Thread: Protests over day laborer's shooting death in Westlake

Protests over day laborer's shooting death in Westlake resonate all the way to Guatemala

September 26, 2010 | 1:53 pm

Los Angeles police say Jaminez Xum, whom acquaintances in California had identified as Manuel Jamines, was drunk and threatening two women with a knife when an officer shot him Sept. 5 in Westlake. Word of the fatal shooting prompted protests in the neighborhood, where angry residents threw things at police.

In Guatemala, too, his death was news. Political leaders spoke out in his defense. And the day before his funeral, a throng of media lined up in Guatemala City for the arrival of the day laborer's body, flown back from Los Angeles, where he had lived for seven years.

Five hours to the west in his damp, lush village on the steep slope of a small volcano named Xac, or Charred One, the Maya community of 2,000 reacted to the shooting with shock and indignation. In the decade or so since they began sending their men to the United States, Jaminez Xum was the first to have died there.

Like many of the 6 million Mayas who make up nearly half of Guatemala's population, the people of Xexac have little to do with the outside world. They speak to each other in the Maya highlands language of Quiche. They cook with firewood. Converts to Christianity, they have six churches in the village but only two cars. Some of the young boys have skinny jeans and spiky hair, but the women dress in traditional knitted skirts and cotton shirts embroidered with brilliantly colored flowers.

Ten years ago, many in Xexac had never seen Guatemala City, let alone the United States.

Read the full story here.

-- Esmeralda Bermudez in Caserio Xexac, Guatemala

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... emala.html

Waah Waahh WAAAAAHHHHH, blah blah blaaaah, He terrorized 2 women and police with a knife, not interested in his sob story. I could care less about where he comes from. If he had stayed there, he wouldn't have gotten himself into that mess.

Criminals protesting when police shoot criminals
is laughable and not derserving of attention.

Hopefully this will be a lesson to other criminals like him. OBEY ALL OUR LAWS!!!! That means dont stay here illegally too!

Los Angeles police say Jaminez Xum, whom acquaintances in California had identified as Manuel Jamines,

So I guess Manuel Jamines is his assumed name used to steal work while illegally squatting in this country. Figures....

This let's people in Guatemala know that if you go to the U.S. illegally you might come home in a box.