Discontent, the reading that Camilasbooks recommends this Saturday. One, where it says, more than one will feel identified with the situations that Beatriz Serrano, the author of this book, comments on, who tells us the story of Marisa.
When you have to be a responsible adult and start working, it is a big change in people's lives. Being in the working world has its pros and cons and there are times when you can't help but feel tired, have a kind of crisis and say that's enough, I don't want anything else.
That is what Camilasbooks recommends for this Saturday. One that, she says, more than one person will identify with the situations discussed by Beatriz Serrano, the author of this book, who tells us the story of Marisa, a woman in her thirties who lives anaesthetized by tranquilizers and YouTube videos to endure the routines and sorrows of her daily life in an advertising agency.
Marisa hates work. However, she can't leave it: she likes pretty things too much.
It all starts when the protagonist has a meeting that has been organized by the company where she works and where she will spend a weekend with her coworkers, which seems horrible to her and the truth is that it brings her quite a bit of anxiety before arriving at this event.
The story, Camilasbooks points out, is an x-ray of the crisis of any person who works and all the fears that can arise when one is starting out: loneliness, the need to create connections, the need to go out, to create moments that allow you to reconnect or recharge your energies so as not to throw everything out the window.
“That is what the book I am recommending to you today is about. It is a short novel full of humor and the truth is that it will make you have a very interesting and funny time, but it will also leave you with a feeling that will stay with you after finishing this story.”
“When you enter the world of work, you enter with many expectations, with a lot of energy, with the desire to take on the world, but things do not necessarily work out that way or stay that way over time, because when you enter the workforce, you experience a lot of changes, a readjustment in your daily life and, above all, also with the expectations that you have about the world in general.”
Without a doubt, this novel by Beatriz Serrano is one that will make you laugh and have a good time, as well as leaving you with a feeling of recognition.
If you want to know more about this book and others, don't miss Camilasbooks' reviews every Saturday on Península 360 Press.
Un escudo legal que protegía a los agentes de policía de demandas por uso excesivo de la fuerza ha sufrido un duro golpe en San José.
El Tribunal de Apelaciones del Noveno Circuito de Estados Unidos denegó el miércoles la inmunidad calificada a Michael Panighetti, un oficial del Departamento de Policía de San José que disparó a un activista afroamericano, Derrick Sanderlin, en la ingle con una bala de espuma mientras sostenía un cartel en 2020.
El incidente ocurrió durante las protestas locales por el asesinato de George Floyd a manos de la policía de Minneapolis. El fallo permite que la demanda por uso excesivo de la fuerza de Sanderlin siga adelante, a pesar de los esfuerzos de los funcionarios de la ciudad por evitar que siga adelante.
“Estamos contentos de que el caso siga adelante. Ha sido un proceso largo, más de cuatro años en este momento, por lo que todos mis clientes están ansiosos de que su caso finalmente sea escuchado por un jurado”, dijo a San José Spotlight la abogada Sarah Marinho, quien representa a Sanderlin y a otras seis personas en la demanda.
Marinho señaló que espera que el caso avance pronto en los tribunales de primera instancia.
“Estoy esperando en cualquier momento que el juez de primera instancia me dé la fecha del próximo juicio. Eso podría ocurrir dentro de un mes, no hay forma de saber cuándo exactamente”, puntualizó Marinho.
Los jueces de apelación coincidieron con un tribunal inferior al negar la inmunidad a Panighetti y a otros tres agentes demandados por uso excesivo de la fuerza durante la misma protesta en el centro de San José. Sin embargo, en una presentación separada el miércoles, dictaminaron que el tribunal inferior se equivocó al negar la inmunidad calificada al capitán de policía Jason Dwyer, quien estaba a cargo de la respuesta policial durante la protesta.
Los jueces argumentaron que Dwyer no violó los derechos claramente establecidos de nadie, lo cual es un estándar para negar la inmunidad.
