Alex Sanchez-Nationally recognized 'gang peacemaker' arrested in gang sweep
Friend and colleague, Alex Sanchez, Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based, non-profit Homies Unidos has been involved in peace work and community activism for many years. Working in collaboration with many of the organizations we work with, he has advocated for immigrant rights as well as spoken to youths about the consequences of gang life. Always looking to seek justice, Alex has lobbied for better intervention and prevention programs. Alex has become a nationally-recognized expert in gang intervention--his work has been featured on NPR, in Mother Jones magazine, and through numerous other media outlets. Today, he was arrested by the Feds in a gang sweep. Please keep Alex and his family in your prayers.
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A nationally recognized anti-gang leader was among those named in a federal indictment targeting several Mara Salvatrucha gang members who authorities said today have been involved in multiple slayings, extortion and assaults.
Alex Sanchez, executive director of Homies Unidos, was taken into custody by FBI agents this morning at his Bellflower home. Sanchez and several members of MS-13, one of the nation's most ruthless and notorious gangs, were named as a co-conspirators in the indictment, which will be unsealed later today, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
The indictment alleges that the gang terrorized the Lafayette Park area west of downtown Los Angeles.
The case of Sanchez, who admitted being a member of the MS-13 gang as a youth but said he had sworn off the gang lifestyle, became a cause celebre early in the decade when authorities attempted to deport the self-described gang peacemaker.
In 1994, Sanchez was deported to his home country of El Salvador because of a decade-old auto-theft conviction and a subsequent parole violation for possessing a firearm. A year later, he returned illegally to the U.S. and eventually helped form the local chapter of Homies Unidos.
Sanchez was granted political asylum after successfully arguing that he might be killed if he was returned to El Salvador because of his links to the Salvadoran gang and his stand against police corruption. Sanchez said he was a victim of harassment by the Los Angeles Police Department, and his case was highlighted by police critics during the Rampart corruption scandal.
[Updated at 3:15 p.m: A previous version of this post indicated Sanchez was granted asylum because of harassment by the Police Department.]
Among those who championed Sanchez's cause was former state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), who befriended Sanchez in the 1990s and testified on his behalf.
-- Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/nationally-recognized...
___________________________________________________________________________________
A nationally recognized anti-gang leader was among those named in a federal indictment targeting several Mara Salvatrucha gang members who authorities said today have been involved in multiple slayings, extortion and assaults.
Alex Sanchez, executive director of Homies Unidos, was taken into custody by FBI agents this morning at his Bellflower home. Sanchez and several members of MS-13, one of the nation's most ruthless and notorious gangs, were named as a co-conspirators in the indictment, which will be unsealed later today, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
The indictment alleges that the gang terrorized the Lafayette Park area west of downtown Los Angeles.
The case of Sanchez, who admitted being a member of the MS-13 gang as a youth but said he had sworn off the gang lifestyle, became a cause celebre early in the decade when authorities attempted to deport the self-described gang peacemaker.
In 1994, Sanchez was deported to his home country of El Salvador because of a decade-old auto-theft conviction and a subsequent parole violation for possessing a firearm. A year later, he returned illegally to the U.S. and eventually helped form the local chapter of Homies Unidos.
Sanchez was granted political asylum after successfully arguing that he might be killed if he was returned to El Salvador because of his links to the Salvadoran gang and his stand against police corruption. Sanchez said he was a victim of harassment by the Los Angeles Police Department, and his case was highlighted by police critics during the Rampart corruption scandal.
[Updated at 3:15 p.m: A previous version of this post indicated Sanchez was granted asylum because of harassment by the Police Department.]
Among those who championed Sanchez's cause was former state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), who befriended Sanchez in the 1990s and testified on his behalf.
-- Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/nationally-recognized...
Tags: article, http://latimesblogs.latimes..., l.a., times
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sanchez on -
Are they going to organize something around this issue. It will be sad, if there was nothing going on.
I hope and pray, for you brother.
Peace,
Kevin
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Permalink Reply by Carmen Perez on -
THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT TO ME ON BEHALF OF ALEX,
Carmen
Hello All,
I spoke with Alex's lawyer Kerry Bensinger today. He would like to meet with us on Saturday at his office to discuss the case and form a strategy to free Alex. I am still awaiting a time. Please let know if you can attend.
THE FIRST STEP we must take towards helping Alex is getting him released on bail. The bail hearing has been set for Tuesday, June 30th. In order to do this we must present a strong case in support of Alex's character, the work he's done, and most importantly prove that he is not a "flight risk" or "danger to his community."
- We need signed letters of support. These letters should focus on Alex's character, accomplishments and importance to his community. Mr. Bensinger, suggested and I agree, that we refrain from bringing up the apparently organized effort to derail Homies and the broken system that has allowed for the epidemic of gangs. Keep the letters focused on the intent of getting Alex out on bail. You should know that any letter you present to the court will become public record.
- Please also contact anyone you might think to be a good candidate for support and urge them to write a letter. Public officials, community leaders, law enforcement...
