Brown Berets may add Salinas chapter http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090324/NEWS01/903240302
Group was formed in the 1960s to address Mexican-American issues BY KIMBER SOLANA • [email protected] March 24, 2009 About 20 Salinas young people, many of them students from Alisal High School, gathered Monday at the Cesar E. Chavez Library to learn about starting a chapter of an activist Mexican-American youth group. Hoping to address their main concern gang violence in a more organized manner, they heard about the prospect of opening an autonomous chapter of the Brown Berets in Salinas. In the 1960s, the Brown Berets similar to the Black Panthers was created to address police harassment, inadequate public schools and racial discrimination against Mexican Americans. Those who attended the meeting agree many of the same issues remain, but their main focus on Monday was to find ways to help their peers avoid gangs through educational meetings and social events, including peace rallies and concerts. "I came because I am sick and tired of all the gangs," said Abigail Ramirez, a senior at Alisal High School. The idea for a Brown Beret chapter in Salinas came from organizers William Medramo, 19, a student at California State University, East Bay, and Angel Gonzalez, 19, of Salinas. "We see the news about gangs and it's disturbing," Medramo said. "I just said, 'Let's do something about it.' " Jenn Laskin of the Watsonville Brown Berets chapter spoke about how that group has helped reduce gang violence through peace marches and rallies, and by providing a place for youth to hang out. Laskin advised the Salinas group to focus on a certain area in the city and create ways to raise awareness, such as building a garden as a start. "Education, job training, events - these things stop gang violence, not suppression," Laskin said. Laskin pointed to the funding cuts in education and teacher layoffs, while methods such as the Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force continue to receive funding. "Money is going from prevention to suppression," said Laskin, a high school teacher in Watsonville. But despite a certain distrust of authority, organizers, including Laskin, said their main focus is educating themselves and others about rights, government and equality. "The true meaning of this movement is justice and it has to start organically from the community," said Tomas Alejo, a Watsonville Brown Beret member. Salinas Police Cmdr. Kelly McMillin reacted to the idea of a Brown Berets group setting up in town. "I can say that any organization that seeks alternative things to do for our youth is welcome," he said. McMillin also refuted the notion that increased police patrols are the problem. "Everyone would agree that the police is not the solution [to gang problems], they are the symptom," he said. Medramo said he hopes a Salinas chapter can flourish despite depending on a commitment of 10 to 20 hours a week from members and community donations. "We're just trying to be a positive alternative for our youth," Medramo said. A second meeting is planned next week. . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
