El Tecolote Vol. 46 Issue 02

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Published by Acción Latina

eltecolote.org

Enero 28-Febrero 10, 2016

Vol. 46 No. 2

Chain reaction Immigration raids spur ICE protests across the state

Reacción en cadena

Redadas de ICE incitan protestas a nivel estatal

Photo Reyna Maldonado

Alma Villegas

Alma Villegas El Tecolote

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n protest of the continuing immigration raids throughout undocumented communities, a group of demonstrators chained themselves together Jan. 26 and blocked traffic at two intersections in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in San Francisco.

With nearly 200 people present, police arrested 16 protesters who were blocking the intersections at Sansome and Jackson streets and Sansome and Washington streets.

“As someone who is undocumented and queer, to be here physically blocking the road is to show people what it feels like to be in this situation, to be stuck,” Julio Salgado, one of the San Francisco participants said, referring to the traffic congestion.

The protest began at Sydney G. Walton Square; within 20 minutes, protesters marched toward the ICE building. By noon, the police declared the assembly unlawful and warned that anyone who continued to block traffic would be arrested.

El Tecolote

Salgado laid at the intersection of Sansome and Jackson streets chained to five other people as other supporters surrounded them, chanting “ICE out of California!”

Today in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the general message is that refugees fleeing violence in Central America are welcome, and that deportations should be halted, said Luis Serrano of California Immigration Youth Justice Alliance.

“The United States needs to take accountability,” Salgado said, referring to the role of U.S. foreign policy in exacerbating the immigration situation. “No one wakes up one morning and says, ‘You know what? I’m going to go to a different country where I don’t speak the language and don’t have papers.’”

This action came just days after 22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to President Obama calling for a halt to mass deportations of Central American refugees. Among the Senators behind the letter See ice, page 2

Inside /// adentro

• Tribute to the life of Francisco X. Alarcón, pg. 5

• Tributo a la vida de Francisco X. Alarcón, pg. 5

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n protesta por las redadas de inmigración entre las comunidades indocumentados, un grupo de manifestantes se encadenó el 26 de enero bloqueando el tráfico en dos intersecciones frente a la sede de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) en San Francisco.

Con cerca de 200 personas presentes, la policía arrestó a 16 manifestantes que bloqueaban las intersecciones de las calles Sansome, Jackson y Washington.

“Para alguien que es indocumentado y queer, estar aquí, bloqueando físicamente la calle es mostrar a la gente lo que se siente al estar en esta situación, estar atrapado”, dijo Julio Salgado, uno de los manifestantes, en referencia a la congestión del tráfico generada.

La protesta comenzó en el Sydney G. Walton Square; después de 20 minutos, los manifestantes marcharon hacia el edificio de ICE. Al mediodía, la policía declaró la reunión como ilegal y advirtió que cualquiera que siguiera bloqueando el tráfi-

co sería arrestado.

Salgado se puso en la intersección de las calles Sansome y Jackson encadenado a otras cinco personas mientras otros partidarios los rodearon coreando “ICE fuera de California”.

Hoy en San Francisco y Los Ángeles, el mensaje general es que los refugiados que huyen de la violencia en Centroamérica sean bienvenidos, y que se detengan las deportaciones, dijo Luis Serrano de la California Immigration Youth Justice Alliance.

“Los EEUU tienen que asumir la responsabilidad”, dijo Salgado en referencia al papel de la política exterior estadounidense respecto al agravamiento de la situación migratoria. “Nadie se despierta una mañana y dice: ‘¿Sabes qué? Voy a ir a un país diferente, a donde no hablo el idioma y no tengo papeles’”.

Esta acción se produjo apenas días después de que veintidós senadores enviaron una carta al Presidente Obama pidiendo un alto a las deportaciones masivas de refugiados centroamericanos.

Entre los senadores detrás de la carta están Dick Durbin (D-IL) y Patrick Leahy (D-VT), para

• Latino production company launches, pg. 10

• Lanzamiento

de compañía de producción Latina, pg. 10

ambos su principal preocupación son las madres y los niños.

La carta criticó a la administración de Obama y su asociación con la Corrections Corporation of America en la construcción de un centro de detención masivo, especialmente para madres y niños, que nos dijeron cuesta un promedio diario de $343 por persona detenida.

“Estamos profundamente preocupados de que en su afán por impedir los arribos de esas regiones, el departamento está devolviendo a individuos vulnerables con solicitudes válidas de protección por amenaza de violencia”, escribieron los senadores.

“Esto no es una hipérbole. Ha habido varios informes de personas, incluyendo niños, asesinados a cuestión de días o semanas de su deportación. Por otra parte, no aceptamos el argumento de que la eliminación de estos individuos disuadirá a otros niños y sus familias de huir de sus regiones”.

También señalaron que enfocarse para la deportación en familias en lugar de criminales convictos va en contra de los esVea REDADAS, página 2

• Ronen in the race for D9 Supervisor, pg. 9

• Ronen en la carrera para supervisora, pg. 9

News

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NEWS BRIEFS

BRIEF / BREVE

Noticias

January 28 - February 10, 2016

NOTICIAS BREVES

BAY AREA

AREA DE LA BAHIA

Planning Commission approves interim controls on Mission housing

Comisión de Planeación aprueba controles provisionales en materia de vivienda en la Misión

The San Francisco Planning Commission has approved new temporary controls on housing developments in the Mission District. Under the new guidelines, which will be in place for at least 15 months, developers will need to provide information about the potential impact of any project containing 25 or more units on the neighborhood’s economic diversity—unless at least one third of units are affordable housing. Developments with more than 75 units will be required to produce data about the project’s impact on “existing and future residents, businesses and community-serving providers in the area.”

Former City Hall staffers indicted for corruption

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón’s office has charged three former City Hall insiders with taking money from undercover FBI agents in exchange for political favors.

Former Human Rights Commissioner Nazly Mohajer and staffer Zula Jones were each charged with bribery and money laundering. Keith Jackson, a former political consultant, has been charged with money laundering and grand theft of public money. The indictments stemmed from the FBI investigation of Chinatown gang leader Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow.

La Comisión de Planeación de San Francisco ha aprobado nuevos controles temporales sobre los desarrollos de vivienda en el Distrito de la Misión. Bajo las nuevas directrices, que serán impuestas por al menos 15 meses, los desarrolladores tendrán que proporcionar información sobre el impacto potencial en la diversidad económica del barrio de cualquier proyecto que contenga 25 o más unidades, a menos que un tercio de las unidades consistan en viviendas asequibles. Será requerido que desarrollos con más de 75 unidades proporcionen información respecto al impacto del proyecto sobre “los residentes actuales y futuros, las empresas y proveedores de servicio en la zona”.

Ex empleados del ayuntamiento de la ciudad acusados de corrupción

NATIONAL

La oficina del fiscal de distrito de San Francisco, George Gascón, ha acusado a tres ex infiltrados del ayuntamiento de aceptar dinero de agentes encubiertos del FBI a cambio de favores políticos. La ex Comisionada de Derechos Humanos, Nazly Mohajer y empleada Zula Jones, fueron acusadas de soborno y lavado de dinero. Keith Jackson, ex consultor político, ha sido acusado de lavado de dinero y robo a gran escala del erario público. Las acusaciones surgieron tras la investigación que el FBI ha hecho sobre el líder de la banda de Chinatown, Raymond ‘Chico Camarón’ Chow.

Many undocumented in Flint, MI unable to obtain clean water

NACIONAL

The National Guard has been called in to distribute free bottled water and filters in Flint, MI after the town’s water supply was found to be highly contaminated with lead in October 2015. But some undocumented residents report being forced to produce state IDs in order to receive water. In other cases, the National Guard has gone door to door to deliver to the elderly and disabled, but many undocumented residents have been scared to open their doors to law enforcement.

Study shows decline in U.S. undocumented population

A recent report from the Journal on Migration and Human Security has concluded that contrary to loud public outcry, the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. in 2014 dipped below 11 million—the lowest number since 2003. The report found that there are growing naturalized citizen populations in almost every state and that “since 1980 the legally resident foreign-born population from Mexico has grown faster than the undocumented population from Mexico.”

LATIN AMERICA Virus in Latin America a threat to pregnancy

Numerous Latin American countries, including El Salvador, are asking women to delay getting pregnant for up to two years, due to a virus that is rapidly spreading across Latin America. The Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos, is believed to cause birth defects, including microcephaly, which causes children to be born with incomplete brain development. Zika infections have been documented in at least 20 countries, with Brazil being the hardest hit.

Muchos indocumentados en Flint, MI no pueden acceder a agua limpia

La Guardia Nacional ha sido llamada para distribuir agua embotellada gratuita y filtros en Flint, Michigan, después de que se detectó en octubre de 2015, que el abastecimiento de agua de la ciudad estaba altamente contaminada con plomo. Sin embargo, algunos residentes indocumentados reportan haber sido forzados a contar con identificaciones estatales a fin de recibir agua. En otros casos, la Guardia Nacional ha ido de puerta en puerta para ofrecerles el recurso a residentes indocumentados mayores o con discapacidad, pero muchos han tenido miedo de abrir sus puertas a los representantes de la ley.

Estudio muestra disminución de población indocumentada en los EEUU

Un informe reciente de la Revista sobre migración y seguridad humana ha llegado a la conclusión de que, contrariamente a la protesta pública, el número de inmigrantes indocumentados en el país, durante 2014 cayó por debajo de 11 millones –la cifra más baja desde 2003. El informe encontró que hay una creciente población de ciudadanos naturalizados en casi todos los estados y que “desde 1980 la población de nacidos en México y ahora, residentes legales, ha crecido más rápido que la población mexicana indocumentada.

LATINOAMERICA Virus en Latinoamérica, una amenaza para el embarazo

Numerosos países de Latinoamérica, entre ellos El Salvador, están pidiendo a las mujeres postergar quedar embarazadas hasta por dos años, debido a un virus que se está extendiendo rápidamente a través del continente. Se cree que el virus Zika, que se transmite a través del mosco, causa defectos de nacimiento, incluyendo microcefalia, lo que provoca que los niños nazcan con el cerebro incompleto. Infecciones por Zika se han documentado en al menos 20 países, siendo Brasil uno de los países más afectados.

En medio del incremento de redadas a nivel nacional por parte de ICE en contra de la comunidad latina, activistas entraron en acción en San Francisco y Los Ángeles en la mañana del 26 de enero. En San Francisco, 16 manifestantes fueron arrestados luego de encadenarse entre ellos y bloquear el tráfico de dos intersecciones cercanas a la sede de ICE. Amid the rising number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids throughout Latino communities nationwide, immigration activists organized actions in San Francisco and Los Angeles on the morning of Jan. 26. In San Francisco, 16 protesters were arrested after chaining themselves together, blocking traffic at two intersection near the ICE headquarters. Photo Reyna Maldonado ICE, from page 2

were Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), both were primary concerned about mothers and children.

