Saturday, August 2nd: A crowd of 150 to 200 rallied in downtown
LA’s Pershing Square to oppose an attack on Iran, as part of a series
of actions in the area over the summer to draw people from political
complacency to a principled stand against another U.S. war of
aggression.
joined the International Action Center, Union of Progressive Iranians,
BAYAN-USA, and others. Despite short notice, people did come
forward-with a good measure of enthusiasm. It was a very international
crowd: Iranian families, Filipinos, Aztec dancers, Palestinians,
Spanish-speaking immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and the
Basque region of Spain, and U.S.-born people of all nationalities from
different progressive or revolutionary movements. People walking
through the area stopped to check things out and some stayed for the
rally and march. A common view among many people was that an attack on
Iran was likely at this point, “and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t
think so.” Among the energetic youth and passers-by who joined us,
there was the sense that it takes someone in the family or someone in a
circle of friends who sees the importance of taking a stand, being
vocal and encouraging others to be a part.
rally on her walk through the park, and was fascinated by it. She said
she had no idea that people in the US were concerned about a possible
attack on Iran. She talked about how life in Iran is very repressive
generally under fundamentalist rule, and that women in particular had
to be very careful. There are progressive forces in Iran as well,so
all women do not have to confrom to fundamentalist principles, but it
is a difficult life. She thinks that most people in Iran do not
understand the dangers of the US. She says the US seems very far away
and is viewed as a bully, but not a bully who would actually follow
through. She wants to learn more about WCW and has just completed a
film that she thinks we might like for the eve of conscience in Denver.
a counter-recruiting assembly or class presentation in Septemeber. He
said that military recruiters are all over the campus, and that he does
his best to let his students know that there are alternatives to
military service, but he needs help. He said that he has been
delighted to discover how great the students are, and not angry
and/or apathetic as characterized by school officials or in the press.
He wondered philosophically why this society is so alienated and
seemingly frightened by such “sweet” young people.
said he had never been to a demonstration before in his life, and he
thinks he will be coming out again. He was very interested in
traveling to Denver for the DNC. He said he would check out the
national website for details.
A dozen pro-Iranian monarchists tried to disrupt the rally. At one
point, an effort to shout them down got a little heated, and the
monarchists dispersed not long after that. This polarized the crowd,
some of whom thought the counter-protestors were anti-war and were
being attacked for being anti-IRI, saying some people in the crowd
couldn’t “tolerate dissent” (as best we can understand this was not
true: they were very much pro-war and pro-Shah, and united around
that). Several military youth, supporting an attack on Iran, came out
as well. One kid from the Navy looked like he was trying to pick a
fight, and three others who just happened to be walking by (and
couldn’t wait to finish desert combat training so they could go to Iraq
and “do their job”) basically rolled their eyes and were unfazed by the
massive death toll of US occupation in Iraq, and the prospect of war
with Iran.
and messages of solidarity with the Iranian people were made by a
variety of organizations. Then a march started up and headed down
Broadway, a heavily trafficked shopping corridor frequented by Latino
immigrants. The march was spirited, and chants in Farsi, Spanish &
English focusing on driving out the war criminals of the Bush regime
were taken up with verve by the crowd and other organizations. An
effort to find good Spanish language chants brought this: “Aqui
estamos, y no nos vamos, Iraq, Iran, Somos Hermanos” – “We’re here and
we aren’t going away – Iraq, Iran-We’re Sisters & Brothers.” Many
on the street related to this chant, and supported the march.
that night, and a number of independent media covered the event.
As part of the Emergency Call to Action in over 80 cities around the
country, an Art-In for Peace was held, as well as several rallies in
the Southern California area.