Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

March 14, 2014: On Friday afternoons, the corner of Sunset and Echo Park is usually the site of the weekly Echo Park peace vigil (now in its 12th year). This week, however, special emphasis was placed on U.S. meddling in Venezuela and Ukraine. This author counted 25 people (though I left early). Flyers were handed out to the fairly heavy foot traffic. As has been the pattern lately at community demonstrations, a police car was present. (A demonstration against U.S.-backed instability in Venezuela has also been held in San Francisco.)

"Nobody should be fooled here, especially left forces," said John Parker of the International Action Center. "History shows you what the U.S. is about--they're not about democracy, they're about profits by any means."

Story and photos: Protest Against Latest U.S. Meddling by RP

Saturday's demonstration drew about 200 people to demand justice for Kelly Thomas, a schizophrenic homeless man who was beaten to death by two police officers. Out of 200 protesters, there were 10 arrested. Two for vandalism, including a blond woman who allegedly attacked a CBS camerawoman. The 7 remaining people were arrested for refusing to disperse the scene. Officials claimed they did everything possible to accommodate the protesters, but eventually, the manifestation turned violent heading into Saturday evening.

A CBS reporter, along with a camerawoman, arrived at the scene. Protesters who were affected by the death of Thomas, were offended because the CBS reporter had taken pictures of the Anarchy symbol spray painted along the walls of the Fullerton Police office. People felt that mainstream news was not contributing into reporting the facts. There had been a few protesters who yelled: "The media is lie! Tell the fucking truth!"

(Pictured above: protesters at the lamppost where Thomas was killed. Photo: Pablo A. Unzueta.)

Full story and photos: The Kelly Thomas Protest In Fullerton by Pablo A. Unzueta

Also: CBS reporter attacked protester from Anti-Media

The world was right for a brief moment in Venice as we marched for the civil rights of homeless people in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday. The cops followed and took pictures but the parade, led by Superbroke, danced down the Venice Boardwalk and on to the street to the Venice Windward Circle. An awesome feeling of solidarity as we stopped traffic on the street together for justice.

Story and pix: Venice Hosts A Day of Action For Rights of Homeless by Peggy Lee Kennedy

Through street theater (video here) and protest a message was sent to Congressman Xavier Becerra (District 34) lambasting his support of fast tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership (a secretive trade agreement described by Lauren Steiner as "NAFTA on steroids").

Some of Becerra's constituents had hoped to speak with a representative in his office. However, they were told by police that permission must first be obtained by the building's owner, the Chamber of Commerce. Steiner emphasized the irony that police--our public servants, ostensibly--where taking orders from private commerce. Permission was never granted . A field deputy for Becerra was reached via cell phone but claimed to be too busy to talk/listen.

We then proceeded to the LA Times, which has failed to scrutinize the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and were met with hostility and smugness. At least a few employees entering and leaving the building expressed interest in the issue and even asked for flyers.

Story and pictures: Protesting Xavier Becerra's Support of TPP by RP

For the last eight or so years, the Rose Parade has been the focus of activism on issues such as U.S. military aggression, calls for George W. Bush's impeachment, crimes by banksters, the endangered U.S. Constitution, China's oppression of Tibet, and this year a Sea World float (featuring "happy" orcas) was the target of animal rights activists. (According to the KPFK evening news (1-02-14) Wall Street was also depicted in an "unofficial" float entry near the beginning of the parade route. Discussion of it begins near the 30-minute mark.)

Nineteen animal rights activists were arrested for trying to block the Sea World float. Protesters at several locations along the route held up signs as the float passed. The float was accompanied by police, some in riot gear, in areas where activists were known to be. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of leaflets were distributed to parade spectators.

Story and pictures: Protesting Sea World at the Rose Parade by R. Plesset

(Photo above courtesy of Nicolas Tomas.)