Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

US Judge Manuel Real denied Father Gregory Boyle, nationally-known for his gang prevention work, the opportunity to testify as an expert defense witness for Alex Sanchez on Monday, then promptly denied Sanchez bail while reading from prepared notes.

The prosecution’s fear was that the widely-respected Jesuit priest would dismantle the state’s gang conspiracy case based on his long experience with street gangs in Los Angeles and El Salvador. They received immediate relief from Judge Real who dismissed Boyle’s right to testify on the confusing grounds that Boyle thinks Sanchez is innocent. Read Full Report by Tom Hayden | | | Photos by Anna | | | Videos Vigil Before the Hearing | Rally & Prayer After

Related: Alex Sanchez Denied Bail by wearealex.org

October 22, the national day of resistance against police brutality, is becoming a tradition dear to the Los Angeles community, especially to the families of those whose lives were stolen and to the youth who face police repression every day. This year, the police didn't let up, as the high-profile cases of Dontaze Storey, Annette Garcia, and of course, Oscar Grant, whose New Year's Eve shooting was caught on film and stoked uprisings in the Bay Area, show. The Orange County community converged in Orange, and Los Angeles centered its actions in South Central, where marchers took Leimert park to demand justice for the fallen.

Calls to Action: October 22 Coalition | | No More Police Murders! No More Stolen Lives! by Carl Dix

Report from the action: 5:00 pm, O-22 – 100+ Rally at Anti Police State Protest in Leimert Park by LA-IMC newsroom | | Photos: protest: Stop Police Brutality by Marcus | No More Stolen Lives L.A. Protest Photos by Robert Stuart Lowden | | VIDEO: October 22nd '09 Day against police brutality video by GamepitDee

LOS ANGELES, October 15, 2009 - Wednesday morning saw the organization, Mobilization for Health Care, stage a protest and sit-in at the Anthem Blue Cross offices in downtown Los Angeles. The actions were part of a national campaign of civil disobedience targeting insurance company offices. Twelve people were arrested at Wednesdays’ Los Angeles action, a total of 54 have been reported arrested nationwide

The event in Los Angeles was organized by Sam Pullman whose mother had passed away from Multiple Myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow). She had been treated at The Mayo Clinic and was refused a bone marrow transplant by Blue Cross on the grounds that it was an experimental procedure. She passed away at age 45.
Full Story: Mobilization for Health Care Provokes Arrests at L.A. Insurance Giant, Part 1 | | Part 2, with Video by Robert Lowden
Photos: 12 Arrested in LA for Health Care for All by Mobilization for Health Care for All

Statement by arrestee, Sam Pullman: "I'm staying in police custody until we have health care for all" by Lacy MacAuley

+ UPDATE - Sam Pullman Released: In His Mother’s Footsteps: LA Man Jailed for 5 Days After Sit-In at Blue Cross Office by Democracy Now!

In Southern California, there were at least two protests of Columbus Day this year. One took place in San Juan Capistrano, the other in Santa Barbara. The latter had an impressive turnout with head counts varying from 35 to 70. Whatever the exact number, our presence was strong, and reactions were positive. Vehicles honked, and pedestrians stopped to watch and listen. Some of them expressed support for the cause.

The many signs included "We discovered a lost Columbus," "Make Columbus your mascot," and "Is there a Hitler Day?"

There was also music, dance, and several good speakers. Many of the horrors committed by Columbus were mentioned, including his forcing Indian children into prostitution. To describe all of the atrocities would have taken the entire evening (at least). However, the radio show American Indian Airwaves on KPFK had a fairly comprehensive discussion of this on October 14 at 3pm. It can be downloaded from the Audio Archives at KPFK.org for the next 90 days. Apparently, part 2 of this installment will air next week.

Story and photos: Christopher Columbus Protest in Santa Barbara by RP

LOS ANGELES, October 3, 2009 - Crowds from both sides of the abortion rights debate met and exchanged words (and an elbow or two) outside the Family Planning Clinic on N. Westmoreland in Los Angeles on Saturday. Pro-Choice volunteers made a line around the entrance, creating what organizer, Katie, called a “safe zone” for would-be patients at the clinic. “The goal is to protect the clinic,” one Pro-Choice volunteer said, “we’re trying to keep it open, and the other side is trying to shut it down.”

The conflict comes from a new push by a group called 40 Days For Life Los Angeles (FDFL), who are a religious group that has called for a presence at family planning clinics around the country. They have been met in Los Angeles by Pro-Choice activists, and both sides of the conflict admit it hasn’t been easy.

Full Story: Pro-choice and Pro-Life Groups Clash at Family Planning Clinic; Police Intervene by Brian Elerding, photos by Robert Stuart Lowden

RELATED: Defending Abortion Rights by Katie | | MP3 AUDIO: Interview with Katie Miller, Abortion Clinic Defender by A

Photos from Saturday, October 10th: FAMILY CLINIC HARRASMENT AND COUNTER PROTEST CONTINUES.