Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

On Thursday, May 15th, three dozen people rallied in 102 degree heat outside the FCC field office in Cerritos, CA to #OccupyTheFCC in favor of net neutrality. Protesters waved signs bearing messages such as "FCC -- Don't Nix Net Neutrality," Don't Neuter the Net," and "Neutralize the Threat, Not the Net."

This Southern California FCC field office is located in unmarked suite 660 of a large industrial park also housing a for-profit college. Despite chants of "Hey, FCC? Come out! We've got some stuff to talk about!" no employees appeared to address the assembled citizens.

If the FCC approves paid Internet "fast lanes," websites that pay hefty fees will be easier for the average consumer to access. On the flip side, small businesses, start-ups, and anyone who can not afford the large fees will have their Internet traffic sent to the "slow lane." #SaveTheInternet refers to the campaign to keep the Internet free from discrimination and defend the principle of net neutrality.

Or, in the words of Thursday's rally, "Google fast, my blog slow? To that I say: no, no, NO!"

Full story and photos: Los Angeles Joins Nationwide #WaveOfAction Occupation of FCC Offices to #SaveTheInternet by Los Angeles People's Media

LOS ANGELES, CA -- In solidarity with workers of the world, Los Angelenos took to the streets on Thursday, May 1, 2014, to demand human rights for the global 99%. In addition to permitted marches scheduled by 501(c) charities and labor unions, autonomous grassroots protests sprouted up throughout downtown L.A. . . . Outside Wells Fargo and Bank of America, outraged citizens protested bank crimes, fraud-closures, and ongoing corruption of the big banks.

. . . As the sun peaked in the afternoon, the dancing continued down the block to join the Southern California Immigrants Rights Coalition (SCIC) march at Olympic & Broadway. En route, the human wave of action paused at the Los Angeles office of the Federal Reserve Bank for a stimulating teach-in. Chants of "Stop the deportation NOW!" and "Fund Jobs, Not War!" filled the air as the May First March traveled up Broadway. A large red banner reading "Alta a las Redadas / Stop the Raids!" spanned the street.

Another march for labor and immigrant rights was held in the early morning from Chinatown to the Federal Detention Center. Billed as "Mayday 4 All," the morning march included thousands of supporters from organized labor. Handmade signs at #Mayday4All read "End Wage Slavery" and "We the People Demand Real Democracy."

Articles and pictures: May Day 2014: Los Angeles Takes the Streets for a Global Spring by Jessica Lux | MayDay4All Coalition May Day March 2014 by johnk | Occupy Fights Foreclosures and Dance Against Banks protest Wells Fargo and Bank of America by Los Angeles People's Media

For the 15th year marking International Women's Day in Southern California, on March 8th a warm and sunny Saturday, a mixed race and enthusiastic crowd of approximately 450 women, men, quite a lot of young people, and lots of children gathered for a free concert and speakout at the MacArthur Park Band Shell in Los Angeles.

This year: IWD events internationally marked Haiti's revolutionary legacy, and the continuing courage and resilience of its people, starting with women. From Berkeley, Boston, Claremont, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Springfield (USA), Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor (Canada), Guyana and elsewhere, to Dublin and London, people have gathered in solidarity with the Haitian people. Actions in Haiti and across the world marked the 10th anniversary of the coup (29 February 2004) which overthrew the government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide -- former liberation theology priest and Haiti's first democratically elected and much loved and trusted President. Also on this the first anniversary of the death of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, we were remembering this extraordinary leader of the Bolivarian Revolution which changed Latin America and the world.

Full Story: Rock, Rap & Speakout vs Poverty, Prisons & War By Ruth Todasco of Global Women's Strike/LA

The Worldwide #WaveOfAction began Friday, April 4th at former Occupy sites around the world. Citing studies that "have proven that it only takes 3.5% of the population taking nonviolent action to create meaningful and positive change," the originators of the idea have called for a three-month cycle of action beginning, symbolically, on the date of the assassination of Martin Luther King and ending, symbolically, on July 4, 2014.

In Southern California, rallies were held in Los Angeles, Westminster, Anaheim, and San Diego. A morning march from the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to Congressman Xavier Becerra's preceded a vigil for the Robin Hood tax" (H.R. 1579). People rallied at City Hall at noon in solidarity with the #WorldWideWave.

People of Westminster, CA united for an all-day rally in Freedom Park honoring the civil rights legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free food, screen printing, pageantry, and community spirit were present long into the evening.

The Anaheim, CA Wave of Action was called to bring awareness to killer police in Orange County as well as the rising numbers of homeless on the streets of America.

In San Diego, Civic Center Plaza was re-occupied for the day with a message of "Evolve, Survive, Thrive" and "UNITE in LOVE."

Full story and pictures: Southern California Joins Worldwide Wave Of Action by Jessica Lux