This was the sixth consecutive year (a conservative count) that the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors have held vigils on December 25. The last several vigils have been a joint collaboration with the weekly Montrose Peace Vigil.

Locations of our December 25 vigil have changed over the years. Yesterday, we had it in Eagle Rock. Six of us turned out. While many passersby were non-committal, many others gave us peace signs (and we exchanged waves with a police car). A few even thanked us for being there.

Many of ours signs addressed the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, but support for same-sex marriage was also prominent.

Story and photos"Peace on Earth" vigil 2009 by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors

Tesla management and the Google major stake holders Larry Page and Sergey Brin along with former owner of Paypal Elon Musk are moving ahead with plans to build a “green” auto assembly plant at the toxic downey dump site in southern California where hundreds of workers have been sickened. They have also received a $465 million loan from the Obama Department of Energy DOE to build the non-union assembly auto plant. Why would these billionaire owners need a US government loan to build a green electric car plant if they believe in this product?

. . . The California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day and the Peninsula Raging Grannies will be having a press/education/musical event in conjunction with the Detroit Auto Show which opens in Detroit on January 8, 2009.

Story: Google/Paypal Owners Building "Green" Electric Car On Downey Toxic Dump Site?1/9 by California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day

RELATED: Is Tesla Nuts? by by California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day | | IATSE Local 44 Movie Propmaker Steve Basile At Tesla Motors To Report On Downey Toxic Dump by Labor Video Project

ECHO PARK - En la iglesia metodista de Echo Park, el sub-comité teatral del Comité Pro-Democracia en México realizó la actuación de una obra de teatro popular para conmemorar la masacre de Acteal de 1997. La obra fue desempeñada en conjunto con presentaciones musicales y poéticas. Informe: Obra teatral en homenaje a los víctimas de la masacre de Acteal, Chiapas por Rockero

RELATED: Immigration advocates advise against holiday travel on bus and rail due to constant raids by Inland Empire Rapid Response Network | | The Eighth Annual AntiMall by RP

In advance of his appearance this week at an L.A. screening of "Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier," Ben Carnes of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee discussed that film, Leonard Peltier, and a variety of other Native American issues.

The free showing of "Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier" will take place on December 17 at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo at 7pm. Carnes, who will present the film, believes it is one of a few documentaries that explains and clarifies the circumstances surrounding Peltier's imprisonment. (Another film he mentioned was Incident at Oglala by Michael Apted.)

At the time of Peltier's alleged shooting of an FBI agent (June of 1975), Carnes said that "they just wanted to arrest a group of AIM (American Indian Movement) people and have a big media riff because there was such a propaganda campaign that was going on against the American Indian Movement—that they were being trained by communists in Cuba, all kinds of derogatory things to help discredit them. But on the day of that shootout there were just strange things that happening that day that screwed their plans up. When the agents went in, there was another agent."

Interview: Ben Carnes on the film "Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier" by RP

Practically unknown in the United States, International Human Rights Day commemorates the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is recognized worldwide as an important step toward respect for humanity. Here in Los Angeles, the activist community has played an important role in restoring the Declaration, and human rights in general, to the public view, making use of the occasion to highlight human rights abuses in the US, Mexico, the Philippines, and Honduras.

From the newswire: Update on Imprisoned People's Lawyer Lynne Stewart | | Vigiling in the Rain by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors | | Solidaridad con Atenco: Cita en Consulado de Mexico por debbieX, Protestas en solidaridad con Atenco en Santa Ana y San Bernardino por Siete Filos | | Nationwide Protests Demanding Justice for Maguindanao Massacre Victims by Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) | | Women Leaders of the Honduran Resistance Speak in L.A. by Sidney Ross-Risden and Ross Plesset

Right: The table for the Open Source Voting Consortium at the L.A. Linux Expo '09.