- We need assets as collateral for bail. The court is most interested in this as they value property as insurance against flight risk. This is very important, as the alternative will probably be a large sum of money that will be difficult to raise. So if any you would like to post a valuable asset as guarantee against skipping bail, please contact me and I will get you in touch with the lawyer.
Please let me know if you're schedule doesn't permit you the time to pen a letter and we will happily provide you with a sample letter to attach your name to.
IMPORTANT: We need to have all letters of support and collateral assets by Sunday evening in order to present them to the court before Alex's bail hearing.
You can either hand deliver them to one of the Homies staff or Board Members or messenger them to Kerry Bensinger's law firm. Bensinger, Ritt, Tai & Thvedt, 65 N. Raymond Ave, Suite 320, Pasadena, CA 91103 - fax 626-685-2562
With Respect,
Troy
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Permalink Reply by Kazu on -
FYI, letters should be addressed to:
Honorable Alicia G. Rosenberg
United States Courthouse
312 N. Spring Street, Courtroom D
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Re: Mr. Alex Sanchez Cr. 09-00466
Most letters will have to be shipped overnight to make it there on time. You can also send signed letters as a PDF to mnovoa@hersheycause.com.
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Permalink Reply by Kazu on
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For those of you in the Bay Area, there will be a community meeting to discuss how we can support his case from up here. It'll be this Thursday from 6-8PM at 1245 Alabama Street in San Fran. Come through!
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sanchez on
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When will THEY realize?
By: Curly X
My friend, mentor, leader and Brother,
They called you Rebel, but those are all lies.
I know your Nobel, but they say you took a breather,
I know your no actor, your past mentality dies.
The tears that runs down your cheek,
Brother, it will never make you weak.
THEY have given you a sneak peak,
25 years to life, is nothing meek.
They can cage your body, but never you’re Spirit,
Fight long, Alex to regain your innocence.
Never be PERPLEX, just know you’re a puppet,
They can’t cage your mind, you have the brilliance.
The tears pouring from the eyes of your family,
Brother, know they are not done faintly.
They have given your something, freely,
You have to fight with your heart clean, fully.
All I know of you is good and always braver,
Your gang days, long gone, the new Alex has arise.
You probably think everything around you is bleaker,
But sooner or later, you’re going to have tears, happy cries.
The tears from upon my face,
This system is sick, and full of disgrace.
Your name they constantly deface,
So all your hard work you've have done, they can't erase.
This poem is food for your soul,
Something to fill the lonely nights and console.
You will never be the man in that wall hole,
When will THEY know that you play a positive role?
When will THEY realize we don’t belong in these hellholes?
When will THEY realize we don’t sleep on bedrolls?
When will THEY realize that peace is our ultimate goal?
When will THEY realize that were in control?
When will THEY realize that you’re not on the payroll?
When will THEY realize that you have been steamrolled?
When will THEY realize that YOU and ME are people?
When will THEY realize?
That these prisons and lies are destroying or cultural lives.
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Permalink Reply by Carmen Perez on
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Thank you everyone who has demonstrated your support for Alex Sanchez through letters, poetry, and community meetings. We will continue to provide you all with updates and if you have any information, please continue to post.
In solidarity for Alex's release,
Carmen Perez
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Permalink Reply by Kazu on
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August 5th is Alex's Birthday. Let's all mobilize and show our support!!!
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Permalink Reply by Carmen Perez on
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Greetings!
You are cordially invited to join the nationwide celebration of peacemaker Alex Sanchez's 38th birthday this Wednesday, August 5th.
Since Alex's arrest six weeks ago communities across the country have risen up in support of him and his work. In a strong showing of solidarity, we are asking for communities to host a Teach-In and birthday party to celebrate the his 38th birthday on August 5th. On this special day, he will be spending the day behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. That is why it is so important that all of us hold events in our own communities; to show Alex and the general public how much love and support he has around the country.
In the Forum page of the website you will see attachments that will provide you a tool kit to help you organize your event. This includes an informational sheet about his case, a “how to” guide on organizing your event, a suggested agenda, and some links to videos that you can screen.
Los Angeles will be organizing a candle light vigil, but we encourage you to be creative and organize whatever type of event feels right for your community. If you already had an event or program planned for the 5th, we would like to encourage you to build and integrate Alex’s case into whatever you have planned.
Even if you can only take 10 minutes to discuss his case or can only organize an event with a couple of your friends, we want to show everyone that Alex has supporters in all corners of the world. Besides, we can never have too many reasons to celebrate with some cake!
Please make sure that you take a photo of your event (with the cake if you have one) email it to us at WeAreAlexCA@gmail.com. If you have any questions, need any more information, or need any technical assistance to organize your event, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you all for keeping this work alive. We know Alex appreciates the support of every single one of you.
For more information on Alex Sanchez, please visit the www.WeAreAlex.org website.
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The mission of The Gathering is to build an Intergenerational, movement, rooted in history, cultures and non-violent direct action to heal communities, build collective strength and generate an environment of hope and opportunity.
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
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Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
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