Despite the threat of rain and the many competing activist events today, there was a very good turnout at the demonstration in front of Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. There seemed to be about 25 people during the time I was there (i.e., the first hour of the three-hour event).
Forever 21 intends to build warehouse space on the land of the South Central Farm, which developer Ralph Horowitz acquired by dubious means. (More details here:
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2008/12/222839.php.)
Whatever the exact count of the demonstrators was, they could not be missed. When they marched across the busy intersection of Colorado and DeLacey--filling up the crosswalk-- they chanted “Boycott Forever 21! Boycott Forever 21!” Their voices were very audible and clear, and their signs eye-catching. Their presence in such an upscale, trendy, fantasy land strengthened their visibility.
I joined them in front of Forever 21 on Delacey and on marches to the store's second entrance on Holly. Other chants included: “Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Sweatshops have got to go!”
Several passersby stopped and asked for information, and a significant number of them expressed interest and support. Many flyers were distributed, and I noticed people taking time to read them.
I could have stayed for the full three hours—I felt empowered and inspired--but I had another demonstration to get to.