In the spring of 2008, after years of getting p.o.'d at Microsoft on almost a daily basis, I switched over to Linux (free, non-proprietary software). I had just gotten a new computer, and a friend who was setting it up for me, offered Linux as an option. This seemed a bit risky since Linux sounded less user-friendly than Microsoft, and I am not a technically-savvy person. Yet I loved the idea of being free of Microsoft and proprietary software. I took a chance and went with Linux. In the ensuing year, my computer sessions became markedly less stressful--it was usually at zero.

. . . On February 19th of this year, I attended the 2009 Linux Expo in L.A. Below are conversations I had with a few of the vendors. Story and photos: Transitioning to Linux and a (Late) Report on the 2009 Linux Expo L.A. by RP | RELATED: LA IMC 10th Anniversary - Technology Workshop by Mallory Knodel

Throughout Southern California, solidarity actions have been taking place for the political prisoners of San Salvador Atenco. The Mexican activists have been imprisoned for defending their lands and subjected to sub-human and torturous conditions far worse than those suffered by convicted drug traffickers and murderers. Here in the United States, efforts have focused on raising awareness and building support for the campaign to free the wrongfully-incarcerated. And to demand justice from Mexican government. Actions have included film screenings in Maywood and San Bernardino, and a recent tour by human rights defender and lawyer for the Atenco prisoners; Leonel Rivero. This year's International Human Rights Day events focus on the prisoners of Atenco, abuses in the Philippines, the human rights of migrants, and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

From the newswire: Atenco PRESENTE!! en California by debbie

From the calendar: International Human Rights Day in solidarity with the political prisoners of Atenco in Santa Ana, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles.

Other Human Rights Day events: No to US intervention in the Philippines! at the Philippine consulate | | Raging for 16 Days and Renewing Our Commitment to 365 Days of Activism by Jollene Levid | | Imperialism is a Human Rights Violation!!! at the Downtown LA federal building | | Free Alex Sanchez! IHR Press Conference at Immanuel Presbyterian Church | | Community Groups to Highlight Los Angeles Housing Crisis and Demand Attention to Sweeping Human Rights Violations at Los Angeles City Hall

Over the last several years the Northeast L.A. Radical Neighbors ("bad-asses who care"), often in collaboration with the Montrose Peace Vigil, has held one-hour peace vigils on holidays such as and Easter and Xmas. However, this was our first Thankstaking demo.

Obviously, vigils such as this are not stopping America's many wars, but they seem to be reminding people that horrible things are going on. (Personally, I grew up during the Vietnam War totally unaware of that abomination. Had there been community vigils such as this, my world view would have been different.)

We got a lot of positive response from adults and children. One city employee read all of our signs aloud over a p.a. system on their vehicle. As we have done in the past, we brought food for the local homeless people. It was alarming to see how much the local homeless population had increased. There seemed to be about 10 people in addition to the ones we have known over the years. Fortunately, a church group came after our event ended and distributed much more food. Read Full Report by R of the Northeast L.A. Radical Neighbors

WEST HOLLYWOOD, November 20, 2009 - Friday night's dedication of the Transgender Memorial in West Hollywood culminated years of planning and struggle to build a permanent monument to the dozens of Trans identified persons who are murdered each year by hate criminals.

The new plaque is now at Sheppard Triangle in West Hollywood. Dedication speakers, included Bushnell, Jarez, Chaz Bono, West Hollywood Mayor Abbey Land, City Councilmen John Duran and Jeffrey Prange. This author was impressed how tidy each speaker's remarks were, contrasting with the lengthy ones we remember from past Days of Remembrance. It was as if everyone knew that this year was special and that we should not any longer delay the unveiling we had struggled so long to achieve.

