On March 21, 2009, a peace march was held in Hollywood. The goal was to bring about the end of war on a global scale. It was a call for solidarity amongst all members of the left. I had seen the posters for months. By D-Day, I could almost hear the footsteps of the march that was going to stop the war in my head. There was no way I was going to miss this.

I spent the first twenty-four years of my life in my mother’s basement in Philadelphia, spinning old records, decorating my room with upside-down American flags, and reading the Communist Manifesto. Most of my youth, I dreamed of attending a massive peace rally. At last I would be given my chance to run through the streets with blood on my face. I was ready to stop the war.

When I got to Hollywood and Vine, I found the rally all right.... Full Report & Photos by Nick Anastasi

Six years after our troops went into Iraq, the occupation continues, and Americans and Iraqis are still dying in a war based on lies. We have been fighting to stop this war since before it started, and we will continue that fight until all our troops are home from Iraq. . . . Military Families Speak Out, Long Beach Area Peace Network, Iraq Vets Against the War, Veterans for Peace and Vietnam Veterans Against the War protest occupation in Seal Beach and Long Beach, California in symbolic funeral procession.

Photos and story: Mock Funeral Procession Remembers Military In Iraq by esewolfie

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

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

December 25, 2008: Despite the threat of heavy rain, five of us turned out for our annual Xmas Day vigil. We have been vigiling on Xmas, at various locations, since 2004. Last year's holiday vigil was covered here.

This was the second year that the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors collaborated with the Montrose vigil. Some of us were a bit reticent to go out in the rain on a holiday, but activism isn't always about doing what one wants or feels like.

Story and photos: Xmas Day Vigil 2008 by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors

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

In a major step for the U.S. labor movement, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has announced that it will shut down West Coast ports on May 1, to demand an immediate end to the war and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East. In a February 22 letter to AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, ILWU International president Robert McEllrath reported that at a recent coast-wide union meeting, “One of the resolutions adopted by caucus delegates called on longshore workers to stop work during the day shift on May 1, 2008 to express their opposition to the war in Iraq.”
From the newswire: ILWU to Shut Down West Coast Ports May 1 Demanding End to War in Iraq, Afghanistan by Internationalist Group
Website: here
More on: KPFK's Beneath the Surface (4/28/08 at 5:45 pm) and Sojourner Truth with Margaret Prescod(4/29/08)
Also: VERMONT AFL-CIO CALLS ON WORKERS TO SUPPORT WEST COAST SRIKE AGAINST WAR by Vermont AFL-CIO
From the calendar: Twin May Day Marches for All Workers! by MIWON | | Ventura County May Day: March for Dignity and Work by Frente Contra las Redadas
From the newswire: MARCH AND RALLY FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS! by CDIR-USA | | May Day March & United Rally for Immigrant Rights by by AJLPP | | Did Google Block ILWU Web Page? by A | | ¡Por un 1° de Mayo proletario y de lucha! by by PCInt. | | May Day 2008-The Internationale in Many Languages by & | | All Out to May Day 2008 March for Immigrant Worker Rights! by by Lee Siu Hin

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, March 23, 2008 – Peace Vigils are being held across the region to mark the 4,000th US military death in the Iraq war. From the Newswire: Orange County Candlelight Vigil for 4,000 Fallen | | 4000 death vigil Downtown LA Federal Building | | Easter Day Vigil in Highland Park -- More vigils are planned for the week: Vigil to Honor 4,000 U.S. Troops Killed

For the sixth consecutive Easter, a peace demonstration was held in Highland Park at York and Figueroa. In keeping with tradition, there were signs with messages including "resurrect peace," "resurrect justice," "resurrect the planet," and "who would Jesus bomb?" Also, a potluck meal was shared with the local homeless, and there was an egg hunt.
Story and photos: Easter Day Vigil in Highland Park by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Saturday, March 15, 2008 – Protests were held in Hollywood, Santa Barbara, Huntington Beach to mark the fifth year since the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. An estimated 2,000 protesters gathered at Hollywood & Vine and marched a short eight block route for rally at the CNN building on Sunset. Hundreds marched in Santa Barbara and formed a human peace sign in a local park. In Orange County a Silent Peace March of about 300 people was held in Huntington Beach. Latest From the Newswire:

