Nearly 100 people gathered at Remy’s On Temple in the historic Filipinotown section of Los Angeles on Dec. 15 for a benefit for victims of police brutality. The event was a great success.
Nearly half the funds were raised needed to pay the cost from taking out a bond to release ANSWER Coalition (Act Now
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Many activists at the anti-Minuteman protest were abused by the police, but Villa and Westeberry were targeted in particular. They were thrown to ground and wailed on by the LAPD simply for trying to capture video of another arrest. Villa was sent to jail on trumped-up felony charges after suffering through a brutal police beating. Both were treated at a local hospital for their wounds.
The political event on the Dec. 15 had many voices of solidarity throughout the activist movement. The emcee was Carlos Alvarez, LA coordinator of Youth & Student ANSWER.
Artist Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against the Machine and now a member of Audioslave, sent a video solidarity statement in support of all those fighting police brutality, recognizing the political nature of much police oppression, like at the FTAA protests and the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
Joneric Concordia from KmB Pro-People Youth performed spoken word pieces. He raised awareness about the ever-present nature of violence and oppression in communities of color and the struggle of people to survive.
Solidarity with all other victims of police brutality was raised, including a tribute to African American political prisoner and death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal by KPFK radio host Ernesto Arce.
ANSWER organizer Malena Hinze discussed the specifics of Villa’s and Westberry’s cases and tied them to the overall problem of police brutality that affects working-class communities, African American and Latino in particular.
After Hinze’s talk, a video that captured the beating of Villa and Westberry was shown. The video was shot by Los
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Villa and Westberry then addressed the crowd. They both denounced all forms of police violence against workers and oppressed people and stressed the importance of remaining politically active and strong in the face of state repression.
Guests Norma and Norberto Martinez also discussed the injustice committed against their son, Gonzalo Martinez, who was shot 43 times by a machine gun wielding police in Downey, Calif. The Martinez’s stated how, despite repeated police attempts to force them to settle their suit against the cops, they would have their day in court. They said that justice would only come when their son’s killers were put in jail.
A plea for funds by Muna Coobtee, ANSWER organizer and member of the National Council of Arab Americans, raised more than $850. The total amount collected at the benefit was around $1,200 toward defraying the cost of the bond to free Villa.
The Latino ska band Loskache closed the event with a strong set of politically-conscious songs. The crowd danced and enjoyed food for the remainder of the night.
The Los Angeles benefit was one of many events being held around the country to raise the issue of police brutality and collect funds to support Villa. Other cities holding events include San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New York City, Washington, D.C., Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and elsewhere.