The audience was particularly moved by the humbleness of Chaz Bono, who thanked us for inviting him, and said he was new to our community, and did not feel he should take up too much time merely because his celebrity might invite more attention to his personal transition, which was the similar to what all of us face. Full Story: Dedication of Transgender Memorial Ends Years of Struggle by Carolina | | Photos: Dedication of Transgender Memorial Photos By Robert Stuart Lowden

LOS ANGELES, UCLA Campus - November 19, 2009 – An estimated 2,000+ students and union workers took part in various actions campus-wide this week. Covel Commons where the UC Regents held their last day of meetings was completely surrounded by students and workers with arms locked together. They formed a human chain of solidarity against the regents complicity in the ongoing privatization of the UC system. Latest from the Newswire: Students and Workers Resist Privatization at UCLA Regents Meeting | Reports of Arrests | Eye Witness Reportback

Photos: UC Strike - UCLA Nov.19th by Tae | | UC Students Fight Tuition Hike, Occupy Campus by A
Audio: MP3 AUDIO – Interview with UCLA Student on Protesting the Regents By A
Video: Students Pepper Sprayed | Whose University? Our University! (Via vozmob.net) | UC Police break up UCLA protest by Richard Bamattre

Special Section: Report Back From Inside the Occupation of Campbell Hall, UCLA | A few pictures from inside occupied Campbell-Huggins Hall | Students Occupy Campbell Hall

Coverage from other independent media sites: Indybay coverage of actions across the CA education system | Protest at UCLA against the theft of our education | Estudiantes se unen y marchan | Video :Maria's Dilemna (en español)

Background & More info: UCSolidarity.org | UCStrike.com

Fred Phelps, founder and pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas and a man so far on the fringes of the radical religious Right even the late Rev. Jerry Falwell called him “a certified nut,” brought his nationwide road show of hate to San Diego the weekend of October 16-18. Along with a number of synagogues and Jewish community groups, one of his picketing targets was San Diego High School for its alleged tolerance and acceptance of Queer students. A counter-protest drew 500 people as opposed to the 10 or so Westboro Baptist Church members on the opposite side of Park Boulevard from the school. Full article: Fred Phelps Brings Road Show of Hate to San Diego; 500 Protest Against Him by Mark Gabrish Conlan

LOS ANGELES, October 28, 2009 - At a little after twelve noon on Wednesday, Dr. Matt Hendrickson; an emergency room physician and six other protesters were arrested for trespassing and blocking the entrance to the CIGNA offices in Glendale, California. The action was part of a nationwide effort by Mobilize For Healthcare, which advocates a single payer medicare plan for all, with no denials to anyone.

Nonviolent actions were held in other US cities resulting in a total of 37 arrests nationwide. Seventy three people actually sat in nationally, but due to various police tactics in San Francisco, Columbus and Warwick 40 demonstrators were not arrested.

The police presence in Glendale was large with at least two policemen for each protester and at this time all of the protesters have been released. Full Story: Physician and Six Activists Arrested at CIGNA’s Glendale Office, (part 1) | | (part2) by Robert Stuart Lowden

On October 24th, thousands of rallies and actions were planned around the world to draw attention to the environmental crises caused by humans. The global action was organized by 350.org, and the actions, which will be presented at the UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December of 2009. Several events took place in Southern California, many of them pictured at 350.0rg.

Also, in Los Angeles, a large banner was seen being held up over the 134 Freeway near the San Rafael exit, and on Tuesday October 27 a banner was still hanging over the Ventura Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.

In Eagle Rock, the 350 demonstration and public outreach had a turnout of at least 40 people. Some were from the community, many belonged to the Converging Storms Action Network, and others were with the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors (NELA-RAD), which hosted the event.

Story and photos: International Day of Climate Action in Eagle Rock (part 1) | (Photo set 2) by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors ("bad-asses who care")

October 24, 2009 RIVERSIDE, California - In Southern California's largest antifascist action in recent memory, a diverse group of between 400 and 500 protesters held a demonstration against a group of 16 neo-Nazis from the National Socialist Movement in the Casa Blanca barrio of Riverside. The NSM sought to target the day laborers who congregate outside the Home Depot at the corner of Indiana and Madison to exercise their right to free speech and look for work, but the community denied them any opportunity to put their genocidal ideology into practice.

Depite efforts to contain the throng to sidewalks behind metal barriers, thrice the activists pushed forth their demands by taking over the street--in outright defiance not only of the police, who numbered well over 50, but also of protest organizers' pre-established rules of conduct. The day saw two arrests of anti-Nazi demonstrators criminalized for defending their community, and several activists reported being pushed and struck by police batons.

