On October 24th, thousands of rallies and actions were planned around the world to draw attention to the environmental crises caused by humans. The global action was organized by 350.org, and these actions will be presented at the UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December of 2009.

In Eagle Rock, the 350 demonstration and public outreach had a turnout of at least 40 people. Some were from the community, many were of the Converging Storms Action Network, and others were with the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors (NELA-RAD--”bad-asses who care”), which hosted the event. (NELA-RAD holds weekly peace vigils every Saturday, and November 7 will mark the vigil's seven-year anniversary.)

In addition a large banner and colorful signs, a functioning solar cooker was displayed; and there was information about overpopulation; the significance of the number 350; literature from the Converging Storms Network; and a flyer announcing an upcoming screening of The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil, to be held in Glendale on December 4 (see: http://www.glendalepeacevigil.org/).

The demonstration attracted a fair amount of attention, and some passersby stopped to engage in conversation. One man was curious about why capitalism was emphasized as part of the problem. He proceeded to discuss this issue with a vigiler for quite a while. (The conversation seemed to go on for at least half an hour.)

We had one counter demonstrator (pictured below) with a sign reading “My leisure class lifestyle is not negotiable,” and who shouted slogans about climate change being an elaborate hoax. She was happy to be photographed but was concerned about how she would appear. I assured her that the back lighting from the sun had a flattering effect—plus she was in front of a gas station.

The event lasted a little over two hours.

Part 2 of this coverage: http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/10/231746.php