Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Inland Empire - January 25, 2009: The Marines want to use 188,000 acres of our desert for "live-fire training and maneuvering exercises." The land is currently available for public use, and is enjoyed by many families for driving off-road vehicles. But they won't be able to if the land is annexed by the Twentynine Palms Air Ground Combat Center.

What can we do? Remarkably, the Marines want to know what we think about their proposal! Unfortunately, they are only accepting public comments until January 31! That only gives us FIVE DAYS!

Go to the base website and download the comment form, fill it out, and send it in! That's all it takes! But please, don't delay!

Call for action: Act Now to stop the militarization of public lands! Jan 31 deadline by IEvoice

"For more than a decade California Safe Schools has led groundbreaking efforts to ensure that school children and the public have a right not to be poisoned, a right to learn, work and live in a healthful environment. Today we discussed not only challenges, but also actions for change. When we work together great things can and do happen," said Executive Director of CSS, Robina Suwol, who Produced the event and was recently named by UTNE Magazine as one of "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World."

Report: California Safe Schools "Your Life is Now" 2008 Environmental Event of the Year by California Safe Schools

Despite the threat of rain and many competing activist events today, there was a very good turnout at the demonstration in front of Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. There seemed to be about 25 people during the time I was there (i.e., the first hour of the three-hour event).

Forever 21 intends to build warehouse space on the land of the South Central Farm, which developer Ralph Horowitz acquired by dubious means. (More details here.)

Story/photos: "BOYCOTT FOREVER 21! BOYCOTT FOREVER 21!" by RP

On September 20 and 21, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific hosted the fourth annual Native American festival, Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People. Moompetam (which means "of the ocean" in Tongva) is comprised of several maritime tribes, including Tongva, Acjachemen, Chumash, Costanoan, and Luiseno.

As one of the speakers at the event pointed out, this was a rare opportunity to experience Native cultures up-close via storytelling, food, one-on-one conversations, music, and workshops.

Story/photos: Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People by RP

GAS FACT: Slowing from 75 to 55 mph boosts gas mileage 33 percent in both sedans & large SUVs. On Sunday, July 6, 2008, I set my cruise control to 55 mph, turned on my Flip video camera, & entered the south-bound 101 Freeway at the base of the Conejo Gade in Camarillo, California. I filmed for over one hour, traveling toward Orange County. My quest? To see if fellow motorists were saving gas & cash by driving 55 mph. And my findings?

Video: Driving 55 MPH: An Experiment on S. California Fwys by DF, mom4education