Our community has shown great support for my family over the last few years due to the children’s illnesses. While I was relieved that we had some help, I felt guilty accepting it. Then someone once said to me,”When someone gives to you-it’s as much of a blessing for them as it is for you. Don’t turn them down and take that blessing away from them.”
I didn’t know the true meaning of that until tonight. A friend of mine had her house broken into a few days ago. The thief stole just about everything.
Then I found out that even the children’s things were gone. I looked around my house at the evidence of all those who helped us before. A generous community plus three children equals toys to the 10th power.
I called my friend and offered to give some of the things we had. My children were not just happy to share - they were excited. When my friend came to pick the toys and books up, the kids practically ran her over at the door.
I watched in awe as my friend smiled and looked over the large pile of toys, with my kids showing her everything. I usually only see that glow on people’s faces at Christmas time.
It was nice to give back to others in their time of need. My friend was right before. Giving is a blessing for the giver as well as the receiver. Maybe even more so.
I know this blog is for book recommendations but I'm the granddaughter of immigrants and marched/danced (I'm an Aztec dancer) in last year's peaceful March for immigrant's rights.
It was amazing. Thousands of people, not one incident. I remember standing on a freeway overpass staring across a sea of people and seeing three other overpasses loaded with people. It was an astounding sight and I wished I had had a camera to capture it. Unfortunately, you can’t hold a rattle or sonaja, feathers, a hand drum and a camera. Ni modo.
I intended to go to the March again this year but other obligations kept me from it. Imagine how I felt when I read the news about police brutality. What the hell happened? I’m upset, I’m angry, I’m going to be a part of the following press conference. Mexica Tiahui.
Press Conference in Downtown Los Angeles
Multiple Organizations to DENOUNCE the POLICE BRUTALITY AFTER THE MAY DAY March at Macarthur Park!
May 2, 2007 5:00PM
Union Del Barrio and the Frente Contra las Redadas (Front Against the Raids), a coalition of over 40 Latino, Asian, White and African-American community and student organizations will denounce the brutal and RACIST POLICY BRUTALITY against unarmed defenseless families
This Coalition is comprised of the following organizations: the American Friends Service Committee-San Diego, African People's Socialist Party, All African People's Revolutionary Party, Alianza Nueva Nacion, Assoc. of Raza Educators, Barrio Defense Committee (San Jose), Brown Berets de South Central, Bus Riders Union, Chapinas Unidas, Comite de Mujeres Patricia Marin, Comite Pro Democracia en Mexico, Committee on Raza Rights (Oxnard), Coordinadora Estudiantil de la Raza, Danza Azteca Cuatemoc, FIOB (Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales), FMLN- Los Angeles (Frente Farabundo Marti de Liberación Nacional), Guatemalan Social Network for Justice and Peace, Homies Unidos, MEChA de Santee, Movimiento de Liberación Nacional, NICANA (Nicaraguan American National Assoc.), Puerto Rican Alliance, Raza Graduate Student Assoc. of UCLA, Raza Rights Coalition- San Diego, School of the America's Watch-LA, South Asian Network, Somos Raza, Union Del Barrio and many more!
The central objectives will be:
1) To publicly DENOUNCE the racist police attacks against migrant families
2) To publicly announce a new HOTLINE phone number that the public can call to report an ICE raid.
Contact: Ron Gochez [email protected] (email for Phone #)
What: Organizations to DENOUNCE POLICE BRUTALITY at May Day March
Where: LAPD HEADQUARTERS
150 N. Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
When: Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Time: 5:00 P.M.
ESPANOL
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Conferencia de prensa en el Centro de Los Ángeles
Múltiples Organizaciones van a DENUNCIAR la VIOLENCIA POLICIAL en el Parque Macarthur después de la marcha
2 de mayo, 2007
Unión Del Barrio y el Frente Contra las Redadas, una coalición de mas de 40 organizaciones latinas, asiáticas, blancas y afro americanas y estudiantiles, denunciarán los ataques RACISTAS de la POLITICA contra familias indefensas en el Parque Macarthur.
Esta Coalición es formada por las siguientes organizaciones: American Friends Service Committee-San Diego, African People's Socialist Party, Alianza Nueva Nacion, Assoc. of Raza Educators, Barrio Defense Committee (San Jose), Brown Berets de South Central, Bus Riders Union, Chapinas Unidas, Comite de Mujeres Patricia Marin, Comite Pro Democracia en Mexico, Committee on Raza Rights (Oxnard), Coordinadora Estudiantil de la Raza, Danza Azteca Cuatemoc, FIOB (Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales), FMLN- Los Angeles (Frente Farabundo Marti de Liberación Nacional), Guatemalan Social Network for Justice and Peace, Homies Unidos, MEChA de Santee, Movimiento de Liberación Nacional, NICANA (Nicaraguan American National Assoc.), Puerto Rican Alliance, Raza Graduate Student Assoc. of UCLA, Raza Rights Coalition- San Diego, School of the America's Watch-LA, South Asian Network, Somos Raza, Union Del Barrio.
Los objetivos centrales serán:
1) DENUNCIAR públicamente los ataques racistas de policía contra familias migratorias
2) Anunciar públicamente un nuevo número telefónico que el público podrá llamar para reportar una Redada del I.C.E.
Contacto: Ron Gochez [email protected] (mande email para el # telefonico)
Las organizaciones van a DENUNCIAR la VIOLENCIA POLICIACA en el Parque Macarthur.
Donde: El SEDE del LAPD
150 N. Los Ángeles St.
Los Ángeles, CA 90012
Cuándo: miércoles, 2 de mayo, 2007
Tiempo: 5:00PM.
