On June 11, Republican Senator Josh Hawley threatened CHIRLA (the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles), Union del Barrio, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation with investigation and prosecution, and instructed them to preserve almost all internal information for those purposes. Up to now, Josh Hawley is most famous for his fist of solidarity with the thugs of January 6, 2021, who rigged up gallows, waved Confederate flags and actually were responsible for the deaths of five people. He is, in other words, a well-known and enthusiastic cheerleader for violent fascist thugs.
Hawley’s threat to haul organizations that are defending the rights of people who are under attack before an inquisition and to go on fishing expeditions is designed not just to tie up, cripple and wreck these groups but to drive them out of operation and set them up for prosecution. This is an utter violation of what are supposed to be constitutionally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom from self-incrimination. It is intended not only as fascist political theater, but to actively repress these organizations and to threaten and intimidate all opposition to what is ever more clearly a fascist regime. THIS MUST BE URGENTLY OPPOSED BY EVERY ORGANIZATION AND INDIVIDUAL WHO VALUES FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF EXPRESSION AND ORGANIZING.
We pledge our political support to the groups facing this attack and call on people and organizations throughout LA to do the same.