Nine U.S. Citizens who shutdown Wilshire Boulevard on May 20th to advocate for the DREAM Act are under attack.
LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is trying to charge the DREAM Act Allies with felonies that could amount to up to a year in prison and community service. They were cited and released by the CHP and that should have been the end of their punishment for the sit-in. But now they face criminal charges! We cannot allow our friends and allies to get penalized because they are fighting for our DREAMs.
Please let Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Carmen Trutanich and Councilman Ed Reyes know that this is unacceptable. Ask them to meet with the Wilshire 9 in order to stand with them and protect their rights to advocate and fight for justice.
Sign the email petition and make the calls before their March court date:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: 213-978-0600
Councilman Ed Reyes: 213-473-7001
Drop Felony Charges Against the Wilshire 9!
Greetings
I'm appalled that LA City attorney Carmen Trutanich is trying to charge a handful of UCLA student protesters with felonies that could amount to up to a year in prison and community service.
These young students, in support of the federal Dream Act, peacefully assembled and stopped traffic on Wilshire Boulevard in front of the federal building in West Los Angeles in May. They did not only advocate for undocumented youth, but for the right to an equal education for everyone. The shutdown was symbolic for how not just the traffic but entire lives are disrupted because Congress has failed to take action on the DREAM Act.
"I am upholding the legacy of the civil rights movement when many people were denied their human rights, one being the right to an education. I will ensure the passage of the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill," said Charlene Gomez, one of the citizen allies who was arrested and later released, and now may face up to a year in prison.
The DREAM Act would grant a path to citizenship for undocumented youth who arrive in the country as minors and pursue higher education. Recently, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously for a resolution supporting the federal legislation and Mayor Villaraigosa also urged Congress to take swift action on the matter.
Hence, we expect our city officials to stand in solidarity with DREAM Act movement and respond to the outrageous charges that the UCLA students are facing at the hands of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Please consider dropping the charges and if possible, meet with the Wilshire nine students before their March trial.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Your name]