“Hate is what got me here. Love sweet love is gonna set me free” M. Franti Hollywood and Vine March 21, 2003 Saturday, March 21, 2003, thousands of Angelinos rallied for peace, culminating in an act of non-violent civil disobedience on the intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Los Angeles Police officers were present in an incredible show of firepower, ready and willing to step on the Bill of Rights and the Constitution at their whim. A peaceful rally attendant engaged an officer, asking if the people standing on the sidewalk were at risk of being arrested despite the rights guaranteed us by the Bill of Rights. The officer replied that, “…the second amendment doesn’t count today”. The recent protests have been reminiscent of the famous line of a Buffalo Springfield song from the 60’s, “Step out of line, the man comes and takes you away”. If one voices an opinion that differs from the countries leading warmongers, then they may be cuffed and stuffed in the blink of an eye. Many peaceful people were taken away; at the time of this writing arrests were still being made. Peaceful people around the world are and taking a look around, and realizing that the corporate control of the United States is responsible for a worldwide violent backlash that will affect us for years to come. President Bush’s need to go to war has sped up Nuclear Weapon production in several countries where Americans are not the favorite nationality, and many American citizens feel that by attacking Iraq there will be terrorist retaliation. Many protesters were focusing their energy on the pro-war stance of the media by bringing signs that read “CNN Lies”, “Kill Your Television”, and “The Pro-War Media have Taken Over”. The imbalance of the media coverage of the invasion of Iraq leans heavily toward the pro-war stance, and citizens wishing for our government to find a peaceful resolution are voiceless. This feeling of isolation is helping to bring together groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, and citizens that may relate more closely to the “status quo”- We are truly all one. I rhetorically asked a cameraman from the abc network if they were going to show some truth on the evening news. He very coherently replied, “Probably not, we show what ever will get us the advertising dollars; we’re owned by Disney, we go with the most popular view. It used to be different when we were owned by smaller companies”. The number of people speaking out against the war is amazing considering how much pro-war propaganda there is on the news. Rally-goers promised to show up at The Oscars Tomorrow evening; that should be interesting! The non-violent direct action tactics in Los Angeles differed slightly from those used in San Francisco. In San Francisco, protesters used the amoeba technique of moving from intersection to intersection; leaving shortly before the police would show up. This technique may be more effective for the Monday commute in Los Angeles. We need to keep the pressure on and regain power from our reckless government. Organize small affinity groups and hit the streets using peaceful Amoeba Tactics to shut down the warmongering economy, only then will they listen. Here are some photos: It’s easy to subdue an unarmed citizenry. The only difference between the cop’s attack and the military attack on Iraq is that the cops didn’t starve us for 12 years first. Citizens hold a war-pushing reporter accountable. One too many donuts…and way too much teargas. The cops should read their own bumper sticker…as they beat heads a few blocks down the irony struck me like a baton. “There is NO excuse for domestic violence”. Cops laugh, as a procession of “Iraqi Ghosts” move slowly by. They probably aren’t laughing today after we all found out the fate of several U.S. and allied soldiers. The families thank you Bush. You could say it over and over, people that want peace are not anti-soldier. Remember that soldiers are the VICTIMS too, perhaps even more so. In fact we should go and meet them at the dock when they come back, with our peace signs in hand, denouncing Bush for sending them. Hey, that’s a good idea. “Welcome home, sorry Bush sent you”. A basic “Street Medic” protest kit. Some gloves, 4x4’s with tape, mineral oil for blotting pepper spray off of skin, alcohol, and an eye wash made from 50% Maalox (unflavored) and 50%H2O. I saw a street medic help a cop once…very cool.