LGBTQ+ organization in the city of Bell attacked with dog feces

Since late May, Mi SELA Youth Center in the City of Bell has been attacked with bags of dog feces thrown in front of the building and on the entrance awning. Tired of these ongoing attacks, members of Mi SELA decided to make the attack public without disregarding that it could be a hate crime. 

Eddie Martinez, executive director of the Latino Equality Alliance (LEA), which runs Mi SELA, said they started noticing green plastic bags above the door awning and in the sign of the center. When they investigated they realized they were bags with “dog poop” inside.

“So we cleaned it up. We have some (surveillance) cameras, and we looked at the cameras, but it was just kind of hard to see,” said Martinez.

More bags continued appearing. They realized the culprit was trying to stay out of sight and continued throwing the bags onto the overhead and behind the cameras. After cleaning up again, the center decided to post it on social media to create community awareness. 

“My guess is, somebody with a dog, they know we are an LGBTQ organization, and I guess when they walk the dog, whatever poop that comes on whatever night, he or she, or they would throw it on to our building,” said Martinez. “I think this validates what we're seeing happening in today's national climate, this kind of attack on marginalized folks, folks who are different or diverse.”

Martinez said they also filed a report with the Bell Police Department. The executive director of the Bell Chamber of Commerce also brought it to the attention of the police. 

“The police chief said that he's going to give it much attention, and they're planning to provide more surveillance of the area,” said Martinez. 

The Mi SELA center serves about 200 people focusing on youth enrichment by providing programming such as leadership development, substance use, education and prevention. It also promotes academic success and activities for the youth and young adults in a safe space where they can become active in the community. 

“We also support programming for parents,” said Martinez. “We provide services to educate the parents, navigate them to any additional support, and we make sure that our youth and parents are involved in the community.” 

Additional support

Martinez said after making the public aware of the situation, leaders and organizations have gathered to provide support. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is providing a $2,500 grant and the David Bohnett Foundation is providing additional funds for more cameras in the building. 

Hahn said on a post on social media that what the person is doing is “gross and cowardly.”

“I hope that the people who depend on Mi SELA know how much they are loved and supported in this community and do not take this hate to heart,” said Hahn. 

Martinez said the center will continue providing the same services to the LGBTQ+ community and they hope this attack doesn’t stop them from attending. 

He also sent a message to the person or persons who have been throwing the dog feces at the center. 

“I will challenge that individual or individuals to come meet with our youth, come understand why they need a safe space, and understand why there's a need for a support program, and hopefully we'll be able to change their minds,” he said.

LEA and Mi SELA urge anyone with information about these incidents to contact the City of Bell Police Department at (323) 585-1245.