The letter criticized the Obama administration and its partnership with the Corrections Corporation of America on building a mass detention facility, specifically for mothers and children, which they said costs a daily average of $343 per detainee.

“We are deeply concerned that in its eagerness to deter additional arrivals from this region, the department is returning vulnerable individuals with valid protection claims to life-threatening violence,” the senators wrote.

“This is not hyperbole. There have been multiple reports of individuals, including children, being killed within days or weeks of their deportation. Moreover, we do not accept the argument

that removing these individuals will deter additional children and families from fleeing the region.”

They also noted that targeting families for deportation instead of convicted felons went against national security efforts.

Between the years 2008-2014, there was an increase of 1,185 percent in asylum applications coming from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Additional statistics illustrating high levels of violence for women and children in particular in this region include the murder of 27 children per 100,000 people in El Salvador, according to a 2014 UNICEF report.

Honduras globally ranks first for female homicide at 90 murders per 100,000 people, according to the UNHCR. The average global rate is 6 female homicides

per 100,000 people.

“Surprisingly, I am not afraid,” said Christopher Lopez, who was blocking another intersection at Sansome and Washington streets. “I have these resilient soldiers alongside me,” he said pointing with his head to the protesters beside him. He had both arms chained to two other people.

A 22-year-old college student at U.C. Berkeley, Lopez said he would not move until he was arrested.

“I feel privileged of having citizenship,” Lopez said. “Here are people who are risking more.”

Lopez and the others he was chained to at Sansome and Washington streets were arrested, but released later that evening.

“I think they got our message,” said Sandy Valenciano, of the California Youth Justice Alliance.

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REDADAS, de página 2

fuerzos de seguridad nacional.

Entre los años 2008-2014, se produjo un aumento del 1.185 por ciento en las solicitudes de asilo procedentes de El Salvador, Honduras y Guatemala, según el Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados (ACNUR).

Las estadísticas adicionales ilustran altos niveles de violencia a mujeres y niños en particular en estas regiones, así como el asesinato de 27 niños por cada cien mil personas en El Salvador, según un informe de 2014 de UNICEF. Honduras ocupa el primer lugar a nivel mundial en homicidios de mujeres, con 90 homicidios por cada cien mil personas, según el ACNUR. La tasa media global es de 6 homicidios de mujeres por cada cien mil personas.

“Sorprendentemente, no ten-

go miedo”, dijo Christopher López, que estaba bloqueando otra intersección en calles Sansome y Washington. “Tengo estos soldados resistentes a mi lado”, dijo señalando con la cabeza a los manifestantes junto a él. Tenía los brazos encadenados a otras dos personas.

Con 22 años de edad y estudiante universitario en U.C. Berkeley, López dijo que no se movería hasta que fue detenido.

“Me siento privilegiado de tener la ciudadanía”, dijo López.

“Aquí hay quienes se están arriesgando más”.

López y los demás encadenados en las calles Sansome y Washington fueron detenidos, pero liberados más tarde.

“Creo que recibieron nuestro mensaje”, dijo Sandy Valenciano, de la California Youth Justice Alliance.

Enero 28 - Febrero 10, 2016

Immigration

El Tecolote 3

Inmigración

Family demands release of immigrant detained by ICE

Manifestantes reunidos afuera de la sede del SFPD el 20 de enero para demandar la liberación de Pedro Figueroa.

Figueroa fue detenido por agentes de ICE el pasado diciembre, afuera de ese mismo sitio luego de que la policía le notificara que su auto robado había sido recuperado. Demonstrators gather outside the SFPD headquarters on Jan. 20 to demand the release of Pedro Figueroa. Figueroa was detained by ICE agents in December 2015 outside SFPD headquarters after police informed him that his stolen car had been found. Photo Alejandro Galicia Diaz Alejandro Galicia Díaz El Tecolote

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hat was supposed to be a happy moment for Pedro Figueroa and his fiancée on a December 2015 evening turned into a hellish nightmare, as he was unexpectedly detained outside of the San Francisco Police Headquarters by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to Dora Alicia Cortés, Figueroa’s fiancée, the ordeal began after SFPD called Figueroa to come into the police headquarters near AT&T Park to sign some paperwork as to claim his vehicle, which had been reported stolen in late November.

After presenting his Salvadoran

consular ID card to a police officer, he was detained for a few minutes but was then allowed to leave. However, as he stepped outside of the building, he was detained by an immigration officer, who had been waiting for him.

“For me, what was done to us was total injustice,” Cortés said during a press conference on Jan. 20, which was held at the location where her fiancée was detained by ICE. “It was very sad. The only thing we have done is believe in God because this truly has been very sad. He (Figueroa) helps me a lot. He is my right-hand and my strength.”

According to SFPD Capt.

Jerome DeFilippo, ICE issued

a warrant for Figueroa 10 years ago. When police became aware of the warrant, they contacted the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department’s Central Warrant Bureau (CWB), which has the responsibility of contacting the agency that issued the warrant to confirm whether it is still valid.

“During that process, there was some confusion on the verification and confirmation side,” DeFilippo said. “The Central Warrant Bureau reached out to ICE; it was an ICE warrant. As they contacted ICE, trying to confirm the identity and the validity of the warrant, the ICE agent called the station here and spoke to our sergeant. During that process, ICE also sent

an agent to accept the body. We didn’t inquire the immigration status of this individual. As we let the person go, the ICE agent had shown up and saw the person being released and grabbed the body of the individual on the sidewalk.”

According to DeFilippo, it was CWB that contacted immigration about the warrant, not SFPD. The Police Department doesn’t cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We do not pass off prisoners off to ICE. We cleared him, we released him and as he walked out, the ICE agent had shown up, saw him on the sidewalk and grabbed him,” DeFilippo said. “We want the community as a whole to be comfortable to come talk to us.”

According to Figueroa’s attorney, Zachary Nightingale, Figueroa was ordered to be deported 10 years ago without ever being told about the hearing and never having received a hearing notice. Nightingale’s position is that it’s not up to SFPD to turn him over to ICE for deportation, and that his immigration case has been riddled with due-process

violations.

“From my understanding, he was a crime victim,” Nightingale said. “He went into the police station to collect his car that had been stolen, and apparently they discovered that in some record was a record of this 10-year-old ICE warrant for when he didn’t show up in a Texas court 10 years before. I believe it is a violation of the San Francisco sanctuary city law.”

Since being detained outside of the police station, Figueroa’s family has had to deal with all of the legal proceedings.

The fact that Figueroa was detained just days before the holidays was extra painful for his family, especially for his 8-yearold daughter, Leilani Cortez.

“I told myself that I’m not going to open up my presents until my dad comes,” said Cortez.

Figueroa also made his daughter a promise, one that he hopes to keep once he is released.

“I’m happy because my dad’s going to make me my biggest wish of going to Disneyland,” Cortez said. “He told me that when he gets out of jail he’s going to take me to Disneyland.”

Pedro Figueroa. Courtesy Photo

Familiares exigen liberación de inmigrante detenido por ICE Alejandro Galicia Díaz El Tecolote

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o que se suponía un momento feliz para Pedro Figueroa y su novia en una noche de diciembre de 2015 se convirtió en una pesadilla infernal, al ser detenido inesperadamente afuera de la Jefatura de Policía de San Francisco por parte de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) .

Según Dora Alicia Cortés, la prometida de Figueroa, el calvario comenzó después de que la policía de San Francisco llamó a Figueroa para acudir a la sede de la policía cerca del AT&T Park para firmar unos papeles con el fin de reclamar su vehículo que había sido reportado como robado a finales de noviembre.

Después de presentar su tarjeta de identificación consular, fue detenido por unos minutos, pero luego se le permitió retirarse. Sin embargo, conforme salía del edificio, fue detenido por un oficial de inmigración que estaba esperándolo.

“Para mí, lo que se nos hizo fue una injusticia”, dijo Cortés durante una conferencia de prensa el 20 de enero, que se tuvo lugar en el mismo sitio donde su novio fue detenido por ICE. “Fue muy triste. Lo único que hemos hecho es creer en Dios porque esto realmente ha sido muy triste. Él (Figueroa) me ayuda mucho, es mi mano derecha y mi fuerza”.

Según Jerome DeFilippo, capitán del SFPD, ICE había emitido una orden judicial en contra de Figueroa desde hace diez años.

Cuando la policía se dio cuenta de ello, contactó a la Oficina Cen-

tral de Órdenes de Departamento del Alguacil de San Francisco (CWB, por sus siglas en inglés), la cual tiene la responsabilidad de contactar a ICE para confirmar si la orden sigue vigente.

“Durante ese proceso, hubo cierta confusión durante la verificación y confirmación”, dijo DeFilippo. “La CWB contactó a ICE, por ser una orden de ICE. Conforme se contactó a ICE, para tratar de confirmar la identidad y validez de la orden, el agente del ICE llamó a esta estación y habló con nuestro sargento. Durante ese proceso, el ICE también envió a un agente. Nosotros no preguntamos el estatus migratorio del individuo. Conforme permitimos que la persona se fuera, el agente de ICE presente vio a la persona que estaba siendo puesta en libertad y la agarró cuando se encontraba en la acera”.

Según DeFilippo, CWB contactó a inmigración, no el SFPD. El departamento de policía no coopera con Inmigración y Aduanas.

“Nosotros no entregamos detenidos a ICE. Lo liberamos y al salir, un agente de ICE había aparecido, lo vio en la acera y lo agarró”, dijo DeFilippo. “Queremos que la comunidad se sienta cómoda de venir a hablar con nosotros”.

Según el abogado de Figueroa, Zachary Nightingale, Figueroa recibió la orden de ser deportado hace diez años sin habérsele ni haber recibido alguna notificación de audiencia. La posición de Nightingale es que no depende de la policía de San Francisco entregarlo a ICE para su deportación y que su caso de

La hija de Pedro Figueroa, Leilani Cortez, se dirige a los medios afuera de la sede del SFPD el 20 de enero. Figueroa fue detenido por agentes de ICE el pasado diciembre, afuera de ese mismo sitio luego de que la policía le notificara que su auto robado había sido recuperado. Pedro Figueroa’s daughter Leilani Cortez addresses the media outside the SFPD headquarters on Jan. 20. Figueroa was detained by ICE agents in December 2015 outside SFPD headquarters after police informed him that his stolen car had been found. Photo Alejandro Galicia Díaz inmigración ha estado plagado de violaciones durante el proceso.

