Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

POMONA, June 17, 2009 – Residents of the Woodlawn Mobile Home Park in Pomona are demanding an explanation for the harassment of their community following a series of raids on the park. A June 11 police raid on the community was apparently done in preparation for a June 12 sheriff's raid to serve a warrant, which terrorized the entire park. During the second raid, whole families with young children were forced to ground and terrified by the officers' violent actions. At least five or more concussion grenades were thrown into the park by officers during the raid. Three men were reported arrested during the raid on unknown charges and there is no word where they are being held.

There is some uncertainty about which agencies are responsible for last Thursday night’s raid, but eyewitness accounts seem to indicate that a joint force of San Bernardino County Sheriff and possibly un-uniformed Pomona Police officers.

Residents of the park attended the Pomona City Council meeting on Monday, June 15 and addressed the council during the public comment period. One by one, approximately thirty residents, representing adults, the elderly, and children, explained what happened to them. Some became so emotionally overwhelmed that they were unable to continue.

From the Newswire: Pomona police department uses explosive devices in raid on mobile home park & Audio testimony of eyewitnesses: Despite police abuse, mobile home park community pursues redress by Rockero

Friday, June 12, 2009 LOS ANGELES -- Crowds of curious onlookers surrounded a group of indigenous rights activists, members of the Peruvian community, and environmentalists as they demonstrated in front of the Peruvian consulate today through dance, procession, chant, and speech.

At this latest in a series of demonstrations in front of the large building on the Koreatown stretch of Wilshire that houses the consulate, protestors angered by President Alan García's use of military force against indigenous rights activists decried the massacre of an unknown number of people. They also lashed out against the "free trade" policies the victims gave their lives fighting against.
Full Report: Protest at Peruvian Consulate by Rockero | | VIDEO: Indigenous rights Protest at Peru's consulate, Los Angeles California by Naui Ocelotl

Latest news from Peru Indymedia

LOS ANGELES – June 9, 2009 - Scores of Filipino American activists rallied in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles in solidarity with mass protests taking place in this month in the Philippines. At issue is the continuing interventionist policy of the US towards the Philippines. Activists hope to stop proposed changes to the US-Philippine charter that seeks to keep the current unpopular government in power. Holding a banner which read: “No To Charter Change”, activists drew honks of support from passing motorists. The three-hour picket and rally coincided with a press conference held every month at the 3600 Wilshire office of the Philippine Consulate. Los Angeles County has the largest Filipino community in the US with 262,000 recorded in the year 2000 US census. From the Newswire: Filam Activists Rally vs Chacha in LA by Echo Park Community Coalition

Upcoming events and related stories: KALAYAAN (FREEDOM) PHILIPPINES SERIES by AJLPP | MILITARY ABUSES AgAINST FILIPINO PEASANTS CONTINUES by Pesante-USA | Celebrating Philippine Independence Day by Dionesio C. Grava

LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2009 - On Friday in Hollywood Santa Monica Blvd was blocked by a group of protesters demonstrating against the possibly fatal budget cuts being proposed by the Schwarzenegger Administration. The cuts are sweeping. The plan is to eliminate more than $160 million in HIV services which will also would jeopardize another $150 million in federal matching funds the state receives for HIV care.

The golden state faces a massive $24 billion state budget deficit -- with cash expected to run out by July -- California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is cutting funds draconically and that includes programs that keep HIV-positive people alive. "This is the worst possible time to take support away from the most vulnerable Californians," said Judith Auerbach, Ph.D., vice president for science and public policy at the The San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "Balancing the budget on the backs of those at greatest risk threatens to reverse all progress made against the HIV epidemic over the past two decades." From the Newswire: HIV Protesters Take The Streets in Hollywood by Robert Stuart Lowden

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 by SCHA-LA - - Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 by SCHA-LA | | Statement from Los Angeles HIV positive MOM by Robert Stuart Lowden

LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2009 - A combination hunger strike and protest campout has been occurring in downtown Los Angeles for the last nine days. The action is a continuance of the demonstrations that rose up in response to draconian budget cuts and layoffs issued by the Los Angeles Board of Education last month. The cuts are a result of a state and city wide deficit avalanche that is threatening to wipe away the traditional Californian "safety net " which for generations has been there for the poorest and least able amongst us.

The hunger strikers are protesting against the effect that these cuts will have on their pupils and consequently on the communities that these kids live in. Considerations such as class size and scholarly attention are chief amongst the teachers concerns. The Los Angeles Board of Education voted to lay off as many as 5,400 teachers and staff due to a 596 million dollar budget shortfall for 2010. For the last nine days the protest has been set up outside of the Liechty Middle School near downtown L.A. where forty-seven of the 65 teachers working there have received layoff notices
From the Newswire: L.A.Hunger Strikers on Ninth Day of Fast by Robert Stuart Lowden | | Hunger Strike Blog by Sean Leys

6/12/09 UPDATE: Hunger strike, Day 16, latest news: Los Angeles Teacher-Hunger Striker Kait Leonard Video Statement & Teacher on 16th day of Hunger Strike-Video Statement by Robert Stuart Lowden

6/14/09 UPDATE: School District Rescinds 505 Cuts But 2500 Jobs Still in Jeopardy. Hunger strike continues. Latest report and photos: Part one | Part two by Robert Stuart Lowden

6/16/09 UPDATE: Hunger Strike now at Day 22 - Reflections after 22 days on hunger strike by Martin