|
|
printable version
- email this article
- view hidden posts
Century City: The Anti-Bush Party
by Anna ....IMC collective
Saturday, Jun. 28, 2003 at 11:32 AM
annekunkin@earthlink.net
Although he would have, no doubt, prefered to slink into town, collect his millions and slink out again, the city showed up in all it's diversity and creativity to speak it's mind.
“BUSH: YOU LIED YOU’RE FIRED! …. Words written on the lovely pink banner furled from an upper window of the Century Plaza hotel window Friday evening. And although the Secret Service was on it within 5 minutes, suited anti-heroes appearing on the balcony, not to rescue the pink clad lovelies of “Code Pink”, but to banish them and their work from the many eyes below, the deed was done. So as thousands more arrived, digital images of the banner unfurling and the women being hustled away were shared, and so the word passes.
And yes they came. Even though Bush and his entourage virtually slunk into town to hold the invitation only $2,000.00 a plate fundraiser in Los Angeles, one of many in what is being heralded as the biggest campaign fundraiser ever, the many vigilant citizens of our City of the Angels arrived to greet him. They came from all over the city; brown and white faced youths packed into old cars joined older more seasoned radicals as they cruised through adjacent Beverly Hills searching for legal parking. And they arrived on the Avenue of the Stars, more diverse than ever; demonstrating how successful the work to bring ALL the people of this city together has been.
Drummers, dancers, booksellers, union workers, organizers, and people from all walks of life once again joined to create the instant villages we are learning to build; gatherings to tell the current administration what we think of it’s policies, and to show the rest of the world we are in solidarity with their struggles for justice against the same administration. Creative banners snaked their way through the chanting, sign bearing crowd, and people cheered at their passing; celebrating the creative energy expended in their creation. Even the police, while a large presence, seemed for the most part relaxed, sometimes even smiling and chatting with participants.
This is a far cry from images I remember from my childhood; dark photos on the L.A Free Press cover of the anti-Vietnam rally against Johnson in the “60’s”; bloody faces and baton wielding cops right here in front of the Century Plaza hotel. But everybody seems to understand the rules now, and with the exception of one incident where a gang of cops jumped into the crowd to mysteriously nab someone, things were almost eerily peaceful. Maybe too peaceful. Is this a tactic … don’t create any news and no information will leak out to the general public? There are questions.
And interesting weirdities; demonstrators wielding video cameras and bullhorns; straining against the barrier created by the yellow ribbon stretched along the middle of the street, staring at the elite on the other side. And there they were; standing along the front of the hotel, huddled together in their expensive finery, Bush supporters, people who can afford a $2,000.00 a plate dinner, gawking back at the display of dissent as would visitors to the zoo. What were they thinking? Were they shocked? Were they afraid? Were some of them maybe just a little bit in agreement with the diverse crowd? Were they angry, or curious? There are questions.
And there is more to this than a simple gathering of the tribes; among the speeches and the sense of festival there is discussion; did we fail to stop the war, or are we engaged in an ongoing battle? Are we on the right path? Is this the way to create change, or do we need new tactics? How should we organize now? Will simply voting in a new administration be enough or do we need to break the whole system down and start from scratch? How can we save the planet and create global social justice? Do we need to change our lifestyle or can we continue on the way we are? Can we do it peacefully as it’s being done in Venezuela and Brazil or will it take violence? How do we get the word out to wake up the sleeping un and mis-informed? What are the answers? There are questions.
Report this post as:
LATEST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
Listed below are the 10 latest comments of 10 posted about this article.
These comments are anonymously submitted by the website visitors.
|
|
|
Local News
Queremos justicia: Pueblo rechazó presencia del alguacil Arpaio en Condado de Orange
N06 9:13AM
Sit-in at Chancellor Yang's office to protest closure of Ventura Campus
N05 10:49AM
Settlement Puts an End to Controversial Elephant Hill Development in Los Angeles
N05 7:33AM
BREAKING: Wednesday, Nov 4, 7:45pm - Hundreds Marching in Silverlake for right to marry
N04 7:46PM
Calling Long Beach Area Anarchists!
