Protest on Pine

Hurried to get the newspaper this morn' to read about yesterday's protest. I was especially interested in why the young man was shot, as he appeared to be leaving. "Protest on Pine" was the headline on the small, second page article. One photo showed a boy being led away by a police officer; another photo of a group of police crossing an intersection.

According to Felix Sanchez of the Press Telegram, yesterday's protest was staged by members of the "Base Collective" from south Los Angeles. The group was protesting "capitalist ideologies" and feels the military unfairly targets minorities while recruiting. Mr Sanchez reports two unconfirmed arrests and said the group dispersed "without incident". Um...

The young man that was shot as he appeared to be dispersing, might consider that an incident. From what I overheard, the young man had complied with the Police request to show Identification.

The article numbers the group at about 50~perhaps it grew, while I was shopping. There were not 50 protesters visible when I was returning, but there may have been more behind them on Pine Ave, my view blocked by the buildings. The article also said there was a counter-protest.

Posted on Saturday, Dec 9, 2006

Anarchists

Walking downtown came upon about a dozen kids protesting in front of the, what do you call it, "sign up for the Military" place. They were holding cardboard box signs with black marker words reading, things like "Draft the Rich", "Stop Bush". A couple of the young men are playing drums, some of the girls boogie in place to the music. (me too!) Cars going by the 6th St and Pine Ave Intersection, beep their approval.

A man on my side of the Ave, hands me a picture of a young boy, "Is This Your Enemy?". A pleasant smiling faced child, not like the photo's on my "War" page. We chat for a moment before I continue on to the store. Coming out of the store I cross Pine Ave to continue on to another store. Perhaps 9 Police Officers are on that side of the road; police cruiser, motorcycle's and their drivers are blocking traffic. I smile a hello to the protesters as I continue south on Pine.

Walking back along 5th Street (after finishing shopping), there is nowhere to go. The Protesters have moved down Pine, standing on the corner still chanting. One man is waving a black flag on a long pole. The Police are in formation, lined up on Pine between the 4 corners. "Unlawful protest. Subject to Arrest. For the people of the State of California, we are asking you to Disperse." Something like that one is saying via megaphone. Had noticed one young man, walking away from the line of Police Officers, but turned to watch the protesters. POP! I turn to see an officer, rifle aimed & smoking, the boy on the ground. A quick look back at the crowd, to see reaction, look back, the boy is on the corner on his knees being handcuffed by several officers.

After a few more moments, the Police, start to fan out in a semi-circle. The bystanders, next to me take off. I back into a corner by a store to continue watching. I was on my way to use the 25¢ Phone Booth, which is midway between 5th & 6th Streets on Pine. Sigh. The police start marching on the group, swinging nightsticks, as the young people back up the street.

Cops won this round! Of course, I want to watch some more, but asked to move along by motorcycle cop at the corner. As I pass the Alley leading to the phone booth, notice some guys walking through it turning left onto Pine; perhaps I can go make the call after all? Do not want to chance it, so continue walking north. Rather than go west and homeward bound, take a walk back to 6th & Pine, to see what is happening with the "Riot Squad" and the kids. They are all gone. Down Pine a 1/2 dozen of the police are still in the road in a line. There are two unmarked cars and men, parked in my path along the sidewalk at 6th & Pine. A police car takes off flying north Pine Ave. 7th Street is blocked off, so take a walk to look. A quick glance down the block shows about 6 young men loitering. No Riot Squad.

Do not want to go back the way I came, so continue on to 8th St. From there, I go West to Pacific. Count 17 Officers going East on 7th towards where the few guys were standing. Another 14 Officers are standing on the corner. Does this make any sense? There are probably over 50 armed men, dealing with a dozen unarmed young adults. No one is out stealing. No drug dealers dealing. No child or woman is being abused.

The man that gave me the photocopy, said, "The anarchists are already out". Do not think he was with that group. The Constitution did give the people the right to "redress", but now-a-days the law requires "permits" to do so. Permits can be denied, or a Constitutional right is taken from the people. What if the Police left them alone? Would any harm have been done? Probably not. So Cal is a pretty mellow place with room for all kinds of people and attitudes. The sun is shining, people are shopping, not concerned about the protest.

I did mention to the man I spoke to that, "You can not expect to antagonize people and influence them at the same time". The "Puck the Draft" sign, probably riled the government people. Will probably read more about this in the Press Telegram tomorrow. Heard the sirens as I typed.

Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006

Postscript: I did not mention that rather than go home, I went to south on Pacific to type the blog post from a library computer. Enroute, I spoke to a couple of young protesters who were carrying guitars and keyboard. Because I did not blog that part, I no longer recall our conversation.