Like the original Transformers movie of 2007, Transformers 2 is unapologetic about its role as a recruiting tool (as discussed in this commentary from CAMS (Coalition for Alternatives to Militarism in Our Schools) and in this critique from the Newswire:

“This weekend I saw the new Michael Bay film. The only thing that deserves prominence in TRANSFORMERS 2 is the careful valorization of military disobedience. . . . Militarism is a terrible phenomenon which is reinforced in all of the social institutions. Media and culture can turn to create slaves faithful of the military values. Is that not what happened in Nazi Germany?” Full story: TRANSFORMERS 2 by Fabio de Oliveira Ribeiro

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2009 - After many hours of waiting in the hot sun in front of the Federal Court House in Downtown L.A., members of the community were dismayed to receive the news that the judge had denied bail to Alex Sanchez; this although more than a million dollars had been gathered along with hundreds of letters of support from around the world.
From the Newswire: ALEX SÁNCHEZ DENIED BAIL! by Anna

Monday, June 29, 2009 LOS ANGELES - Small groups of demonstrators gathered at the Honduran consulate on Wilshire Avenue to express their displeasure with the coup d'état against the democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya.

Lunes, el 29 de junio, 2009 LOS ÁNGELES - Pequeños grupos de manifestantes llegaron al consulado hondureño en la Avenida Wilshire para denunciar el golpe de estado contra el presidente Manuel Zelaya, quien fue elegido a través de un proceso democrático. Mas con fotos by Rockero

Related Articles: Showdown in Honduras: The Rise and Uncertain future of the Coup by Ben Dangl and friends | | OBAMA'S FIRST MILITARY COUP by Eva Golinger | | Honduras-The CIA Never Quits by Gary Sudborough

Back in February, the community of the Inland Empire, a vast tract of land east of Los Angeles generally encompassing San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, marched on the Border Patrol's Riverside office to demand an end to the racist quota system and family separation. Things quieted down, but only temporarily. Recently, quotas have been increased, and attacks on day labor corners, bus stations, and even on buses in transit have caught numerous individuals who are accused of being in the country without authorization. In the course of these raids, numerous abuses have occurred. Agents often engage in racial profiling and intimidation, and at least one minor was deported without his parents being informed.

From the newswire: Border Patrol raids in the Inland Empire by Repost | | Border Patrol raids in the Inland Empire since December by Justice for Immigrants | | ICE raid nets 12 day laborers in Ontario / Redada de 12 jornaleros en Ontario y/and Border Patrol hits day labor corner in Rancho Cucamonga Cae la migra en Rancho Cucamonga por/by Rockero | | Border Patrol Wreaks Havoc in Inland Empire, Statement from 17 year old arrested and deported on public RTA bus in Rubidoux and ICE and Border Patrol raids continue by debbie

The FBI is alleging that Sanchez, who has dedicated the past 11 years to gang prevention and education, is a "shot-caller" with the Mara Salvatrucha. Despite Sanchez's hardly being mentioned in the indictment, mainstream media reports are focused on the allegation that he was involved in "conspiracy and racketeering." Community organizations who know Alex have rushed to his defense, declaring their confidence in his innocence and denouncing the arrest as part of a wave of repression against activists.

From the newswire: Homies Unidos activist Alex Sanchez arrested by repost | | Homies Unidos Statement on Arrest of Executive Director Alex Sanchez by Homies Unidos | | CISPES letter of solidarity with Alex Sanchez and Homies Unidos by Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador | | EPCC letter of Solidarity with Alex Sanchez and Homies Unidos by Echo Park Community Coalition | | Union Del Barrio In Support of Alex Sanchez & Nativo Lopez by Unión del Barrio

Alex Sanchez's supporters have organized a meeting to coordinate the efforts to exonerate him this Sunday, June 28 at 6:00 at the CARECEN office. From the calendar: Community meeting in Defense of Alex Sanchez | | UPDATE: Community Meets to Show Support for Alex Sánchez by Juan Carrillo and Oriel Siu

In response to the disastrous cuts to the LAUSD budget, community members have taken a number of actions in opposition and protest.

A roving campout of hunger-striking teachers, eager to add their life experience to their in-class pedagogy, along with their supporters, traveled from campus to campus. They eventually set up in front of the downtown district office, where they were visited by veteran activist Dolores Huerta.

High school students walked out of class and marched to neighboring schools and to the LAUSD office, where some engaged in direct action at a board meeting.

After nearly a month, the teachers moved their encampment to the front of Supertintendent Cortines' house, breaking their fast the next day. While the teachers have ended their strike, the dancers of Danza Cuauhtémoc have take it up, and are currently camped in front of the LAUSD office. The danzantes, who are present at almost every march, rally, and action that occurs in the Los Angeles area, normally give willingly of their feet, voices, and talent to provide their blessing. But this time, inspired by the teachers and impressed with the urgency of the situation, they have taken the extra step of sacrificing their own bodies as well.

