CARPINTERIA, California (March 16, 2009) – On Tuesday, March 17, the school board of Carpinteria, California will meet to vote whether or not to rescind their own 2008 decision to remove all imagery that stereotypes Native American peoples from Carpinteria High School. The town of Carpinteria is staging the meeting in such a way as to intimidate the Native people choosing to participate. (photo of Eli Cordero by Paul Wellman)

Details: Carpinteria votes on reinstatement of racist mascot by AIM-West

Update: Last night, the school board of Carpinteria voted 3-2 to retain the mascot. The nearly three-hour-long meeting was heated, and at one point was interrupted by violence just outside the building's entrance. At the time of this writing, details of this incident were unknown. As soon as the board's decision was announced, opponents of the mascot promised, "We will be back." More details soon.

I thought Fuel was very well-made, important, and informative--there's a lot to absorb. I don't agree with every point of view expressed in the film, but I realize the movie has to communicate to diverse people. . . . Still, the movie features a lot of provocative ideas like vertical farms (skyscraper-like farms that would exist in the middle of cities and other places where space is scarce), and there is some great historical information. For example, details of Rudolf Diesel's sudden and very suspicious death is discussed as well as the long and insidious history of Standard Oil (which was broken up 100 years ago but is now reunited as Exxon-Mobil). Also, a compelling case is made that Prohibition was really about stopping a car that Ford put out that ran on ethanol. As soon as Ford gave up on this car, Prohibition was lifted.

. . . I was glad to see depictions of monorails in the film (though they're never discussed). I think they could be a solution to some of our problems (at least until our population crisis is dealt with--if it is ever dealt with), as they have been in other countries for a century. . . .

Article: "Fuel" (review) by RP

In a crucial attempt to protect a densely populated Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles, environmental justice advocates and community residents filed an appeal in court on March 3, 2009, seeking to overturn a decision to build luxury homes on a fragile hillside in El Sereno. The development on Elephant Hill would endanger residents and strip the community of its last open space.

“The community of El Sereno needs parks and open spaces, not McMansions,” said Tim Grabiel, project attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Elephant Hill is a greedy project pushed forward by developers at the risk of jeopardizing the health and safety of residents and the environment.”

Story: Groups Appeal Elephant Hill Ruling by Hugo Garcia

Join the Los Angeles Independent Media Center, the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA), and Cinebang! for a screening of Humble Beauty, an hour-long documentary that tells the stories of a group of talented homeless and formerly-homeless men and women who create art -- fine art painting -- in the worst area of LA, known as "skid row."

It’s also about the ubiquity of art in human life. People strive to make art, no matter how humble the circumstances.

KIWA will also display work by artists featured in the film. The exhibition will begin March 5 and continue until Tuesday, March 10th.
LA IMC Calendar: Humble Beauty Screening and Art Show

February 2, 2009: Another demonstration took place outside the Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. The turnout was even higher than the previous action of December 13, 2008. One demonstrator reported giving a leaflet to someone entering the store. This person looked at the flier, turned around, and exited. Many other passersby showed interest. Participants were asked to contact other Forever 21 outlets (see the list following this article) to remind them of the boycott.

Story and photos: Actions Against Forever 21 Continue by RP

SAN DIEGO, February 13, 2009 - The situation for medical marijuana users is loosening up just about everywhere in the country — or at least in the 13 states that have laws allowing it — except in San Diego County and elsewhere in southern California. That was the message Don Duncan, California director of the nationwide organization Americans for Safe Access (ASA), brought to the local ASA chapter in San Diego February 10. For years medical marijuana users have been bedeviled by federal raids ever since the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings in 2001 and 2005 that state medical pot laws didn’t protect patients, caregivers and growers from federal anti-drug law enforcement — but, said Duncan, the Obama administration has sent signals that these raids may soon end. Full Story: S.D. Cracks Down on Medical Pot as Feds Loosen Up by Mark Gabrish Conlan

UPDATE: Crack Down Continues - Medical Marijuana Caregiver Convicted of Drug Dealing by Mark Gabrish Conlan

RIVERSIDE, February 7, 2009 - In urgent response to the rash of Border Patrol raids across the Inland Empire, community members convened at Riverside City Hall to express frustration with the agency's family-devastating policies. Raids in the area have been increasing since December, when Border Patrol agents visited the San Bernardino Greyhound station, targeting holiday travelers. The demonstration comes in response to the January 29 Border Patrol raids on several day labor sites in the area. From the Newswire:

March on Riverside Border Patrol Office: No more quotas, no more raids, no more deportations By Rockero

Riverside, Southern California: Community marches against raids and deportations by anarcentric

Photos: Riverside immigration rally by joe rasta

CARPINTERIA, California - The small town of Carpinteria, California is the latest battleground in Native Americans’ fight against racism. The controversy over a supposedly “harmless” high school sports mascot has alienated the Native American population of Carpinteria, who have come to fear violent reprisals from the non-Native community.

The Carpinteria “Warriors” mascot is the standard Indian chief stereotype, complete with generic plains-style war bonnet and stoic gaze. The school logo consists of a spear with dangling feathers; a visual symbol also associated with plains Indian cultures.

Last spring, 15 year old Chumash youth Eli Cordero voiced his objections to the use of this stereotypical imagery by Carpinteria High School. On April 22nd, 2008, he brought his concerns before the school board which then voted to retire the use of all Native American imagery. . . . Since that time, the 15 year old has received death threats and his family has been harassed. Some citizens of Carpinteria shouted racial epithets at John Orendorff, a Native American Army Reserve colonel who spoke at a school board meeting in favor of removing the racist imagery. . . .

Complete update: Racism and Intimidation in Carpinteria by AIM-West | | Video
Latest News: Carpinteria votes on reinstatement of racist mascot

RIVERSIDE, January 29, 2009 - The Brown Berets of Aztlán led a march from the César Chávez Community Center at the Bobby Bonds Park to the Riverside Sheriff's Department, where they held a candlelight vigil and demonstration. They convoked the assembly to build momentum for the movement for justice for Annette García, a Perris resident, Brown Beret member, and mother of six, who was shot in the back on January 23 by a Riverside sheriff's deputy. Another demonstration is called for this Saturday 10 am at Bobby Burns Park in Riverside. Full Report: Justice for Annette García: Community responds to police murder of activist mother by Rockero

UPDATE: New video: Brown Beret Demonstration in "Rivercide" by Mateo Owen

LOS ANGELES, January 21, 2009 - Last Sunday saw a group of Los Angeles families and friends gather to protest at MacArthur park. The demonstrations were organized by The Coalition For Justice Against Police Murder. The rally formed into a march on the Rampart police station where speeches, testimonials and grass roots organizing techniques were given from the steps without police interference. The crowd was small, orderly and diverse. The police presence for the entire protest was absent which gave it a spontaneous and genuine feel. At the events closing the group petitioned the station supervisor by entering the facility and gently but affirmatively demanding investigative action on various deaths that allegedly were caused by LAPD misconduct. From the Newswire: Families of Police Murder Victims March to Rampart by Robert Stuart Lowden

Related Story: Oscar Grant! No Isolated Incident! A Photo Journey of Unarmed Folks Killed by Cops Worldwide by T. Love

Marching at the largest Martin Luther King Jr Day-the 24th year commemoration last January 19, 2009 from Western to Leimert Park, hundreds of peace activist and anti-war advocates marched with thousands of people chanting: “ MONEY FOR JOBS AND EDUCATION. NOT FOR WAR AND OCCUPATION!” The more than 200 protestors marched under the lead banner of the Topanga Peace Alliance and Veterans for Peace and led by the Cuahtemoc Azteca Dancers banging their drums. They marched together with more than 400 different delegations, floats and marching bands representing all shades and political color all over Southern California marched past the mains stage located at Crenshaw Blvd.

From the newswire: ANTI WAR PEACE ADVOCATES MARCH AT MLK DAY in LA by Echo Park Communtiy Coalition | | Peace Activists At the MLK Jr. parade by Cliff Olin | New: Video by Cliff Olin

Monday, January 19, 2009 - As the final hours of the Bush-Cheney regime draw nearer millions around the world are breathing a collective sign of relief that they survived the Bush-Cheney era. The one word Obama campaign slogan: Hope, is still the operative word in the minds of the public. The crowds at the 2009 inauguration are expected to break all records with perhaps over 3 million people lining the parade route. Not in recent history as a president entered the office with expectations so high.

