Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Amid daily testimonies of the carnage and destruction affecting millions of inhabitants in the southern Philippines, progressive representatives in the Philippine Congress have urged a thorough probe into the permanent presence of US troops . Personalities such as Rep. Maria Climaco of Zamboanga City and Amina Rasul, lead convenor of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, have also urged action to stop US meddling on behalf of the corrupt, bankrupt Arroyo despotism. BAYAN and other civil-society groups recently petitioned the Legislative Oversight Committee on the VFA to terminate all agreements allowing foreign troops (not only the US but also the Australians and other nationalities) interfering in the ongoing hostilities, thus violating the Philippine Constitution. Full story: The Third Vietnam? by the Philippines Cultural Studies Center

Humble Beauty is an hour documentary that tells the story of talented homeless and formerly homeless men and women who, despite a daily struggle for survival, paint and create art in the worst area of Los Angeles known as Skid Row. People will make art, no matter how humble the circumstances.

The film includes spontaneous moments plus intimate interviews with oil, acrylic and watercolor painters, charcoal, pen & crayon sketchers, collage makers and paper mache sculptors. Some artists find their art supplies in garbage cans and dumpsters. They draw on old paper bags.

Article: HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists Documentary by Letitia Schwartz & Judith Vogelsang Photos:HUMBLE BEAUTY photos by Letitia Schwartz & Judith Vogelsang DVD Cover: HUMBLE BEAUTY DVD cover

The protest initiated by Code Pink Women for Peace did receive some local corporate media coverage. KTLA TV and KFWB radio did interview some of the protesters. (It is unknown if they will broadcast the event or if these corporate media outlets can be relied upon to correctly represent the demonstrator�s message.)

This Indymedia reporter did have the chance to speak with No Bail Out activist, Peter Thottam. Peter is a former employee of Goldman Sacks and is now a sharp critic of the Wall Street investment banking industry and its relation with the policy makers in the government. The interview is uploaded in full and with no edits. Peter and some of his fellow No Bail Out, activists have started a web site to help get the word out on the threat that the Wall Street bail out poses to the real economy: Main Street. When asked if the current economic situation was an indictment of capitalism in general Peter responded: Yes.
From the newswire: No Wall Street Bailout Protesters Picket at Obama LA Office by A

Protests are expected to greet republican vice presidential candidate sarah palin. Palin, who has been widely discredited as unqualified by both independent and corporate press, will be holding two rallies this Saturday. One rally is in Carson and the other in Costa Mesa. Many peace and justice groups have called for protests. It is possible that hundreds of protesters could be demonstrating at these events this Saturday.

On September 20 and 21, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific hosted the fourth annual Native American festival, Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People. Moompetam (which means �of the ocean� in Tongva) is comprised of several maritime tribes, including Tongva, Acjachemen, Chumash, Costanoan, and Luiseno.

As one of the speakers at the event pointed out, this was a rare opportunity to experience Native cultures up-close vis-a-vis storytelling, food, one-on-one conversations, music, and workshops.

Story/photos: Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People by RP