Black Lives Matter Protestors Citation Fund
Donation protected
This Saturday, JUNE 6, 2020, 7 protestors (including myself) were pulled over, detained, and cited for participating in the George Floyd protests in Los Angeles, California. 2 young black men, a young black woman, a middle-eastern woman, a middle-eastern man, a Latina woman (myself), and a white gay man.
The 7 of us were marching and driving as part of the caravan that followed thousands of protestors around Hollywood. However, LAPD decided to break up our caravan - infringing upon our 1st amendment rights to protest. Upon driving away from the police, the driver who was leading the protest (a black man who was ensuring everyones safety and who has been helping lead the Hollywood protests all week) was pulled over, and all of us who were with him were detained and cited for "not wearing a seatbelt." It is to be noted that those who were marching on foot hopped in his car to ensure they were all safe from any police misconduct that could have arisen.
While this traffic offense only seems to be a $162.00 citation for each of us if charged, it carries with it additional financial burdens on all persons - including an increase in car insurance premiums for the next 5+ years. This is the system oppression we are currently living in - one where citizens and residents who invoke their constitutional rights are punished financially for doing so for years to come.
What we have realized is that police are being very meticulous as to how they are arresting/detaining/citing folks. They are breaking up protests, diverting crowds, and arresting folks in small numbers, away from crowds. They know there is strength in numbers and they are breaking us apart in order to diminish our strength. Additionally, they are citing people with hopes of deterring us for continuing to fight against an oppressive and racist government. But we will not be stopped! We will continue to fight until there is institutionalized change implemented.
This campaign is to cover all of the costs associated with this citation as well as any additional citations that are given throughout Los Angeles. Six of us have been leading and participating in the Los Angeles protests all week and want to continue to do so without fearing financial burdens that we cannot afford.
We have contacted the National Lawyers Guild and are working with them to attempt to get these charges dropped but it is uncertain if this will happen.
If you are someone who believes in the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement and want to be a part of it, this is a great way to invest in the folks out there on the front lines. Where funds will go:
- The first $1,134 will be divided among the 7 protestors if charges are not dropped and fines must be paid.
- Additional funds will be distributed to anyone in Los Angeles who has also been arrested/detained/cited. Those folks can fill out this form to apply for funds: https://forms.gle/47FSp4J3jXCr8u6Y7
-Unused funds will be donated to the National Lawyers Guild.
BIO: My name is Vicky Zamarripa. I am a UC Berkeley graduate and I currently work in film & television. I am the founder of WomxnCan (www.womxncan.com) an organization for women of color working in the film & tv industry. Twitter:VickyZamarripa
The 7 of us were marching and driving as part of the caravan that followed thousands of protestors around Hollywood. However, LAPD decided to break up our caravan - infringing upon our 1st amendment rights to protest. Upon driving away from the police, the driver who was leading the protest (a black man who was ensuring everyones safety and who has been helping lead the Hollywood protests all week) was pulled over, and all of us who were with him were detained and cited for "not wearing a seatbelt." It is to be noted that those who were marching on foot hopped in his car to ensure they were all safe from any police misconduct that could have arisen.
While this traffic offense only seems to be a $162.00 citation for each of us if charged, it carries with it additional financial burdens on all persons - including an increase in car insurance premiums for the next 5+ years. This is the system oppression we are currently living in - one where citizens and residents who invoke their constitutional rights are punished financially for doing so for years to come.
What we have realized is that police are being very meticulous as to how they are arresting/detaining/citing folks. They are breaking up protests, diverting crowds, and arresting folks in small numbers, away from crowds. They know there is strength in numbers and they are breaking us apart in order to diminish our strength. Additionally, they are citing people with hopes of deterring us for continuing to fight against an oppressive and racist government. But we will not be stopped! We will continue to fight until there is institutionalized change implemented.
This campaign is to cover all of the costs associated with this citation as well as any additional citations that are given throughout Los Angeles. Six of us have been leading and participating in the Los Angeles protests all week and want to continue to do so without fearing financial burdens that we cannot afford.
We have contacted the National Lawyers Guild and are working with them to attempt to get these charges dropped but it is uncertain if this will happen.
If you are someone who believes in the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement and want to be a part of it, this is a great way to invest in the folks out there on the front lines. Where funds will go:
- The first $1,134 will be divided among the 7 protestors if charges are not dropped and fines must be paid.
- Additional funds will be distributed to anyone in Los Angeles who has also been arrested/detained/cited. Those folks can fill out this form to apply for funds: https://forms.gle/47FSp4J3jXCr8u6Y7
-Unused funds will be donated to the National Lawyers Guild.
BIO: My name is Vicky Zamarripa. I am a UC Berkeley graduate and I currently work in film & television. I am the founder of WomxnCan (www.womxncan.com) an organization for women of color working in the film & tv industry. Twitter:VickyZamarripa
Organizer
Vicky Zamarripa
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