“Desde mi entender, él (Figueroa) fue víctima de un crimen”, dijo Nightingale. “Él fue a la comisaría a recoger su coche que había sido robado, y al parecer se descubrió que en algún registro de hace diez años existía una orden de ICE por no haberse presentado a corte en Texas. Creo que es una violación a la Ley de Ciudad SanW W W.ELTECOLOTE.ORG

tuario de San Francisco”.

Desde que fue detenido a las afueras de la estación de policía, la familia de Figueroa ha tenido que lidiar con todos los procedimientos legales.

El hecho de que Figueroa fuera detenido pocos días antes de las vacaciones fue más doloroso para su familia, sobre todo para su hija de ocho años de edad, Leilani Cortez.

“Me dije a mí misma que no abriré mis regalos hasta que re-

grese mi papá”, dijo Cortez.

Figueroa también hizo una promesa a su hija, una que espera cumplir una vez que sea liberado.

“Estoy feliz porque mi papá va a cumplir con mi mayor deseo de ir a Disneyland”, dijo Cortez.

“Me dijo que cuando salga de la cárcel va a llevarme a Disneyland”.

Criminal Justice

4 El Tecolote

Justicia Criminal

January 28 - February 10, 2016

Tensions high at Woods Police Commisson Meeting

2958 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: (415) 648-1045 www.eltecolote.org Member SF Neighborhood Newspaper Association and New California Media Executive Director Georgiana Hernandez El Tecolote Founder Juan Gonzales Editor-in-Chief Alexis Terrazas editor@eltecolote.org Assisting Editor/Photo Editor Mabel Jiménez Designers Mabel Jiménez; Alexis Terrazas English Copy Editor Atticus Morris Spanish Copy Editor Katie Beas Writers Jorge Argueta; Will Carruthers; Alejandro Galicia Díaz; Alejandro Murguía; Elizabeth Silva; Alma Villegas Translators Katie Beas Photographers Alejandro Galicia Díaz; Reyna Maldonado; Emma Marie Chiang Calendario Editor Staff Distribution Johnny García Photo Archivist Linda Wilson Advertising Manager Mabel Jiménez advertising@accionlatina.org Fundraising Peter Ho El Tecolote uses 40% post-consumer recycled paper, soy-based ink and is printed

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Mesha Irizarry (al centro), madre de Idriss Stelley, quien fue asesinado por tres policías de San Francisco en 2001, porta un cartel en apoyo a Mario Woods durante la sesión de comentarios públicos en la reunión de la Comisión de la Policía de San Francisco llevada a cabo en el Salvation Army Kroc Center el 20 de enero. Mesha Irizarry (center), mother of Idriss Stelley who was shot by three San Francisco police officers in 2001, raises a sign during public comment at the San Francisco Police Commission meeting at the Salvation Army Kroc Center on Jan. 20 in San Francisco. Photo Emma Marie Chiang during a San Francisco Police Will Carruthers Commission meeting on Jan. 20, as equal numbers of Justice 4 MaEl Tecolote rio Woods Coalition and Police n the wake of the highly pubOfficers Association members licized and controversial offifiled into an auditorium in the cer-involved shooting death Tenderloin. of Mario Woods, tensions soared Uniformed police officers

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waited on the sidewalk outside and around the edges of basketball court in the Kroc Center on Turk Street, anticipating conflict over the Dec. 2 officer-involved shooting death of Woods.

The large crowd remained quiet as Suzy Loftus, president of the commission, explained that since the meeting was not specifically about the Woods case, the commission would have to go through other agenda items before the public comment section.

The commissioners sped through the agenda items to get to the public comment section, but protesters began to chant during a briefing about the Tenderloin Police Station.

“Excuse me, ma’am, are we going to get a chance to speak?” one man yelled.

A member of San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr’s African American Community Advisory Forum spoke first during the public comments section.

“What has happened in this town shouldn’t have happened,” said the Rev. Amos Brown. “I came tonight to say justice must be served with a proviso that the wheels of justice will not move slowly but with deliberate speed.”

As Brown ran over his twominute speaking period, audience members made sarcastic comments about his ideas.

“How’s non-violence working out for you?” one woman mocked.

Members of the Justice 4 Mario Woods Coalition restated their demands, including that Police

Chief Suhr be fired, the officers involved be charged with murder, and that an independent investigation of the police department be conducted.

As Bayview officer Shante Williams—who administered CPR on Woods the day he was fatally shot—began to speak, protesters jeered and crowded towards the front of the room.

“Under our current justice system we are innocent until proven guilty...,” Williams began, before being drowned out by shouting protesters. The crowd only quieted after Commission President Loftus threatened to end the meeting.

“The SFPD are what you are, we are brothers, sisters, mothers,” Williams continued, before the crowd noise rose again.

SFPD Sgt. Tracy McCray tried to placate the crowd.

“I joined the police department because I felt that I wanted to make a change,” she said. “I have worked with the officers that were there that day. To me, I want to learn all of the facts just like you.”

After a few of their members spoke, the POA filed out of the auditorium, while Suhr and the commissioners remained silent for most of the comments period.

Loftus routinely spoke into her microphone when protesters began yelling over an unpopular opinion.

“We are better than this,” Loftus said. “Just because you don’t agree please give everyone their two minutes.”

Tensión sobre el caso Woods aumenta durante reunión de comisión de policía Will Carruthers El Tecolote

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raíz de la publicitada y controvertida muerte de Mario Woods que involucró a un oficial de la policía, las tensiones aumentaron durante una reunión de la Comisión de Policía de San Francisco el 20 de enero, conforme el mismo número tanto de miembros de la Coalición de Justicia para Mario Woods y de los miembros de la Asociación de Oficiales de Policía (POA por sus siglas en inglés) se dieron cita en un auditorio del Tenderloin.

Policías uniformados esperaron en la acera de enfrente y alrededor de la cancha de baloncesto del Centro Kroc en la calle Turk, anticipando cualquier altercado tras la muerte de Woods ocurrida el 2 de diciembre.

La gran multitud permaneció silenciosa conforme Suzy Loftus, presidenta de la comisión, explicó que, dado que la reunión no era específicamente sobre el caso de Woods, la comisión tendría que pasar a otros temas del programa antes de dar paso a la sesión de comentarios públicos.

Los comisionados apresuraron los puntos a tratar en la agenda para poder llegar a esa sesión de participación del público, pero los manifestantes comenzaron a gritar durante la sección informativa sobre asuntos de la Estación de Policía de Tenderloin. “¿Perdone señora, vamos a tener la oportunidad de hablar?”, gritó un hombre.

Un miembro del Foro Consultivo de la Comunidad Afroamericana del Jefe de Policía de San Francisco, Greg Suhr fue el primero en hablar durante la sesión de comentarios del público.

“Lo que ha ocurrido en esta ciudad no debería haber sucedido”, dijo el reverendo Amos

Sharen Hewitt exige justicia para Mario Woods durante la sesión de comentarios públicos de la reunión de la Comisión de la Policía de San Francisco. Sharen Hewitt demands justice for Mario Woods during public comment at the San Francisco Police Commission meeting at the Salvation Army Kroc Center on Jan. 20 in San Francisco. Photo Emma Marie Chiang Brown. “Vine esta noche para decir que la justicia debe servir con la condición de que las ruedas de la justicia no se muevan lentamente sino con velocidad deliberada”.

Conforme corrió el tiempo de dos minutos cedido a Brown para hablar, los miembros del público hicieron comentarios sarcásticos sobre sus ideas. “¿Cómo la no violencia funciona para usted?”, dijo una mujer en tono de burla.

Los miembros de la Coalición Justicia para Mario Woods manifestaron sus demandas, incluyendo: el despido del jefe de policía, Suhr; que los oficiales involucrados en su muerte sean acusados de asesinato y que se lleve a cabo una investigación independiente al departamento de policía.

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Cuando el oficial de Bayview, Shante Williams —que administró los primeros auxilios a Woods— comenzó a hablar, los manifestantes lo abuchearon y comenzaron a avanzar hacia el frente de la sala.

“En nuestro sistema de justicia somos inocentes hasta que se demuestre lo contrario...”, Williams comenzó a decir antes de ser callado por los gritos de los manifestantes. El público se calmó luego de que el presidente de la comisión, Loftus, amenazara con dar por concluida la reunión.

“Los miembros de la policía de San Francisco son igual que ustedes, somos hermanos, hermanas, madres”, continuó Williams, antes de que el bullicio de la multitud se levantara nuevamente.

El Sargento del SFPD, Tracy

MeCray, trató de calmar a la multitud.

“Me uní al departamento de policía porque sentía que quería hacer un cambio”, dijo. “He trabajado con los oficiales que estaban allí ese día. Quiero conocer acerca de todos los hechos al igual que ustedes”.

Después de que algunos de sus miembros hablaron, el POA llenó el auditorio mientras que Suhr y los comisionados se mantuvieron en silencio durante la mayor parte de la sesión de comentarios.

Loftus habló nuevamente, y los manifestantes comenzaron a gritar tras una opinión que fue del desagrado de la multitud.

“Somos mejor que esto”, dijo Loftus. “Sólo porque no están de acuerdo, den por favor a cada uno sus dos minutos”.

Tribute

Enero 28 - Febrero 10, 2016

Homenaje

El Tecolote 5

Adiós Francisco Feb. 21,1954 - Jan.15, 2016

In El Salvador even the Moon is a Pupusa I met Francisco X. Alarcón in the early ‘80s, shortly after I arrived to San Francisco from El Salvador. Panchito was already a well-known poet. He was a member of the Roque Dalton Cultural Brigade along with other poets, Alejandro Murguia (founder of the Brigade and current Poet Laureate of San Francisco), the current Poet Laureate of the United States, Juan Felipe Herrera, Jack Hirschman, Barbara Paschke and David Volpendesta.

I met Francisco at the place where most of us gathered, Café La Boheme in San Francisco’s Mission District. Francisco baptized this coffee house, “The Cathedral of Poetry.”

I traveled with Francisco four times to El Salvador, to participate in The Annual International Children’s Poetry Festival “Manyula.” Francisco was so happy to contribute.

He shared with me the vision that through the gentle power of poetry we could help Salvadoran children and youth stay away from violence and have hope for a better future.

Francisco did readings, lectures and poetry workshops for children, youth and teachers.

Years earlier he helped me organize the poems I would publish in my first children’s poetry book, “A Movie in my Pillow.” I will always be thankful to Francisco for his guidance and recommendations for this book. He truly loved El Salvador, its people, landscape and food.

One day on a break from the festival we walked the short distance from the library, where the festival is held to the San Salvador Cathedral to pay a visit to Monsignor Romero’s crypt (El Salvador’s beloved priest who was assassinated by right-wing death squads in the 80’s). Francisco was deeply moved to see his tomb, and wrote a poem about this special visit. He shed tears and said to me, “I understand why El Salvador must continue to struggle for justice.”

