A.N.S.W.E.R. Condemns the LAPD Killing
of Suzie Marie Peņa
Stop Racist Violence and Police Terror! Take Action Today!
Flyer
 The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to
Stop War & End Racism), Los Angeles, condemns unconditionally the LAPD
for the brutal murder of Suzie Marie Peņa, and all acts of racist
brutality against the people of Los Angeles. We mourn her tragic death
and send our condolences to her family. We demand that Mayor
Villaraigosa and all city officials take immediate action to bring the
officers involved in the murder of Suzie Marie Peņa to justice.
The LAPD's trigger-happy conduct is an outrage. It seems that their
official policy is "shoot to kill."
Racist police violence is part of the system
The murder of Suzie Marie Peņa comes on the heels of a long series of
violent police attacks on the African American and Latino communities.
 In
May, 13 sheriff's deputies unleashed 120 bullets in a Compton
neighborhood as they pursued Winston Hayes, an innocent Black man they
claimed was involved in a crime. Last February, an LAPD officer shot 10
bullets into the back of 13-year-old Devin Brown in South Los Angeles,
killing him instantly.
From these incidents, and countless others like them, it is clear that
police brutality in the Los Angeles oppressed communities is the norm,
and not the exception. This is the case not only in LA, but in poor
communities across the nation. Such a widespread and consistent problem
isn't caused by a handful of "bad cops."
Mayor Villaraigosa tries to excuse the officers who murdered Suzie Marie
Peņa by saying, "not a one of them went into that situation with the
intent to hurt anyone." But cops are not in communities to "serve and
protect" or to solve problems like drugs or crime. They exist to enforce
the exploitation of oppressed communities in a deeply unequal system.
They inflict violence and terrorize men, women and children. Police
brutality is institutionalized and deeply entrenched in this society.
LAPD Chief William Bratton has promised an investigation into the
murder, indicating it will take months or longer to find out what really
happened. Meanwhile, he's busy blaming Suzie's murder on her
father--calling him a "cold-blooded killer"--instead of pointing the
finger at the cops who pulled the trigger. Neither Bratton nor any
investigation can solve the problem that lead to Suzie's death. Bratton
is a racist apologist for police violence. The LAPD has a history of the
most virulent racism among its ranks.
With the exoneration of the police in the long string of attacks and
murders targeting the African American and Latino communities, the
police have become emboldened. Whether it was the total acquittal of
those who almost killed Rodney King or the unpunished murder of Devin
Brown, there is every reason for oppressed communities to believe that
the police have a license to kill.
Stand with the African American and Latino communities
 Residents
in the Watts community are justifiably angry. Many are coming out to
denounce police brutality and Suzie Marie Peņa's murder. After the
shooting, Suzie's mother said, "I don't want an apology. I want
justice."
Each night this week, starting on Tuesday, an increasingly large group
of protestors has gathered at the corner of 104th St. and Avalon Blvd.
On Thursday night, more than 200 people, mostly African American and
Latino youth, demonstrated in a united, militant show of force against
the police. Many have pledged to come back.
It is so important that the people stay united to demand justice. We in
the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition-LA stand with you. We join with you to demand
justice and an end to racist police violence.
Fighting against racism and police brutality must be a top priority for
the anti-war movement and all progressive organizations. At the upcoming
September 24 march and rally in LA against the racist war and occupation
of Iraq, A.N.S.W.E.R. will march with tens of thousands of people to
also say "Stop racist violence and police terror!"
Take action today
Write an e-mail or contact Mayor Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Bratton to
express your outrage at the murder of Suzie Marie Peņa and to demand
justice.
Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa
mayor@lacity.org
213-978-0600 (Phone)
213-978-0750 (Fax)
LAPD Chief William Bratton
lapdonline@earthlink.net
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