Chicano Mexicano Prison Project:
On Wednesday, March 17, 1999, on the corner of 25th and Imperial Ave. (San Diego, Califas), Jose Luis Ramirez, a young 30-year man and father of five children was gunned down by two San Diego Police pigs as he left a scene of what the police said was a report of a “suspicious” person hanging around a gasoline station.. As Jose Luis left the area, the pigs, both members of the swat team, opened fire, shooting Jose six times, at least twice in the back, fatally wounding him. Jose Luis died seconds after being shot. According to witnesses, Jose Luis was never a threat to the police officers; and according to the pigs themselves, no crime was committed. Yet, as has been the case throughout history of occupied America (the so-called “United States”), the D.A.’s office refused to press charges (no matter what the evidence) against the police who brutalize and kill Mexicanos.
MEXICAN COMMUNITY WAS ANGERED AT THE POLICE AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S COVER UP
Many in Mexican community (those not mentality enslaved by colonialism) were outraged when hearing of the killing of another Mexicano. They knew that what happened to Jose Luis happens to Mexicanos and other non-white people on a daily basis.
Within days of the shooting, on March 22, close to two hundred people, under the leadership of the Brown Berets de Aztlan, marched through several Mexican neighborhood and to the site where Jose Luis was killed. Once there, a rally was held and speakers denounced the killing of Jose Luis. Moreover, the anger of the community continued; a few days later, on March 24, a hundred strong picketed the San Diego Police Department.
Since the shooting of Jose Luis, several press conferences and community leafleting has taken place. The most recent actions calling for “Justice for Jose Luis” include:
°September 10, 1999 -members of the Raza Rights Coalition, Union del Barrio, Chicano Park Steering Community, and Brown Berets de Aztlan, -join forces with the Coalition of African American Organizations to protest the killing of Demitrus Dubose by San Diego Police. Dubose was shot over 10 times, including 5 times in the back, who according to police “was resisting arrest”. Over 100 Africans, Mexicans, and some white supporters picketed the Police Police Department.
MEDIA, CITY GOVERNMENT, AND D.A.’s OFFICE UNITE TO COVER-UP POLICE TERROR
Throughout the struggle to win justice for Jose Luis Ramirez and to end police brutality, we have witnessed how the mass media has completely ignored the concerns raised by the community and the family of Jose Luis. The actions (pickets, marches, community meetings, etc.) organized by Raza organizations as a way of exposing police brutality, in which literally hundreds of individuals have participated, have been completely “blackout” by most of the media (including the “Hispanic” press). In essence, the media, the D.A., and the city government (most notably the vendido councilman Juan Vargas) have joined forces to hide from the people the rampant brutality and terror practiced by many elements within the San Diego Police Department.
Yet, a lying media and corrupt colonial-uncle tom government, has not been able to suppress the righteous anger of the Mexican community. An example of this is the Brown Berets and Union del Barrio/Chicano Mexicano Prison Project’s commitment to continue the struggle to end police terror and win justice for Jose Luis Ramirez.
We call on all Mexicanos: No more talking, dancing, or praying -let’s get real! Join us in the struggle for Raza liberation.
On Oct 7,1999, a community meeting will be held to inform people on the current situation regarding the struggle for justice for Jose Luis, pig terror, and what actions must be taken. If you are serious about ending pig terror -be there. For more information, call (619) 696-9804 (office of Union del Barrio).
Free The Oppressed, Jail The Oppressor!
°September 17 -over 30 members of Union del Barrio, Raza Rights Coalition, Brown Berets de Aztlán, and family of Jose Luis, picketed the San Diego Police Department headquarters in downtown San Diego.
Hasta La Victoria -Siempre!