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Not a lot of people showed up to "No War on Iran" protest earlier this month on Saturday, August 3rd. Apparently, word didn't get around activist groups e-mail lists and only a small gathering of people showed up to Pershing Square that afternoon. One LAist commenter, jrb, was there and helps put a story to LAist Photographer Tom Andrews' photos.
"There was the usual speeches and such. Then about 20-30 pro war on Iran people showed up. They were mostly Iranian ex-pats. Mostly Iranians who had left Iran back in the 80's when the Islamic revolution deposed the Shah, and Iran became an enemy to the US. The hostage crisis and all that. They carried signs like, 'Liberate the Iranian people,' 'We want a secular Iran,' 'Iran needs regime change.' The police were caught off guard because they apparently didn't bother to read the signs they were carrying and thought they were protesting the same thing as the anti-war on Iran group. Things got a bit tense. There was some shoving and angry words. (story continued after photo gallery)
"Then the police realized what was happening and got between the two groups and escorted the pro war people out of Pershing Square.
"I was rather disappointed by our side. I felt instead of getting angry and running them off that we should have engaged them in public debate. The problem there is some of the speakers on the agenda would have probably gotten pissed off.
"I feel like it was an opportunity lost, because instead being able to possibly change some one's mind who disagreed with us, it was all just preaching to the choir all we did was listen to the same angry speakers making the same angry speeches."
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Yea, that was kind of weird watching a peaceful demonstration verge on getting violent.
Sorry you cut your hand Tom.
BTW, that's me in the tux with the "Karl Rove is Innocent (...of something...)" sign.
I left after the scuffle. I was kind of ashamed of the "non-violence" I saw there.
Dear peace activists:
Congratulations -- you've just encountered the MEK goon squad in LA, who most certainly DO want a US war on Iran in the hopes of installing their Maximum Leader Rajavi into power.
Funny thing about non-violence. The first punch to the nose tends to "require" a counter-punch.
Not that I condone such reactions, but I know for a fact that I'm no Ghandi. I do think I could pull it off (not punching back), but I know my mouth would be in overdrive...which might be as bad as a counter-punch.
Still, it could have been worse, and the quoted text above and relatively low level of violence tells me a dialog might have been possible. I'm quite certain both groups would like to see a secular Iran. How to get there is another matter.
Thanks, jrb! I didn't know if you wanted to be identified. I added it into the gallery!
jrb, you looked great!
My hand has healed, thanks :)
I asked the police for something to stop the bleeding and they told me they had nothing but they would call an ambulance.
I refused the ambulance and was helped by an ex-marine and a sweet lady that put pressure on my cut until it stopped bleeding.
It was depressing to see the violence erupt the way it did.
I was also shocked by how long it took the police to step in and stop the fighting.
Bingo Dingo is right it could have been much worse.
" ...you've just encountered the MEK goon squad in LA, who most certainly DO want a US war on Iran..."
hass, please tell us more. Got any links on these guys? I knew there was a pro war on Iran faction, but I didn't know they were that organized.
This might help. I don't know about the accuracy, but I think I can understand why they may be a violent bunch if this write-up is true.
did anyone apply the camel clutch on their opponent?
We are very lucky not even the democrats give these moonbats the time of day.
Trolling again Kev? I notice you like to make these hit and run statements that attempt to piss off liberals, and if any one trys to debate you on it you run away.
Try growing a pair Kev.
Pershing Persian Square.
@ jrb
Stop trolling. And face it that these "protestors" are completely marginalized/ignored/pathetic.
Kev, if you're referring to the stop war on Iran people they have the backing from IAC, The World Can't Wait, The RCP, Code Pink, and numreous other anti-war groups. This demonstration didn't get much draw because some one dropped the ball on getting it out on the bigger activist list servs.
I don't expcet you know that since you don't really have any connection to such groups.
Please quit trying to speak with authority about things you obviously know nothing about.