El caso vuelve a los juzgados de primera instancia tras un retraso de un año. Otros seis codemandantes también denuncian que la policía empleó fuerza excesiva contra ellos mientras participaban en la protesta. Dicen que la policía les golpeó con proyectiles y dispositivos de control de multitudes. Una demandante, Vera Clanton, afirma que la maltrataron con rudeza y la tiraron al suelo mientras los agentes la arrestaban.
Los incidentes provocaron una presión para prohibir que la policía utilice gases lacrimógenos y proyectiles durante las manifestaciones, y pedidos de que se publiquen imágenes que capturen el uso de la fuerza por parte de la policía en las protestas.
La abogada municipal Nora Frimann se negó a hacer comentarios. Los funcionarios del SJPD también se negaron a comentar el fallo.
Los representantes de la ciudad han argumentado anteriormente que el tiroteo de Sanderlin en mayo de 2020 no fue un uso excesivo de la fuerza ni una represalia o supresión de los derechos de Sanderlin en virtud de la Primera y la Cuarta Enmienda.
Panighetti ha argumentado que no estaba tratando de contener a Sanderlin, sino de obligarlo a abandonar el área. Panighetti también argumentó que Sanderlin estaba impidiendo que los oficiales tomaran medidas contra los sospechosos y que no es una actividad protegida por la constitución.
Sin embargo, a la hora de decidir si el caso merecía ser llevado a juicio, los jueces de apelación dijeron que tenían que analizar los hechos desde una perspectiva que favoreciera más a Sanderlin. También rechazaron la idea de que Panighetti estuviera tratando de obligar a Sanderlin a marcharse.
“El método de fuerza que utilizó Panighetti tiene como objetivo, por su naturaleza, incapacitar a su objetivo, lo que dificulta que pueda alejarse libremente”, escribió la jueza Jacqueline Nguyen en la opinión del tribunal de apelaciones. “Un juez razonable que analizara estas pruebas podría concluir que al disparar un proyectil de 40 mm a la ingle de Sanderlin, Panighetti manifestó objetivamente su intención de inmovilizar a Sanderlin”.
The City of East Palo Alto Public Works Department, in collaboration with the local community, recently installed four new mobile libraries in city parks. Although small, they are gateways to fun, imagination and increased knowledge.
The City of East Palo Alto, in collaboration with the local community, installed four new mobile libraries in city parks.
The city said these libraries are part of an ongoing effort to improve public spaces and provide more resources for residents to enjoy.
The new mobile libraries are located in the following parks:
Jack Ferrell Park
Joel Davis Park
Cooley Landing Park
Newbridge Pocket Park
These libraries are designed to encourage reading, sharing and community engagement, the City of East Palo Alto said.
In that sense, the city invited residents to take a book or leave one for others to enjoy.
By bringing books to the community, the city hopes to promote literacy and foster a love of reading among people of all ages.
So, visit these parks, explore the mobile libraries and share the joy of reading.
Shooting at a school in Georgia has left 4 dead, Christian Angulo was a 14-year-old boy who, although born in the United States, had dual citizenship; his life was taken along with another student and two math teachers. Photo: www.gofundme.com
Listen to this note:
One of the four people killed by Colt Grayel, the 14-year-old suspect in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, is of Mexican descent. Christian Angulo was a 14-year-old boy who, although born in the United States, had dual citizenship; his life was taken along with another student and two math teachers. Nine other people were injured and taken to the hospital.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), through the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta, reported that following the shooting that took place on September 4 at Apalachee High School, the consular representation implemented the emergency response protocol.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of the minor of Mexican nationality and detailed that diplomatic personnel established communication with the minor born in the United States, who unfortunately died in the shooting, in order to provide the necessary support.
The consulate is also in contact with authorities to confirm the health status and nationality of the people hospitalized, and to rule out the possibility of more Mexicans being affected.
“The SRE regrets the death of the Mexican minor and sends its condolences to the family, as well as to the community of Winder, in light of this tragic event,” it said.
The Mexican government also condemned the horrific attack and denounced gun violence, while reiterating its firm commitment to protecting the rights of the Mexican community in the United States.
This is the 384th mass shooting in the United States, 45 of which have occurred in educational institutions, and the 23rd in terms of mass murders, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Colt Gray, described as a quiet 14-year-old boy who had been on the FBI's radar for more than a year, opened fire on students and teachers with a semi-automatic rifle on Wednesday morning.
Gray's four victims were: Christian Angulo, a 14-year-old Latino student of Mexican immigrant descent; Mason Schermerhorn, an African-American student of the same age; and math teachers Christina Irimie, 53, and Richard Aspinwall, 39.
In Christian's case, his older sister, Lisette Angulo, opened a GoFundMe account to support the funeral expenses of the youngest student.
“Hi everyone. My name is Lisette Angulo. I am the older sister of Christian Angulo. Unfortunately my little brother was one of the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting. He was only 14 years old. He was such a good boy and so sweet and caring. He was so loved by so many. His loss was so sudden and unexpected. We are truly heartbroken. He truly did not deserve this. We are kindly asking if you could help us with any donations to help with the expenses of his funeral ceremony due to his loss being so sudden. We appreciate anything you can give. We would also appreciate any prayers at this time. Thank you,” reads the description on the GoFundMe page.
As of Friday morning, just over $145,000 has been raised from 4,169 donors.
For his part, US President Joseph Biden said that together with his wife Jill, he is mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short by more senseless gun violence and thinking of all the survivors whose lives have been changed forever.
“What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now become another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning to duck and cover instead of learning to read and write. We can no longer accept this as normal,” she stressed.
The president said in a statement that "this crisis (of armed violence) requires even more (action)."
“We must again ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. Thoughts and prayers are not enough,” Biden wrote on his X account.
Following Gray's horrific attack, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the suspect turned himself in when confronted by responding law enforcement officers.
“We’re still trying to sort out a lot of the timeline from the time he arrived at school today to the time the incident occurred,” Hosey said at a news conference late Wednesday night.
However, the Atlanta FBI said on social media that county authorities had interviewed the suspect last year about online threats to commit a school shooting.
Gray's father was arrested Wednesday on charges of involuntary manslaughter. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that Colin Gray, 54, faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Gray purchased the gun used in the shooting as a Christmas gift for his son in December 2023. Law enforcement sources revealed the weapon was an AR-15-style rifle.
Ofelia Bello is running for the East Palo Alto City Council, her primary focus will be housing rights, defending tenants' rights to prevent people from becoming homeless.
Social justice is a never-ending task, so it is important to have representatives who care about the needs and rights of all communities, since people have the right to food, housing, medical care, fair wages and a dignified life regardless of their race or culture, said Ofelia Bello, candidate for the East Palo Alto City Council.
“I am passionate about social justice work, being part of positive changes, but at a local level,” said Bello in an interview with Manuel Ortiz, during the Península 360 Press radio program and Hecho en California with Marcos Gutierrez.
Ofelia Bello is running for a seat on the East Palo Alto City Council, as she has worked hand in hand with several organizations for a long time supporting the community, and she herself states that “she feels that she has something to offer to the community to continue with everyone's efforts.”
The member of Young People United for Community Action (YUCA) is also the daughter of two Mexicans, her mother from Guerrero and her father from Michoacán, and it was from them that she learned to always help people regardless of their origins, race or culture.
A fundamental part of his life has been his mother, who has shown him kindness and social commitment without expecting anything in return.
“My mother is my greatest example, she always helps people we know, friends, family, neighbors, people close to us of all races and ethnicities; she seeks to support them and I have always said that I inherited this vocation from my mother.”
The social activist explained that it is important to go out and vote, “let us remember that someone outside is making important decisions for the community, people who sit on the boards of directors, on the Municipal Council, and those who do have the right to vote are letting other people make decisions for each one of them and although electoral politics is not the only way to make changes in the community, it is something that has great value.”