That evening a wonderful full moon shone in the Salvadoran sky. Francisco laughed loud and with his magical smile said, “Here even the moon is a pupusa.”

—Jorge Argueta En El Salvador hasta la Luna es una pupusa Conocí a Francisco X. Alarcón en los años ochenta, poco después de que llegué a San Francisco de El Salvador. Panchito ya era un poeta muy conocido. Fue miembro de la Brigada Cultural Roque Dalton junto con otros poetas: Alejandro Murguía (fundador de la Brigada y actual poeta laureado de San Francisco), el actual poeta laureado de los EEUU, Juan Felipe Herrera, Jack Hirschman, Barbara Paschke y David Volpendesta. Lo conocí en el lugar donde la mayoría de nosotros nos reunimos, el Café La Bohème en el Distrito de la Misión de San Francisco. Francisco bautizó a esta cafetería como “La catedral de la poesía”.

Viajé con Francisco cuatro veces a El Salvador, para participar en Festival Internacional de Poesía Infantil “Manyula”. Francisco estaba tan feliz de contribuir. Compartió conmigo la visión de que a través del poder suave de la poesía podríamos ayudar a los niños salvadoreños y a la juventud a mantenerse alejada de la violencia y tener la esperanza de un futuro mejor. Francisco llevó a cabo lecturas, conferencias y talleres de poesía para niños, jóvenes y maestros.

Hace años me ayudó a organizar los poemas que deseaba publicar en mi primer libro de poesía infantil, Una película en mi almohada. Siempre estaré agradecido con Francisco por su orientación y recomendaciones para este libro. Él realmente amaba a El Salvador, su gente, su paisaje y la comida.

Un día, durante un receso del festival, caminamos la corta distancia de la biblioteca sede del evento, que se celebra en la catedral de San Salvador, para hacer una visita a la cripta de Monseñor Romero (amado sacerdote de El Salvador que fue asesinado por los escuadrones de la muerte derechistas en los años 1980). Francisco se conmovió profundamente al ver su tumba y escribió un poema sobre esta visita especial. Derramó lágrimas y me dijo: “Entiendo por qué El Salvador debe seguir luchando por la justicia”.

Esa noche, la luna llena maravillosa brillaba en el cielo salvadoreño. Francisco rió y en voz alta, con su sonrisa mágica, dijo: “Aquí, incluso la luna es una pupusa”.

—Jorge Argueta

Francisco X. Alarcón en San Francisco, circa 1994. Francisco X. Alarcón in San Francisco, circa 1994. Photo Lalo Borja

Remembering beloved Chicano poet, author Recordando a querido poeta chicano Alejandro Murguía

T

he Chicano poet Francisco Xavier Alarcón died on Jan. 15, 2016— four days after a celebration of his life and work was held at Café La Boheme in San Francisco’s Mission District. On that day an overflow crowd of family and friends were present to hear Francisco read his work in public for the last time.

Alejandro Murguía

E

l poeta chicano Francisco Xavier Alarcón falleció el 15 de enero de 2016 — cuatro días después de una celebración a su vida y obra que se llevó a cabo en el Café La Bohème en el Distrito de la Misión de San Francisco. Ese día, una multitud de familiares y amigos estuvieron presentes para escuchar a Francisco leer su obra en público por última vez.

Francisco saltó a la fama como poeta destacado en la década de 1980, cuando ganó el primer Premio de Poesía Rubén Darío otorgado por la Casa Nicaragua.

También fue becario Fulbright en México, y publicó su primera co-

Francisco rose to prominence as an outstanding poet in the early 1980s, when he won the first Ruben Darío Poetry Prize awarded

by Casa Nicaragua. He was also a Fulbright Fellow in Mexico, and published his first major collection of poetry “Snake Poems.”

During this decade he was also a member of the Roque Dalton Cultural Brigade, and his translations appear in “Volcán: Poetry

from Central America,” and “Tomorrow Triumphant: Selected Poems of Otto Rene Castillo.”

For more than 30 years, he was a leading figure in Latino poetry, as well as a widely published children’s author. Four times he traveled to El Salvador as participant in the International Children’s Poetry Festival “Manyula,” where he did readings, lectures and poetry workshops for children, young

lección importante de poesía Poemas Serpiente.

Durante esta década también fue miembro de la Brigada Cultural Roque Dalton, y sus traducciones aparecen en Volcán: Poesía de América Central y Mañana triunfante: poesía selecta de Otto René Castillo.

Durante más de treinta años, fue una figura destacada en la poesía latina, así como un autor para niños ampliamente publicado. Cuatro veces viajó a El Salvador como participante del Festival Internacional de Poesía Infantil “Manyula”, donde realizó lecturas, conferencias y talleres de poesía para niños, adultos jóvenes y maestros.

Fue uno de los primeros poe-

tas latinos en escribir abiertamente sobre temas LGBT, y su último libro Canto Hondo, es a la vez una celebración a Federico García Lorca y a su propia sensualidad.

Fue sepultado el sábado 23 de enero en Long Beach, California.

Le echaremos de menos enormemente, tanto en la comunidad latina como en el mundo literario.

A Francisco —hijo del fallecido en Guadalajara, Jesús Pastor Alarcón— le sobreviven su madre Consuelo, los hermanos Juan Antonio, José Arturo, Jesús Carlos, Berta Olivia, Josue Samuel, Esthela, y su compañero Javier Pinzón.

Su último exhorto resonará durante mucho tiempo: “¡Viva la Vida!”

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adults and teachers.

He was one of the first Latino poets to write openly about LGBTQ issues, and his last book “Canto Hondo,” is both a celebration of Federico García Lorca, and of his own sensuality.

He was buried Saturday, Jan. 23 in Long Beach, California. He will be greatly missed in both the Latino community and in the literary world.

Francisco—son of the late Guadalajara, Mexico-born Jesus Pastor Alarcón—is survived by his mother Consuelo, siblings Juan Antonio, Jose Arturo, Jesus Carlos, Berta Olivia, Josue Samuel, Esthela, and by his partner Javier Pinzón.

His last plea at his celebration will reverberate for a long time: “Viva la Vida!”

Tribute

6 El Tecolote Viva la Vida A Francisco X. Alarcón Llegaste a El Salvador Como quien llega a un nuevo continente Traías tu morral lleno de palabras Lleno de cantos, de lunas y de sol Un colibrí arco iris Salió volando de tu pecho Y la mañana se llenó De encantadas mariposas Dulce guerrero Conejo y volcan Tu sonrisa sigue siendo cascada En el viento salvadoreño Allá conquistaste con tu vuelo Quetzalcoatl A los niños, niñas y maestros Hermano poeta con estas palabras Imploro a Nuestra Madre Tierra Le suplico, le oro que toque Tus entrañas, tu dolor Que te sane para que tu corazón siga soñando, cantando, volando con nosotros siempre Long Live Life For Francisco X Alarcón You came to El Salvador Like a conqueror arrives on a new continent Your bags were filled with song Words of moons and suns A rainbow hummingbird Flew from your chest And the morning was filled With enchanted butterflies Sweet warrior Rabbit and volcano Your smile continues to be a waterfall In the Salvadoran wind Over there you conquered the hearts of children and teachers With your Quetzalcoatl flight Brother poet with these words I implore our Mother Earth I plead, I pray She will touch your spirit, Your pain I kindly asked Her to heal you So that your heart can keep on dreaming, Singing and flying with us all —Jorge Argueta, Dec. 2015 El canto no calla Solo el silencio Y es redondo Como los girasoles

Danza Gathering of poet friends In the hearth of our hearts Singing a Deep Song Wearing Sarape Flag capes handmade from the Bellybutton Of The Moon We are Poets Responding with Poems To Dream Together fashioning Poems For The New Sun like Iguanas In The Snow a time for frolicking and fun together a time for the drizzle of this new winter to become the sunshine of an early spring and the budding of new life: Mariposas Sin Fronteras uniting more love and more friends again & again in the hearth of our friend with him his Snake Poems and his invocations.

— Paul Aponte, Dec. 21, 2015 A Translation Ever since those days when We were together, matched brothers, Hermano hermano, marching companeros In the Roque Dalton Cultural Brigade, Compa Francisco, I’ve watched you climb the depths Of the Tree of Life From Mexico to the Mayan roots, And Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador In poetry and song, with your teaching Sounding those depths with the charge Of your irresistible enthusiasms For the poem with its finger-points Straight down and straight up Simultaneously.

Now, after all your many translations, You’re going to be, really be, by being translated yourself like Enoch, into an angel inside us all, because you’ve arrived at the summit of the branches of the Tree. There’s nothing to do but do what everyone must: leap into the Lingasharira, the river of purifying fire, embracing the flame that you were, are and will be: the andiron wingspan aflame that is Alare in Italian and Alarcon in Spanish. Adelante!

—Jack Hirschman Acróstico, Acrostic Felices Rostros de Atentos Niños con Cientos de palabras que Inspiran a Soñar y Crecer Orgullosos de sus raíces

El canto de los girasoles Es el canto del silencio El silencio no calla

Faces of children Reading books that Affirm and Nurture their cultures Celebration of words that Inspire to Spread their roots and Create an Open hearted community

—Jorge Argueta, Diciembre 2015

—René Colato Laínez

Protective wing We burned sage last night drank tequila

simple verses

Dan vueltas y vueltas Sus hermosos pétalos amarillos Son plumas en busca de la tierra En busca de las nubes, del viento, el sol

a sea-eagle swooped on the soul’s ocean carried off in its talons the salmon of knowledge and the firmament this morning is one huge wing —Gabriel Rosenstock

arrows of light pierce deep into waiting hearts —Judith Ayn Bernhard

Homenaje

I went into the garden To find you And what I found Were your eyes And your smile I sat on a bench And felt the warm sun Even in mid December And out of the sun Your voice Words rising From your fingertips you make a circle In the air to help In seeing and In hearing The trees in my garden And the flowers Bind your name “Francisco” We mean light From the sun Who gives life To us all We mean East of Autumn As the moon Rises Later Dark ridges Caress the branches Of our trees We take the song You gave And embrace The ripe night In this way we abide Hermano —Neeli Chervkoski An incantation for Francisco X. Alarcón By “the divine” I mean the longed-for utterly impossible ego-shattering irreality.

Francisco, dear man, named for the great saint Francesco lover of Lady Poverty you, lover of Lady Poetry he, tamer of Brother Wolf you, tamer of Brother Cancer he, singer of the Canticle to the Sun Altissimu, onnipotente bon Signore you: la luz da más luz I think of you greeting the four directions Tahui “Which way is North?”

