During the week of August 12th through the 17th, dozens of Fresno-area activists descended on Los Angeles to take part in the protests and other activities (known as D2KLA) surrounding the Democratic National Convention (DNC). After months of organizing meetings, progressives from the central San Joaquin Valley were ready to let their voices be heard on issues ignored by the Democrats and Republicans. Their concerns covered a wide range, including sweatshops, immigrant rights, a growing wage/wealth gap, unchecked corporate power, electoral reform, genetically engineered foods, the racist death penalty, and exclusion of third party candidates from the upcoming debates.

What brought us together is that all of these issues are being swept under the rug by centrist, corporate-friendly Democrats and Republicans in striking examples of