On the other hand, he commented that Last Saturday, August 31, she supported groups of tenants from East Palo Alto who were asking for their right to decent housing to be respected. Fortunately, they obtained the attention of the owners of the houses to make improvements or adjust payments in light of the poor conditions of the properties.
There are about 60 units spread across three buildings. Ofelia Bello explained that they began knocking on doors and explaining the tenants' rights and then people began to unite and take action.
In this regard, a letter has been submitted with a list of demands for administrative improvements, including requests for improved communication, dissemination of information not only in English, and some physical improvements. The letter explains that the tenants want to negotiate in good faith to resolve the problems in a particular way.
Most of the tenants are Hispanic and have a minimal command of English, which causes the documents to be confusing and unclear. In addition, the tenants have suffered harassment and discrimination for wanting to demand their rights, a situation that Bello lamented, while assuring that having a more complete and united group helps combat insecurity and the fear of speaking up.
“It is wonderful to see people come together, and not necessarily just Latinos or Mexicans, for something we all have in common, which is our home, it is something sacred, because everyone deserves a decent, safe and sanitary home regardless of culture or race,” she said.
“I am passionate about social justice work, being part of positive changes, but at a local level.”
If elected, she said, her main focus will be on decent housing rights and defending tenants' rights to prevent people from becoming homeless.
For Ofelia, housing is a primary issue in East Palo Alto and tenants' rights must be defended. "They have the right to demand that these improvements be made and this is usually presented to the City Council, to the Rent Stabilization Working Group, speaking of East Palo Alto, and if these improvements are not made, one possibility is that their rent will be reduced or that they will be reimbursed for what they have invested for each tenant," she concluded.
Redwood City is already preparing to celebrate Fiestas Patrias, a celebration of many Latin American countries and the commemoration of the Independence of Mexico, where people from all over the Bay Area are expected to come to enjoy music, shows, food and various activities. Photo: Fiestas Patrias 2023 in Redwood City P360P
Redwood City is already preparing to celebrate Fiestas Patrias, a celebration of many Latin American countries and the commemoration of the Independence of Mexico, where people from all over the Bay Area are expected to come to enjoy music, shows, food and various activities.
The event, which will take place on Sunday, September 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Courthouse Square, located at 2200 Broadway, will feature authentic Mexican food, craft vendors, and a traditional Flag Ceremony led by the Consul General of Mexico, Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba.
The plaza will be filled with colorful and glamorous Ballet Folklórico dances, live mariachi music, a children's area and live musical performances, including the headliner, Las Fénix!
It is worth noting that this is a free community celebration.
Event program
15:00-15:30 hours Cultural performance at Casa Círculo
15:30-16:30 hours Mariachi
16:30-17:15 hours Gabriela Sepulveda
17:20-18:00 hours Folkloric Ballet Mexico Alive
18:00-18:30 hours Flag Ceremony, Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco
18:30-20:00 hours The Phoenixes
It is worth noting that the Mexican flag will be raised for the second consecutive year just before the Fiestas Patrias event.
From August 26 to 30, the Mexican consular network in the United States held the 16th edition of Labor Rights Week (LRW), under the motto “Rights, health and safety for workers: the power of collaboration.”
During the day, more than 430,000 Mexicans attended more than 800 informative events and workshops, both virtual and in-person, on labor rights.
According to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, some 371 possible cases of protection were identified, and the necessary consular assistance was provided, and they will be closely monitored.
He also reiterated that, with the support of 530 participating allies, more than 40 visits were made to workplaces and the validity of 91 agreements signed with government organizations was maintained and renewed.
Consular representatives from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras also participated in preventive events.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the SDL has established itself as the main tool for preventive and consular protection in labor matters, strengthening the defense and empowerment of workers in the United States.
“Through this initiative, key information is provided to the Mexican community to exercise their labor rights, prevent abuse and demand safe conditions in their workplaces, both in rural and urban areas,” she said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the General Directorate of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning and the Mexican representations abroad, reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing preventive and timely protection to the Mexican community, regardless of their immigration status.