From the Newswire: Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not., Part 1 | (Photo set 2) | (Photo set 3) By Rockero | | NAZIS GO HOME! Spit and Swastikas Clash in Riverside by Kendra Atleework | |Report from the action: 500 Outnumber & Surround Nazis in Riverside.

VIDEO: Nazis in Riverside by Nauiocelotl | | Video footage of the Anti-Nazi protest and More footage of the Anti-Nazi protest by Jammer CC | | Inland Empire Against Racial Hate (1-13) by Musicamante

On August 31, 2009 an appeals judge lifted an existing ban on Navy sonar, and ruled against a lawsuit that would have prevented the U.S. Navy from resuming sonar training exercises off Southern California. The training exercises thus commenced on September 11, 2009 off San Diego. Within two weeks at least three great blue whales were reported floating dead off the Southern California coast. On October 12, another great blue whale was found dead off Big Sur. On Monday, October 19 yet another blue whale washed ashore, this time at Fort Bragg in Northern California. The latest incident has raised serious questions of whether or not the sonar used by the survey vessel confirmed to have hit the whale might have been responsible.

Full report: Blue Whale Deaths Off the California Coast by David Gurney

October 22, the national day of resistance against police brutality, is becoming a tradition dear to the Los Angeles community, especially to the families of those whose lives were stolen and to the youth who face police repression every day. This year, the police didn't let up, as the high-profile cases of Dontaze Storey, Annette Garcia, and of course, Oscar Grant, whose New Year's Eve shooting was caught on film and stoked uprisings in the Bay Area, show. The Orange County community converged in Orange, and Los Angeles centered its actions in South Central, where marchers took Leimert park to demand justice for the fallen.

Calls to Action: October 22 Coalition | | No More Police Murders! No More Stolen Lives! by Carl Dix

Report from the action: 5:00 pm, O-22 – 100+ Rally at Anti Police State Protest in Leimert Park by LA-IMC newsroom | | Photos: protest: Stop Police Brutality by Marcus | No More Stolen Lives L.A. Protest Photos by Robert Stuart Lowden | | VIDEO: October 22nd '09 Day against police brutality video by GamepitDee

US Judge Manuel Real denied Father Gregory Boyle, nationally-known for his gang prevention work, the opportunity to testify as an expert defense witness for Alex Sanchez on Monday, then promptly denied Sanchez bail while reading from prepared notes.

The prosecution’s fear was that the widely-respected Jesuit priest would dismantle the state’s gang conspiracy case based on his long experience with street gangs in Los Angeles and El Salvador. They received immediate relief from Judge Real who dismissed Boyle’s right to testify on the confusing grounds that Boyle thinks Sanchez is innocent. Read Full Report by Tom Hayden | | | Photos by Anna | | | Videos Vigil Before the Hearing | Rally & Prayer After

Related: Alex Sanchez Denied Bail by wearealex.org

LOS ANGELES, October 15, 2009 - Wednesday morning saw the organization, Mobilization for Health Care, stage a protest and sit-in at the Anthem Blue Cross offices in downtown Los Angeles. The actions were part of a national campaign of civil disobedience targeting insurance company offices. Twelve people were arrested at Wednesdays’ Los Angeles action, a total of 54 have been reported arrested nationwide

The event in Los Angeles was organized by Sam Pullman whose mother had passed away from Multiple Myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow). She had been treated at The Mayo Clinic and was refused a bone marrow transplant by Blue Cross on the grounds that it was an experimental procedure. She passed away at age 45.
Full Story: Mobilization for Health Care Provokes Arrests at L.A. Insurance Giant, Part 1 | | Part 2, with Video by Robert Lowden
Photos: 12 Arrested in LA for Health Care for All by Mobilization for Health Care for All

Statement by arrestee, Sam Pullman: "I'm staying in police custody until we have health care for all" by Lacy MacAuley

+ UPDATE - Sam Pullman Released: In His Mother’s Footsteps: LA Man Jailed for 5 Days After Sit-In at Blue Cross Office by Democracy Now!