Reports on the hunger strike: Los Angeles Teacher Hunger Strike Carries On. Days 14,16 and 17 Photos Part 1 and Part 2 | | Hunger Strikers Picket Cortinez Home Day 21 | | Los Angeles Hunger Striking Teachers Stop Action by Robert Stuart Lowden | | Judith de las danzas aztecas Cuauhtemoc se puso en huelga de hambre por Rodrigo Argueta

Teacher testimonies: MESA Program for Math and Science Kids To Close With Schwarzenegger's Budget Cuts and Los Angeles Teacher Marco Flores Outlines Hungry For Education's Continuing Campaign by Robert Stuart Lowden | | Mensaje de un huelguista a la comunidad por Martin

Student walkouts: Santee Students Walk Out and March in Support of Hunger Strikers Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 by Robert Stuart Lowden

UPDATE: Day 28 of LAUSD Protest:LAUSD Board Votes 5 to 2 for School Cuts Part 1 and Part 2

POMONA, June 17, 2009 – Residents of the Woodlawn Mobile Home Park in Pomona are demanding an explanation for the harassment of their community following a series of raids on the park. A June 11 police raid on the community was apparently done in preparation for a June 12 sheriff's raid to serve a warrant, which terrorized the entire park. During the second raid, whole families with young children were forced to ground and terrified by the officers' violent actions. At least five or more concussion grenades were thrown into the park by officers during the raid. Three men were reported arrested during the raid on unknown charges and there is no word where they are being held.

There is some uncertainty about which agencies are responsible for last Thursday night’s raid, but eyewitness accounts seem to indicate that a joint force of San Bernardino County Sheriff and possibly un-uniformed Pomona Police officers.

Residents of the park attended the Pomona City Council meeting on Monday, June 15 and addressed the council during the public comment period. One by one, approximately thirty residents, representing adults, the elderly, and children, explained what happened to them. Some became so emotionally overwhelmed that they were unable to continue.

From the Newswire: Pomona police department uses explosive devices in raid on mobile home park & Audio testimony of eyewitnesses: Despite police abuse, mobile home park community pursues redress by Rockero

Friday, June 12, 2009 LOS ANGELES -- Crowds of curious onlookers surrounded a group of indigenous rights activists, members of the Peruvian community, and environmentalists as they demonstrated in front of the Peruvian consulate today through dance, procession, chant, and speech.

At this latest in a series of demonstrations in front of the large building on the Koreatown stretch of Wilshire that houses the consulate, protestors angered by President Alan García's use of military force against indigenous rights activists decried the massacre of an unknown number of people. They also lashed out against the "free trade" policies the victims gave their lives fighting against.
Full Report: Protest at Peruvian Consulate by Rockero | | VIDEO: Indigenous rights Protest at Peru's consulate, Los Angeles California by Naui Ocelotl

Latest news from Peru Indymedia

LOS ANGELES – June 9, 2009 - Scores of Filipino American activists rallied in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles in solidarity with mass protests taking place in this month in the Philippines. At issue is the continuing interventionist policy of the US towards the Philippines. Activists hope to stop proposed changes to the US-Philippine charter that seeks to keep the current unpopular government in power. Holding a banner which read: “No To Charter Change”, activists drew honks of support from passing motorists. The three-hour picket and rally coincided with a press conference held every month at the 3600 Wilshire office of the Philippine Consulate. Los Angeles County has the largest Filipino community in the US with 262,000 recorded in the year 2000 US census. From the Newswire: Filam Activists Rally vs Chacha in LA by Echo Park Community Coalition

Upcoming events and related stories: KALAYAAN (FREEDOM) PHILIPPINES SERIES by AJLPP | MILITARY ABUSES AgAINST FILIPINO PEASANTS CONTINUES by Pesante-USA | Celebrating Philippine Independence Day by Dionesio C. Grava

LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2009 - On Friday in Hollywood Santa Monica Blvd was blocked by a group of protesters demonstrating against the possibly fatal budget cuts being proposed by the Schwarzenegger Administration. The cuts are sweeping. The plan is to eliminate more than $160 million in HIV services which will also would jeopardize another $150 million in federal matching funds the state receives for HIV care.

