Help Long Beach Cop Watch get a Video Camera!
The only thing keeping LB Cop Watch from hitting the streets is an available video camera. We have very limited funds, and our last camera was stolen just before Cop Watch got off the ground, so we are trying to get a new/used one! We are looking for any generious individuals out there willing to donate any money, or perhaps a used video camera so we can start putting Cop Watch into action!
If you can help, please contact our Primary Command Base at 562-434-6934 , 684 Redondo, Long Beach, CA 90814
WHO IS COPWATCH?
We are a group of community residents who have become outraged by the escalation of police misconduct, harassment and brutality in recent years. We have no single political or religious belief. Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs. What we share is the belief that citizen participation in these issues and monitoring of the police is a crucial first step towards building a movement which is capable of stopping police violence and of challenging the increasingly powerful role of police throughout our society. Although it is important to resist police brutality by taking cops to court, filing complaints and having demonstrations, we believe that it is crucial to be in the streets letting the police know that THE PEOPLE will hold them accountable for their behavior in the community. We believe police brutality and misconduct is especially widespread in communities of color and that this is due to the long history of white supremacy in this country. For us, the struggle against police brutality is also a struggle against racism.
WHAT COPWATCH DOES?
We have joined together to fight for our rights and the rights of our community by taking on the task of directly monitoring police conduct. Copwatch goes out and videotapes the police as they stop people or pull over their vehicles. We don't interfere with the police but we do record their activities to prevent police brutality and racism. We don't provoke confrontations with the police, but we do support the principles of self-defense against police attacks. We encourage everyone to watch the police and record what they see. Additionally, we provide access and spread information about the public's rights when confronted by the police. Copwatch is completely independent from the police, all other law enforcement agencies, the government, and all political parties.
GET INVOLVED!!!
If you have been a victim of police abuse, witnesses abuse or are just plain fed up with the police and want to do something about it, contact us or come to a meeting. We will train you to COPWATCH. We also need artists, writers, researchers, outreach workers, organizers and others to help. We are an all volunteer group so your help is ALWAYS needed! We meet every Wednesday with the RACUN Community Defense Program at 7pm at the REACH Center, which is located at 684 Redondo Ave. in Long Beach. We can be contacted at 562-434-6934 or
racun_la@yahoo.com