On Sat. June 20th, 2009, the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project (CMPP) held its annual conference/summit on the question of "Raza Prisoners and Colonialism". Under the theme of "Todos Somos Prisioneros" (We Are All Prisoners), the conference, which was co-organized by Danza Mexica Cuauhetmoc, was held at the Mexica Nation/Harmony Keepers center in East Los Angeles, Califaztlán. Over 70 people attended the conference, many of them representatives of community-based organizations.
 
The conference had as its objectives: 
1. To provide Raza activists an opportunity to share and learn from each other's experiences.
2. To network and unite prisoner rights activists/workers as a way of building a movement that can really challenge those institutions that oppress and exploit our communities. 
3. To inform our community and the world, about the terror and brutality faced by Mexican/Raza locked-up in prisons throughout Occupied America (United States). 
4. Expose the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) and its relationship to capitalism and colonialism (imperialism).
 
The conference included a panel-presentation of activists and a "circulo de discusión" (discussion circle) where everyone attendance had a voice in suggesting solutions to the colonial oppression of our communities and the mass incarceration of Mexican/Raza men, women, and children. The CMPP's aim was to create a revolutionary response to the racist-colonialist imprisonment of our people, a response that opposes the policies of the ruling class and upholds the interests of the workers and the poor, who form the majority of our community.
 
The conference agenda was divided into three parts.  The first was a presentation by the keynote speaker, Cathy Espitia, the coordinator of the CMPP.  The second was a panel discussion which included Teresa Zaragoza (Danza Mexica Cuauhetmoc), David Rico and Joe Cremeans (Brown Berets de Aztlán), Jessica Ledesma (CMPP), and Ernesto Bustillos (Unión del Barrio/CMPP).  The third part was a Circulo de discussion (discussion circle) that consisted of round table discussion where everyone present was able to comment on the contents of the conference, what they saw as pressing issues, and what was the solution to the concerns raised by the conference organizers.  The main facilitator of the conference was Adelina Lopez, secretary of the CMPP.
 
The highlight of the conference was the "Circulo de Discussion" and the approval of a proposal/plan of action.  The plan and circulo focused on the following three concerns: (1) That its time that we all wake up, those of us in prison as well as those on the "outside, to the realities that our communities are being oppressed, killed, or sent to concentration (prisons) camps by the racist-capitalist who rule the United States; (2) The mass incarceration of Mexicans (and other Raza) has to do with us being exploited by capitalism and oppressed by colonialism, and therefore we have to struggle against capitalism/colonialism in order to free ourselves; and (3) Only united under a strong organization and movement can we defeat our enemies and liberate ourselves from all forms of oppression.
 
The CMPP saw many positives in the conference.  Everyone agreed, the generally speaking, the presentations were good and to the point.  A lot of new forces participated and were in attendance, as well as many "veterans" of the movement.  The building was located in the middle of the barrio, which made the gathering accessible to the working class and poor, those who we are working towards organizing.  The "circulo de discussion" gave a voice to everyone and created a high degree of unity.  The fact that we held the conference demonstrated the tremendous amount of commitment and consistency of the CMPP, who with limited membership and resources, continues to struggle around the question of Mexican-Raza prisoners and its relationship to the liberation of all of our people.
 
The conference was endorsed by the following organizations: Raza Press and Media Association (RPMA), MexicaNation/Harmony Circle (Los Angeles), African Peoples Socialist Party (APSP), BrownBerets de Aztlán, Comite de Mujeres Patricia Marin (Los Angeles), Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN), GABRIELA Network, Committee On Raza Rights (Oxnard), CISPES (Los Angeles), San Diego City College MEChA, Raza Rights Coalition (San Diego), Homies Unidos (Los Angeles), Chicano Park Steering Committee (San Diego), and Ramsey Muñiz Defense/Support Committee (Tejas/California). VENCEREMOS!

La próxima reunión del comité de DDHH Digna Ochoa sera mañana martes, 20 julio a las 6:30pm en el Centro de Ancianos de Memorial park localizado en las calles 30 y Oceanview.  Mostraremos la segunda parte del documental "Hecho en L.A.".  Para mayores informes, favor de contactarnos a comite_digna_ochoa@yahoo.com.

The next meeting for the Digna Ochoa Human rights committee will be tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 6:30pm at the Memorial park Senior Ctr. located at 30th & Oceanview.  We will be screening the second half of the documentary titled "Made in L.A."  For more information, please contact comite_digna_ochoa@yahoo.com.