by Oread Daily
Saturday, May. 04, 2002 at 10:42 AM
Demo is Tuesday, May 7
RESIDENTS WANT ACTION ON POLICE
In Placentia, California the community is up in arms over the conduct of the local police department. In mid April demonstrators gathered outside the Placentia Police Department to protest what they called a pattern of abuse by police officers, mostly against residents of Latino descent. "It's a pattern over time," said Lupe Lopez, spokeswoman for Anaheim-based Indigenous Alliance, which organized the demonstration along with several other groups. Another protest and vigil is planned for next Tuesday (See below). "I have no idea why they are targeting us, I have no idea why I can't walk down the street, or my 10 year old brother can't go outside without having the police ask him what gang he belongs to," said resident Mishy Rodriguez. It appears the police abuse and misconduct targets South Placentia, a working class community primarily made up of people of color over other parts of Placentia. "Even the children are scared of these racist cops, even they know that something is wrong in Placentia, because all they have to is wake up in the morning and look around and they can see what is happening in all over their neighborhoods," says resident Naui Huitzilopochtli. The people of the community want (1) the Placentia police department to make public on a regular basis information concerning complaints that have been filed; (2) an immediate meeting with the Chief of Police; (3) the creation of a civilian review board; (4) all police misconduct reports and complaints that are filed investigated; (5) a stop to the racial profiling, brutality, harassment, and targeting of South Placentia residents.
Sources: Stop Police Abuse News Group, LA Times, Chantel
Tuesday May 7, 5pm: Protest & Vigil Against Placentia Police Department at Placentia Police Dept. (corner of Chapman & Kramer), 401 Chapman, Placentia, CA
Protest & Vigil: 5pm
Press Conf: 5:30pm
City Council meeting: 7:00 PM
Contact: Olga Vega - 714 996-1481
THIS EVENT IS A PEACEFUL POLICE BRUTALITY PROTEST, ONE ORGANIZED NOT BY ANY ORGANIZATION BUT ACTUALLY PUT ON BY THE COMMUNITY ITSELF FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE ASK THATPEOPLE RESPECT THIS, AND KEEP THIS A PEACEFUL EVENT. THERE WILL BE CHILDREN AND MANY FAMILIES PRESENT, SO PLEASE KEEP THE DRAMA AND ANY PERSONAL IDEOLOGY AND WAYS OF BRINGING FORTH ACTION OUT OF THIS EVENT. THIS IS A PEACEFUL EVENT TO BRING TOGETHER THE ORANGECOUNTY COMMUNITY AGAINST POLICE ABUSE.