http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/10 ... _22_05.txt

Latino coalition meets to form a human rights committee

Last modified Saturday, October 22, 2005
By: YVETTE URREA - Staff Writer

VISTA ---- Demonstrators carried signs protesting police brutality and demanding rights for Latinos on a march Saturday to the Townsite Community Center in Vista.

The banners said, "Vista: Gang Injunctions or War on Latino Youth. Stop the Violence," and "Police are supposed to protect the whole community."

Approximately 60 people gathered at the center for a forum held by the Coalition for Justice, Peace and Dignity, made up of North County Latino and human rights organizations. The coalition formed after sheriff's deputies fatally shot three Latino crime suspects who officials said were believed to be threatening the deputies.


Sergio Garcia Vasquez, 32, was killed July 28 after he attacked deputies with a dumbbell and charged at them, according to reports. The next night, Jorge Ramirez, 26, was being chased by deputies as a suspect in an armed robbery when he reached into his clothing and was shot by deputies. Deputies said they thought Ramirez may have had a gun, but he was armed only with a knife. On Aug. 1, deputies shot Jesus Eduardo Manzo, 23, during another pursuit as he reached toward his hip for what turned out to be a multipurpose tool.

No sheriff's officials attended Saturday's forum.

Manzo's mother, Maria Cruz Melchor, held up a framed photograph of her son and addressed the group first.

"I don't ask for anything except justice," she said in Spanish. "I just ask for justice and equality for all."

Sylvia Ramos, the mother of Sergio Ramos ---- who was shot and killed by deputies in Vista on Sept. 7, 2003, after he wielded a knife and lunged at deputies ---- told the group she was there in support of the Manzo family and the others that could not be there. She told the group she was going through the same pain as those families, and she urged people to volunteer for a Vista Human Rights Committee.

Among those on the panel were: John Parker from the Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Michael Marrinan, Consuelo Martinez from the Escondido Human Rights Committee, Christian Ramirez from the American Friends Service Committee, and Arcela Nunez Alvarez of Cal State San Marcos' National Latino Research Center.

The meeting was held in English and Spanish.

Martinez told the group the Escondido committee started in response to the U.S. Border Patrol harassing citizens. She said the committee has documented instances of how some Border Patrol agents were contacting people without provocation, and it was able to stop that behavior.

She urged Vista to form a similar group and offered to assist in training its members.

Ramirez then urged people to form a Human Rights Committee in Vista. He asked residents to volunteer just 20 hours to the committee.

"Soon North County will be a great example to follow in the human rights struggle," Ramirez said.

Parker, whose citizen group reviews complaints against law enforcement, told listeners that if they suspected something was improper they should file a complaint.

"Anyone, regardless of immigration status, has a right to make a complaint," Parker said. "We take all complaints seriously. I guarantee an honest investigation. We have the ability to make changes, but only if we are contacted by the people who want to make a complaint."

Resident Hector Muro, 39, of Riverside said he attended the rally because he believes his family has been victimized by police. He told the group that he believes law enforcement talks about gangs to justify its actions.

He told them they should consider that once their children are out in the streets, most are viewed as gang members because they are Latino.

Eli Magana, 21, a former gang member, said he was disappointed that no law enforcement officials were there to discuss gang prevention strategies.

Magana also said he was concerned that, "With this many gang members in the community, a lot of innocent people might be accused."

Anyone who wants more information on forming a human rights committee in Vista or wants to participate can contact Martinez at (760) 470-2725.