Caltrain ofrece sus viajes para jóvenes menores de 18 años por 1 dólar para todas las zonas en todos los métodos de pago de tarifas, así como un pase diario por 2 dólares. Foto: X @Caltrain
caltrain, la operadora de trenes dentro del Área de la Bahía, anunció que a partir del domingo 1 de septiembre, estará disponible una tarifa de ida y vuelta para jóvenes menores de 18 años por 1 dólar para todas las zonas en todos los métodos de pago de tarifas, así como un pase diario por 2 dólares.
Estas tarifas, estarán disponibles en Caltrain Mobile (mientras esté disponible) y en las máquinas expendedoras de boletos de la operadora.
“Ahora es más fácil que nunca para los jóvenes usuarios aprovechar Caltrain, ya que disfrutan de la libertad y la flexibilidad en lugar del tráfico y los atascos”, afirmó la directora ejecutiva de Caltrain, Michelle Bouchard. “
Ahora los jóvenes pueden viajar por la península con facilidad por menos de lo que cuesta un té de burbujas”, agregó.
Estos nuevos precios para los menores de 18 años se dieron luego de que la Junta Directiva de Caltrain votara para reducir permanentemente las tarifas para los pasajeros jóvenes en su reunión de agosto.
Los jóvenes pueden comprar sus boletos o pases en máquinas de boletos, aplicación móvil de Caltrain o con la Tarjeta juvenil Clipper Youth Card, sin embargo, con este último no está disponible el pase por día.
Campbell está ajustando su política de vivienda asequible con la esperanza de crear más hogares y recaudar más fondos para el desarrollo, a pesar de una recomendación oficial de no hacerlo.
Campbell está ajustando su política de vivienda asequible con la esperanza de crear más hogares y recaudar más fondos para el desarrollo, a pesar de una recomendación oficial de no hacerlo.
La semana pasada, el Ayuntamiento de Campbell votó por 4 a 1 a favor de ampliar su política de vivienda inclusiva, que exigiría que los proyectos más pequeños conviertan al menos el 15 por ciento de las viviendas en viviendas asequibles o contribuyan a los esfuerzos de vivienda de la ciudad. El cambio se aplica a proyectos con cinco o más viviendas, lo que reduce el umbral actual de 10 o más viviendas, y se espera que genere unos 237 mil dólares anuales. Campbell lo implementará en aproximadamente un año. El vicealcalde Sergio López votó en contra.
El mes pasado, los miembros del consejo se opusieron a la recomendación unánime de la Comisión de Planificación de mantener el mismo umbral. La recomendación se debió en gran medida a que los comisionados dijeron que no tenían claras las ramificaciones del cambio de política. Algunos comisionados también dijeron que podría obstaculizar el desarrollo porque los pequeños desarrolladores tendrían que pagar una tarifa adicional o asumir los costos adicionales de una vivienda asequible.
El presidente de la Comisión de Planificación, Alan Zisser, dijo que los comisionados necesitaban más tiempo para comprender y analizar la importante política, lo que llevó a la recomendación en contra de ella. Zisser, sin embargo, dijo que acepta la decisión del ayuntamiento.
“Esa es la belleza del sistema: podemos estar en desacuerdo y el asunto pasará al consejo”, dijo a San José Spotlight. “A veces, el consejo tiene más información y es quien toma las decisiones finales”.
La alcaldesa Susan Landry dijo que votó a favor del cambio porque construir viviendas más asequibles es fundamental y agregó que los miembros del consejo a veces no están de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de la comisión.
El estudio del nexo de la política concluyó que no dañaría el desarrollo de la ciudad, pero Landry dijo que si lo hiciera, el consejo puede hacer ajustes durante sus evaluaciones anuales.
“La esperanza es que básicamente empecemos a acumular dinero y unidades para ayudar a nuestra vivienda”, dijo Landry a San José Spotlight. “Tenemos gente que necesita vivienda desesperadamente, y se ha demostrado que para construir viviendas asequibles y para personas de bajos ingresos, es necesario algún tipo de apoyo financiero o subsidios. Y esta es una forma de lograr esos objetivos”.