Hollywood: Hollywood Peace March 3-15-2008, Part 1 & Part 2 by Don Hodges | | CFWP at the M15 March by Hugh Stegman | | Photos from the Anti War Protest in Hollywood 3/15/2008 by Organic Tofu Vegan Burger
Santa Barbara: Anti-War March in Santa Barbara by ForestDefender
Orange County: Orange County Peace Coalition: "How Many More? Resist, Resist the War!" Part 1 & Part 2 by df
VIDEO by df
Santa Monica: Silent Walk for Peace in Santa Monica by sgibson

More local protests are planned this week: This Wednesday, 4:00 pm - End the War Protest in Oldtown Pasadena | | Wednesday 5:30 pm - Candlelight Vigil in Orange County | | March 19th - Protest at Hollywood recruitment center

UPDATE: More demonstrations and peace vigils continued into the week across the region. Wednesday night saw a reunion of local peace vigils at street corners throughout the city. Demonstrations were also held at military recruitment centers. Latest from the Newswire:

Santa Monica: Silent Walk for Peace in Santa Monica by sgibson
Pasadena: Pasadena Protest against the Iraq War by Steven Gibson
Boyle Hieghts: Roosevelt High Students Picket Recruitment Center In Boyle Hts. & Images from Today's Boyle Hts. Protest by A
Highland Park: Highland Park Protests U.S. Aggression in Iraq on Five-Year Anniversary by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors
Rancho Cucamonga: Five years too many: Vigil in Rancho Cucamonga by Rockero

In a major step for the U.S. labor movement, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has announced that it will shut down West Coast ports on May 1, to demand an immediate end to the war and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East. In a February 22 letter to AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, ILWU International president Robert McEllrath reported that at a recent coast-wide union meeting, “One of the resolutions adopted by caucus delegates called on longshore workers to stop work during the day shift on May 1, 2008 to express their opposition to the war in Iraq.”

From the newswire: ILWU to Shut Down West Coast Ports May 1 Demanding End to War in Iraq, Afghanistan by Internationalist Group
More on: KPFK's Beneath the Surface (4/28/08 at 5:45 pm)
Also: VERMONT AFL-CIO CALLS ON WORKERS TO SUPPORT WEST COAST SRIKE AGAINST WAR by Vermont AFL-CIO

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA: On the 25th anniversary of the ICBM program at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, activists gathered to march and rally in support of nuclear disarmament in outer space. Organizer Bruce Gagnon, who was himself in the Air Force until protests outside of his base changed his mind towards peace activism, said, “America is addicted to war and militarism.”

Gagnon, who is the coordinator of Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, warned that the testing and other operations at Vandenberg are “moving the arms race into space.” In 1983 the first nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) was tested at Vandenberg and since then the base’s mission has expanded to launching and monitoring orbiting satellites, and managing space surveillance operations, in addition to its work with missiles. The protests also began in 1983.
Full story: STAR WARS PROTEST: Vandenberg Air Force Base by df | | Vandenberg AFB Protest by Mike Wisniewski

ISLA VISTA / SANTA BARBARA, Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - About 350 anti-war activists met to rally at Pardall Tunnel, where they were addressed by speakers at an open microphone, including a man from Iraq and a former Marine-turned-organizer. Emotions ran high and alternated between intense anger against the war, sadness over the loss of life, and hope, joy, and optimism for the future. At times, feelings were tense, and the police helicopter circling overhead made an ominous presence. The demonstrators shortly proceeded to converge on UCSB's Corwin Pavilion with the goal of shutting down the 2008 ICB (Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies) Army-Industry Collaboration Conference.

