Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Just 10 years after the Ballona Wetlands were acquired and preserved (an endeavor that took decades), they are again under attack. The Annenberg Foundation, which has done impressive work elsewhere, plans to purchase the wetlands, develop part of it, and restore Area C. The latter proposal has been described as "a phony restoration" to "give crony engineering companies some business" and "way too aggressive" for the highly- sensitive habitat. Annenberg claims their plans have been misrepresented, but there was no elaboration.

On Thursday, October 17, a demonstration was held outside the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills during that facility's very extravagant grand opening. Protest signs supported Annenberg's various plans, that include a pet rescue center, but lambasted any construction on or restoration of Ballona, which is among the remaining five percent of L.A.'s wetlands that has not been destroyed.

(Photo courtesy of the Wetlands Defense Fund.)

Story and photos: Ballona Wetlands Again in Jeopardy by R. Plesset

On Los Angeles on September 10, 2013, in front of the Convention Center, where the AFL-CIO national convention was being held, a press conference was called by a coalition of community organizations critical of SB 744, also called Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR), and the parts that would further militarize the border, would charge immigrants high fees, bring back a "Bracero"-style labor system, and of Obama's massive deportation operation. CIR is supported by a coalition of labor and community organizations, who see this as the last opportunity to pass any kind of immigration reform bill. A faction of activists from LCLLA, an AFL-CIO Latino group, entered the hall and confronted labor leader Maria Elena Durazo.

Inside, the AFL-CIO's theme was to forge a new direction, and allow alt-labor and community organizations a place within the AFL-CIO. The new executive vice president of the AFL-CIO Tefere Gebre was interviewed and also discussed his views on the efforts by President Obama to attack and bomb Syria. Also the director of the national Taxi Workers Alliance Bhairavi Desai talked about the conditions facing cab drivers and other issues as well.

Coverage, photos, and links: AFL-CIO 2013 Immigration Press Conf & The "Comprehensive Immigration Bill" Challenged by Labor Video Project

On Monday evening, MoveOn called for vigils around the country against the threatened U.S. bombing of Syria. In Silver "Lake," the turnout was large--67 people were counted an hour into it (and by that time several had left). (Other local vigils listed here.) People of all ages participated. Unlike the demonstrations against invading Iraq in '02-'03, public response was overwhelmingly positive. The honking was almost non-stop at the busy intersection of Glendale and Silver Lake Boulevards and could be heard from blocks away. Also, there was media coverage by NBC and NPR. All four corners of the intersection were occupied.

The crowd was passionate. One participant made a trip to the west side to fetch a banner for this event. Due to the large turnout, the one-hour vigil (originally scheduled from 6-7) was extended by an additional half hour.

Additional actions were planned for the following day, September 10, in and in front of the office of Congressman Adam Schiff in Hollywood.

Photos and report: Silver "Lake" Protests Invasion of Syria by R. Plesset

Thousands of people traveled from all over the state of California on August 14, 2013 to press Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Majority Whip from Bakersfield, to support a vote in the House of Representatives on a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Rallying in Yokuts Park, supporters of humane immigration heard from trade unionists, community organizers, religious leaders, poets, musicians, and Dreamers – undocumented students who qualified for Federal deferred action and the California Dream Acts. Then they marched a short distance to Congressman McCarthy’s district office on Empire Drive, where they were met by a handful of opponents of immigration reform. Proponents of comprehensive immigration reform carried signs saying “Reforma migratoria justa” and “The time is now.” Many waved United States and United Farm Workers’ flags. The UFW flags said, “¡Si se puede!” Some activists carried butterfly posters, suggesting that migration is a natural right. Others carried a dinosaur effigy of Congressman Kevin McCarthy, suggesting that opposition to comprehensive immigration reform legislation will lead to political extinction. Opponents of immigration reform carried signs saying “No amnesty” and “Stop illegal immigration.” One member of the group carried a sign reading “Close the border” and “Visa violators out.”

