"El patriotismo require la ofrenda y en esto no hay parcialidad. O todo o nada." 

Today marks the b-day of one the greatest Independance fighters of Puerto Rico's Time. My aunt, my grandmothers sister Titi Tere, used to roll with Don Albizu back in day and she used to tell me stories about him, She was a member of the PNPR. She used to tell me about when he used to come over for dinner and how inspiring he was. Everyone at that time would follow him to the death, and some did.

His fight still continues today. We still fight for a FREE PUERTO RICO.
please visit September23.org for more info

He was called "El Maestro" by all who loved him and valued his leadership. Pedro Albizu Campos was the most prominent Puerto Rican political figure of the 20th century, a National Hero who sacrificed his life for the freedom of his country. Under his direction, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico became a major force in the fight for independence. A powerful speaker, thousands would gather to listen to his passionate discourses of freedom. He urged the Puerto Rican people to reclaim their cultural history and national symbols such as the flag and the national anthem.

Pedro Albizu Campos was instrumental in winning an island wide sugar cane strike and exposing secret medical experiments sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute. He developed the theory of non-collaboration (retraimiento) with the colonial structures, i.e. boycotting elections and military service. He soon became a target of the colonial forces and was arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy. From the mid-thirties to the early sixties, Pedro Albizu Campos would be in and out of U.S. prisons (25 years). During his incarceration, he repeatedly charged that he was a target of human radiation experiments. His skin severely swollen and cracking he covered himself with wet towels. Jailers thought he was crazy, but today there is proof that radiation experiments did take place.

He never accepted the United States rights to govern in Puerto Rico. He did reach that "Éif they won't listen to legal reason, then we must take up arms against the invaders." When he issued his call to arms, he cited as legal precedents the Boston Tea Party and the drawn sword of George Washington. Ironically, he also mentioned that Luis Muñoz Rivera got Puerto Rico's Autonomy from Spain by means of a threat to take his case to the U.S., both parties understanding that the liberal Yankees, would sympathize with the concept of independence. It is curious to note that both Cuba and the Philippines where the Spanish/American War was fought were granted their independence. Only Puerto Rico where there was no major fighting is still controlled by the U.S.

Because of his teachings, the Puerto Rican people and the Latino world called, Pedro Albizu Campos, "El Maestro". He was the first great Puerto Rican theoretician of anticolonial thought and the first to describe the contradictions of the colonized. Today there are parks, streets and schools named after him. Institutes and scholars study his work as well as activists look to his example to continue their struggle for Puerto Rico's independence. People of all ages wear T-shirts adorned with his picture and famous quotes. In all the major struggles presently taking place in Puerto Rico you will always see and feel the presence of "El Maestro" at a demonstration or at rally.

A year after refusing to hand herself over to U.S. authorities Elvira Arellano, a Mexican-born woman working illegally in Chicago was arrested and deported to her native country. At the center of the controversy was Ms. Arellano’s unwillingness to part ways with her eight-year old son Saul who was born in the U.S. The case heightened awareness around immigration, specifically the impact on immigrant families with U.S. born children who because of their age are unable to claim their parents for citizenship. Last August Mrs. Arellano defied the INS authorities by taking refuge with her son at a local church in Chicago shortly after losing her job as a custodian at O’ Hare International Airport. Her case was significant in that it provided us with a very human and emotional lens by which to grapple with immigration. I, myself came here as an immigrant, at a very young age and that experience has forever framed the way I look at my surrounding environment. Hopefully her son will have a supportive network and use this experience as he matures and negotiates his political identity within this nation.

-vee bravo

Full Story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6954639.stm

My new book "In the Wake of Oya" is finally here!!!!

though it's "OFFICIAL" release is not till August 2nd!!!!….  

you can purchase it early…..online a:

www.gabrielagarciamedina.com

www.myspace.com/gabrielagarciamedina

or….if you live in LA you can go to Imix Books at:

5025 Eaglerock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 257-2512

Some of my 2nd book tour performances are: 

AUGUST SHOWS:

AUGUST 2ND:
Name: A-Womb
Description: A Gathering of poets, musicians and artists coming together to celebrate the sacred feminine in art, music and poetry.
Date: Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: Little Ethiopia (Fairfax Blvd/Pico Blvd)
Contact: myspace.com/lynnix
Cost: Free
 

AUGUST 5TH:
Name: Spoken Funk
Description: Comedy and Poetry Weekly Event
Date: Sunday August 5TH, 2007
What time: 8pm (sharp if you wanna make sure you get in!…it gets packed!)
Where: Aqua Lounge: 424 Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Contact: 1866 212 3676
Cost: $10

AUGUST 12TH:
Name: Talking Drum
Description: Feature Performance at Poetry and Music Open Mic
Date: Sunday August 12th, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: Lost Souls Café: 124 W. 4rth Street. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Contact: 213 617 7006/ findyourself@lostsouls.com
Cost: Free

AUGUST 14TH:
Name: Organic Soul Movement
Description: Feature Performance at Poetry and Music Open Mic
Date: Tuesday, August 14rth 2007
What time: 9pm
Where: Industry Café: 6039 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Cost: Love Donations

AUGUST 16TH:
Name: Poet’s Jazz House
Description: Featured Artist at open mic in Leimert Park for  poets and musicians
Date: Thursday August 16
What time: 8pm-midnight
Where: Sunny’s Spot: 3349 West 43rd Place, Leimert Park (1 block south of McDonalds), LA, CA 90008
Contact: 323 291 4098
Cost: Free

