It's been over three years since our country invaded and first occupied the country of Iraq. A bloody battle over land rich in natural resources has led America down a road of uncharted danger. More and more Americans are questioning our true intentions for invading. Are we there really to bring a free society to the Iraqi people? Perhaps this is the start to World War III, planned over decades by military think-tankers who see opposition to the United States as a threat to our economic future. Whatever the reasons for questioning, people are growing more and more concerned with the direction our country is headed. Most feel their only way to change things is to vote. Others (like myself) find it necessary to take our feelings to the street and protest this unjust act of aggression. This was the case in Hollywood, as over 20,000 people came out calling for an end to the occupation.
The rain cleared about 10 hours prior to the march, leaving the L.A. Basin free of smog. Taking the Metro from Long Beach to Hollywood, I got into Hollywood around 11:45 a.m. This being my sixth time participating in a protest against the war in Iraq (three up in my home area of the Bay Area and three in my new home of Southern California), I knew exactly what to expect. A decent-size crowd gathered at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, but it was nothing like crowds in the past. Many people sported signs of "Impeach Bush," while another group carried cardboard caskets lined with American flags in honor of those men and women who lost their lives in this war. There were also cardboard caskets draped in black to remember the Iraqi civilians who were also victims of this war.
I have to admit that after attending six of these events, I have observed some disappointing things. For one, I have to question how serious these protesters are about actually fixing the problems that face this country. Personally, I don't trust politicians to fix anything. I'm an anarchist, plain and simple. I have hope that someday the truth behind the lies of both major political parties will come to light and we, the people, will stand up and take back this country from the capitalist grip of greedy politicians. I see many people stating that putting a Democrat in office will right the wrong. In my opinion, putting faith in a Democrat or any politician is like putting a Band-Aid over a bullet wound. Face facts: our political system is broken, and it needs to be smashed. Another observation I have made is that people treat these important marches and rallies as some kind of social event for liberals to Bush-bash. Granted, the man is evil, but the fact is that the problem is much deeper than his administration.
The march started around 1:00 p.m., an hour after the intended start. The march stretched down Hollywood Boulevard and eventually made its way to Sunset Boulevard. The police presence was considerably light, as only cops on motorcycles and bikes patrolled the route. Marchers chanted anti-war songs while making the trek to Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue (where the rally was to take place). Eventually arriving in front of the Kodak Theater and Mann's Chinese Theater, the stage was set for a huge rally. Perhaps the most surreal thing about the setting of this rally was the mix of protester and foreign tourists. Imagine seeing Japanese tourists taking pictures next to some guy in a Homer Simpson costume while someone is holding up a sign that states "Fuck Bush" only feet away. It was something out of an acid trip! The rally consisted of representatives from ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and others opposed to the war. Congresswoman Maxine Waters spoke to the crowd, as well as some of Hollywood's film-industry elite. Actor Martin Sheen gave a rousing speech that moved the crowd with cheers and applause.
I was impressed with the rally up until the point when KPFK radio host Jerry Quickly took the microphone and proceeded to pressure the crowd to donate money to ANSWER. Why do this in the middle of what should be a rally focused on the war? I understand the need for funds in order to put together a march like this, but there is a time and a place for this kind of thing. It felt very inappropriate. This is just another way that ANSWER has dropped the ball by diluting the anti-war message. Why do the issues of immigration and police brutality need to be brought up at an anti-war march? This does nothing but take the focus off of what we are all marching against. If ANSWER wants to march against police brutality, do it on another day. Let's keep the focus on one issue at a time!
As I took the Metro back to Long Beach, I did a lot of thinking about what I witnessed. I thought back to my first march in San Francisco before the invasion took place in February 2003. Over 100,000 people took to the streets in a boisterous, energetic, and angry mob. We were pissed off and frustrated that our president was about to strike against a country that posed no threat to us nor had a connection to the attacks of September 11th. The crowd in Hollywood lacked energy and seriousness. While I walked along shouting at the top of my lungs and pumping my fist in the air, I saw people talking on their cell phones, chatting with each other about sports, and drinking Starbucks coffee.
Jello Biafra once said, "Real freedom scares you because it means responsibility!" It's as though people want to place blame rather than fix the problems at hand. We have been conditioned to believe in the voting process, that voting Democrat will successfully place a Band-Aid on the Dick Cheney/conservative bullet wound. The anti-war movement in America is almost as depressing as the war itself. People don't want revolutionary change because that would mean giving up comfort. As for me, I'll be hitting the pavement no matter who is in office, because the expansion of American empire not just a Republican agenda but that of whichever of the two major political parties that may be in office. As for the Green and Libertarian Parties, we have yet to see the day when cruise to political victory, and I doubt we ever will. Perhaps things could be different, but it seems very unlikely. I mean, consider the fact that they are also politicians-meaning they're capable of anything. Who knows what America would look like if Ralph Nader became president? The bottom line is that people need to get pissed off and aware of the lies sold as truth. People need to get angry and motivated. People need to WAKE UP, or else we'll be marching for peace for decades to come. Let's get serious and send a sincere message to our faulty government. It's time for a real revolution.
(Review originally appeared in the March 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)
