The people wielding the power of the justice system, law enforcement agencies and political administrations want working-class communities to live in fear. For if we live in a constant state of fear, "I can't get involved", "I can't go to jail", "I might lose my job", "It's none of my business", the disease of fear spreads and its' infectious wrath takes more and more people down with it.
Those of us that are left become the targets and those of you standing by become pawns in a complex game of power and powerlessness. Believe me, you do not have power when agencies can monitor your emails, my space sites and blogs, phone calls, your whereabouts through cell phones and wiretapping. You do not have power when you are brainwashed into what cars to buy, what beer to drink and what television shows to watch. You have power when you begin to think for yourself, cast aside emotion for logic and question the motives behind the actions of political and media entities.
It is imperative that all concerned parties of free speech, civil rights, and the right to assemble unconditionally support both Rod Coronado and Danae Kelley. Just when we all think it couldn't get more reactionary-IT HAS!
Peace & Resist,
Janice Jordan
Peace & Freedom Party
San Diego, California
www.janicejordan.org
Janice Jordan
e-mail:: jjordan@janicejordan.org
Homepage:: jjordan@janicejordan.org
Janice, you are so right about the roots of powerlessness. I, too, have fallen many times into that "I can't risk my job" or "I can't risk my clean police record" trap. It has lead me at times to back down when I saw SDPD abusing their power. I am ashamed to admit this. And of course, I can completely justify my choices with rationalizations. "Well, I have a kid to support." Or, "It's Friday and I wouldn't get out till Monday, and I have no tampons with me." Yes, I've actually thought that.
I wanted to put the word power into quotation marks above, in reference to the police - to question their authority. But they do weild power, day in and day out, as we are now seeing once again with Danae and Rod.
In this atmosphere of surveillance, illegal detentions of law-abiding citizens such as the Cuban 5, and the suspension of Habeas Corpus in cases allegedly involving national defense, we must be as vigilant as ever.
Our rights are not to be toyed with.
Justicia por Danae y Rod!
s t a r r
