LOS ANGELES, November 4, 2008 – Local voting precincts are seeing an unprecedented voter turn out today. Long lines are reported polling places throughout the city at many locations. Waits of up to two hours reported at some polling places.
At one polling place at Clover Elementary School in the Mar Vista area, hundreds of voters were lined up around the block even before the polls opened at 7:00 am this morning. Both No on 8 and yes on 8 reps were there passing out flyers to voters waiting in line. Both observed the 100 foot electioneering rule and no incidents were observed between the rival groups.
The parents and school children set up a bake sale with coffee for those waiting in line. The mood seemed positive as people waiting in line and studied their sample ballots or chatted with fellow voters. Many people were seen busy absorbed in their blackberry or iPhone as they waited.
From the newswire:
Record Turn Out and Long Lines at Polls by A
Surf the Internet and you'll find thousands of posts about Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Russia, India, Israel, and Palestine. Across the political spectrum, intellectuals obsess over world affairs.
Want to know how the U.S.A. got into this mess? Want to know how we were overwhelmed by cynicism, divisiveness, demagoguery, "Pay-To-Play" governance, and sleaze? It didn't start in that mythical "Washington." It started in places like little Wasilla, Alaska... and big Los Angeles.
I could write a long book about this. Today, I'll be brief, and just list the Dem screw-ups. One great thing about the Internet is that you don't have to take my word for it. Click the hyperlinks below and read the MSM stories for yourself.
From the newswire:
Green Dissent: Why I Won't Vote for California Dems by Alex Walker
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Vote Green! Piera-Avila for Council by twirl
October 31: While some of the weekly vigils went on hiatus tonight, the Glendale vigil (at Brand & Broadway) proceeded as usual—except participants were encouraged to come in costume. Also, candy was handed out for a time. When the candy ran out, pencils publicizing the Glendale vigil were distributed. Flyers were passed, too, announcing an upcoming showing of the film Afghanistan (see glendalepeacevigil.org).
Full story: Halloween at the Glendale Peace Vigil by RP
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, October 25, 2008 - Student leaders of local high school Gay-Straight Alliances banded together this Saturday to demand equality for LGBT people and spread awareness about the insidious proposition 8. They were joined by teachers, community members, and families. Prop. eight, if passed, would eliminate the legal right for same-sex couples to marry. Earlier this year, the California Supreme Court decided that the right to marry was guaranteed by the state constitution, and could not be superseded by initiative.
Students from Rancho Cucamonga and Los Osos High Schools began arriving to the corners of Foothill and Haven as early as nine o'clock. In the morning, several supporters of prop 8 gathered at the northeast corner. Students frantically began calling each other to increase their presence. Their numbers soon overwhelmed the "yes on 8" people, and opponents of 8 were able to establish a strong presence at all four corners. From the Newswire Rancho Cucamonga Youth Demonstrate Against Proposition 8 by Lalo
UPDATE: More No on 8 Protests: CSULB No on 8 Rally Oct 29, 2008 by Lady Madonna | | No On 8 Temecula by Bryan Thomas (Anarcat Collective) | | No on 8 in Upland by Lalo | | MP3 audio: No on 8 rally Downtown LA by A | | Images from the No 8 Rally Downtown LA by A
October 22, 2008 LOS ANGELES - The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation has been organizing nationwide demonstrations since 1996. The Los Angeles actions have gained a reputation for being among the city's most lively and most youth-oriented marches whose participants tend to be from the very communities targeted by police. With some thirty police murders logged since the beginning of year, protestors had plenty to be angry about.
From the newswire: October 22 Demonstration Attracts Young to Anti-Police Terror Movement by Rockero
| | Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality by Marcus
The Los Angeles Independent Media is pleased to present an evening of documentary films from the 2008 DNC and RNC conventions. Both Denver and Minneapolis/ St. Paul were the scene of massive state repression of peaceful protest this Summer. Those who get their news solely from corporate media channels are unaware of the events that occurred outside the convention halls. But those attuned to independent media outlets know well the level of police violence that took place at these conventions. LA Indymedia will be screening previews and rough cuts of films from documentary film makers who were on the ground in Denver and St. Paul this Summer. Details from the Calendar: 2008 DNC and RNC Conventions Report Back
 Fast for Our Future: Immigrants Rights Encampment at La PlacitaLOS ANGELES October 15, 2008 – Members of the Los Angeles area immigrant community began a fast for their rights Wednesday downtown at La Placita. A diverse group of students, service workers, day laborers, and supporters have set up camp just south of the plaza. About 70 people have committed to the fast, there are currently about 25 tents in the encampment with room for up to 100. The fast plans to run from now until election day, a 20 day fast. Coming together with the organization, Rise, immigrants and their supporters are fasting to urge people to sign a pledge to vote or take some kind of action for immigrants rights.
