo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:01:17 -0800

Offering unprecendented access into the world of active gangs, a new film looks at culture and context for the Bloods and Crips...

Pete White: "Safer Cities" and the criminalization of homelessness

Manuel Criollo — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:52:30 -0800

Director of Los Angeles Community Action Network, Pete White, says cleaning up downtown means a police assault on homeless people…

Loyda Colon: The murder of Sean Bell

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Member of the justice comittee, Loyda Colon, talks about police aquitted of Sean Bell's murder.

Pete White: Villaraigosa calls for more police

Manuel Criollo — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, Pete White, talks about Villaraigosa's call for increased police funding and cuts in social services.

Roberto Lovato: "How Immigrant Crackdowns Build the National Security State"

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:11:52 -0800

A contributing Associate Editor with New America Media, Roberto Lovato, talks about how immigrant crackdowns build the national security state.

Zachary Norris: Proposition 6 and the Books Not Bars Campaign

Manuel Criollo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:37:23 -0800

Director for the Books Not Bars campaign at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, California, Zachary Norris, talks about Prop 6--14 year olds tried as adults!?

The Wire: Sonja Sohn and Rafael Alvarez

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:27:19 -0700

Starring in The Wire, the HBO series, Sonja Sohn and Rafael Alvarez, talk about the show with Eric Mann.

Jorge Mariscal: Chicano anti-war activism

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:27:06 -0700

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Barbara Becnel: Remembering Stanley Tookie Williams

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:59:42 -0800

Barbara Cottman Becnel, close friend of Stanley Tookie Williams, talks about the final days of ex-gang member's life.

Lisa Kung: Prop 83, sentencing laws for sex offenders

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:57:52 -0800

Southern Center for Human Rights representative Lisa Kung discusses California 2006 ballot initiative--Proposition 83 re: sex offenders and draconian sentencing law.

Eveline Shen: Proposition 85 and the fate of reproductive rights

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:54:50 -0800

Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, Eveline Shen, takes a closer look at a new initiative requiring parental notification for minor abortion and the question of reproductive access

Beverly Wright: Struggle to rebuild post-Katrina Black New Orleans

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Long time scholar and activist in the environmental justice movement, Beverly Wright speaks on the struggle for the right of return for Katrina Survivors and the remaking of New Orleans.

Kim McGill: Fight against gang injunctions and the California gang database

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:51:17 -0800

Los Angeles's Youth Justice Coalition representative Kim McGill takes a closer look at 100+ years of racist anti-gang measures in California

Ruthie Gilmore: California prison boom and the conditions of women prison

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:48:59 -0800

Radical geographer of the political economy of prisons in the neoliberalized state of California, Ruthie Gilmore, exposes the incarceration of women in California's exploding prison system.