Resolution
 

To End the Escalating Gang Violence through Community Understanding and Leadership Development by LULAC Councils, through Collaborative Efforts with Media, Elected Officials, Educators, Law Enforcement and Community Gang Prevention Specialists and Active Gang Members
 

WHEREAS, gang violence in our communities:

  1. Jeopardizes the future of children, youth and adults, and their unfulfilled future potential when they fall prey to gang recruitment and intimidation or death;

  2. Jeopardizes the safety and well-being of the whole community, whether associated with gang members or not;

  3. Has the potential to threaten the civil rights of all members of the community, both gang members and non-gang members

  4. Should be understood as a complex socioeconomic phenomena that requires a variety of approaches; political, educational, understanding internalized oppression, appropriate childhood intervention, cultural awareness, family and community wellness, gang specialists and police intervention strategies;

  5. Is a creation by prison inmates who have distorted the use of Chicano culture and history to misdirect youth to commit violent acts of fratricide. (Killing of one’s own brother.

  6. Is motivated by competing and controlling incarcerated gang power structures who perpetuate their organization by participating in illicit activities at the prisons and I our communities;

  7. Is perpetuated by sociopathic behaviors to create a vicious cycle of fear by intimidation and wanton death through indiscriminate random acts of violence

  8. Destroys family structures, the bedrock of our community

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that LULAC Councils: 

  1. Shall form alliances with other communities, civil rights groups, media, elected officials, gang prevention specialists, educational, cultural and law enforcement organizations, and active gang members to educate ourselves and the community with the goal of mediating conflict and suppressing gang violence;

  2. Shall support sports, arts, cultural, academic, counseling and employment programs, to enhance the future of the community and counter gang recruitment;

  3. Shall understand and clearly articulate to the community the causes and indicators of gang involvement and attendant violence, caused by complex socioeconomic factors, oppression, racism, under-education, under-employment and the drug culture.

Adopted this 10th day of July 2004.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President


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