Police attempted to barricade the event against the approaching students, but the crowd forced itself through police lines and dismantled blockades. Police appeared helpless to stop the flow of demonstrators, who proceeded to occupy the courtyard in front of the pavilion, where collaborators, some in business suits and others, more honestly, in military fatigues, had been in the midst of a lunch break. From the Newswire: 350 War Resistors Blockade and Disrupt UCSB Army/Industrial Conference - 3 Arrests | | Army Biotech Conference Disrupted by UCSB Antiwar Activists

Shouting : "CLINTON ,OBAMA YOU WILL SEE, THE IRAQI PEOPLE WILL BE FREE!” Hundreds of activists ralled outside the Kodak Theatre 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles last January 31,2008. Also shouting and holding banners that said: "End the war and occupation now! All U.S. and foreign troops out of Iraq immediately! Money for jobs, housing, education, health care - not for racist war! the rallyist braved the cold weather and stayed up to 7:30 in the evening even after the debates.
Report and photos: "Democrats lie, GIs die! Democrats lie, Iraqis die!" by RP | Protesting Democrats (more pictures) | Also: Hundreds Attend Anti-War Protest & Picket in Hollywood , January 31 by AJLPP

"Word began to spread as we researched the school and discovered what we had here was indeed a school of assassins, a school for dictators. These soldiers came here to learn counter insurgency. Who were the insurgency? They were the poor, the religious leaders, labor leaders, and many others. And then when the torture manuals were discovered in the curriculum, that got a lot of front-page coverage. Word began to spread, and our numbers in the movement grew." -- Father Roy Bourgeois, founder, School of the Americas Watch

The story of the School of the Americas, or School of the Assassins is a disturbing tale of such organized and planned terrorism; one would never believe it was real. Every year in Fort Benning, Georgia the people protest. This year we brought it to LA. Read Reports: by LadyMadonna | by Ross Plesset and Anna Kunkin | more pics by Anna & Ross

January 1, 2008, Pasadena: At approximately 7:15am four of us began our walk along the Rose Parade route in advance of the parade. We held banners and signs calling for impeachment and urged people to text 30644 to support the impeachment of Dick Cheney.

(A block or so behind us was a contingent of people with signs protesting China’s human rights atrocities and its hosting the upcoming Olympics. A float celebrating the Beijing Olympics would be in the parade. This group had an impressive presence with many people and signs visible.)

The members of our group agreed that there was significant positive response to our message as well as considerable negative reactions and blank stares. However, some of us were rather positive in our final analyses, while I tilted toward the negative. Full Report from the Newswire: ATTACK OF THE ARCHIE BUNKER CLONES! (activism at the 2008 Rose Parade) by Self-Hating Caucasian

More Reports: 9:00 AM - Scattered Rose Parade Demonstrations Now Under Way by LA-IMC Newsroom | TV screen grabs of Rose Parade Banners by A | "Not Roses--Peaches" SoPas and Highland Park do it again at the Parade! by Linda Krausen | A Report from the Rose Parade Starting Point by Flunky

Momentum is building for a demonstration against the war on Iraq at this year Rose Parade in Pasadena. Small locally organized protests have been held in past years at the parade, but this year organizers going by the name, The White Rose Coalition, are attempting to mobilize thousands. Details from the calendar:

December 25, 2007: The Northeast LA Radical Neighbors (NelaRad) and the Montrose vigil collaborated on a holiday vigil. Whether one recognizes Christmas, Chriskwanzica, DeadTreesmas, or whatever, we wanted to remind people that not everyone in the world can celebrate at this time of year.
Story and photos: Xmas Day Peace Vigil in Northeast L.A. by The Northeast LA Radical Neighbors

The weekly Eagle Rock peace vigil has passed the five-year mark. It began in November of 2002 to protest the looming invasion of Iraq. The weekly turnout back then was 60 to 80--it is currently at two-to-four regulars (all "veterans"). We have never missed a Saturday regardless of weather or holidays--except once in December of ’02 to observe Xmas.

The passion and momentum from this vigil resulted in much other activism in Northeast L.A., including a second weekly vigil on Sundays in nearby Highland Park (still ongoing); weekly film screenings at Flor y Canto, which occurred for two-and-a-half years (a comprehensive list of our screenings follows this article); donations to local homeless; leafleting at a local high school (now in its fifth year); and environmental endeavors including participation in Arroyo Fest 2003 and a campaign to daylight a stream that today is covered by Sycamore Grove Park.
Story and photos: The Eagle Rock Vigil Enters It’s Sixth Year by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors

PASADENA, October 26, 2007 – Anti-war activists were able to close an army recruitment center this Friday in Pasadena. Protesters marched from Pasadena City College to the nearby center, strung yellow caution tape across the doors and then physically blocked entry to the center. Police were called to the scene but no arrests were made. Frustrated by efforts to reopen recruiters closed the center for the remainder of the day.

