CTCAV Newsletter

Welcome to the Cancel the Contract Newsletter September Recap Edition, and be sure to read below for upcoming events in the AV. 

We open today with our deep condolences to the family and loved ones of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. Like all residents of the AV, we were stunned and saddened to learn of his senseless murder on September 16th. We mourn every person murdered in our community, and we advocate for treating each other with respect and promoting mental health and community wellness. 

Since that day, a suspect has been taken into custody and charged with murder, a young adult who has suffered from severe mental illness for over a decade and has been hospitalized in recent years. We have learned from news reports that the family called the Sheriff’s station repeatedly for help. But LASD and other policing agencies are not trained or equipped to solve or even be helpful in a mental health crisis, police are not therapists or social workers. Did the family get MET services from the Sheriff’s station? Do folks know about calling 988 for mental health emergencies instead of 911? Health is not a police issue and we must stop relying on police to intervene in these moments. In recent years the County has invested millions into mental health and other social services, raising the question, Why is our massive county government system failing those most in need, and allowing the tragic conclusion that occurred here?  

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and it is a good time for us all to make time to reflect on our own mental health and check in on those around us. Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. If you need help:

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
• If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. 
• You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

CTC Upcoming Events:

• Teen Game Night Friday September 29th at 6PM, register here
• Latinx night has been rescheduled from Sept 19th to October 30
• The next CTC Coalition Meeting will be on Monday November 27, 
• Day of Dead Monday October 20

Criminal Justice Accountability 

CTC Steering Committee Goes to LA Reparations Convening

On September 8-10, 2023, CTC was proud to co-host, along with Check the Sheriff and Loyola Law School’s Anti-Racism Center, a convening to discuss and strategize around reparations for communities who have suffered harm from LASD deputy gangs. Reparations experts, advocates, and activists from around the country joined in conversation with local activists and community members to explore how the reparations framework can address this crisis, provide a truth-telling process, and redistribute resources back into the communities that have experienced decades of violence at the hands of LASD and the systems that enable deputy gangs to exist. CTC presented on the Sunday 9/10 panel discussing how we are holding LASD accountable for the trauma it inflicts on our Black and brown communities.

“In life there are times when we experience moments that are transformative, healing, inspiring, and educational. This past weekend’s Demanding Reparations For Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy Gang Violence was one of those moments for me. The 3 days teach in/ teach out was a reminder of why I continue to do the work of speaking out against the violence and racism of LASD when it isn’t the most popular position to take.” -CTC Co-Chair Raquel Derfler.

[Ambrose Brooks (Justice LA), Stephanie Luna (Check the Sheriff Coalition), Michael Williams (BLM LA), Helen Jones (BLM LA, Dignity and Power Now) with CTC’s Raquel, Raycine, and Waunette]

“The Reparations Convening was deeply informative and moving, as we listened to   victims’ families and their fights to endure along their journey. The essential question was asked, ‘What does Reparations look like to community?’ And we heard ‘accountability, free mental health and wellness, free college education for victims and their families.’ And we collectively agreed that we have to hold everyone on all levels accountable #saytheirnames.” 

-CTC Co-Chair Raycine Ector

(caption for pic above) We were inspired by the strength shown by Lezley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown, who heard about the murder of her son by law enforcement from a newscast. 

“The conglomerate of activists, academia, healers, advocates of the voiceless, and all those involved was a wonderful experience. The 3 day summit allowed me to believe that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train coming full speed at us all…instead I have hope that both those who attended and many behind the scenes are paying attention to help bring the very real changes that are long overdue.”

-CTC Steering Committee Member Lynde Williams

(CTC Steering Cmte members Raquel Derfler and Lynde Williams with Cristina Ocampo the

PACE Program Coordinator of Neighborhood Defender Service, Inc.)

This was a weekend where we were in community with folks that we were able to cry with and collectively voice our frustrations about the systems we are fighting, but in the end we are determined to continue on in the struggle to hold LASD accountable for the abuse they visit on our communities.

City of Lancaster Launches New Police Department 

As AV residents learned through the news media earlier this month, that the City of Lancaster launched a new City Police Department with an initial $10 million of city funds. There are more questions than answers, starting with why was the community not engaged? CTC called a countywide Partners Meeting to discuss both the concerns and the opportunities that this new department could bring. Other than the swearing in of the new Police Chief, there has been very little information from the City. The questions we are gathering from community:

1. What is the clear purpose of this new police department and how does it intersect with the Sheriff’s Lancaster Station? (specifically)
2. Will there be an equivalent $10M decrease in the contract that Lancaster currently pays to LASD? 
3. Is this new police department also beholden to the 2015 Settlement Agreement?
4. What are the policies and procedures they will be following? 
5. Why is Lancaster using a different drone company than the rest of the county? What is the jurisdiction of the drones? Can they fly near your home window or yard? 
6. Will this increase the arrest and harassment of homeless people?
7. If the Mayor is saying this will help them address mental health and homelessness, why not invest in those services with trained clinicians?

(Have a question about this new police department? Send it our way at [email protected]) 

Education Justice 

On September 7, CTC had the honor of hosting noted author Alex Vitale for dinner and conversation with community members about what alternatives to police and school looks like. An internationally renowned expert on the end of policing. Prof Vitale runs the Policing and Social Justice Project at Brooklyn College. He has spent the last 30 years writing about policing and consults both police departments and human rights organizations internationally.  

CTC and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) have been active in the community working to advance education rights:

• On Thursday, September 14, CTC and NLSLA attended Antelope Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees’ monthly meeting to advocate for the end to the school-to-prison pipeline that occurs in Antelope Valley schools.
• NLSLA began its monthly IEP clinics. They met with parents at CTC’s offices to provide counsel, advice, and brief services for families with special education services. They will be returning each month to help AV parents in need of legal services, contact [email protected] for more info.
• CTC, NLSLA, and Disability Rights California hosted its first session Wednesday September 27 in its series of Education Law Workshops. The workshops will provide a parent self-advocacy curriculum to teach how to write discrimination complaints against school districts. The next session will be happening Wednesday, October  25. Please follow us on FB and IG for information on how to register.

Reports and Information

On September 25th, CTC’s “Know Your Rights / Report Police Brutality AV” Campaign will hit the airwaves, look out for it on all social media channels

Funding Opportunities – Let’s bring County funding to the AV!

The LA County Department of Arts and Culture is accepting grant applications for 4 different programs for school districts, non-profits, and college students. More info and apply here.

Closing Section

Please share this newsletter with your networks and follow us on socials. We hope to see you at an upcoming event, and please reach out with any concerns. 

Yours in CommUNITY,

 The CTCAV Team