Which way is Love Your breath stays with me: poetry is the only cure for the disease of life poetry is the light that is never lost poetry is the soul’s chemotherapy. my love to you, my friend may poetry heal you in tonatiuh in tlanextia (May your sun shine forever) light & love. by “the divine” I mean the longed-for utterly impossible ego-shattering irreality —Jack & Adelle Foley Tanka for Francisco X. Alarcón The wise old ones said only flower and song lasts, that all that lives dies.

My poet friend lived fully; the words he wrote will go on.

Tanka para Francisco X. Alarcón Los viejos sabios decían Que sólo la flor y canto perdura, Que todo lo que vive muere.

Mi amigo poeta vivió plenamente, las palabras que escribió seguirán.

—Rafael Jesús González W W W.ELTECOLOTE.ORG

January 28 - February 10, 2016

Poems for Francisco...

Poemas para Francisco...

Mariposas y Tú

Cual astros celestiales Te rodean mariposas Con su color granate.

Angeles mariposas Tu boca colorean De color cuarzo rosa.

Te rodean querubines Mariposas pintadas Del color de rubíes.

Alitas emigrantes Pintándote tu casa Del color de corales.

Mariposas volando Sobre tu lindo patio Colores derramando.

Mariposas curanderas Con cariño se posan Y acarician tus piernas.

En lluvia de colores Alitas mensajeras Curarán tus dolores.

Mariposas Arieles Que sanarán tu cuerpo Con mágicos pinceles.

Con mucho cariño, —Graciela B. Ramírez Achcauhtli You, King of Hummingbirds of Monarch butterflies of bluest gulf waters whose waves rise the height of skyscrapers to kiss winking stars in overcast skies You, a lighthouse that has always beckoned me from that shadowy place of deepest dark of being lost in tumultuous waters of self doubt and fear You, who is always sure of the magia of our ancestor’s tongues the glyphs of invocation contained in sounds of sunrise and sunset their energy transferred to our own words to the sacred stones that sing sealed by the feathers of mighty birds or a simple snap of our fingers You, man of heart and wisdom there is no place you can go that the wind does not whisper your name its secrets in your ear the eternal spiral that links your healing words to our lips that flower in flor y canto IN LAK’ECH - HALA K’IN —Odilia Galván Rodríguez Toda una vida Cuando uno baila con el Viejo Coyote se compromete a la flor y al canto; se gasta una vida con la moneda de la palabra florida.

Allí dicen se encuentran lo negro y lo rojo, lo arraigado, la verdad. ¿Quién sabe?

Se vive una vida y si su flor y canto toma raíz en los corazones es vida bien gastada.

A Whole Life When one dances with Old Coyote one commits to flower & song; a life is spent with the coin of the flowering word.

There they say meet the black & the red, the rooted, truth. Who knows?

A life is lived & if its flower & song takes root in hearts it is a life well spent.

— Rafael Jesús González

Tahui!

“Tahui!,” calls Francisco X Alarcon we respond with, “Tahui!” carried on the echoing winds in the four directions, and above and below Holy vibrations over the California hills mountains canyons and deserts creeks lakes, rivers and sea Over fields of growing lettuce broccoli celery and grapes Over trees bearing oranges pears plums and swaying palms heavy with dates Francisco’s call heard by young and old Gathers us in the ether and ambiance of floating ancient dusty remains for poetry community creativity and justice Speaking words that sing to Mother Earth exploding stars in the constantly expanding universe.

Francisco is not waiting for laurel leaves He labors for poetry constantly If crowned his work will not change He will continue as long as he breathes to call, “Tahui!”

We will respond, “Tahui!” in the four directions and above and below.

—Nina Serrano Ode to Francisco’s Shoes After Francisco X. Alarcón in memoriam, 1954-2016 He is going to sleep now, placing his shoes under the bed—laces loosened, two tongues free.

While he dreams, the laces become tendrils, reaching deep into the words of Earth; the tongues rise to learn the language of the gods.

Awake again, he slips his feet back into his shoes, touches each tongue with his gentle palm. He ties the laces like an ancient weave reborn— walks out into a poem.

— Virginia Barrett Francisco of the Flowers Francisco of the Flowers Whose heart warmed the Southern Sky Was a man of understanding And ideals, most high He was a weaver of culture From diverse strands Who sought to unify people From different lands An heir to the realm Of the Aztec kings He wrote of equality and Justice, and noble things From his pen flowed words Of compassion and caring He never lost sight of how Others were faring His thoughts bloomed On the page as poems and prose As lovely as daylilies Or beautiful as a rose Rare is a poet such as Francisco X. Alarcon And we collectively grieve Now that he’s gone…

—Kathy Figueroa Francisco is smiling though he is bleeding inside around him songs and flowers bloom outside a colibri hums an amaranth in the middle of 24th street spreads its seeds Francisco (Xochipilli) con corazón de vida in his hands is smiling —Alejandro Murguía

Enero 28 - Febrero 10, 2016

Tribute

Homenaje

La poesía era su voz Francisco aún frente a sus enemigos Respetuso y generoso con los Amigos, leal sin duda alguna Ni las críticas le callaron las manos Con cuidado escogía sus palabras Igual le daba recitar su poesía Si en ese momento la musa lo exigía Como le daba gusto que Otros leyeran sus poemas

El Tecolote 7

Canto for Francisco X. Alarcón Francisco de la plumas de Quetzal of the Quetzal feathers the one who walked with healing-heart calls and copal incense for all - the ones on the sidewalks the ones in the cafés & corners you do not mind singing for all you do not think of that you sing you make offerings year by year for the migrants for the hungry the bread you bake is for every table the house you build covers every child every familia in every color & vision of life yes this is how you have chanted in every barrio school and city how can it be we ask — it is your heart that answers the call and it is your sky shaped life that that makes it possible — today it is our turn to sing to you - to send you healings from the life fountains heal in your beauty heal in your body heal in our lives heal in all life within all life for all life once again

Xicano con la bandera de Aztlán Andaba por el mundo Las mariposas eran su guía Alas, viento, vuelo Rápido por los cielos volaba Con una gracia y una simplicidad Olas o tormentas Nunca apagaron su inspiración Rimas o metáforas Inspiración o indignación Poesía era su voz...la poesía era su voz..la poesía era su voz...

—Juan Felipe Herrera

—Jorge Salas We Will Dress With Color In memory of Francisco X. Alarcón.The title is from a note for his funeral. Gratitude to his sister, Esthela Alarcón On our best nights, we swallow turquoise so smooth it shines. That magical blue with more questions than the sky.

We see through the brown of soil that is all remnant, an amber memory of what was: roses, roots, wood-- whose color is long past. This brown is the gold of bones, long abandoned by living skin, it sings like the gravedigger who knows the truth of his work: The only vocation is to dig.

On our best days, we breathe a green too luminous for emeralds, they squint to taste the shine of this verdant life. This green of leaf and dew weeps the clarity of tears, the water that blesses and drowns in the same breath.

In our best voices, we speak a red more wet than poems. This scarlet alarm can wake us from a sleeping life if only we will dress with color.

In your best language, you taught us to sing an orange sun so silent we cannot know if it is setting or rising. You taught us us to believe in both.

—Joseph Ross To the memory of the last lyrical poet in this country, my tio Pancho. Here is your poem that’s long over due.

“In xochli in cuicuatl In itchtl in tonatiu...”

Otra vez you said As I stumbled over these words “In xochli in cuicuatl..”

Oye como yo lo digo Con emoción Debe ser una encantacion Y con el sabor de las palabras antiguas Una semilla comenzó a florecer Dentro de mi But not just in me Like tío Luis’ bees You’ve pollinated the fields of Atlanta Brown mind were your crop We areally your legacy Giving us the tools to excavate our history Demanding the education that has been forbidden “In itchtl in tonatiu...”

You’ve requested a period Your poem’s ending But with all do respect, I cannot agree You are not done The poem continues to bloom To poema continúa Transending into pollen, into dust Fertilizing the minds of our pueblo As long as the written word exists Tu poema final no existirá “In xochli in cuicuatl In itchtl in tonatiu...”

Ometeo — Itzie Alarcón

The following poem was written by first grade students at Alianza School in Watsonville, CA, inspired

by Francisco’s book, Jitomates Risueños.

La manzana por Elidelfo Es tan dulce y buena. me gusta arrancar la manzana porque me quiero llevarla a la casa por comerla con mi familia Les gusta comer manzanas tan jugosas y dulces.

Las fresas ricas de Watsonville por Mayra Dulces, jugosas, sabrosas, buenas fresas.

Rojas como corazones porque las han cortado los papás y las mamás y los tíos y los hermanos y nosotros tambien!

El brócoli por Sonia y Raul ¡Me encanta el broccoli!

Está delicioso, sabroso y rico.

Cuando lo chupas sale juguito.

Cuando lo comas, serás fuerte.

Cuando lo muerdas, se te puede caer un diente.

Hongos Sabrosos hongos de Watsonville.

Cortan hongos para comer.

Yo corto hongos para mi familia, para el caldo, para los vegetales para el espagueti ¡Delicioso!

Las moras por Carla Trabajo bonito Moras dulces, buenas rojas, negras o moraditas.

Todos las quieren piscar.

La mora es especial cuando las cortan. ¡No las mallugan!

Las llevan al cooler.

Mi mamá trabaja bonito y todos comen la dulce mora.

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Fiesta para Francisco X. Alarcón A Javier Francisco, ¿dónde estás? ¿Cómo te encuentro?

Tú sabes que perderle el miedo a los dedos y ojos acusadores no quiere decir navegar por el verbo olvidar.

Se trata de parar la música en medio de la fiesta y hacer preguntas sin respuestas, preguntarles a invitados y gendarmes de qué están hechos los cuchillos las hojas los jazmines.

Se trata de lanzarse por el precipicio del abismo que libera con tu amplia sonrisa por toda una eternidad.

Francisco, yo sé que eres el nombre de esta fiesta y te doy la bienvenida en muchos idiomas, borrando el miedo a las preguntas y a las duras despedidas desde la redondez de esta tarde completa y desde todos los puntos del paisaje.

—Emilio Bejel, 15 enero, 2016

Tribute

8 El Tecolote Orquesta Misión Vecindad de paredes que cantan en colores de fuego y sol brillando como las manos tocando el tambor La orquesta de la Misión buena rumba, sabroso son, el ritmo de estas calles nacido en el corazón When you climb up Bernal hill, you are on top of the world.

The wind blows here like a concha greeting the four directions.

Mission Street is a stage.

The whistle of the Bart train plays like panpipes from the Andes.

Audience settles in for the first act, here come the many footsteps heels making beats, like za-zazapateado.

Bars and boards that hold up artists painting our stories on the walls.

Clink and clank, like the quijada, instrument that with sticks and teeth make a rhythm.