The golden state faces a massive $24 billion state budget deficit -- with cash expected to run out by July -- California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is cutting funds draconically and that includes programs that keep HIV-positive people alive. "This is the worst possible time to take support away from the most vulnerable Californians," said Judith Auerbach, Ph.D., vice president for science and public policy at the The San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "Balancing the budget on the backs of those at greatest risk threatens to reverse all progress made against the HIV epidemic over the past two decades." From the Newswire: HIV Protesters Take The Streets in Hollywood by Robert Stuart Lowden

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 by SCHA-LA - - Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 by SCHA-LA | | Statement from Los Angeles HIV positive MOM by Robert Stuart Lowden

LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2009 - A combination hunger strike and protest campout has been occurring in downtown Los Angeles for the last nine days. The action is a continuance of the demonstrations that rose up in response to draconian budget cuts and layoffs issued by the Los Angeles Board of Education last month. The cuts are a result of a state and city wide deficit avalanche that is threatening to wipe away the traditional Californian "safety net " which for generations has been there for the poorest and least able amongst us.

The hunger strikers are protesting against the effect that these cuts will have on their pupils and consequently on the communities that these kids live in. Considerations such as class size and scholarly attention are chief amongst the teachers concerns. The Los Angeles Board of Education voted to lay off as many as 5,400 teachers and staff due to a 596 million dollar budget shortfall for 2010. For the last nine days the protest has been set up outside of the Liechty Middle School near downtown L.A. where forty-seven of the 65 teachers working there have received layoff notices
From the Newswire: L.A.Hunger Strikers on Ninth Day of Fast by Robert Stuart Lowden | | Hunger Strike Blog by Sean Leys

6/12/09 UPDATE: Hunger strike, Day 16, latest news: Los Angeles Teacher-Hunger Striker Kait Leonard Video Statement & Teacher on 16th day of Hunger Strike-Video Statement by Robert Stuart Lowden

6/14/09 UPDATE: School District Rescinds 505 Cuts But 2500 Jobs Still in Jeopardy. Hunger strike continues. Latest report and photos: Part one | Part two by Robert Stuart Lowden

6/16/09 UPDATE: Hunger Strike now at Day 22 - Reflections after 22 days on hunger strike by Martin

[Political analysis by Chris Burnett. host of "Indymedia On Air” - Mondays, 3pm, KPFK 90.7 FM] - Shepard's choice to become an instrumental part in creating brand Obama, given his street level marketing style, often illegal, provided a legitimacy that was certainly needed by the Obama campaign. Seeing Obama on every street corner in soviet-style branding (read "pro worker, average guy, savior") was shocking precisely because of what Hedges describes as spectacle on the one hand, and the illusion of street cred provided by Shepard's style on the other.

I thought I was seeing Mao and Che everywhere, as though this was some populist uprising against the ruling class, against a cynically corrupt political class. Far from it. It *was* the ruling class inverting and misdirecting our anger in order to advance a corporatist political party and agenda. Genius. Horrendous. No doubt, it had a profound affect on all of our psyches. But "HOPE" should have read "HYPE" and "PROGRESS" should have read "REGRESS". It was the epitome of bumper sticker politics: immediate gratification, feel good symbolism; very consistent with our hyperactive, but shallow corporate culture. Full article: Shepard Fairey’s Obama by Chris Burnett

This Tuesday CineBang presents an evening of underground film and discussion with Franklin "The Stimulator" López of subMedia.tv. Join the subMedia posse – survival of the smartest starts now! Producer, videographer and creative genius Franklin Lopez exposes crucial current trends with video montages that mix culture jamming, news, satire, music and action to scratch the social justice itch.

Hopium is a crash course on the countercultures, protest movements, and underground forces set to collide in the post-Bush world. Hopium delivers 90 minutes of short films, mashups, and clips from Frank's series It's the End of the World and We Know It and I Feel Fine, the world's most subversive news show. The evening culminates with highlights from the forthcoming END:CIV, and the documentary hit GROUND NOISE & STATIC, a video report from the Democratic and Republican national conventions in 2008.
From the Calendar: Hopium: Confronting Fascism in the Obama Era a film by Franklin López

BEVERLY HILLS, May 27, 2009 – A wide range of groups turned out to protest Obama’s visit to Southern California this Wednesday at a Democratic Party fund raiser. Protests began around 3:00 pm with a contingent of primarily anti-war protesters, who are disappointed with the contradiction between what Obama said on the campaign trail and what he is saying and doing now as commander in chief.

There are reports that Obama heard some of the protesters chants of “Obama Keep Your Promise” and that he addressed the protesters calls in his speech, asking them to work with him. However he did not give a direct response to the issue of US troops still waging war against the people of the Middle East.

Full report: Hundreds Protest Outside Obama Fundraiser in Beverly Hills by A || Anti-War Protestors Welcome Obama || VIDEO: Anti-war protest at Obama Event

Advocates of the poor and homeless community of Venice Beach have been fighting against Overnight Permit Parking Districts, which are used to criminalize people who park RVs on city streets. Negative press coverage may be contributing to persecution of the homeless, to whom California offers no protection from the rising wave of hate crimes.

