By Daily Press staff
Public officials and interfaith leaders will come together next month to hear the experiences of people who have been affected by the recently passed Patriot Act.
Organized by the Applied Research Center and dozens of churches, community organizations and labor unions, Los Angeles residents will discuss how they’ve been affected by new Homeland Security policies like the act, “special registration,” and increased enforcement of the 1996 Immigration Act.
The “Public’s Truth” is a community forum to share real stories of how the war on terrorism and national security have impacted the lives of immigrants, refugees and communities of color.
The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the First AME Renaissance Center, located at 1968 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles. Personal testimonies provided by (partial list): ■A Korean family whose father died in detention after arrest for visa violations. ■A Muslim leader whose mosque was targeted for surveillance by the FBI. ■A Somali man whose family was separated by “special registration” requirements. ■Mexican workers fired based on use of national security procedures. ■Pakistanis who made exodus to Canadian border due to fear of persecution. ■Punjabi high school student forced to switch schools to escape hate crimes. ■A Japanese American minister reminded of conditions that led to WWII internment. The panel includes: ■Maxine Waters, U.S. House of Representative ■Martin Ludlow, Los Angeles City Council ■Rev. Chip Murray, First AME ■Maria Elena Durazo, Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union, Local 11 ■Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles County ■Bishop Charles Blake, West Angeles COGIC The Applied Research Center is a public policy research and advocacy institute focusing on issues of race, racism and racial justice. Founded in 1981 as an initiative to bridge efforts between analysts and activists, ARC has worked with a wide variety of social change organizations, key activists, researchers and policy advocates.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 20, 2003. Read the original PDF.