The fasters are demanding an immediate end to the ICE raids that are terrorizing immigrant communities and tearing families apart. Children of immigrant parents who are US born citizens are being separated from their mothers and fathers by the raids and forced deportations. Supporters are welcome to visit or join the encampment and it is expected that the camp will grow as word spreads.
From the Newswire: Fast for Our Future: Immigrants Rights Encampment at La Placita | | MP3 Audio – Interview with a Faster: Frank Romero-Crockett, at La Placita Encampment | | Hunger Strike for Immigrant Rights! || VIDEO: Video from Day One of the Fast for our Future by Fatima Mojaddidy | | Video Day One &
Day Five by A | |
Live audio from the camp: Radio Ayuno
Day Six: 1,000,000 Signs Of Hope, Latino Immigrant Rights Activists Stage 27 Days Of Hunger by David Lee Frater
& CDIR SUPPORTS FAST FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS IN LA
CARSON and COSTA MESA, October 4, 2008
Clouds grayed the sky, but did not hamper attendance at either of the two anti-Sarah Palin rallies. Hundreds of activists arrived at both events to denounce the vice-presidential hopeful for her misogyny, ignorance, pettiness, and anti-democratic tendencies. A diversity among attendees and willingness to communicate characterized the day, particularly in Costa Mesa.
Story/Photos:Women denounce Sarah Palin in Carson and Costa Mesa by Rockero
Humble Beauty is an hour documentary that tells the story of talented homeless and formerly homeless men and women who, despite a daily struggle for survival, paint and create art in the worst area of Los Angeles known as Skid Row. People will make art, no matter how humble the circumstances.
The film includes spontaneous moments plus intimate interviews with oil, acrylic and watercolor painters, charcoal, pen & crayon sketchers, collage makers and paper mache sculptors. Some artists find their art supplies in garbage cans and dumpsters. They draw on old paper bags.
Article: HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists Documentary by Letitia Schwartz & Judith Vogelsang Photos:HUMBLE BEAUTY photos by Letitia Schwartz & Judith Vogelsang DVD Cover: HUMBLE BEAUTY DVD cover
Amid daily testimonies of the carnage and destruction affecting millions of inhabitants in the southern Philippines, progressive representatives in the Philippine Congress have urged a thorough probe into the permanent presence of US troops . Personalities such as Rep. Maria Climaco of Zamboanga City and Amina Rasul, lead convenor of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, have also urged action to stop US meddling on behalf of the corrupt, bankrupt Arroyo despotism. BAYAN and other civil-society groups recently petitioned the Legislative Oversight Committee on the VFA to terminate all agreements allowing foreign troops (not only the US but also the Australians and other nationalities) interfering in the ongoing hostilities, thus violating the Philippine Constitution. Full story: The Third Vietnam? by the Philippines Cultural Studies Center
 No Wall Street Bailout Protesters Picket at Obama LA OfficeThe protest initiated by Code Pink Women for Peace did receive some local corporate media coverage. KTLA TV and KFWB radio did interview some of the protesters. (It is unknown if they will broadcast the event or if these corporate media outlets can be relied upon to correctly represent the demonstrator’s message.)
This Indymedia reporter did have the chance to speak with No Bail Out activist, Peter Thottam. Peter is a former employee of Goldman Sacks and is now a sharp critic of the Wall Street investment banking industry and its relation with the policy makers in the government. The interview is uploaded in full and with no edits. Peter and some of his fellow No Bail Out,
activists have started a web site to help get the word out on the threat that the Wall Street bail out poses to the real economy: Main Street. When asked if the current economic situation was an indictment of capitalism in general Peter responded: Yes.