Ese ritmo opens on la Calle 24, it’s like the World’s Fair, where you can buy food and soccer jerseys from everywhere.

In Balmy Alley, Frida Kahlo sings rancheras, paints live, like Diego Rivera in 1939, when he brushed magic across Treasure Island.

She paints our neighborhood back together, once again.

The graffiti artists, her back up singers, shake cans of color rattling seeds in a dried gourd.

The most familiar sound in the Mission, the kuweeca, high pitched Brazilian drum strapped around the shoulders of our talented young people inviting the trees, the ancestors for a dance.

It’s a sweet laughing sound, excited small hands on silver trays carrying sweet pan and dulce bouncing like the beats Of drums en Carnaval sprouting like flower songs el flor y canto the very heartbeat, El corazón del barrio, de esta comunidad.

Caminando y recordando comunidad sobreviviendo Alfonso con poesía, y Chata, la música.

La orquesta de la Misión sabrosa punta, rica cumbia nuestro espíritu lo que forma esta lugar.

La orquesta de la Misión buena rumba, sabroso son el ritmo de estas calles nacido en el corazón.

—Leticia Hernández-Linares

Francisco X. Alarcón is has always been ruled by Ollin.

Thrumming fingers restless hands and feet nodding head rapid words unceasing movement from the pain-filled awakening to life to the dog-led journey to the underworld.

Ollin, inspiración y respiración de los cuatro vientos that exhale through the gasping, ecstatic awe of his voiced, tattooed poetics, softly shouted to the cardinal points of the spinning ball hurtling in double-mirrored orbit entre el quinto y el sexto sol.

Nuestro poeta ha canturreado remedios and cures, has spelled hechizos for the continued flow of the blood of Mayahuel.

He has cast white magic for the corn, has made treaties with the serpent y ha declarado guerra contra la bilis verde y negra del odio y prejuicio con palabras cortas --en breves líneas-que van directamente a las cuartro cámaras of the four-winged Ollin monarch that throbs within us, that pulses within him, that he will ride some day with flower song toward the North.

— Arturo Mantecón

Homenaje

¡Viva la Vida!

Hermano Poeta Hoy frente a ti Con admiración y respeto Rindo homenaje A tu vida A tu poesía A tu sonrisa Por ti y para ti En el Solsticio de Invierno Subí a la cima Del cerro de la Reina Cihualpilli Para tomar parte En la ceremonia De liberación y pureza El sonido del caracol Hizo eco de tus versos Que envueltos en el humo Y aroma del copal Ascendieron a las alturas Hasta descender al santuario De las mariposas monarca Las cuales los esparcirán Durante su aleteo migratorio Para generaciones futuras En la pirámide del sol Invoqué las cuatro direcciones En tu nombre Leí tus poemas y cerrando los ojos Supliqué a nuestros antepasados Por energía y sabiduría que sana Y la envíe directo a tus entrañas Percibí tu espíritu guerrero En la miríada de colibríes Que revolotearon a mi alrededor En la Normal Rural de Atequiza Semillero de maestros Y revolucionarios Crucé el umbral de iglesias Capillas y santuarios Encendí velas Hice promesas Derramé lagrimas Y me arrodillé delante De cristos ensangrentados Madres piadosas y Santos compasivos Suplicando incesante Por la restauración de tu salud En el mural de las plegarias De la Catedral de Cuernavaca Pedí por escrito Que tu luz siga resplandeciendo Entre nosotros Que tu inspiración siga fluyendo Y alegrando nuestros días Que el amor de tu familia Y amigos Sea la antorcha que alumbre Tu camino en momentos oscuros

January 28 - February 10, 2016 Cuando el Pueblo healing Francisco X. Alarcón Cuando el pueblo learned the news, earth and sky became one— lovers entwined, as if touch could stitch what dares unravel.

Blessings for the word, ella, she, who knows no borders.

Finds hearth in every root and wing, calls to winter leaves and lights the nighttime alleys with a kind of seashell music.

The heart endures the old light, and we are the growth of what has passed.

Root and wing, healers, sing of memory, sing of touch.

The air around you stirs like clouds when the leaves hang like raindrops.

How does the light dance the water deep and the droplets within the body?

It knows the routes starshine through fine lines printed on your fingers, mapping every atom, every breath you’ve shared with us.

Now let your every in-breath earthen your mind, let your out-breaths sky the heavens of your heart.

Winter is a stranger in the orchard as it blooms December’s trees. How will the peaches taste in August without memory of spring?

This you ask, I know because I have asked it too.

But imagine spring needs no memory to green.

Pancho. Chico. Francisco.

Lo que es y lo que está siempre verde.

Un corazón en flor, en llamas, con estrellas, poeta encorazonado endiosado nos diste lengua y canto y todo el fuego del cielo para quebrar sueños abiertos—breath maps, sky songs, and endless blossoms

the wind scatters to the four directions, the petals inscribed with your names.

In a neighborhood in Los Angeles your words chat with chairs, waltz of a kitchen forever mending, bold as a braid.

The x in your name, xicano, crosses out borders. Xinachtli bed, xochitl kiss, it hums phosphorescent as a xoxotla.

Look up, even the air traffic seems alive with luciferin, beautiful insects in their weird migration patterns—where are they going?

Of the petrichor, an assemblage of reeds moistened by the rhapsodic lips of poetry hums a prayer that seeds out the recreation of the lush world, ceasing the red drought of earth.

Blue moon whispers affection for your tender steps, its high tide drenches your lexicon.

And daily, as we watch the sun rise, warming our tired bodies, there too, your name, urging them to speak.

These words alone on carmine & jade stone as you carved them hermano with others and all things come back to you with love.

The light you harvest for us, Huitzil de la palabra, fold it under your wings— know our chorus holds you up in flight.

— Francisco Aragón, William Archila, Fred Arroyo, Carmen Calatayud, David Campos, Brenda Cárdenas, Eduardo C. Corral, Barbara Brinson Curiel, Diana Marie Delgado, Carolina Ebeid, Laurie Ann Guerrero, Leticia Hernández-Linares, Juan Felipe Herrera, ire’ne lara silva, Raina J. León, Manuel Paul López, Sheryl Luna, Maria Melendez Kelson, Juan J. Morales, Adela Najarro, Melinda Palacio, Ruben Quesada, José Antonio Rodríguez, Emma Trelles

Sólo me resta decir ¡Viva la Vida! ¡Viva Francisco X. Alarcón!

—Betty Sánchez

Francisco X. Alarcón a Facebook friend We did not know each other Poetry Social Justice His smile Brought us together I wrote him Sending a link to a video About the art form call Pecha Kucha It was a piece I did with my brother Gary I thought he might be interested in it A way of introduction Since I had sent him a friend request He accepted my friendship He wrote Thank you, Paul I like the interaction between you and Gary Francisco December 2012 I sent him a video I did about Santa’s striking elves Wishing him a Healthy Holidays He wrote back “I support elves” - Francisco

I wrote back saying I know you do.

Thanks, we all have to do what we can Hope you are well He wrote “Have a blessed holiday Best wishes,” Francisco

Illustration Juan Pablo Gutierrez

Francisco X. Alarcón Passed away this morning His words His actions His inspiring others His smile Will be missed — Paul Richmond

And so it went Liking and sharing Being inspired from a distance And being drawn closer and closer By his smile and the work he was doing And then the announcement of operations Asking for prayers When I saw the pictures of his last poetry reading @ Cafe la Boheme San Francisco I thought I hoped he was getting better That we might meet Today I started noticing The posts, saying goodbye Oh no As I clicked to his page

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Politics

Enero 28 - Febrero 10, 2016

Política

El Tecolote 9

Ronen seeks to succeed Campos as D9 Supervisor Elizabeth Silva El Tecolote

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illary Ronen, chief of staff for District 9 Supervisor David Campos, announced that she will be running for Campos’ seat, which he will vacate in January 2017, and she pledges to focus on the district and fight for the community’s needs.

“If I am elected District 9 supervisor, I promise that I will always engage in long-term thinking together towards building a path towards an affordable future,” said Ronen on Jan. 14. “I will be the kind of supervisor that leads with community because frankly, I couldn’t do it without [the community] and I will be the kind of supervisor that will be the fiercest negotiator for the residents of District 9.”

Ronen said she decided to run for office because she is frustrated with San Francisco’s state of affairs. She loves the city that’s historically been a haven for people who didn’t feel accepted elsewhere. However, she’s aware of the city’s housing crisis, a homeless problem that has reached its peak and a struggling education system, which are all issues that she would like to address if she were supervisor.

Specifically regarding the housing crisis, Ronen has worked on acquiring $80 million to be used exclusively to build affordable housing in District 9. If elected, she plans to build 5,000 units in the next decade; there are 480 new units currently in the planning stages.

Ronen has worked closely with Campos since 2010.

“He’s a fighter, I’m a fighter,” Ronen said. “We do not give up.

We do not take ‘no’ for an answer.

We are willing to be courageous and fight for what the community deserves and needs.”

Campos voiced his support for Ronen, especially noting her

Hillary Ronen es candidata a Supervisor del Distrito 9. Hillary Ronen is a candidate for District 9 Supervisor. Courtesy HillaryRonen.com involvement in the legislation he has passed.

“What I’ve seen is someone who understands how City Hall works, who knows what it takes to be effective, and who has a very thorough grasp of the issues,” Campos said of Ronen.

Ronen noted that the time she would come into office is different than when Campos first arrived; thus, the community’s needs are different. Campos focused on big pieces of legislation such as the expansion of Healthy San Francisco program. Now, however, Ronen wants to heavily focus

her energy on gentrification and displacement in District 9, which also houses four of the city’s 10 lowest performing schools.

“We’re at a time where District 9 really needs a supervisor who is willing to stand up to the mayor and the mayor’s administration that really has led the city in the wrong direction,” said Ronen.

“He [has] short-term thinking [by] not planning for the housing needs of the city and making decisions without thinking about the long-term implications.”

Guillermina Castellanos, the

co-founder of La Colectiva de Mujeres, met Ronen more than 10 years ago when Ronen worked at La Raza Centro Legal as an employment law attorney in the worker’s rights unit.

“She showed us that one can create change despite limited resources. She is a good candidate because she has worked closely with the community,” said Castellanos. “Her mission and vision is very progressive and through the time that I have known her I have seen how she has created change, which shows a great trajectory for

San Francisco, and specifically in District 9, which is important.”

At her candidacy announcement in front of St. Luke’s Hospital on Jan. 14, Ronen addressed a cheering crowd of supporters.

Those supporting Ronen include supervisors Eric Mar and John Avalos, Chief Attorney of the Public Defender’s Office Matt Gonzalez, San Francisco School Board Commissioner Sandra Lee Fewer, Vice President of City College Board of Trustees Thea Selby and Former Supervisor Bevan Dufty.

