Carmen Perez's Blog (9)

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative: Reducing the unnecessary confinement of youth in our country

Although at times it may feel as though we are working alone to improve the conditions of confinement for youth, reducing racial disparities or simply creating intervention programs for youth . There are initiatives out there that are working on detention alternatives. I personally was able to get involved in my community by being a part of community committees that created alternative to incarceration programs with the support of the Santa Cruz County Probation Department and JDAI through the C… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on August 14, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

National Day of Solidarity for Alex Sanchez's Birthday: August 5, 2009

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… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on August 3, 2009 at 11:30am — 1 Comment

Gathering Family, Let's come together in Solidarity for our brother Alex Sanchez and Write Letters of Support for his Release.

From Homies Unidos Board and Staff: To all our supporters, allies, community, and everyone in the movement, The Homies Unidos Board stands united in full support, behind our executive director, Alex Sanchez and his family. For the past 11 years, Alex has been committed to helping bring about change in his community. He is an exemplary leader, respected colleague and dedicated husband and father. Just as we are confident in Alex's innocence, we are confident that Los Angeles and the nation will… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on June 26, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

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 ga… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on June 24, 2009 at 6:30pm — 2 Comments

Please join us as the PARADE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE GATHERING FOR JUSTICE present the 2009 Week-long Nonviolence Summer Kick Off in Erie, Pennsylvania

For over 4 years, a coalition of leaders and community members of Erie, PA have met to address the rise of violence in their communities. This coalition, also instrumental in forming The Gathering for Justice in Erie, a chapter of a national movement reintroducing nonviolence as an organizing methodology, founded by Harry Belafonte, have held various events, rallies, gone door-to-door and have brought trainers from across the country to train young people in nonviolence. Today, they are requesti… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on June 22, 2009 at 2:30am — No Comments

The Gathering will be at New Harvest, Café in Columbus, Ohio

As many of you know, Columbus, Ohio was a region selected by the Gathering for Justice to receive ongoing support in capacity building and economic development. The New Harvest Café team and Nation Builders, Haatim, Devin and Kwodo have been working hard to bring together the community to enhance the quality of life through urban gardening, rites of passage, food and economic sustainability. This week, I received my airline ticket to visit Columbus, with our Elder Mr. Gus Newport. We will be in… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on May 8, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Working Towards Unity through Understanding

Working Towards Unity through Understanding Often times our opinion about a matter is unconsciously influenced by what is presented to us in the media. However, it’s really up to us not to be persuaded by this type of negative coverage that creates division and instills fear in the way we view even our own neighbors. Recently, there has been a lot of media coverage that has captured audiences throughout the country requesting that we close our borders connecting the United States to Mexico and… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on May 1, 2009 at 12:00am — No Comments

Man dies in custody after being Tased by San Jose Police

On the heels of Oscar Grant, and those who have lost their lives in the hands of police. Another life is taken this week but it’s not the first taken by police using taser guns. Taser guns are no safer than any hand gun. They initially were supposed to be non-lethal weapons, designed to subdue suspects in dangerous situations, however, they are being used more frequently in situations that are non-threatening. They are definitely not safer than a bullet and more and more deaths are being attribu… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on February 12, 2009 at 2:41pm — 1 Comment

Poem Inspired by the Gathering's efforts in Los Angeles

A Foot at a Time I look at the feet That press upon this floor And I see… Leather of a freed man Soles that have touched souls Tired heels, tired of heeling And two feet going in opposite directions I see heavy burdens That trudge through dust That have grown stagnant By the calluses born I’ve seen dainty Painted toes that With each powerful step Carry the knowledge of a silent tree I see little feet That have barely walked a mile Yet stand in my shoes And wear them with dignity I’v… Continue

Added by Carmen Perez on October 16, 2008 at 7:25pm — 3 Comments

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Gathering For Justice created this Ning Network.

The Gathering’s Mission

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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