HEROES OF THE RESISTANCE

I've called Los Angeles home for 15 years. And you all know what has been unfolding here. The citizens of LA have been besieged by federal agents (ICE, DHS, IHS, BCE), by masked bounty hunters masquerading as federal agents, by 4,000 National Guard troops and by the illegal deployment of 700 US Marines! No one is safe, but of course, it is mostly brown-skinned people who have been targeted, hunted, brutalized, kidnapped, imprisoned and deported. In violation of every Constitutional safeguard. And then there's LAPD which has shown its true colors, once again.

But from the very start in early June there have been pockets of resistance led by fierce, fearless young people who have stood their ground against the thousands of armed and armored thugs arrayed against them. It has been extraordinary to see the coverage and clips of their bravery in the face of grim threats and actual violence. And it inspired me to ask the question, "What can I do?" The answer came back, "Supplies!"

Since LAPD had recently torn down the few tents on the sidewalk holding donated food and drink and medical supplies, there is a need for regular delivery of the basics. So last night at 10pm I set out with a short shopping list: water, protein bars, dried fruit, gatorade, granola bars, energy drinks and drove downtown to Ground Zero in front of the hulking concrete bunker of the Metropolitan Corrections Center.

I felt so many things as I drove toward this group of two or three dozen protesters. They're so young! Their energy is abundant and positive. They gave me hope. Not that this struggle will be easy, but that it will be won.

I'm an Old White Guy. And I do the marches and the rallies. And I go to Police Commission and City Council meetings to speak my mind. But it hasn't felt like enough. And restocking the supplies of these young warriors on Alameda Street and letting them know that the city is watching, the world is watching, and they are making a difference? That feels like a start. We must all do what we can do. If you can help support this effort with a donation and by sharing the link to this GoFundMe, I will deliver supplies directly to the protesters twice a week, or more often if possible. Thank you.