On Los Angeles on September 10, 2013, in front of the Convention Center, where the AFL-CIO national convention was being held, a press conference was called by a coalition of community organizations critical of SB 744, also called Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR), and the parts that would further militarize the border, would charge immigrants high fees, bring back a "Bracero"-style labor system, and of Obama's massive deportation operation. CIR is supported by a coalition of labor and community organizations, who see this as the last opportunity to pass any kind of immigration reform bill. A faction of activists from LCLLA, an AFL-CIO Latino group, entered the hall and confronted labor leader Maria Elena Durazo.
Inside, the AFL-CIO's theme was to forge a new direction, and allow alt-labor and community organizations a place within the AFL-CIO. The new executive vice president of the AFL-CIO Tefere Gebre was interviewed and also discussed his views on the efforts by President Obama to attack and bomb Syria. Also the director of the national Taxi Workers Alliance Bhairavi Desai talked about the conditions facing cab drivers and other issues as well.
Coverage, photos, and links: AFL-CIO 2013 Immigration Press Conf & The "Comprehensive Immigration Bill" Challenged by Labor Video Project
On Monday evening, MoveOn called for vigils around the country against the threatened U.S. bombing of Syria. In Silver "Lake," the turnout was large--67 people were counted an hour into it (and by that time several had left). (Other local vigils listed
here.) People of all ages participated. Unlike the demonstrations against invading Iraq in '02-'03, public response was overwhelmingly positive. The honking was almost non-stop at the busy intersection of Glendale and Silver Lake Boulevards and could be heard from blocks away. Also, there was media coverage by NBC and NPR. All four corners of the intersection were occupied.
The crowd was passionate. One participant made a trip to the west side to fetch a banner for this event. Due to the large turnout, the one-hour vigil (originally scheduled from 6-7) was extended by an additional half hour.
Additional actions were planned for the following day, September 10, in and in front of the office of Congressman Adam Schiff in Hollywood.
Photos and report: Silver "Lake" Protests Invasion of Syria by R. Plesset