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by Shakeel Syed,
Reflections by Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, about his arrest on Century Blvd on June 29th in support of hotel workers. Gray haired Father Estrada was first to be arrested. He looked just as peaceful as an infant enjoying his slumber. Sean’s youthful energy was infectious. Jason was chanting silently basking in the setting sun. Amanda just couldn’t stop smiling. I was next. For the first time in my two decade life in United States, in a public square, proudly ready for my arrest. Facing me was the towering Hilton and sitting on the Century Blvd. I was no more than 2 feet high but my heart soared me to new heights, once I was handcuffed. Ah ha this is how it works. Wrists twisted behind my back locked with plastic handcuffs ... a feminine but firm hand of a female police officer around mine locking me firmly guided to the blue bus for detainees, parked wrongly across the Century Blvd ... they asked me to spread my legs to whisk if I’ve a hidden Klashinokov ... the stern female police offer had to smile twice for a Polaroid snap ... the first time he ran out of film ... once numbered and pictured, I was thrown into the big blue bus with my dear Amanda, a young friend from Columbia ... we sung, talked about India (my home country) and Columbia (her native land) ... our stories were similar ... she a bit younger than me ... her expertise was to teach & empower hard working people (a.k.a. day-workers) about their inherent rights as people and workers, both. I thought she’s engaged in a much nobler line of work than I was at her age. Our ride to the Police Station was a little less than thirty minutes. I got to see West Los Angeles from a different perspective. High in the bus with hands tied and in a cage with a young lady, yet happy, smiling and enjoying the ride. The Police Station was ready for us. Tables were set. Few plainclothes police officers ... they all seemed happy they got something to do. Everyone wanted to pose they were the boss. But none of them seemed know how to lead ... the whole scene was chaotic. It took them a little more than seven hours to process us (finger-printing ... another mug shot ... national crime check ...) and then let go ... My one hour adventure of civil disobedience, thirty minutes journey from Culver City Blvd to the Police Station and seven hour wait were all right... I knew what all was going to happen anyways ... The unexpected that touched me most bringing tears to my eyes that none could see in the dark hour of past midnight was when over twenty young men and women camping out of the police station ... welcomed my release with cheers, HUGE smiles and high fives ... how could I possibly rip my heart open to show that I love them just as much and to show my gratitude for their selfless love for their comrade. It is this very love whose power shall change things forever, for good, and I know it. And, I’m so grateful to my Creator, for the ability that He blessed me with, to participate in this struggle for the voiceless. In this pursuit, I know I’ll discover myself not to mention so many good friends. Many I met in the projest on century blvd I do not know, but their faces and smiles are registered in my memory for as long as I live, or at least in this century, the twenty first where all are sharpening their swords to kill each other and a handful few of us are singing songs and embracing each other to keep the world warm. Bless your hands, your feet, your loving smiles and your enlightened hearts. I love you all. May you all live longer than I. Shakeel.
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About the Burning Bush: Center for the Working Poor We are an interfaith intentional community in the spirit of the Catholic Worker movement that specialize in addressing the issues of the working poor. Our goal is to provide a variety of services and advocacy in solidarity with the working poor. We live in voluntary poverty and publish a monthly newspaper to educate people of faith about the causes and remedies of poverty. We are urgently looking for help, prayers, donations, and volunteers. Send a donations or comments to 820 Laveta Terr. Apt. 5 LA, CA 90026 Contact Us |
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