Ronen busca reemplazar a Campos como Supervisora de D9

Hillary Ronen anuncia su candidatura como Supervisora del Distrito 9 durante conferencia de prensa el 14 de enero afuera del Hospital San Lucas. Hillary Ronen announces her candidacy for District 9 Supervisor during a press conference on Jan. 14 outside of Saint Luke’s Hospital. Courtesy HillaryRonen.com Elizabeth Silva El Tecolote

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illary Ronen, jefa de personal del Supervisor del Distrito 9, David Campos, anunció que va a postularse para ocupar el puesto de Campos —el cual quedará vacante en enero de 2017— y que se compromete a centrarse en el distrito y a luchar por las necesidades de la comunidad.

“Si soy electa como Supervisora del Distrito 9, siempre participaré en la construcción de un

camino hacia un futuro económico a largo plazo”, dijo Ronen el 14 de enero. “Seré el tipo de supervisor de trabaja con la comunidad, porque francamente, no podría hacerlo sin ella, y voy a ser el tipo de supervisor de negociará con ferocidad a favor de los residentes del Distrito 9”.

Ronen dijo que decidió postularse para el cargo porque se siente frustrada por la situación actual de los asuntos de San Francisco.

A ella le encanta la ciudad que ha sido históricamente refugio para quienes no se sienten aceptados

en otros lugares. Sin embargo, es consciente de la actual crisis de vivienda, de la problemática de los indigentes que ha alcanzado su punto máximo y de la lucha del sistema educativo, todas ellas cuestiones que le gustaría abordar en caso de que resulte electa.

Específicamente en relación con la crisis de la vivienda, Ronen ha trabajado en la adquisición de $80 millones para ser utilizados exclusivamente en la construcción de viviendas asequibles en el Distrito 9. De ganar la elección, planea construir cinco mil uni-

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dades en la próxima década; hay 480 nuevas unidades actualmente en etapa de planificación.

Ronen ha trabajado estrechamente con Campos desde 2010.

“Es un luchador, soy luchadora”, dijo Ronen. “No nos damos por vencidos. Nosotros no aceptamos un ‘no’ por respuesta. Estamos dispuestos a ser valientes y luchar por lo que la comunidad merece y necesita”.

Campos expresó su apoyo a Ronen, destacando especialmente su participación en la pasada legislación.

“Lo que he visto es a alguien que entiende cómo funciona el Ayuntamiento, que sabe lo que se necesita para ser eficaz y que tiene un conocimiento muy profundo de los problemas”, opinó Campos sobre Ronen.

Ronen señaló que el momento en que asuma la oficina será diferente a cuando Campos llegó por primera vez, puesto que las necesidades de la comunidad son diferentes. Campos se centró en partes grandes de la legislación, como la ampliación del programa Healthy San Francisco. Ella, ahora, quiere centrar su energía, sobre todo, en los fenómenos de aburguesamiento y desplazamiento que se suscitan en el Distrito 9, que también alberga a cuatro de las diez escuelas de más bajo desempeño de la ciudad.

“Estamos en un momento en el que el Distrito 9 realmente necesita un supervisor que esté dispuesto a hacer frente a la alcaldía y a la administración del alcalde que ha llevado a la ciu-

dad en la dirección equivocada”, dijo Ronen. “Él [tiene] el pensamiento a corto plazo [por] no la planificación de necesidades de vivienda de la ciudad y la toma de decisiones sin pensar en las consecuencias a largo plazo”.

Guillermina Castellanos, cofundadora de La Colectiva de Mujeres, conoció a Ronen hace más de diez años cuando Ronen trabajó en La Raza Centro Legal como abogado de derecho laboral en la unidad de los derechos del trabajador.

“Nos enseñó que uno puede crear un cambio a pesar de los recursos limitados. Ella es una buena candidata porque ha trabajado muy de cerca con la comunidad”, dijo Castellanos. “Su misión y visión son muy progresivas y durante el tiempo que la he conocido he visto cómo ha generado cambios, lo que evidencia una gran trayectoria para San Francisco, y específicamente para el Distrito 9, que es importante”.

Durante el lanzamiento de su candidatura frente al Hospital de San Lucas el 14 de enero, Ronen se dirigió a una multitud de partidarios que la vitoreaba. Entre quienes la apoyan se encuentran los supervisores Eric Mar y John Avalos, el abogado jefe de la Oficina de la Defensoría Pública, Matt González; la Comisionada de la San Francisco School Board, Sandra Lee Menos; el Vicepresidente de la College Board of Trustees, Thea Selby, y el ex Supervisor Bevan Dufty.

Arts & Culture

10 El Tecolote

Arte y Cultura

January 28 - February 10, 2016

All in the familia: López trio aims to display more Latino films, theater productions in SF

Eliana López, Alfonso López e Ivette Carolina Agudelo. Eliana López, Alfonso López, and Ivette Carolina Agudelo, from 3 López Productions. Courtesy 3 López Productions Alejandro Galicia Díaz El Tecolote

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ights, camera and action are what the members of the Venezuelan 3 López Productions have lived by, as they’ve honed their craft from set-to-set in the television business.

The trio, composed of actress and producer, Eliana López; her brother and producer, Alfonso López; and his wife, actress and co-producer, Ivette Carolina Agudelo, have made their way from Venezuela to San Francisco to launch several projects.

“San Francisco has adapted to us, and us to it,” Agudelo said.

“I think we’ve come at the precise moment in which we have been

able to contribute to the cultural aspect of the city with our two cents. This city has given us the opportunity to contribute. The city has also nurtured us with many great things and new experiences.”

In 2014, Eliana produced a Spanish-speaking version of the “Vagina Monologues.” Although successful, performing the show did pose complications, as it’s not a topic that is discussed much within the Latino community.

“We did it for the first time in 2014. That was the first work in which I acted and produced here in San Francisco,” said Eliana.

“It went very well. It was the first experiment to see if in fact there was a public for this type of show.

However, I did find myself with a

reality within our Latin American countries: it was a taboo. Since there was some prejudice, it was the men who would buy the tickets and would take their wives, mothers, and the daughters to see the production. That happened so much.”

But, Eliana feels that ironically it’s the women who came out feeling empowered after watching the monologues.

“That has been the success of that performance,” she said.

However, this hasn’t been her only gig in San Francisco. She translated what was considered the worst scandal in San Francisco in 2012 into a play, called “What is the Scandal?” with her brother Alfonso. The scandal in question involved her husband

and former Sheriff, Ross Mirkarimi, who was accused of domestic violence. The play however was about more than just the scandal, it illustrated what Eliana and her family went through, and the challenges that the Latino community faces. This year, the trio plans a return to the big stage with another production of the play.

“I’m very happy because that play was the opportunity to start working with my brother, it was the collaboration that we both looked for between us,” said Eliana. “It has also been a way to transform an experience that was very painful and traumatic—transform it into something positive and to raise my voice and speak on all of the reflections and

all of those emotions that I had during that moment.”

This year, 3 López Productions plans to launch several projects. The company is planning to show a series of screenings of Latin American films, one of which is the first Venezuelan winner of the 2014 Goya Awards, “My Straight Son.” Eliana also plans to kick off her tour in March with “What is the Scandal?” and will resume the “Vagina Monologues” in early April in San Francisco.

“Part of our objective is being able to keep telling stories about the community,” said Alfonso.

“Part of the objective is to be open to the events that are happening in San Francisco with immigration, [and] with the AfricanAmerican community.”

Todo en familia: trío López pretende difundir más cine latino y teatro en SF Alejandro Galicia Díaz El Tecolote

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uces, cámara y acción es lo que los miembros de la productora venezolana 3 López Productions han vivido conforme han perfeccionado su técnica de puesta en escena para ahora ingresar al negocio de la televisión.

El trío, compuesto por la actriz y productora Eliana López, su hermano y productor, Alfonso López y su esposa, la actriz y coproductora Ivette Carolina Agudelo, han emprendido su camino desde Venezuela a San Francisco para lanzar varios proyectos.

“San Francisco se ha adaptado a nosotros, y nosotros a ella”, dijo Agudelo. “Creo que hemos llegado al punto en el que podimos contribuir al ámbito cultural de la ciudad con nuestro granito de arena. Esta ciudad nos ha dado la oportunidad de contribuir. La ciudad también nos ha nutrido con grandes cosas y nuevas experiencias”.

En 2014, Eliana produjo una versión al español de los Monólogos de la Vagina. Pese a su éxi-

to, su puesta en escena tuvo sus complicaciones, ya que no es un tema que se discuta mucho entre la comunidad latina.

“Lo hicimos por primera vez en 2014. Esa fue la primera obra en la que actué y produje aquí en San Francisco”, dijo Eliana.

“Todo salió muy bien. Fue el primer experimento para ver si en realidad había un público para este tipo de espectáculos. Sin embargo, me topé con una realidad de nuestros países en Latinoamérica: era un tema tabú. Puesto que había cierto prejuicio, fueron los hombres quienes compraron los boletos y llevaron a sus esposas, madres e hijas a ver la obra.

Eso fue muy frecuente”.

Sin embargo, Eliana considera que, irónicamente, las mujeres salieron sintiéndose empoderadas después de presenciar los monólogos.

“Ese fue el éxito de ese montaje”, dijo.

Este no ha sido su única actuación en San Francisco. Junto con su hermano Alfonso, tradujo lo que se consideraba el peor escándalo en San Francisco en 2012 en una obra, llamada ¿Cuál es el

escándalo? El escándalo en cuestión involucraba a su marido y ex alguacil Ross Mirkarimi, acusado de violencia doméstica. La obra teatral, sin embargo, planteaba algo más que el escándalo, sino también lo que Eliana y su familia pasaron, así como los desafíos que la comunidad latina enfrenta.

Este año, el trío planea un regreso a los grandes escenarios con otra producción.

“Estoy muy contenta porque esa obra fue la oportunidad para empezar a trabajar con mi hermano, que era la colaboración que ambos buscamos”, dijo Eliana.

“También ha sido una manera de transformar una experiencia muy dolorosa y traumática —transformarlo en algo positivo, elevar mi voz para hablar sobre todas las reflexiones y emociones que tuve en ese momento”.

Este año, 3 López Productions planea lanzar varios proyectos. La compañía tiene la intención de mostrar una serie de proyecciones de películas de Latinoamérica, una de las cuales es el ganadora de los Premios Goya 2014, la venezolana Azul y no tan rosa. Eliana también tiene previsto iniciar a su gira en marzo con

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El director Alfonso López con su hermana, Eliana López. Director Alfonso Lopez with his sister Eliana Lopez. Courtesy 3 López Productions ¿Cuál es el escándalo? y reanudar la temporada de Monólogos de la Vagina a principios de abril en San Francisco.