Report with photos: LA Times Misses Mark - By a Mile - About RVs in Venice by Peggy Lee Kennedy | | UPDATE: California Coastal Commission Denies Overnight Permit Parking (OPDs) in Venice by Peggy Lee Kennedy

CALIFORNIA – Demonstrations took place statewide in reaction a court ruling upholding proposition eight, which amends the state constitution to deny marriage rights to same sex couples. In West Hollywood thousands rallied and marched to Hollywood Blvd. Estimates range from a low of 2,000 to a high of 10,000 people that took part in the Hollywood march. No arrests or police misconduct has been reported. Protests also took place in other parts of Southern California, including hundreds in Rancho Cucamonga.

Gay rights activists say that despite the courts ruling the fight for the right to marry is not over. Legal challenges will continue and there are discussions about a ballot measure to repeal Proposition Eight for the 2010 elections. From the Newswire Inland Empire resists Supreme Court's legitimization of discrimination by Rockero | | NOH8 - Chalking the Streets in Hollywood by Anna | | 11:30 pm - Cell Phone Photos from Protest | | MP3 Audio – Jorge Amaro, of Latino Equality Alliance Reacts to Court Prop 8 Ruling

VIDEO: West Hollywood Right to Marry Protests | | Press conference on Prop 8

Reports from San Diego: Over 4,000 Rally in San Diego Against Prop. 8 Decision and Over 70 Activists Stage Marriage Equality Sit-in at S.D. County Clerk’s Office by Mark Gabrish Conlan

Report from East LA: “MARRY US OR JAIL US” DARE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE EQUALITY ACTIVISTS by SCHA-LA | | East Los Angeles Prop 8 Court Decision Protests by Robert Stuart Lowden

PHOTOS: Los Angeles Propostion 8 Court Decisions Evening Protests Photo Essay by Robert Stuart Lowden

Two California health worker unions staged a protest in downtown Los Angeles this Friday to call attention to the cuts that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering in response to last Tuesdays' special election defeats. California now faces a possible $24 billion budget deficit for 2010.

The governor's cutbacks could include ending the state's main welfare program and eliminating health coverage for the 1.5 million poor children who benefit from the CalWorks and Healthy families programs. Two million people in general would lose their health care coverage. Programs for the disabled like IHSS (In Home Supportive Services) are under fire. Full Story: Unions and Patients Demonstrate to Denounce Schwarzenegger Cut Proposals, Part 1 & Part 2 by Robert Stuart Lowden

Related articles: People Reject Sacramento "Solutions" -- Real Solutions Needed by Peace and Freedom Party | | EPCC Commends California Voters For Rejecting Anti-People Budget Measures by Echo Park Community Coalition | | Gov. proposes cutting ALL HIV Services by SCHA-LA

Members of Amnesty International staged a march and vigil today for Troy Anthony Davis as part of a global day of action for the Georgian death row inmate.

In the case of Troy Davis there was no physical evidence, no murder weapon and seven of the nine police witnesses that helped to convict him have recanted their testimonies. Police pressure was cited as their reason for the false identification of Davis. Due to technical and procedural reasons Davis has been unable to get a federal court hearing on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him.

Report with photos: Amnesty International Holds Vigil for Troy Davis in Downtown L.A.. by Robert Stuart Lowden

LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2009 - In response to the Los Angeles Board of Educations layoff vote, 46 teachers subjected themselves to arrest in a nonviolent action at the districts downtown headquarters. The protest was undertaken despite a court order issued by Superior Court Judge, James Chalfant, which cited student health and safety as the reasons for issuing a restraining order against a one day strike that had been approved by the UTLA earlier this month. Full Report: Los Angeles Teachers Stage Civil Disobedience at Downtown Headquarters, part 1 & part 2 by Robert Stuart Lowden

Other actions in support of the teachers took place throughout the city Friday, including a large display of student support at some local high schools: From the Newswire: Report & Photos: Venice High Walk out | | VIDEO: Student walk out at Venice High

One block east of Figueroa, an empty lot belonging to the city of Los Angeles has been transformed into a vegetable garden and community space. The project, a long-held dream by many, has been made a reality with the efforts of community members spearheaded by Nicole Gatto.

The garden has been broken up into plots which are available to members of the community by application. A circle has also been created in the center of the space, where gardening workshops and other activities will be held.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by community members and others, including supporters of the South Central Farm which was bulldozed in 2006. . . .

Story and photos: Grand Opening of Community Garden in Highland Park by Anna Kunkin | | Press Release by Nicole M. Gatto | | Highland Park Adds a Garden by Milagro Allegro Community Garden

Web Site: Milagro Allegro Community Garden