Full story and pictures: Caravans Converge on Bakersfield to Press for a Path to Citizenship by Sharat G. Lin

A week after the George Zimmerman murder trial verdict which ended in a complete acquittal of all charges in the death of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin, a nationwide rally was staged. Over one hundred cities participated with Martin's parents appearing at the New York City rally and the Miami events. The NYC day was attended by celebrities and glitterati. The LA action was much more basic. No stages and no celebs. Just concerned Moms and Dads, Grandpas and Grandmas, little boys and girls and those not yet born.

The event started in front of the Federal Courthouse on Spring Street and eventually marched to the upper south side via Wilshire Boulevard. The police presence was minimal with no visible riot cops. Although two trucks full of battle police did appear blocks away after the march had worn down.

There were black, white, Asian and Hispanic families carrying messages that in no uncertain terms cried out for the safety of black men and boys through a cessation of the "Stand Your Ground " laws that are in the statutes of 34 states at this time. There were calls to end profiling and to protect our youth from vigilantism.

Report and photos: LA Families March For Trayvon Martin by Robert Stuart Lowden | Photo Set 2

Tuesday July 16--Protests in L.A. are continuing to grow, as is police presence--and thus tax payer-funded LAPD overtime. Public officials, including Mayor Eric Garcetti, and media are vilifying a small group of violent protesters, blaming them for police presence/aggression. (However, it was noted on Pacifica's Letters and Politics Tuesday, July 16, 2013 that neither government nor media cares when much greater damage is done after sporting events (e.g., Giants winning the World Series in San Francisco).) Meanwhile, demonstrators blame the police and media for escalating tensions. A speaker on Letters and Politics stressed the importance of peaceful protest, saying that small business and property owners should not be alienated. Others have said glass is replaceable, lives are not. According to Pacifica Evening News, 14 arrests have been made--most for failure to disperse--and over 350 officers activated.

KPFK's Ernesto Arce reports that demonstrators in Leimert Park Village are sick of disrespectful and racist portrayals of African Americans by outside media. "I couldn't agree more," Arce says. "Of all the communities I cover, the black community is the most honest, the most real, the most righteously indignant, and the most beautiful of all."

Photos and videos: Saturday and Sunday Trayvon Martin Protests by jk | More Trayvon Martin Photos by imc volunteer | A Justice 4 Trayvon Martin Scrapbook

July 10, 2013: Some one hundred people protested the Ringling Bros. Circus on opening night at Staples Center. Much emphasis was placed on cruel treatment of animals and separating them from their natural environments and families. (Objection to incarceration and training of animals is nothing new--although a recent DVD documentary called No Fun for Elephants has shed additional light on animal abuse with its undercover footage of elephants being brutalized right here in California. Excerpts of it have been played on KPFK (90.7 FM). Some footage can be seen on YouTube here and here.)

Activity books were offered to small children, many of whom took interest in them. Children also showed interest in large photos of animals being treated inhumanely. At least one family, consisting of a mother and three children, changed its mind about attending Ringling and decided to do something else.

Protests of Ringling Bros. circuses are happening all over. "PETA volunteers will go to every city that Ringling Bros. goes to," said co-organizer and Campaigns Manager for PETA Katie Arth, "whether you're in cities like Los Angeles and New York or Biloxi, Mississippi."

Report and pictures: "The Circus is in Town!" by R. Plesset | "The Circus is in Town!" (more photos)

Related: Victory! Colombia Passes Wild Animal Circus Ban by Animal Defenders International

In nearly every city President Obama has appeared over the past few weeks, he has been met by immigration activists who have used civil disobedience to make their message heard. It happened last week in Chicago. (Also, a similar action targeted Wisconsin's racist senator Ron Johnson the next day in Milwaukee.) So Los Angeles, a key battleground in the struggle for the rights of the undocumented, a presidential cameo at a Democratic Party fundraiser at a private mansion could not be ignored.

On Friday June 7, hundreds gathered and 11 were arrested--many of them risking deportation--in an act of civil disobedience calling on Obama to usher in the planned legalization of millions of undocumented immigrants by halting all deportations. Protesters gathered to decry other issues as well, including the imposition of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The day's events were marred, however, by a shooting spree that occurred just blocks from the protests that took the lives of five and injured several more.

Report and photos: Civil disobedience outside of Obama fundraiser calls for "Not One More" deportation by Rockero | | More photos: Photos from Protest Against Obama IP THIEF