In Southern California, there were at least two protests of Columbus Day this year. One took place in San Juan Capistrano, the other in Santa Barbara. The latter had an impressive turnout with head counts varying from 35 to 70. Whatever the exact number, our presence was strong, and reactions were positive. Vehicles honked, and pedestrians stopped to watch and listen. Some of them expressed support for the cause.

The many signs included "We discovered a lost Columbus," "Make Columbus your mascot," and "Is there a Hitler Day?"

There was also music, dance, and several good speakers. Many of the horrors committed by Columbus were mentioned, including his forcing Indian children into prostitution. To describe all of the atrocities would have taken the entire evening (at least). However, the radio show American Indian Airwaves on KPFK had a fairly comprehensive discussion of this on October 14 at 3pm. It can be downloaded from the Audio Archives at KPFK.org for the next 90 days. Apparently, part 2 of this installment will air next week.

Story and photos: Christopher Columbus Protest in Santa Barbara by RP

LOS ANGELES, October 3, 2009 - Crowds from both sides of the abortion rights debate met and exchanged words (and an elbow or two) outside the Family Planning Clinic on N. Westmoreland in Los Angeles on Saturday. Pro-Choice volunteers made a line around the entrance, creating what organizer, Katie, called a “safe zone” for would-be patients at the clinic. “The goal is to protect the clinic,” one Pro-Choice volunteer said, “we’re trying to keep it open, and the other side is trying to shut it down.”

The conflict comes from a new push by a group called 40 Days For Life Los Angeles (FDFL), who are a religious group that has called for a presence at family planning clinics around the country. They have been met in Los Angeles by Pro-Choice activists, and both sides of the conflict admit it hasn’t been easy.

Full Story: Pro-choice and Pro-Life Groups Clash at Family Planning Clinic; Police Intervene by Brian Elerding, photos by Robert Stuart Lowden

RELATED: Defending Abortion Rights by Katie | | MP3 AUDIO: Interview with Katie Miller, Abortion Clinic Defender by A

Photos from Saturday, October 10th: FAMILY CLINIC HARRASMENT AND COUNTER PROTEST CONTINUES.

RIVERSIDE, California, Saturday, September 26, 2009 - In response to a planned neo-Nazi demonstration at a day labor site in Casa Blanca, Riverside's historically Latino community, numerous community groups united to oppose racism in their city. Over 30 organizations endorsed a rally at City Hall, which saw the participation of over 150 people who listened to and gave speeches, shared fruit and water, and enjoyed music and a strong sense of solidarity.

Meanwhile about a four miles away in front of a Home Depot store (a place where day laborers seek work) a group of no more than 10 Nazis tried to stage a rally. An alliance of close to 35 activists, including MEChA, Brown Berets, anarchists and local day laborers moved in to counter the Nazi rally and were able break it up. Activists surrounded the Nazis and seized two of their Nazi flags and burned them. The Nazis were forced to retreat under the protection of a police escort. Reports from the newswire: "Riverside Rejects Racism" Rally in Response to Neo-Nazi Demonstration, Part 1 & Part 2 by Rockero | | Nazis in Riverside by Cliff Olin | | ANTIFA VICTORY! Nazi Rally in Riverside Broken Up by Seeds Under Snow Collective | | 12:30 pm – Breaking News - Community Shuts Down Nazi Rally in Riverside.

VIDEO: Mexican and anti-racist vs National Socialist Movement by Naui Ocelotl | | Nazis in Riverside | | Nazis go home! by thepitzermaya

On Tuesday evening, Sept 22, a lively group of approximately 70 activists brought a Pro-Healthcare Reform rally to the sidewalk in front of FOX TV Center at 1999 Bundy in West Los Angeles.

To be repeated next Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 5pm-7pm. From the calendar: Protest FOX Lies About Health Care

Full report: LA Health Reform Rally Sticks it to Fox by Rodger Caldwell