Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

RIVERSIDE - Wal-Mart's low prices come at a cost. The workers who are part of their supply chain, which includes numerous warehouses in southern California, are subject to insanely low wages, horrid working conditions and abuse. While these people are not directly employed by Wal-Mart, they are an important part of Wal-Mart's corporate strategy to drive American wages down to third-world levels. Last month on June 30th workers took action. Report: Warehouses, Workers & Wal-Mart by Bob Maschi

LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2012 - Friday night, the LAPD shot not-as-lethal projectiles, either bean bags or rubber bullets, at people chalking on downtown streets and sidewalks. One observer reported a woman sketching a stick figure didn't get to finish her street art before she was beanbagged. Her partner lunged at the responsible cop, and he was beaten to the ground. Another witness told of a young man who was dropped from his skateboard by police guns. Some of the amateur and impromptu artists responded to the assault with rocks and bottles. Reports estimate fourteen arrests, four injured police, and an unknown number of injured chalkers. Full Story: Art Walkers Occupy Free Speech by Federica

Video: Chalk Riot by dramakidps2

Commentary: Big surprise: Corporate media fucks up chalk walk story by Rockero

On the third Wednesday of each month, a vigil is held outside Congressman Adam Schiff's Pasadena office. Due to redistricting, Schiff, who currently represents areas including Pasadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Monterey Park, Burbank, and parts of Glendale, will soon "represent" La Canada Flintridge, Glendale, Burbank, Echo Park, Silver Lake, Hollywood, and West Hollywood. This vigil will continue up to and after the redistricting goes into effect in January 2013, organizers say.

In 2002, Schiff voted to give President Bush powers to invade Iraq--despite very large protests held outside his office beforehand.

Nine people turned out for the June 2012 vigil. Other issues addressed included universal healthcare, support for Representative Pete Stark's Save Our Climate Act, and job creation. Recently, Schiff has talked of an orderly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan but has not followed through with any concrete actions. However, some of his current constituents are thankful for his recently introducing a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.

Full story and pictures: Schiff Happens by R. Plesset

Los Angeles residents have been laying siege to the Central City Association for nearly a month. The people have been dutifully operating within the law, pitching tents at 9 p.m. and breaking down camp by 6 a.m. right in front of the "1%'s" lobby here in Los Angeles. In the day, we occupy Pershing Square and outreach, rest, and build our community. The people involved have been arrested and harassed, and it is escalating each day we camp at the doorsteps of corporate power.

Who exactly is the CCA? Their clients include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Boeing, Target, US Bank, Verizon, Chevron, Walmart, and AT&T. They have the ear of the City Council and mayor as they push pro-business, anti-people regulations and laws. They are the shockingly overt bridge between money and politics.

Full story: Arrests & Terror at #626 Wilshire by RyanRiceLA

A series of demonstrations drew attention to one of the biggest (and least-discussed) government welfare programs: the Military Industrial Complex. Although Boeing was the main target, demonstrations also occurred in front of Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. By late afternoon, there were about 50 participants. That number increased to approximately 75 by early evening. Most response from vehicular traffic seemed positive.

Emphasis was placed on the staggering amounts of public money spent on weapons (over 50% of government spending) while people here and abroad suffer from hunger, disease, and illiteracy. And despite the huge Military budget, various demonstrators observed that they do not feel any safer. Various participants also spoke out against the current U.S. military build-up in the Pacific—against America's greatest trading partner, China. There was considerable emphasis, too, on flying drones. “We are in secret wars in Yemen [and] Pakistan,” read a widely-distributed leaflet. “There will soon be thousands of weaponized predator drones in the United States airspace.”

Story and photos: Occupy the Military Industrial Complex (report back) by Rick Panna