Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

CHINO, CA -- Once again, major violence between Raza and African prisoners has erupted within the United States Concentration Camp (Prison) System, this time at Chino California State Prison. Beginning at 8:20 PM, on Saturday evening (Aug. 8, 2009), African and Raza (Latino) prisoners, in the most brutal fashion, slashing, cutting, hitting each other with anything that could get their hands on, battled against each other for more than 11 hours. Over 200 hundred were hurt, several were critically injured with severe head injuries or stab wounds. Blood was spilled by everyone. Many of those involved will be scared and maimed for life, both physically and mentally....

It is no coincidence that so few white prisoners were involved or hurt. Or, that not “one guard” suffered even a scratch. That fact is, that the racist prison system, which is responsible for the torturous and inhumane treatment of Raza and African prisoners was not the object of the prisoners’ anger. As racist as some of the white prisoners are (many belonging to groups such as the Aryan Brotherhood, Hells Angels, Skin Heads and Minutemen), they also were not the target of the riot. In fact, our carnales and brothers (and carnalas and sisters) in the prisons are so confused and disoriented by the divide and conquer tactics of the capitalists (from which white power comes from), that they don’t even see the prison system as their main enemy. Read Full Report from the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project | | | From Cal-Fire Blog: Chino Correctional Facility riot, fires & reports of fatalities | | | Discussion on Indybay Reposts: 1 | 2 | 3 | | | uniondelbarrio.org

LOS ANGELES, August 11, 2009 – An estimated 800 people showed up at the downtown State Building to voice their anger and share their anguish about the State of California de-funding virtually all HIV services.

In late July, the California governor "blue lined" state general fund support for all HIV/AIDS programs except HIV epidemiology and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), leaving the state’s Office of AIDS with only 20 percent of its funding for programs like HIV education and prevention, HIV counseling and testing, home health and early intervention. These were among more than $485 million in cuts made to the state’s health and human services portfolio. Reports from the Newswire:

TERMINATOR'S ILLEGAL VETOS spark HIV Protest and Vigil in Downtown L.A. by Robert Stuart Lowden
08-11-09 Protest/Vigil Against HIV Cuts, part 1 | part 2| part 3 by SCHA-LA

In an unprecedented move, the governor slashed more than $489 million from essential health and human services and programs this week. Included in these are roughly $82 million from HIV programs.

Protest these Cuts, which will harm communities by increasing the risk of the growth of HIV infections. There will be a candlelight vigil at Pershing Square at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, followed by a march to the Reagan state building. More info: StopTheHIVCuts.

HIV infection rates are sky-high in communities of color. This is an issue that cuts across communities.

LOS ANGELES - Over a span of two days, hundreds of people from across the region converged to participate in the Second1 Southern California Anarchist Conference and the Feria Libertaria, an anarchist cultural fair. Despite the serious topic being discussed, that of constructing a genuinely free and non-hierarchical society, the relaxed atmosphere at both of the events was a perfect companion for Southern California's informal summer vibe. Full report: Coming Soon: Anarchy! by Rockero || Photos and video: Photos from Anarchist Conference by Vegan Anarchist Paparazzi, More photos from the Anarchist Conference by Organic Raw Tofu, and anarchist conference - one photo + videos by Yogi || Audio: Audio interviews from So Cal Anarchist Conference 2009 by Chris Burnett