Cliff Smith Candidate Statement

I have been active in Los Angeles since arriving here from New Jersey just before the invasion of Iraq. I am a union roofer, Local 36, and begin my outlook and agenda here – “an injury to one is an injury to all!” Most of mi companeros are Chicano & Black, many without documents, and all struggling. These are mi hermanos y mi familia and I cannot overemphasize the need for unwavering solidarity. I live at 52nd st. & Vermont ave. up the street from the South Central Library and the Community Coalition, and hope to bring more attention to the concerns and accomplishments of these neighborhoods.

I have been active in organizing to end the war & bring the troops home now! working with Neighbors for Peace & Justice, ANSWER and all who oppose imperialism. The removal of the Bush2 administration & its apparatus is the central issue of our day and KPFK plays a critical role in informing this mobilization. Whatever our varying agendas, the republicans must not win the ’08 presidency!

I have supported labor wholeheartedly, and proudly was recognized by the Coalition for a Better Inglewood in the great electoral victory preventing WalMart from building a supercenter there. This was accompanied by the supermarket workers’ strike and the hotel workers’ actions, both of which I participated in fully. I was in the midst of the recent MacArthur Park Mayday police attacks and am concerned for the next local commemoration of International Workers’ Day. But the word is: Don’t mourn. Organize! I have been outspoken against police brutality and corruption from Donovan Jackson through Devvin Brown, Suzie Pena, Gonzalo Martinez and Deandre Brunston. These tragedies are symptomatic of an anti-social police organization that only independent journalists will honestly expose. KPFK must remain fearless in its local reporting.

I have been most recently active in helping organize the community victory over the Minutemen’s attempt to march into Leimert Park on June 23. The success of that day erased volumes of corporate media attempts to fan distrust & hostility in our city. Broadcasts from KPFK allow the cooperation of the people to be recognized as the path to victory!

I’m big on jazz & hiphop, theater & poetry and hope to see more emphasis on local arts not just from KPFK but from the city as a whole. Los Angeles neighborhoods have much to celebrate and these stories belong to our storytellers and those willing to put in the work to transport them into the hearts and minds of a commercialfree audience. Like LL Cool J said, “I can’t live without my radio!”

I invite you to google me or myspace.com/jubileeshine. One.