Corporate media has transformed the event from an inauguration into a coronation. The pre-inaugural hype now resembles that of the Rose Parade or a Super Bowl game. The voices of alternative viewpoints lost in the spectacle of the parade and tournament. With the news that KPFK, a major local outlet of alternative news, has been denied access to broadcast facilities at the inauguration non-corporate representation of the event will be very limited.

Fortunately Indymedia activists are gearing up to cover counter-inaugural events. The DC-Indymedia web site has a redesigned homepage for special coverage. There are reporters from Urbana-Champaign IMC in DC now and filing reports. Also there is a live webcast at Radio Portland IMC. Locally here in Los Angeles there is a counter-inaugural event downtown planned for Tuesday.

Latest from the newswire: Commentary - Some Thoughts on Obama and the US Empire by Chris Burnett

LOS ANGELES January 14, 2009 - Early this morning, Jewish activists in a historic first in Los Angeles, chained themselves to the entrance of the Israeli Consulate and blocked the driveway to the parking structure, blocking all traffic in and out of the building. "We sent a clear message to the world that LA Jews are part of the global majority in opposition to the Israeli siege of Gaza," said Lenny Potash a 72-year old protester who was cuffed to eight other activists, blocking the driveway to the consulate. The activists were joined by 50 other supporters and who chanted "LA Jews say, End the Siege of Gaza" and "Not in Our Name! We will Not be Silent!" Protesters also held up signs reading "Israeli Consulate: Closed for War Crimes." From the newswire Jews Shut Down Israeli Consulate -LA By riKu Matsuda | | JEWS SHUT DOWN LOS ANGELES ISRAELI CONSULATE! by International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network | | BREAKING NEWS: Jews Shut Down Israeli Counsulate in Protest of Attack on Gaza! by Jewish People of Conscience | | Jewish activists block Israeli Consulate by Robert Stuart Lowden

UPDATE - Statement from Activists: Why We Chained Ourselves to the Israeli Consulate by Lisa Adler, Robin Ellis, and Eric Romann

LOS ANGELES, January 11, 2009 – This weekend saw continued protests against the Israeli invasion of Gaza. A march and rally estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 people took place in Westwood Saturday. At least one person was arrested on Saturday for climbing on a stop light to hang a banner. There was some minor police violence against protesters who tried to prevent the man from being arrested as he climbed down from the pole. And on Sunday another demonstration in Westwood drew hundreds including hundreds of pro-war counter-protesters. Police formed a line between the two rival groups and kept them separated. Local protest reports from the newswire: VIDEO: Free Gaza Protest | Zionists vs Gaza supports at protest | Free Palestine | | PHOTOS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | Timeline of call ins from Sunday’s Protest
New photos: Protest Against The Gaza Incursion Draws Thousands To Westwood by Robert Stuart Lowden
LET GAZA LIVE - A video and photo documentary of the march and rally by Ozzie Carmona

Jan. 16 demo (report/photos): Local Groups Join Forces to Oppose Gaza Offensive by Strangest Dream

Latest independent news from the region: Israel Indymedia

LOS ANGELES, December 30, 2008 – Demonstrations were held at the Westwood Federal Building and the Israeli Consulate today in response to continued air strikes on Gaza City by Israeli Defense Forces. Protesters are calling for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks between all warring parties. Close to 1,000 people demonstrated outside the Israeli Consulate this evening. Despite a few incidences with a small group of pro-war counter demonstrators the protest was mostly peaceful.
From the Newswire: Video: Jeff Warner, LA Jews for Peace | Video: Mike Farrell at Gaza Massacre Protest | | Timeline of call ins: Protests Dispatch #1 & #2 | | Cel Phn Photos from Gaza Massacre Protest | | Los Angeles Protest at Israeli Consulate | Dece3mber 30th Protest by Robert Lowden | | Pictures and Video: Muslim family face off with LAPD after Husband / Dad / Brother Arrested by markers10

Protests continue as ground invasion begins: 1/3: Latest Updates from Israel Invade Gaza, Worldwide Protest Against Invasion by Lee Siu Hin
PHOTOS by Robert Stuart Lowden: Gaza Protest at the Los Angeles Israeli Consulate | Jews for Peace Protest Los Angeles January 4th | Gaza Incursion Protest and Counter Protest January 7th