Professor Sang Hea Kil has been involved in a collective of seven activists, artists, and DJs for almost 3 years called Queer Qumbia (Q2). Q2 uses music and dancing to fundraise for local, grassroots groups who do intersectional work on issues of economic class, race, queerness, gender, and citizenship. Every 3rd Friday night of each month is dedicated to a Queer Qumbia benefit that takes place at Bissap Baobab located at 19th & Mission in San Francisco. So far Q2 has raised nearly$20,000.00 for local community groups.
On December 14, 2012, Queer Qumbia raised nearly $1,000.00 for young Elvira Zayas with matching funds provided by the Brown Boi Project of Oakland. Elvira is an active member of Lyric, DCYF (the Department of Children Youth and Families) and The Brown Boi Project as a peer mentor and youth programmer.
Elvira was falsely accused of being involved in a fight that broke out on Aug 29th, off of 24th and Shotwell in the Mission. She was arrested that same night. The SFPD is accusing her of being gang affiliated, and is saying that the Cuban Flag tattoo she has on her arm is evidence because it contains the colors red and blue.
While the bail was reduced from 1 million dollars and charges have been reduced to a misdemeanor charge of battery, Elvira is still facing serving 1 year in prison. Elvira is fighting the charge and pleading not guilty.
Queer Qumbia is supporting Elvira’s case since it is an example of the destructive effects that gang injunctions, police surveillance, and racial profiling can have on our local communities. Queer Qumbia is also critical of these police powers that help to sanitize working class, people of color neighborhoods for purposes of gentrification that lead to residential displacement of poor, queer, and migrant families.
For more information on Queer Qumbia and its crew visit: http://www.facebook.com/
For more information on how to support Elvira Zayas visit:
