Press Release
Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC)
January 20, 2009
Contact: Jerry Esguerra
(818) 479-0272

Anti War Peace Advocates March at MLK Day in LA

Los Angeles—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.

The tens of thousands of African American who lined up the route fromWestern blvd to Leimert Park cheered on and clapped for the peace and anti-war contingents among them the ANSWER-LA, Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) ,Danza Cuahtemoc, San Gabriel Valley Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Palisades for Peace, Whittier Area for Peace, Office of the Americas, Coalition Against Three Strikes Law and Not In Our Name.

The peace contingent brought up the rear of the march together with the Korean drummers of MIWON and the Circus LA. As usual the parade was dominated with traditional political leaders from the city and county especially the African American complete with different marching bands.

The only visible Filipino-American representation was Councilman Elito Santarina of predominantly African American community of Carson. Japan and South Korean consulate was present during the parade.

True to the saying that progressive leaders who were maligned while living are treated as harmless icons when they die, the MLK Day is dubbed as “ Kingdom Day. But the peace and anti war contingent prove them wrong by chanting: “This is what King Stood for!” to the delight of the cheering crowd.

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