On November 1st students marched to the LACC sheriff’s office. The Detective Spelatz had told us that “70-80% of rape reports are illegitimate” and that most women who report rape have a “morning after slight”. He also said reports were from women who drank too much and regretted what they did the night before. He is the lead investigator of a rape, which took place on campus!

Now, Arturo Velasquez 20 year old student at LACC and Julia Wallace 25 year old former student and community member received a letter BANNING THEM FROM LACC FROM AND ALL OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE DISTRICT effective November 27th through April 2007. Another student is also being charged but has not given us consent to post his name. An interesting note: Only two people were allowed to file a complaint against the sheriffs. Those same two people are being suspended!


We are charged with:
1. Unsafe Conduct
2. Willful Disobedience
3. Unauthorized Entry
4. Disruption of Class
5. Interference with Peace of College

Our protest was peaceful. We were asked to leave but refused to until we were given the complaint forms. When the Sergeant who takes the complaints arrived we immediately and of our own accord left the office. This act is nothing but retaliation for students standing up for their rights.

We are STILL DEMANDING SPELATZ BE REMOVED and the BAN ON STUDENT ACTIVISTS BE LIFTED!

By supporting the presence of this officer on campus and retaliating against those who are standing up for women's safety, the campus administration has created a threat to all potential rape victims. What rape victim will call an investigator who believes 80% of the cases he investigates are "illegitimate"?

Students for Educational Reform needs your support:

Call President Steve Maradian President of LACC admin and demand that the administration:
President Maradian maradis@lacitycollege.edu
323-953-4000 ext 2240


LIFT THE BAN IMMEDIATELY

REMOVE DETECTIVE SPELATZ FROM CAMPUS

FORM A DEFENSE/SOLIDARITY GROUP IN YOUR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE.
HAND OUT THIS LEAFLET AND PUBLICIZE THIS ISSUE AT YOUR SCHOOL

GET SUPPORT FROM YOUR UNION OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

This is the group that marched. I am sorry about reposting from the other indymedia article.

We left on our own and gave the complaint without incident.

Arturo Velasquez, although he is new to politics he stood up for the right thing and is being retaliated against by the Sheriff’s department and the LACC administration. He is the first to attend a four-year university in his family, if this suspension is upheld he will not be able to transfer this semester (although the semester finishes in 3 weeks!).

Julia Wallace is a community member who went to LACC for Nursing perquisites. She has been a long time community activist, student activist and is taking a stand against the sexism of the sheriff’s department. She was not able to attend LACC this semester but witnessed Detective Spelatz woman hating comments. She, Art and others took immediate action. She and Art are two of three people who are being suspended from the district.