N04 7:54AM
JFAV ACTION WEEK, NOVEMBER 8-14, 2009
N02 3:47PM
Checkpoints this weeked: Retenes este fin de semana (30-31/oct)
O29 9:51PM
Fred Phelps Brings Road Show of Hate to San Diego; 500 Protest Against Him
O29 7:10PM
Pension fund probe into possible bribery of former LA deputy mayor
O29 6:02PM
Dr. Helen Caldicott Speaks in San Diego
O29 5:50PM
Queer Democrats Endorse Alvarez, Wayne for City Council
O29 5:41PM
Béla Dornon: Queer Photographer Seeks to Document California’s Same-Sex Marriages
O29 5:30PM
Physician and Six Activists Are Arrested At CIGNA's Glendale, CA Offices
O28 8:08PM
Physician and Six Activists Are Arrested At CIGNA's Glendale, CA Offices/ Video
O28 7:35PM
BREAKING: 1pm - 10/28/09 - Healthcare Activists Stage Sit-in at Cigna offices, 7 Arrested
O28 12:55PM
First in state Holistic Mom’s Network chapter celebrates 5th birthday
O27 11:02PM
More footage of the Anti-Nazi protest
O27 1:46AM
Sit-in at CIGNA insurance, 10am Wednesday, 10/28
O26 7:36PM
International Day of Climate Action in Eagle Rock (part 1)
O26 7:09PM
International Day of Climate Action in Eagle Rock part 2
O26 6:30PM
Inland Empire Against Racial Hate (1-13)
O26 1:44PM
Video footage of the Anti-Nazi protest
O26 11:28AM
Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not. (Photo set 3)
O26 10:47AM
Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not. (Photo set 2)
O26 10:22AM
Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not.
O26 10:06AM
Indymedia Los Angeles 10th Anniversary Event!
O26 9:55AM
NAZIS GO HOME! Spit and Swastikas Clash in Riverside
O26 8:40AM
Nazis in Riverside
O25 7:46PM
More Local News...
Other/Breaking News
GLOBAL TURN AROUND!
N07 2:27PM
JFAV/ FIL-AMS ALL SET FOR VETERANS DAY PROTEST MARCH ON NOVEMBER 11 IN LA
N07 12:26PM
NDF -EV URGES PEOPLE TO ACT ON UTILITIES CRISIS
N07 11:58AM
PHILIPPINES; A CAPITALIST CALAMITY
N07 10:25AM
~ BIGDADDYJAZZANDMAYA.COM ~ THE ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ONE LOCAL POORER AMERICAN FAMILY~!
N07 9:13AM
~ BIGDADDYJAZZANDMAYA.COM ~ THE ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ONE LOCAL POORER AMERICAN FAMILY~!
N07 9:05AM
BTL:Former Religious Right Activist Warns Against Incitement to Violence
N07 4:00AM
Nov. 20-22 Mass Mobilization to Close the SOA
N06 1:59PM
Honduran Accord Solidifies Coup E'Etat Rule
N06 1:15PM
Democraticamente. FERNANDO LUGO, CONTINUADA DESHONRA PARA LA INVESTIDURA PRESIDENCIAL
N06 11:42AM
National Resistance Against the Coup d’Etat Announces Boycott of Elections
N06 10:35AM
Don't go
N06 8:59AM
BTL:Civil Disobedience Actions Launched to Stop Mountain Top Removal
N06 5:29AM
Diario Siglo XXI. FERNANDO LUGO, CONTINUADA DESHONRA PARA LA INVESTIDURA PRESIDENCIAL
N06 12:44AM
Rivers Casino Supervisor Physically Assaults Casino Security Officer during Union Campaign
N05 9:05PM
Obama is Absolutely Right to Re-evaluate Afghanistan Strategy
N05 6:49PM
The Shortwave Report 11/06 Listen Globally!
N05 5:02PM
The latest trend in eco-tourism is completely out of this world ... and right around the c
N05 2:18PM
Comments from an Inmate
N05 11:56AM
The High Risk Business of Banks
N05 5:40AM
BTL:Karzai Government Corruption Hobbles Obama Afghan War Strategy
N05 5:11AM
War Criminals and their agent control 344 Members of Congress.
N05 1:29AM
EEUU SOBORNA CON ARMAS A FERNANDO LUGO
N05 12:45AM
Reject Corporate Option for Health Care
N04 7:55PM
Blog en solidaridad con el SME. México
N04 1:58PM
House Resolution Designates Venezuela a State Sponsor of Terrorism
N04 1:08PM
Pirates attack ship in eastern mediterranean
N04 7:23AM
Profits=Investments=Jobs?
N04 5:49AM
More Breaking News...
|