Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

[Opt. Ed. Feature] - After Sen. Barack Obama, clinched the nomination to be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2008 election, he began taking on bum advice. He is also running “scared” and it’s only July! No wonder the GOP’s standard bearer, Sen. John McCain, is smiling more these days. Sen. Obama, the supposed “Candidate of Change,” is fast reprising Sen. John Kerry’s losing, timid, don’t-rock-the boat strategy of his 2004 White House race against Dubya. As I write, Sen. Obama, who inspired millions in the primaries, is caving in on issue after issue. This is the same candidate who gave the appearance of strong resolve in smashing the Democratic Party’s Political Machine in Maryland last February. (1) Today, he’s looking like he’s part of that Old Boys’ network. From the Newswire: Barack Obama Is Taking On a Lot of Bum Advice by William Hughes | | The Odds of Change: A Statistical Look at Our Democrat’s Voting Records by Debbie Morgan | | Obama: Just Another Lie

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2008 – It has been two years since the South Central Farmers were forcibly evicted and their farmland destroyed. While most all of the farmers have found new land to till they have not lost hope that the site at 41st and Long Beach will some day grow food again. The fight for the land where the farm once was is not over. The farmers are now organizing to stop the city from granting a building permit for developer Ralph Horowitz's proposed construction of a truck depot and warehousing complex on the site. They are asking supporters to come to a planning commission hearing this Wednesday, July 2 at 10:00 am at Los Angeles City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Room 1020

From the Newswire: July 2nd - Stop warehouse on old South Central Farm Land

LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2008 - The Los Angeles activist community is mourning the sudden passing of long time local human rights activist, Don White. Don was discovered dead in his apartment by friends this Saturday. The cause of his death is unknown at this time.

Public memorial services have been arranged for August 10th at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, see: Sun Aug 10: Celebrate the Life of Don White for details.

Don White was the director of CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador) and for many years active in the local Salvadoran community. Reports from the newswire: BREAKING: Local Activist Don White Found Dead

Readers share memories of Don: Don White Presente...With Love by Anna L. Kunkin | | Don White: My Recollections and Pictures since 1985 by Carl Gunther | | Don White - La Lucha Continua! & Don White March 15 by Hugh Stegman | | Companero Don White, PRESENTE! by AJLPP | | Roberto Lovato: Companero Don White, Presente! by Roberto Lovato | | JFAV and the Filipino Community Salutes Companero Don White

Req. for Donations for Don White Funeral Guest

VIDEO Don White Addressing a Los Angeles Antiwar Rally in March of 2005

AUDIO MP3 Audio of Don White at Anti-Reagan Protest

Next weekend, Friday June 27th to Sunday June 29th is the LA Social Forum. Billed as “a weekend of building bridges between LA-based campaigns for social justice, environmental action, criminal reform, election fairness, gender equity, political power and cultural expression.”

The conference kicks off Friday evening at 6 pm on the campus of USC. Over 70 workshops on a wide range of issues will be offered during the weekend. The Los Angeles Independent Media Center is among those groups holding a workshop, see: LA Indymedia Workshop.

“The Los Angeles Social Forum is a place where Southern California activists will meet and share power, plans, perspectives, and ideas while building a network for peace and social justice.” For more information please see: LASocialForum.org

NEW: Commentary on the Forum: [Opt. Ed.] "Outreach" or Alliance Building? by Michael Novick | | An Open Letter Regarding the LA Social Forum and Leftist Organizing by Tom Louie

CALIFORNIA, June 17, 2008 – Hundreds of marriages of same sex couples took place yesterday as the state of California officially ended discrimination based on gender. This Saturday, June 21st, more civil ceremonies will be conducted all day long in West Hollywood Park from 8 AM to 8 PM. While people are celebrating now there is concern about an anti-gay proposition on the ballot this November. A coalition of homophobic fundamentalist groups claim they have enough signatures for a measure that would amend the state constitution to ban same sex marriage. But for now wedding bells continue to ring throughout the state.
Reports from the newswire: VIDEO: Same-Sex Marriages: Orange County, California, USA