BLMLA Weekly Email 11/20-11/27/2023
This Week’s BLMLA Actions/Events (11/20/23-11/27/23):
TUESDAY, 11/21/2023 9:30AM – ALL OUT for LA Police Commission Meeting in the Name of #TakarSmith, 100 W. 1st St., DTLA –The LA Police Commission has continued their policy ruling on the January 2, 2023 killing of Takar Smith. Takar was a Black, active father of six children who was suffering a mental health crisis when his life was stolen. His wife called for help; instead, her husband was murdered. Last week, his mother, wife, brother, and aunt offered moving public comment. For the first time in memory, the Commission did not offer a same-day ruling, forcing the family to wait in agony for a week. On 11/21, we continue to demand that Takar’s death be ruled “out of policy.”
WEDNESDAY, 11/8/2023 at 4PM – #EndPoliceAssociations Rally at 1313 W. 8th St. – On the day before Thanksgiving, we are lifting up the families who are mourning an #EmptySeatAtTheTable. Please take the day to love on them. Bring your voices, energy, and commitment to building a just and free world, where police associations no longer have control over public safety policy. Wear a mask! Snacks and water provided. Streamed live on Instagram at
SATURDAY, 11/18/2023 8-10AM – This Is Not a Drill! on KBLA Talk 1580AM or facebook.com/BLMLA – It’s Black Xmas season! Talking about why we #BuildBlack, #BuyBlack and #BankBlack and withhold our dollars from white-supremacist capitalism. Our own Melina Abdullah hosts. Download the app or listen on 1580AM in Los Angeles, kbla1580.com worldwide. Taking your calls at 800-920-1580.
Recap:
At last Sunday’s Monthly Organizing Meeting, we discussed how we are engaging in the three tenets of Black Lives Matter Grassroots’ annual Black Xmas campaign - #BuildBlack, #BuyBlack, and #BankBlack. The campaign kicks off on Black Friday- stay tuned. As the new budget season begins, Dr. Tabatha Jones-Jolivet rolled out People’s Budget LA survey, so that we can demand that the City funds services, not police.
Last Tuesday, Black Lives Matter-LA organized mobilized to the Los Angeles Police Commission to support the family of #TakarSmith. Dozens stood with Takar’s family to demand that the Commission hold LAPD accountable. Takar Smith, father of 6, was killed by LAPD during a mental health crisis in January. Takar’s wife, mother, brother, and aunt all gave compelling public comment. No ruling was issued last Tuesday. In a rare turn, the Commission did not deliver a same-day ruling, continuing to this Tuesday, instead.
At last Wednesday’s #EndPoliceAssociations rally, Week 144, Black Lives Matter - Los Angeles brought the rally to the mass action calling for an immediate ceasefire in the devastating genocide that has now stolen more than 19,000 Palestinians lives, more than half of them children. BLMLA stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and are sounding the alarm: #CeasefireNow and more than that #FreePalestine. The action was organized by our Palestinian and Jewish siblings, began in the pouring rain in DeLongpre Park and concluded with a shutdown of Hollywood and Highland. Follow Jewish Voices for Peace @ifnotnowla and Palestinian Youth Movement on Instagram to learn more.
Last Saturday’s “This Is Not A Drill '' featured a lively discussion on the “Faculty Strike at the Cal States” with Dr. Anthony Ratcliff, Audrena Redmond, and Dr. Charles Toombs of the California Faculty Association (CFA). Our #MoreThanAHashtag conversation was with the daughter of Deacon #JohnnyHollman, Sr., who was murdered by former Atlanta police officer Kiran Kimbrough on August 10. Dr. Melina Abdullah hosted. Missed it? Watch here.