Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Right: The table for the Open Source Voting Consortium at the L.A. Linux Expo '09.

In the spring of 2008, after years of getting p.o.'d at Microsoft on almost a daily basis, I switched over to Linux (free, non-proprietary software). I had just gotten a new computer, and a friend who was setting it up for me, offered Linux as an option. This seemed a bit risky since Linux sounded less user-friendly than Microsoft, and I am not a technically-savvy person. Yet I loved the idea of being free of Microsoft and proprietary software. I took a chance and went with Linux. In the ensuing year, my computer sessions became markedly less stressful--it was usually at zero.

. . . On February 19th of this year, I attended the 2009 Linux Expo in L.A. Below are conversations I had with a few of the vendors. Story and photos: Transitioning to Linux and a (Late) Report on the 2009 Linux Expo L.A. by RP | RELATED: LA IMC 10th Anniversary - Technology Workshop by Mallory Knodel

Throughout Southern California, solidarity actions have been taking place for the political prisoners of San Salvador Atenco. The Mexican activists have been imprisoned for defending their lands and subjected to sub-human and torturous conditions far worse than those suffered by convicted drug traffickers and murderers. Here in the United States, efforts have focused on raising awareness and building support for the campaign to free the wrongfully-incarcerated. And to demand justice from Mexican government. Actions have included film screenings in Maywood and San Bernardino, and a recent tour by human rights defender and lawyer for the Atenco prisoners; Leonel Rivero. This year's International Human Rights Day events focus on the prisoners of Atenco, abuses in the Philippines, the human rights of migrants, and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

From the newswire: Atenco PRESENTE!! en California by debbie

From the calendar: International Human Rights Day in solidarity with the political prisoners of Atenco in Santa Ana, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles.

Other Human Rights Day events: No to US intervention in the Philippines! at the Philippine consulate | | Raging for 16 Days and Renewing Our Commitment to 365 Days of Activism by Jollene Levid | | Imperialism is a Human Rights Violation!!! at the Downtown LA federal building | | Free Alex Sanchez! IHR Press Conference at Immanuel Presbyterian Church | | Community Groups to Highlight Los Angeles Housing Crisis and Demand Attention to Sweeping Human Rights Violations at Los Angeles City Hall

Over the last several years the Northeast L.A. Radical Neighbors ("bad-asses who care"), often in collaboration with the Montrose Peace Vigil, has held one-hour peace vigils on holidays such as and Easter and Xmas. However, this was our first Thankstaking demo.

Obviously, vigils such as this are not stopping America's many wars, but they seem to be reminding people that horrible things are going on. (Personally, I grew up during the Vietnam War totally unaware of that abomination. Had there been community vigils such as this, my world view would have been different.)

We got a lot of positive response from adults and children. One city employee read all of our signs aloud over a p.a. system on their vehicle. As we have done in the past, we brought food for the local homeless people. It was alarming to see how much the local homeless population had increased. There seemed to be about 10 people in addition to the ones we have known over the years. Fortunately, a church group came after our event ended and distributed much more food. Read Full Report by R of the Northeast L.A. Radical Neighbors

WEST HOLLYWOOD, November 20, 2009 - Friday night's dedication of the Transgender Memorial in West Hollywood culminated years of planning and struggle to build a permanent monument to the dozens of Trans identified persons who are murdered each year by hate criminals.

The new plaque is now at Sheppard Triangle in West Hollywood. Dedication speakers, included Bushnell, Jarez, Chaz Bono, West Hollywood Mayor Abbey Land, City Councilmen John Duran and Jeffrey Prange. This author was impressed how tidy each speaker's remarks were, contrasting with the lengthy ones we remember from past Days of Remembrance. It was as if everyone knew that this year was special and that we should not any longer delay the unveiling we had struggled so long to achieve.

The audience was particularly moved by the humbleness of Chaz Bono, who thanked us for inviting him, and said he was new to our community, and did not feel he should take up too much time merely because his celebrity might invite more attention to his personal transition, which was the similar to what all of us face. Full Story: Dedication of Transgender Memorial Ends Years of Struggle by Carolina | | Photos: Dedication of Transgender Memorial Photos By Robert Stuart Lowden

LOS ANGELES, UCLA Campus - November 19, 2009 – An estimated 2,000+ students and union workers took part in various actions campus-wide this week. Covel Commons where the UC Regents held their last day of meetings was completely surrounded by students and workers with arms locked together. They formed a human chain of solidarity against the regents complicity in the ongoing privatization of the UC system. Latest from the Newswire: Students and Workers Resist Privatization at UCLA Regents Meeting | Reports of Arrests | Eye Witness Reportback

Photos: UC Strike - UCLA Nov.19th by Tae | | UC Students Fight Tuition Hike, Occupy Campus by A
Audio: MP3 AUDIO – Interview with UCLA Student on Protesting the Regents By A
Video: Students Pepper Sprayed | Whose University? Our University! (Via vozmob.net) | UC Police break up UCLA protest by Richard Bamattre

Special Section: Report Back From Inside the Occupation of Campbell Hall, UCLA | A few pictures from inside occupied Campbell-Huggins Hall | Students Occupy Campbell Hall

Coverage from other independent media sites: Indybay coverage of actions across the CA education system | Protest at UCLA against the theft of our education | Estudiantes se unen y marchan | Video :Maria's Dilemna (en español)

Background & More info: UCSolidarity.org | UCStrike.com