Reports from the newswire:

Civil Disobedience, Demonstration at Recruiting Center Near Pasadena City College

Counter Recruitment Protest - Pasadena

The horrifying fires we have all witnessed in Southern California are a direct result of stealing our tax dollars from all social services at home and giving them to the war machine. Please turn your grief into action and join the October 27 peace march in Los Angeles at 12 Noon from Olympic & Broadway and March to downtown federal building. Full Report from the Newswire

Tomorrow's march is a part of a national day of coordinated anti-war protests. The Los Angeles march was initiated by the ANSWER Coalition, and is coordinated by the ad hoc Oct. 27 Stop the War Coalition. It has been endorsed by over 400 additional organizations and individuals. More info from the Global Women's Strike

Related: students and neighborhood protesters shut down recruiting center in pasadena

SANTA BARBARA February 15, 2007 - Nearly 1,500 UCSB students, staff, faculty members, and local residents participated in a powerful and transformative strike against war on February 15th. The day culminated with a mass sit-in on Highway 217, the main freeway leading to campus, that blocked traffic for roughly two hours and a lock-down of the campus administration building, Cheadle Hall. From the Newswire: UCSB Students Rise Up, Strike Against War & Block Freeway by Will | | UCSB Anti-War protest by JS | | Video: UCSB Students Block Freeway

LOS ANGELES, January 27, 2007 – Estimates ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 people demonstrated against the continuing US war on the people of Iraq today. A protest was held today outside the Los Angeles offices of the Democratic Party. Protesters demanded that the newly elected Democratic controlled congress stop funding for the war in Iraq and begin the process of bringing all the troops home now. Protesters then marched through downtown to the Federal Building for a second rally featuring speakers Cindy Sheehan, Ron Kovic, Nativo Lopez and others. The event was peaceful, no arrests or incidents of police violence have been reported. From the Newswire:

PHOTOS: Los Angeles January 27 Action Coalition Rally & March by Brandon Bradley | | L.A.'s Jan. 27th antiwar march by Geronimo | | 3000 March Downtown to Stop the War! & More From L.A. J27 by Hugh Stegman | | Anti-War March (1-27-07) by Next Move | | Anti War Protest in LA by Marcus | | ANSWER Coalition photos from Jan 27 Anti-War Protest - On to March 17 in LA! by Bethany Malmgren

AUDIO: Ron Kovics and Cindy Sheehan - audio by schock

VIDEO: VIDEO: Military Families Speak Out at Anti-war Rally & Short interview with a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War by A | | Stop the War, Video & L.A. Marched! 12.27.07 by df | | Anti-War Protest in Downtown Los Angeles, 1-27-07 by True DeLuxe Design

LOS ANGELES, September 25, 2006 – A coalition of faith based groups succeeded in closing the army recruitment center in Hollywood today. Early Monday morning a group of about 50 marched down Hollywood Blvd. to the recruitment center and proceeded to block the entrance. They were prepared to risk arrest but it did not come to that. Police monitored the group but did not interfere. It is believed that the center knew in advance of the action and closed because of the demonstration.

About 25 people set up an all day vigil at the front doors to make sure the recruitment center did not try to reopen. One of the people who took part, Ann Bishop, said of the action “We may have saved a few lives. Somebody didn’t sign up, and maybe having a day to think it over they won’t sign up, and they won’t go some where and be killed or kill any body”. From the Newswire Peace Group Shuts down Army Recruitment Center in Hollywood | | MP3 Audio: Declaration of Peace

LOS ANGELES, August 5, 2006 - Three hundred determined protestors defied George Bush, Condoleeza Rice, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Antonio Villaraigosa to march through Westwood in support of Lebanon and Palestine. The International Action Center joined with the UCLA Muslim Student Association to call for an end to hostilities against Lebanon and in support of a Palestinian state. Full Story: From Iraq to Palestine: Occupation Is a Crime by Leslie Radford

PHOTOS: March & Rally for Lebanon & Palestine, 8-5-06 by A | | Westwood Rally - Photos by John Riley

VIDEO: Peace March for Lebanon & Palestine by A