From the newswire:
No Wall Street Bailout Protesters Picket at Obama LA Office by A
Protests are expected to greet republican vice presidential candidate sarah palin.
Palin, who has been widely discredited as unqualified by both independent and corporate press, will be holding two rallies this Saturday. One rally is in Carson and the other in Costa Mesa. Many peace and justice groups have called for protests. It is possible that hundreds of protesters could be demonstrating at these events this Saturday.
On September 20 and 21, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific hosted the fourth annual Native American festival, Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People. Moompetam (which means “of the ocean” in Tongva) is comprised of several maritime tribes, including Tongva, Acjachemen, Chumash, Costanoan, and Luiseno.
As one of the speakers at the event pointed out, this was a rare opportunity to experience Native cultures up-close vis-a-vis storytelling, food, one-on-one conversations, music, and workshops.
Story/photos: Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People by RP
In the middle of a work day on Sept. 17, more than 60 people attended a protest and press conference to at the Downtown Los Angeles Federal Building to demand a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. The event was organized by the Labor/Community Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions, under the theme "Bail out Main St.--not Wall St."
John Parker, West Coast coordinator of the International Action Center and member of the Harvard Blvd. Block Association, explained that "the mortgage companies have been playing with and gambling on people's lives." He urged: "We have to change the government's priorities by demanding what we need. They don't count on the will of the people."
From the newswire:
Foreclosures Protested by LeiLani Dowell
On Sunday, September 14 2008, a peaceful but passionate crowd of about 200 hundred Afghans gathered in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles in order to voice their dissent against increasing civilian deaths from U.S. air and ground attacks. This demonstration was organized by Afghan Universaty students and comunity leaders from Southern California. The protestors ranged in age from infants to the elderly and the speakers included Afghans from Pashto as well as Farsi speaking backgrounds. The protestors unanimously condemned US air strikes causing death of Afghan civilians like the one on the 22nd of August in the village of Azizabad, near the western city of Herat where U.S. coalition bombs killed up to 95 civilians, including 60 children. As one protestor noted "the lack of compassion" has Afghans abroad and at home questioning the roll of the US military presence.
From the newswire:
Southern CA Afghan Americans protest the US bombing of Afghan civilians by Fatima Mojaddidy and Arash Yusufi
 Karl Rove detained for crimes against humanity in ClaremontCLAREMONT - Over 300 justice activists detained Republican mastermind Karl Rove for over an hour yesterday in Claremont, demanding he be brought to justice for crimes against humanity, democracy, and general moral sensibility. Despite fervent efforts, they were unsuccessful in executing a citizen's arrest.
Ever since his college days, when he snuck into the campaign headquarters of a Democratic candidate and stole 1000 letterheads to distribute false messages about the campaign, Rove has been involved in subterfuge, chicanery, theft, and subversion--and not in a good way. In fact, he has been using these tactics in the worst way possible: to get corrupt politician selected so they can enact murderous, genocidal policies and enrich the richest of the elite's upper crust.
Full coverage:
Karl Rove detained for crimes against humanity in Claremont
by Rockero
RIVERSIDE - This weekend's Southern California Anarchist Convergence attracted upwards of fifty people. The participants met to share food and water, have fun, discuss, network, and strategize. Primary organizers included the Riverside and Temecula chapters of Food Not Bombs, who spread the invitation to "revolutionaries from all over Southern California, food not bombs, and radicals" primarily via internet.
Full coverage: Southern California Anarchist Convergence draws over 50 by Rockero
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Record Turn Out and Long Lines at Polls
Green Dissent: Why I Won't Vote for California Dems
Halloween at the Glendale Peace Vigil
Youth Demonstrate Against Homophobic Proposition 8
October 22 Demonstration Attracts Young to Anti-Police Terror Movement
LA-IMC Film Night This Thursday: 2008 DNC and RNC Conventions
Se exige alto a deportaciones y redadas/People demand an end to raids and deportations
Women denounce Sarah Palin in Carson and Costa Mesa
HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists Documentary
Towards a Third Vietnam? - US Troops in the Philippines.
Protests Expected to Greet Palin Visit to Southern California this Saturday
Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People
Foreclosures Protested
Southern CA Afghan Americans protest the US bombing of Afghan civilians
Southern California Anarchist Convergence draws over 50
LA Indymedia RNC Coverage
