Jun 26, 2009 Dear Family, I've been away for some time. And while the purpose for my absence is, I believe, excusable, know that my heart is broken at what is happening with our brethren, Alex Sanchez and Nativo Lopez. This travesty of injustice could not have come at a most crucial time in our movement. On the one hand, our children, perhaps in the hundreds of thousands in the LAUSD alone, have no place to turn to during the summer. This is recruitment heaven for gangs and drug dealers looking for their next distributor. With their parents away at work and with a shortage of money, a couple of Madisons or Jacksons, perhaps even a Benjamin waved around in the faces of our children will be sufficient to lure them into a life of crime. And when teachers are already having to battle budget cuts, an administration geared on academic censorship, teacher jail, and other factors, an increase in troubled teens is the last thing they and other students need right now. The unjust and unlawful arrest of Alex is a tremendous blow. We need courageous men like him to continue his work of standing up to the most powerful gangs in Los Angeles in order to protect our kids and save those already headed towards a life Alex knew all too well would end tragically if not rescued in time. We need to appeal to the judge in question that Alex has a solid trunk for roots in the community and that his absence in the community poses and clear and present danger to the citizens of this city and its neighboring communities. We should further emphasize that rather than making a person's assets liable should he take flight, we, the community, take full responsibility, ensuring that he will not violate any condition or terms set forth by the court. I can't emphasize how important his work is needed at this moment in our community. As for our friend Nativo, what can I say except that his guidance and leadership in our Legalize America Now campaign is crucial, especially with news that the Obama administration is setting things in motion after yesterday's meeting with leaders of both houses of Congress. The work he's doing on that front does not include the other work he's doing with the workers fired without cause in Vernon. Tireless advocacy like the one he has shown over these many years needs to count for something and deserves unity by all coalitions, even those that have often behaved like adversaries. We need to unite all our human resources to ensure that his good name and body of work is not tainted by trumped up charges. I know Nativo is probably doing what he does best, asking us not to worry, that it will all be fine. He says this out of love, perhaps guilt, that we are coming together as one to stand up for him, next to him, in front of him, instead of some of the other causes that need our attention. Thing is, Nativo, you're needed too. This is one battle worth fighting for and we will win it. And when we do, let this be the last battle ever declared against you by those who mean to destroy what you and the army of volunteers have worked so hard to create. This is the time to mobilize more than ever to save our brethren from yet another injustice on our community. Alex and Nativo belong to us. They are, in essence, our responsibility to protect, especially when considering the benefits gained by the work they so selflessly do on a day-to-day basis without demanding anything except a promise that we will be there to help. As for me, despite the fact that I'm still recuperating and still fighting to save our kids' education, I will be there for them as they have and I am confident will continue to be there for me. Free Alex! Save Nativo! Now! Faithfully yours, in solidarity and struggle, Martin http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=823713334736&ref=nf