Magdaleno

This past week my travels took me to Los Angeles and then on to Tijuana. On Saturday I performed a special wedding for artist Tito Sturcke’s sister’s wedding, visited my niece Carmel and her family and found out her son Davis is a runner … I qualified for the state track meet my senior year in high school in the mile and Davis runs the 400. When I was running the mile I was much slimmer and had a better diet.

Spent a great time staying at the home of my family Rafe and Laura in Santa Monica … had great conversations and spent quality time with Steve their cat. They took me to a vegan restaurant and my pasta and corn bread were super.

On Sunday I convinced Beverley Beverley, who is an old friend and handles my 
Ahora emails, to run with me to Tijuana… we got there and she put me on a forced march through Tijuana as I did some mini shopping. The streets were pretty bare due to the economy and the violence around the drug war. But there were some large groups of Japanese Tourists.

Some years ago outlet malls were placed in what was a barren grass area next to border on the USA side.  Now that area was packed … Lots of shoppers and many from Mexico.  There were lots of police at the entrance to the border, and in Tijuana, and when you left. Getting through the immigration desk was easy. They barely looked at my passport and did not ask what I had in the bag. All bags had to go through a big x-ray machine that passed bags rather quickly and it is doubtful that any person managing this machine could have seen a contraband item.

The most interesting part of being in Mexico was a different sense of freedom and lack of fear. And just so you know the Mexican government and the drug lords have oppressed the border citizens. But at the same time they were not shy about talking, shouting, laughing and singing in loud voices on the streets and shops. In the USA immigrants are more subdued and don’t want to bring attention to themselves for fear of police and ultimately immigration.

A special treat that Sunday night was a late snack and drink with Alireza Azizi a great activist with Amnesty International. He handed me a copy of the video of an event we helped to organize a human rights even at the Pasadena Auditorium in 1992 with about 2,500 Iranians from the Los Angeles Area. This is the largest event produced with people of color for Amnesty International. This production was seen across America, Europe and was broadcast to clandestine outlets in Iran… eventually I will have copies for all to see.  Ali is one of the best human beings in my circle.

I was surprised as I entered my Virgin American plane to hear someone shouting my name … LENO LENO ( in recent months I have flown close to 8 Virgin America flights and my virginity has not yet returned)  I was shocked there on the plane was Lillian Hewko a smart Latina, law student at the University of Washington. She has the most wonderful voice and smile.  It was great to see her. Later that day I saw her again at a program and reception at the Law School. She happily informed me that she had been a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay where I served as Country Director. And it is good that we have another connection to explore.

There are five Latinos at the Law School and soon we will all meet together to share stories and learn from each other. Meeting people is the best part of this journey through life.  I had several opportunities to go to law school but never did it … but throughout my life I have met so many good lawyers who do incredible work to help others pursue their dreams.

A. ALEX SANCHEZ IS OUT
B. LOUISA CRAIG BENSON
C. VALENTINES DAY February 14th..what to do
D. And this brings us to the Abolition of the death penalty.
E. GOING TO PORTLAND

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ALEX SANCHEZ IS OUT

Thursday night Alex Sanchez Director of Homies Unidos in Los Angeles walked out of the Federal Detention Center last night into the arms of his wife Delia and their children.

Alex soon began his rounds of phone calls to start calling supporters to thank them.

In the last weeks WEAREALEX was supported by individuals who upfronted the money to process the property bonds. Now we can all help to raise the money to repay these funds. Please go to wearealex.org for more information about how you can help.

We also want to continue our support for Alex since this trial will be a long process. And while we know that the truth will come out, we will need to work hard to ensure it comes to the surface.

We still need your help…

LOUISA CRAIG BENSON

A longtime human rights activist passes away.

Louisa a Burmese woman from the Karen Ethnic group over the years became a key voice and organizer for human rights for Burma and for our world.

She was my introduction to Burma and Aung San Suu kyi.
I also had the pleasure of performing the wedding of one of her daughters.

Louisa was known around the world and respected for all that she did for so many.

A memorial service and reception will be held in her honor on Saturday, February 27th at 10am at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, California, located at 500 East Colorado Blvd.

If you plan to attend the memorial service, please send a message to Bradford Craig at bcraig77@gmail.com indicating how many will attend.

VALENTINES DAY February 14th..what to do

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine’s Day ― and its patron saint ― is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men ― his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Today there are people who are being killed in many parts of our world and we need to defend their right to their beliefs… and in fact no government should kill any of its citizens.

And this brings us to the Abolition of the death penalty.

So when you give a valentine, flowers, candy, gifts or express your love you should remember that your statement on this day can have more meaning if you understand from where it came.  Just like MLK day celebrations don’t always get it right and forget that MLK was killed and that his life was more difficult struggle because some of us stood on the sidelines and did not push hard enough to protect the human rights of others. And just so you know MLK and his family are abolitionist.
In the Days ahead remember that as you celebrate this wonderful day of St. Valentine that there is much more to this part of the history…

GOING TO PORTLAND

I am going south about 180 miles to the Portland area for some wonderful meetings in behalf of my agency the Social Justice Fund and will get to see some wonderful friends… and perhaps make new friends.. as some of you know I have my INTROVERT SIDE so making new friends at times is hard for me…

My best
leno