Action Council stands by MILPA following controversial video

MILPA and the Action Council of Monterey County have issued responses to a video circulating showing a MILPA member apparently flashing a gang sign, and the Action Council said it will stand by MILPA’s work in the community.

In both statements, the groups highlight MILPA’s accomplishments over the last eight years, pointing to examples that include developing more park space, expanding resources in schools and supporting more than 500 local system-impacted residents in an effort to keep youth from the school-to-prison pipeline.

Both also acknowledged the video that prompted the responses. The video from the Monterey County Jail is a recording of a group chat between inmates and a group of people outside the jail. In it, MILPA’s leader, Israel Villa, flashes what appears to be a gang sign used by the Salinas East Marqueta.

MILPA responded by saying, “We do not condone violence, criminal, or gang activity. As we have seen repeatedly, the response of the media and Salinas law enforcement is to rush to judgment and allegations. We believe in approaches that are rooted in restorative justice and respect the inherent dignity and humanity of all people. Our organization and our fiscal sponsor, Action Council of Monterey County, are following an internal personnel review process, which under California law is confidential.”

The Action Council of Monterey County also addressed the video in its joint statement with Building Healthy Communities, saying, “In the past week we have seen a video circulating that calls into question the reputation of one of our fiscally sponsored projects. Action Council and Building Healthy Communities (BHC) stand by the good work that MILPA has been doing for the youth of Salinas and Monterey County. Action Council and BHC do not condone gang activity, and take allegations that individuals associated with one of our fiscally sponsored projects may be engaging in such conduct very seriously. We are currently looking into this matter and cannot comment further at this time.”

MILPA points out in its statement that the organization is run by formerly incarcerated people who were affiliated with gangs in the past, but that its purpose is to give voice to marginalized communities, youth and residents.

Last week, the Salinas Police Officers Association demanded action from the city after the video was released, saying it shows a MILPA leader promoting gang violence. The POA asked the city to cut ties with MILPA, which is a member of the city’s Community Alliance for Safety and Peace.

Members of MILPA have been under fire before. Last year, another leader was arrested for involvement in the violent beating of a 14-year-old boy at a Salinas skate park.

KION 2019