AUGUST 17TH:
Name: Tia Chucha’s Cultural Café
Descrition: Feature performance at Tia Chucha’s Cultural Café Open Mic.
Date: Friday August 17th, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: 10258 Foothill Blvd. Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
Contact: 818 896 1489/ info@tiachucha.com
Cost: Free

AUGUST 24RTH:
Name: Student Showcase and Benefit
Description:
Date: August 24rth
What time: 7pm
Where: Art Share LA
Cost: Free

AUGUST 25TH:
Name: Sappho’s Return
Description: Fashion Show and Perfromance
Date: August 25th, 2007
What time: 7:30pm
Where: Gay and Lesbian Center: 1625 Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Contact: 323 993 7400
Cost: TBA

SEPTEMBER SHOWS:

SEPTEMBER 3RD:
Name: Urbane Culture
Description: Feature at the Hottest Open Mic in Ontario, CA
Date: Monday, Sept. 3rd, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: 223 W. Emporia Street, Ontario, CA 91762
Contact: myspace.com/urbaneculturelounge
Cost: Free

SEPTEMBER 13TH:
Name: KCET’S Annual Latino Heritage Month Gala
Description: Gala/Benefit organized by KCET Television to honor Latinos in the Arts, Education, Business, Social Work, etc.
Date: Thursday September 13th, 2007
What time: 6pm
Where: KCET Television Studios (Sunset Blvd.)
Cost: FREE NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC 

SEPTEMBER 27TH:
Name: A Mic and Dim Lights
Description: Feature at the Hottest Open Mic in Pomona (and the place that I consider my HOME VENUE for Poetry!!!!….my favorite Open Mic in the Country)…also a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY FEATURE!
Date: September 27th, 2007
What time: 9pm
Where: Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center: 300 W. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766
Contact: 909 469 0080
Cost: $3

SEPTEMBER 28TH:
Name: OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE PARTY FOR “In the Wake of Oya” and GABRIELA GARCIA MEDINA’S 25th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!
Description: An amazing show, an incredible line-up of artists, a great dj….spoken word, hip hop, salsa and afro-cunab!!!
Date: Friday September 28th, 2007
What time: 8pm (SHARP!!!)
Where: TBA (STAY TUNED FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT!)
Contact: www.myspace.com/gabrielagarciamedina
Cost: FREE

SEPTEMBER 29TH:
Name: Timoi’s Gallery Opening
Description: Graffitti Gallery Opening with live artists, poets, emcees, and more
Date: Saturday September 29th, 2007 (MY BIRTHDAY!)
What time: 7:30pm
Where: 1640 North Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: Free

OCTOBER SHOWS:

OCTOBER 27TH:
Name: Annual Festival de la Gente
Description: Feature Performance at annual Boyle Heights festival
Date: Saturday, October 27th, 2007
What time: All Day!
Where: 6th Street Bridge (it’s closed off at Downtown and at Boyle Heights and it is filled with stages, vendor booths, art, food and more!
Contact: festivaldelagente.org
Cost: TBA

OCTOBER 28TH:
Name: Annual Festival de la Gente
Description: Feature Performance at annual Boyle Heights festival
Date: Sunday, October 28th, 2007
What time: All Day!
Where: 6th Street Bridge (it’s closed off at Downtown and at Boyle Heights and it is filled with stages, vendor booths, art, food and more!
Contact: festivaldelagente.org
Cost: TBA

STAY TUNED FOR MY OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE PARTY…AND BIRTHDAY PARTY INFORMATION!!!!…..A BLOG WILL BE POSTED SOON….STAY ALERT AND COME AND CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!…….WITH ART….MUSIC AND LOVE! 

For more information on the book or any of my upcoming events, please feel free to leave a comment and i will get back to you!!!

hope to see you around!!

much love-

gabriela garcia medina 

ARTICLE I peeped over the weekend…
ALWAYS WANTED TO BURN MY U.S. PASSPORT……

Court win fuels Puerto Rican citizenship debate
After a long battle, the elder statesman of Puerto Rico's independence movement finally has what he wanted: citizenship.
BY FRANCES ROBLES
frobles@MiamiHerald.com

Bonilla redrafted the requirements to include Burgos — and lots of other people. Now, if you live in Puerto Rico and one of your parents was born here, you qualify. U.S. citizens who have lived here more than a year are also eligible.

I'll be short and sweet: THIS PLACE IS HOT.  After many attempts at different Cuban restaurants I have to declare La Bodeguita de Pico the best Cuban Restaurant in Los Angeles.

Great service. Amazing food. Live muisc. Full bar.
Start with their Mojito topped with Champagne and Tostones Rellenos (fried green plantains baskets filled with shrimp or meat) as an appetizer. Now you are on your way to heaven! If their extensive menu confuses you; go for the "Clasico Plato Cubano". This dish comes with white rice and black beans, roast pork and ground beef in a habanera sauce with yuca with Cuban sauce and sweet yellow plantains. Feel free to try any of their other dishes, everything is excelent.

Added to the great taste and quality of their food, the service is incredible. This unpretentious, comfortable and affordable restaurant is so authentic you won't feel like you are in Los Angeles anymore! No wonder celebrities are arriving every now and then at this new eatery! They have a beautiful bar where you can chill over drinks after work or have a nightcap after dinner. The venue also has a separate room for private events.

SO if you live in LA or happen to be in town for a good time,
La Bodeguita de Pico should be a must on your LA's Top 10 List.

La Bodeguita De Pico
5047 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA  90019

Wed to Fridays 5pm-11pm 
Saturdays 5pm-12am 
Sundays 5pm-11pm

(323) 937-2822

www.labodeguitadepico.com