Campbell podría avanzar en sus objetivos de vivienda con el cambio de política. La ciudad pretende crear 3 mil 870 viviendas para 2031 para cumplir con los mandatos estatales, mil 542 de las cuales deben considerarse asequibles para residentes de bajos ingresos.
Residents do not fully support the change.
Raja Pallela, residente de Campbell desde 2018, dijo que le preocupa el efecto de la política en la falta de viviendas de clase media: viviendas asequibles para los residentes que ganan demasiado para calificar para una vivienda de bajos ingresos, pero no lo suficiente para una vivienda a precio de mercado. Dijo que la falta de viviendas de clase media a menudo aparece en proyectos con cinco a nueve casas, que los desarrolladores pueden evitar construir debido a las limitaciones del cambio de política.
“Los salarios (de la clase media), teniendo en cuenta el Área de la Bahía, no son muy altos. No pueden tener una vivienda unifamiliar tradicional y completa, pero se trata de parejas y personas jóvenes”, dijo a San José Spotlight. “Al hacer esto, el ayuntamiento ha eliminado la oportunidad para las familias jóvenes”.
El vicealcalde López votó en contra porque compartía preocupaciones similares sobre la falta de viviendas de clase media. Apoyó los demás aspectos de la política, incluido el cobro de 9 dólares por pie cuadrado en los nuevos edificios comerciales, y dijo que está orgulloso del progreso de Campbell en materia de vivienda.
“Lo que demostró la discusión es que Campbell está avanzando en términos de apostar por la vivienda y no hay vuelta atrás”, dijo a San José Spotlight. “El progreso que hemos logrado en esa área durante los últimos cuatro años ha sido realmente tremendo”.
Campbell tiene en marcha algunos proyectos de viviendas asequibles en las principales vías públicas. VTA está trabajando con Campbell para llevar 90 apartamentos asequibles a la estación de tren ligero de Winchester. Otro proyecto agregará 12 mini casas cerca de Campbell Park.
Zisser quiere que la política tenga éxito.
“En el pasado no hemos hecho un buen trabajo en lo que respecta a recaudar tasas compensatorias que podríamos utilizar para estimular y conseguir que se desarrollen viviendas asequibles”, dijo. “Con suerte, lograremos eso sin que los desarrolladores piensen que es un precio demasiado alto para desarrollarlas”.
East Palo Alto residents have organized to demand better housing conditions and rent control, particularly at an apartment complex on East Okeefe Street owned by developer Sand Hill Property. Photo: P360P
East Palo Alto residents have organized to demand better housing conditions and rent control, particularly at an apartment complex on East Okeefe Street owned by developer Sand Hill Property.
At the Peninsula 360 Press mobile booth, East Palo Alto tenant and neighbor Raquel Rodriguez said the conditions they live in are unsustainable, with mold and structural problems having been a constant for at least the past seven years, and while they have requested support for repairs, they have been ignored.
“We pay rent for houses that are not in good condition and we have had this problem for a long time, where we have been asking for repairs and they don't make them or they simply ignore us,” said the native of Michoacán, Mexico.
During the program For the Free, with Manuel Ortiz, the tenant said that the East Palo Alto Tenants Association is supporting neighbors with problems of this nature so that they know their rights as tenants, including, given the poor conditions in which they live, they could even request a rent reduction or refunds.
Raquel pointed out that some homes are worse than others, however, mold has become a calamity in most of these buildings that, due to their age or poor maintenance, do not have the sanitary conditions to be a decent home.
Added to this are appliances that do not work as they should, affecting the daily lives of tenants.
Raquel has been living in the apartment she rents for 10 years and “everything has gone from bad to worse,” she said, noting that, over that period, there have been three owners of that set of apartments, the latest being Sand Hill Property.
“Since they came in, we have been ignored when it comes to repairs, while rents continue to increase every year and we are not bothered by them, they do not care about improving our living conditions in our units,” he stressed.