“Parte de nuestro objetivo es

seguir contando historias sobre la comunidad”, dijo Alfonso. “Estar abiertos a los acontecimientos que están sucediendo en San Francisco con la inmigración, [y] con la comunidad afroamericana”.

Enero 28 - Febrero 10, 2016

Community Events

Please send calendar submissions to calendario@eltecolote.org Favor de enviar información a calendario@eltecolote.org Thursday, Jan. 28 • 6 p.m. • Free Latino Voices for Justice Dr. Félix Gutiérrez (professor emeritus, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California) will highlight the personal family narratives of Emilia Castañeda and Victor Villaseñor that appear in “Episode II: Empire of Dreams.” He will also give an overview of the role of activist Latino newspapers during the late 1800s through the 1940s. Some of the questions Dr. Gutiérrez will explore are: “How did Puerto Rican and Cuban intellectuals learn more about one another’s independence movements?”

“How was Spanish-language media used as a mobilizing and educational tool during repatriation in the late 1920s?” • San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco Saturday, Jan. 30 • 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Free Enrollment Health Fair Assemblymember David Chiu and SFHP are hosting an Enrollment Health Fair at the SFHP Service Center on 7 Spring Street between Kearny/Montgomery street. Among the services provided will be free vision screenings, free dental screenings for children 17 and under, and the first 100 families to attend will receive a free bag of groceries. Spanish and Cantonesespeaking staff will be on hand to see if you qualify for: Medi-Cal, Healthy Kids, Covered California, Cal Fresh, and Healthy San Francisco. Walks-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is appreciated.

• asmdc.org/members/a17/ • (415) 777-9992.

Saturday, Jan. 30 • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Playground Opening in the Excelsior Join Supervisor Mark Farrell and the San Francisco Shared Schoolyard Project at Monroe Elementary School for an exciting kickoff event marking the grand re-opening of the schoolyard. The event will include a free lunch, sports, art and science activities, a fire truck, many community partners from the Excelsior, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. There will also be a chance to win tickets to the Academy of Sciences. • Monroe Elementary School, 260 Madrid St., San Francisco Saturday, Jan. 30 • 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Planning for People NOT Profit - Developing OUR Plan for 1979 Mission Join the Plaza 16 Coalition for a historic day of community-based planning. For two years the Mission community has fought the “Monster in the Mission.” We meet to review our progress so far and decide together our vision for 1979 Mission Street. The community needs your input. Join us! Lunch and childcare will be provided. • City College of San Francisco Mission Campus, Room 109, 1125 Valencia St., San Francisco, Saturday, Jan. 30 • 8:30 a.m. Social Justice Symposium 2016 Save the Date!

The 10th Annual Social Justice Symposium, a student-organized event that serves as space for the community to meet and discuss social justice work in the Bay Area • Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1781 Rose St., Berkeley, CA • http://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/social-justicesymposium • ucbsjs@gmail.com Saturday, January 30 • 2 p.m. • Free First Responders Training: Conducting People’s Investigations of Police Terror This is a free training in the knowledge and skills needed to conduct independent people’s investigations into cases of police terror.

The topics covered will include: interviewing and protecting witnesses; documenting interviews; trauma informed approach to interviewing witnesses; adhering to security practices; protecting yourself when copwatching and filming the police.The trainers are: Bilal Ali, Jacob Crawford, Daniela Kantorova, Nadia Kayyali, Walter Riley Sunday, Jan. 31 • 10:30 a.m. • Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Monkey Roll in the Year of the Monkey with talented dancers, musicians and storytellers at our annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Students from the Chinese American International School and China Dance School and Theatre will present traditional and modern music, as well as dances from China. Join a playful student-arranged version of the lion dance, which is believed to scare away evil spirits and ensure a bright beginning to the year. • Asian Art Museum, 200

Larkin St., San Francisco • www.asianart.org/lny Sunday, Jan. 31 • 12 p.m. • Team Jane’s First Mobilization Jane Kim, candidate for State Senate District 11, representing San Francisco and San Mateo Counties is holding a community mobilization on January 31 to grow her grassroots network and gather signatures to help get her name on the ballot. Everyone is invited! RSVP by clicking here janekim.org/ hit-the-streets-with-team-jane, emailing info@ janekim.org, or calling (415) 413-7525. • Folsom Street Foundry, 1425 Folsom St., San Francisco Wednesday, Feb. 3 • 4:30 p.m.

Super Bowl Protest: Tackle Homelessness Mayor Ed Lee told the homeless they “have to leave” for the Super Bowl.

Our response: “Hey Mayor Ed Lee, No Penalties for Poverty.” We, the people of San Francisco, demand that Super Bowl City and Ed Lee pay and invest $5 million right now in housing—we could house 500 people immediately with that money.

We also demand the use of publicly-owned assets, such as the empty Pier 29 or Pier 80, or the land under the Freeway at 101/Cesar Chavez, and create monitored programs that support secure sleep, hygienic toileting and access to transition/ healing services. • Sinbad’s Pier2 Restaurant, 141, The Embarcadero, San Francisco Thursday, Feb. 4 • 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Mission Community Market Returns The market will be opening again at the regularly scheduled time on 22nd Street between Mission and Valencia Streets. Customers can expect a full market and a special Enter-to-Win a Mission Community Market T-shirt and tote-bag! • missioncommunitymarket.org

Actividades Comunitarias for Justice in Mexico (Forum will be held in Spanish) Organized by the Collective for Justice in Mexico. A year and 3 months later the mothers and fathers of the young 43 students disappeared by the Mexican State continue searching for answers and justice. We invite you to our community forum “Ayotzinapa and the Struggle for Justice in Mexico,” where we will have a report back by our compañera Yadira who traveled to Ayotzinapa and received thanks by the families for our support and offered next steps. Join us to discuss the political reality in today’s Mexico and how the painful example of the students of Ayotzinapa is just one of the many crisis which affect the country. • A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Bay Area, 2969 Mission St., San Francisco, between 25th and 26th streets.

Saturday, Feb. 6 • 1 p.m. • Procession: “This is Our Home.” A Moving Block Party envisioning the San Francisco we want to see. Join an alliance of community members and groups as we creatively take back our streets and embody the San Francisco we know and love. Bring your audience interactive advocacy, walk with us, and talk to your neighbors about the important issues facing San Francisco. Honoring Diversity, Equitable and Sustainable, Arts and Culture • Civic Center / UN Plaza Station, San Francisco Saturday, Feb. 6 • 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. • Free • MAPP: Stories of Revolt The Red Poppy Art House presents Stories of Revolt, a transbay, interdisciplinary exploration in narratives of belonging and displacement, culturally

El Tecolote 11 generative creative practices, and restorative justice. In collaboration with Dance Mission’s annual festival, D.I.R.T. – Dance in Revolt(ing) Times, the Red Poppy will feature original works from music, dance, film and storytelling artists that investigate how image, body and language become tools for transformation in a sacred space. • Red Poppy Art House, 2698 Folsom St., San Francisco Saturday, Feb. 6 • 5 p.m - 8 p.m. • $12 Film screening: “Azul y no tan rosa (My Straight Son)” The firstever Venezuelan winner of the Goya Awards’ Iberoamerican Film Prize, “My Straight Son” tackles weighty issues of family, fatherhood, and freedom with charm and grace. Diego is a fashion photographer, shooting models and various arts gigs in Caracas. Though he’s not out to his family, they all know about his “good friend” Fabrizio, an ob/gyn who’d like to settle down. Meanwhile, his son, Armando, the result of a past heterosexual romance who currently lives with his mother in Spain and harbors anger toward his absent father, is coming for a visit. • Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St., San Francisco • brownpapertickets.com Tuesday, Feb. 9 • 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Free Pan Dulce Poets returns with the wondrous words of Melissa Lozano, Lito Sandoval and Estela Duran. The reading is dedicated to Maestro y Poeta Francisco X. Alarcón. • La Reyna Bakery, 3114 24th St., San Francisco

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Friday, Feb. 5 • 7p.m. - 9:30 p.m. • Free Black Women Setting the Narrative - Movement Building, Power, and Race Please join the California Institute of Integral Studies Office of Diversity and Inclusion in welcoming Lateefah Simon, Alicia Garza and Janetta Johnson in a conversation moderated by CIIS Student and activist Natalie Bell. What a blessing to have these amazing black female visionaries in discussion about activism, social justices and race. This will be part of the second year events in the 29 Days of Blackness series. This event is open to the public. Priority Access Given to CIIS Community.

• CIIS, 1453 Mission Street, San Francisco Friday, Feb. 5 • 9 p.m. • Free (21+) Putting the “Punk” in Punctual is a benefit show for St. James Infirmary, which is currently facing displacement in San Francisco.

To get in free, tell the door person “KARMA CHAMELEON” — or just that you’re here for the show. • El Rio, 3158 Mission St., San Francisco • stjamesinfirmary.org Saturday, Feb. 6 • 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. • $15 donation at the door Zumbathon® LATA Fundraiser LATA proudly presents a Zumbathon® fundraiser to raise funds toward college scholarships for Latino Students. Come dance with 6 dynamic instructors: Glo Perry, Helena Rodas, May Kuang, Jenny Morales, Pam Wilson and Angie Ramos for 90 minutes. Doors open at 12 noon. Childcare will be provided. • Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School, 3125 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco Sabado, Feb. 6 • 1-3 p.m. • Foro Público: AYOTZINAPA y La Lucha por Justicia en México Foro en Español. Organizado por “El Colectivo por Justicia en México.” A un año y 3 meses de la desaparición forzada, después de mentiras históricas y verdades de los expertos Internacionales, los Padres y Madres de Los 43 Jóvenes Normalistas desaparecidos por el estado Mexicano, siguen buscando respuestas y justicia. Le invitamos a nuestro foro comunitario “Ayotzinapa y La Lucha por Justicia en México”, acerca de la visita de nuestra compañera Yadira a Ayotzinapa así como el agradecimiento de los padres por el apoyo de nuestra comunidad a su movimiento y siguientes pasos. Únase con nosotr@s para discutir la realidad política de México hoy en día y como el doloroso caso de los estudiantes de Ayotzinapa es solo un ejemplo de muchas crisis que afectan a ese país. • A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Bay Area, 2969 Mission St, San Francisco, Entre Calles 25 y 26 • Saturday, Feb. 6 • 1-3 p.m. • Public Forum: Ayotzinapa and the Fight W W W.ELTECOLOTE.ORG

Call (415) 648-1045 or e-mail fern@accionlatina.org El Tecolote is a publication of Acción Latina, 2958 24th Street, SF, CA 94110

12 El Tecolote

January 28 - February 10, 2016

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