Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

RIVERSIDE, California, Saturday, September 26, 2009 - In response to a planned neo-Nazi demonstration at a day labor site in Casa Blanca, Riverside's historically Latino community, numerous community groups united to oppose racism in their city. Over 30 organizations endorsed a rally at City Hall, which saw the participation of over 150 people who listened to and gave speeches, shared fruit and water, and enjoyed music and a strong sense of solidarity.

Meanwhile about a four miles away in front of a Home Depot store (a place where day laborers seek work) a group of no more than 10 Nazis tried to stage a rally. An alliance of close to 35 activists, including MEChA, Brown Berets, anarchists and local day laborers moved in to counter the Nazi rally and were able break it up. Activists surrounded the Nazis and seized two of their Nazi flags and burned them. The Nazis were forced to retreat under the protection of a police escort. Reports from the newswire: "Riverside Rejects Racism" Rally in Response to Neo-Nazi Demonstration, Part 1 & Part 2 by Rockero | | Nazis in Riverside by Cliff Olin | | ANTIFA VICTORY! Nazi Rally in Riverside Broken Up by Seeds Under Snow Collective | | 12:30 pm – Breaking News - Community Shuts Down Nazi Rally in Riverside.

VIDEO: Mexican and anti-racist vs National Socialist Movement by Naui Ocelotl | | Nazis in Riverside | | Nazis go home! by thepitzermaya

Thousands of UC students walked out of the first day of classes throughout the state in protest of the proposed 30% increase in tuition. Solidarity actions were also held at several CSU and community college campuses. Many unions representing employees of the UC authorized single-day strike actions to protest furloughs, layoffs, and bad-faith negotiating on the part of the UC leadership. Other local unions supported their brothers and sisters by attending the rallies, speaking out against the injustices, and providing food and water to the participants. The Los Angeles Independent Media Center has received reports from the actions at UC Riverside and UC Los Angeles.

From the newswire: Furlough? Hell No! Cutback? Fight back! UCR Walkout by Rockero, photos by A.M. | | California-wide Walkout, Thousands Joined Protests Against Cutbacks and Higher Tuition Fees by Echo Park Community Coalition

Reports from Northern California: Strikes and Walkouts Against Budget Cuts, Fee Hikes, Layoffs, Furloughs at UC | | UC Santa Cruz Students Occupy Graduate Student Commons

On Tuesday evening, Sept 22, a lively group of approximately 70 activists brought a Pro-Healthcare Reform rally to the sidewalk in front of FOX TV Center at 1999 Bundy in West Los Angeles.

To be repeated next Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 5pm-7pm. From the calendar: Protest FOX Lies About Health Care

Full report: LA Health Reform Rally Sticks it to Fox by Rodger Caldwell

In the aftermath of the Parole Board Commission's announcement that Leonard Peltier would not be granted parole, supporters of Peltier have been focusing their energy on President Barack Obama in the hopes of attaining a presidential pardon. September 12 was Peltier's 65th birthday, and vigils were held around the world. Also, Ben Carnes and Robert Fife concluded an eight-day fast for his release, while Peltier's sister, Betty Peltier-Solano, had chained herself to a fence in Washington, D.C.

Here in Los Angeles, a vigil and rally took place at Nahui Ohlin in Echo Park (see: www.myspace.com/nahuiohlin and www.facebook.com/nahuiohlin). There was drumming and singing, and messages could be sent to Peltier vis-a-vis his family.

Full report: Rally for Leonard Peltier by RP

EAST LOS ANGELES--Thirty-nine years ago, a statewide series of demonstrations by Chicanos and Chicanas against the wars in Southeast Asia culminated in a police riot and the assassination of Los Angeles Times and KMEX journalist Rubén Salazar. Today, members of the Chicanx community and activists of all stripes commemorated the day's fateful events with music, poetry, teatro, and speakers. Full report: 39th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium: "Still Here, Still A Force" by Rockero | | VIDEO: Videos from the 39th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium