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 Alex Sanchez, a renowned anti-gang leader and peacemaker who is the executive director of Homies Unidos, was taken into custody June 24 as a part of a federal indictment of several alleged MS-13 gang members. On Tuesday he was denied bail by a federal judge.
Watch videos from the rally in support of Sanchez here. Sanchez formally renounced his gang affiliations long ago and had helped organize the Los Angeles chapter of Homies Unidos, a nonprofit dedicated to gang violence prevention. Sanchez had even been granted political asylum from being deported to his home country of El Salvador. As a member of CJNY, Sanchez has provided the network with an insurmountable amount of knowledge on gang intervention. Sanchez and Homies Unidos were among the first advocates who shed light on the struggles that former gang members succumb to when they are deported back to their countries of origin. As a national network, CJNY is often called upon by organizations all over the United States who are seeking information, guidance and best practices on varying issues affecting at-risk youth and communities of color.   Sanchez and Homies Unidos have been an organization that CJNY has been able to consistently rely on for assistance. They are always willing to share their knowledge on violence prevention, immigration and strategies for working with former gang members and their families once they have been deported. As necessary as it is to stabilizing productive communities, working with undocumented families is very controversial. However, Sanchez does this with integrity, pride and much compassion. For the Pico Union community which Homies Unidos is located in, Sanchez and Homies Unidos are a pillar many families can trust and depend on for support and assistance. In the courtroom, his attorney called the allegations of Sanchez as a current gang member weak and read more than 100 letters of support from community members. The following is a statement by the Homies Unidos Board: "The Homies Unidos Board stands united in full support, behind our executive director, Alex Sanchez and his family. For the past 11 years, Alex has been committed to helping bring about change in his community. He is an exemplary leader, respected colleague and dedicated husband and father. Just as we are confident in Alex's innocence, we are confident that Los Angeles and the nation will remember that an indictment is an allegation only. As stated in the FBI press release, "Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court." We have sought another path, a peacemaker's path, through intervention and prevention, and we remain committed to it. We appreciate the tireless work of peacemakers in all these arenas and the danger that sometimes accompanies it. We thank our staff, partners, community allies and generous donors and funders who have supported our work during the past 11 years and encourage you to remember the positive impact that Homies Unidos has had on countless lives and improvements in our communities. In Alex's absence, board and staff will continue to lead these important efforts and we ask for your support during this critical time." Community Meeting in support of ALEX SANCHEZ Time: July 2, 2009 from 6pm to 8pm
Location: 1245 Alabama Street, San Francisco, CA Event Description:
As Alex has gathered many for justice and dedicated himself to the community, we will come together for his freedom. For those of you who are in the the Bay Area, there will be a community meeting to discuss ways on how we all can support Alex Sanchez and his case. Several individuals from the Gathering for Justice will be attending the meeting and will be providing you all updates. Please try to come out to show your support and provide your input on moving forward. - Carmen Perez
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