Although several tenants have made requests to this real estate developer, they have not been attended to as they should have been, so now, with greater knowledge of their rights, they will formally sue this company to address their requests.
“We are already doing it formally with them. Before, it was just a matter of going to the office to leave something for them and months or years would go by and they wouldn’t come to fix anything. With these requests that we are making in writing directly to them or to the offices of the apartment owners, I feel that we have been listened to a little more. At least they have the attention to come and look, although they haven’t fixed much, but they already have the initiative,” he explained.
The high cost of housing in the area is not an unknown issue. Raquel explained that she pays more than two thousand dollars for a one-bedroom apartment, while the cost of living and the price of rents increase every year.
"What we are asking the owners for is improvements, that they work, that they come and make our repairs, we are only demanding our rights," he said.
She also said that their demands include a discount on rent, as they have been dealing with these problems for a long time and have to spend money out of their own pockets to fix them.
“They don’t understand and we need these arrangements. We are not receiving any reimbursement from them, but because of our rights we can receive rent reductions and refunds. We have been here, in these conditions, for many years and no longer,” he added.
Finally, Raquel called on her neighbors who live in the same situation to not be afraid to demand their rights and speak out against the injustices of landlords.
“It is very important that you do not let yourselves be intimidated by someone filing a report or raising your voice to demand your rights. Do not be intimidated, come, let us help and support each other as tenants and neighbors that we are. Do not think that they are going to retaliate against us or remove us from our units just for making these types of requests.”
Aníbal Maciel joined Raquel in her complaint. He is a tenant in East Palo Alto and a volunteer assistant for the Tenants Association in the same city. He has lived in the area for more than 17 years and is fully aware of this problem, because, he said, it has been like this for a long time.
The conditions include old carpets and walls, plumbing problems, mold in various spaces and the odor it causes, and poor maintenance.
“We have fixed many of the maintenance problems individually because there was no attention. Based on my experience as a tenant, there was a lot of mold in the bathroom and we expressed the urgency of the problem. There was also a liquid on the ceiling of the bathroom that turned into mold throughout the bathroom. I don’t know if the problem was also due to the ventilation of the apartment, but it got to the point where it became a lot and every time we woke up in the morning there was a strong smell of mold.”
Unity is strength
The residents of buildings 201, 245 and 301 have realized that individually they are not heard, but now that they have united they are taken into account.
“When we do it individually it is a bit difficult to make changes, but when all the tenants come together they make the change, there is a lot of power in making those changes. What we have seen is that when all the tenants of a building form their associations they are solving problems much faster, if they make a complaint about anything, they come and send a message. There is more power in several than in one,” he explained.
Aníbal said that anyone who lives in these buildings and has problems of the same nature and wants to join the demands can contact him at 650 613 81 77.
In order to join forces, it is not only important for tenants to unite, but also for organizations that are willing to support their causes.
Ofelia Bello is a member of Young People United for Community Action (YUCA), which offers technical support to these tenants, whether it be helping them send emails, printing out the petition forms that the tenants need, or even helping them translate and explain complicated and cumbersome terms.
“It’s all about technical support, which is sometimes a barrier for our Latino, African-American and Pacific Islander communities. We are here to support them,” she said.
“These are still documents that are long, complex, they have words that are very technical, so we make sure to help explain what they mean, how all that paperwork can be filled out.”
For Ofelia Bello, there is a desire on the part of the residents to carry out these requests, “there is no doubt that this is one of the results of being united among neighbors, among people who support their efforts, like YUCA. We hope that their requests are received seriously, that they are taken into account and that they are resolved in a very efficient manner and as soon as possible.”
Bello announced that she is running for a seat on the East Palo Alto City Council this year, where, if she wins, she will continue her nearly nine-year fight to support the city's residents.
“If I am elected, this is work that I can assure you I will continue to do, and even if I am not elected, I will continue to do this work. I hope to continue supporting my community in any way I can, and after November as well,” she concluded.
