November 17th Action

The group was met by security, policemen and supporters of KGI,who were congregated outside the tent. Several students immediately crossed over the police line to block the only entrance to the tent and keep the event from commencing. Behind them the puppet (with six people under it) crossed over the rope and was held back by police. There was a temporary impasse until the impassioned throng of protesters took strength in their numbers and swarmed the police line. With the whole group seated between the KGI folks and their party, the inaugural celebration was successfully interrupted and the KGI faction was led to a building to hold their event privately.

Protesters followed and stood chanting outside the building, with the KGI group watching and listening from windows on the second floor. When the protesters sensed that they had made their statement as loudly and clearly as possible, everyone held hands to form a large circle and conclude what was felt to be a successful protest with peace and a song.

This action was a powerful first statement by an ever-growing group who refuses to compromise some of Los Angeles's last open space to corporate biotechnology interests. Action will be continuing throughout the spring and onwards from there, until this sacred land is permanently protected."
(Excerpt from an article by Megan Thompson published in the Earth First! Journal. Read the entire article.}

Pictures from the rally and protest.

Press reports.