personal statement from a comrade

Last November, a small group of us in the los angeles area responded to the call out for international solidarity with the Zapatistas. 

But we didn’t take over a building, block traffic, or shut anything down this time.  we were outreaching, simply handing out fliers and literature to educate ourselves, the passer-by’s, as well as the attendees of the ‘Distinguished Speakers Series.’  we wanted to inform people of the State violence that continually haunts and murders indigenous communities in Chiapas and beyond. we wanted to share truths, and invite people to come out to the community picnic that we had organized for that weekend.  We did not anticipate the violent, aggressive attacks from the Pasadena Police.

The minute the first few of us got there, plainclothed police officers (one of whom was later confirmed to be a US Marshall) approached us with threats of arrest if we didn’t comply with their orders.  They told us that the sidewalk was closed for the day, and that the walkway in front of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was now “private property.”  Despite our disappointment, we complied and remained across the street on the “public” part of the sidewalks to stick to our plans for outreach.  we passed out a lot of literature, and had conversations with the people who were attending the event.  we were doing nothing wrong, and the Pasadena Police must have known this, because they waited for the guests to clear out to start attacking us.

None of the officers gave us a warning or any orders, but all of a sudden, sergeant Crees rushed in and started swinging his fist and baton around wildly at a crowd of unarmed protesters, which included a child and a pregnant woman.  Other officers reacted immediately and followed in attacking the crowd who were contesting their escalation and violence.  it was terrifying to witness such brutal and undisciplined behaviors from the police officers.  It looked as if they had lost control, and felt like they were going to start shooting their guns at the crowd at any minute. 

i am so sick of my friends, comrades, and members of our communities being targeted, kidnapped, beat, murdered, and silenced by the State.  i am so tired of the perpetual physical pain, emotional torture, and psychological trauma, and the magnitude of this war exhausts and overwhelms me on a day to day basis.  November 14th of last year was a traumatizing night for all of us there, but we are not defeated.  We know all too well that the State wants to suppress and silence political dissent, and we are determined to make that as difficult as possible.  we will fight on in solidarity, with raised fists and silent indignation, because we have no other choice but to resist.  we have nothing to lose but our chains.