Rolling In
We decided to head out toward the Torrance Civic Center a bit earlier than we did for the previous event we did there on April 5. No specific reason; we just wanted to get there and get it going.
As we arrived — still a good 40 minutes before the scheduled noon start — I was a bit concerned. It was slightly drizzling that morning, and the crowd that was starting to assemble looked pretty light. It would have been disappointing had the event been a wash-out, with few or no people attending. That's when my lady reminded me how we were very early, and she turned out to be right. Within a few minutes, dozens, then hundreds, and eventually thousands of people seemed to be arriving at once. I needn't have been worried. The South Bay is an active area where — while diverse in opinions — there's a very large liberal populace. Also, the event (like many in the area) was being organized by Indivisible South Bay LA, a group that has been successful many times in the past at putting together days of action.
As we arrived — still a good 40 minutes before the scheduled noon start — I was a bit concerned. It was slightly drizzling that morning, and the crowd that was starting to assemble looked pretty light. It would have been disappointing had the event been a wash-out, with few or no people attending. That's when my lady reminded me how we were very early, and she turned out to be right. Within a few minutes, dozens, then hundreds, and eventually thousands of people seemed to be arriving at once. I needn't have been worried. The South Bay is an active area where — while diverse in opinions — there's a very large liberal populace. Also, the event (like many in the area) was being organized by Indivisible South Bay LA, a group that has been successful many times in the past at putting together days of action.
We got parked and then trudged over to our spot, once again toward under some trees near the eastern end of the protest area, and making sure to keep the driveways and sidewalks clear... one of the few but necessary rules in place for a peaceful protest event. Holding and waving our signs, we spent awhile doing the usual street action stuff. I noted right away that the support of the community — both via the quickly accumulating crowd and the cars driving by with horns blaring and fist pumps/thumbs-up — felt super encouraging. I have yet to do any activism ever in my South Bay area that didn't feel inspiring and supportive.
Meeting Ted
So there I stood, chanting and being loud and enacting what we call "good trouble," when a man in a dark suit made his way down the sidewalk and appeared in front of me. It was none other than my congressional representative, Ted Lieu. I shook his hand and quite genuinely thanked him for everything he does for his constituents. It was only after this quick encounter did I realize that maybe this would have been a good time for a selfie with this political icon, but he'd moved on and I didn't want to be "that guy."
Man On The Street
Speakers You Could Actually Hear
- Ted Lieu, US Congressional Rep.
- Scott Houston, Board of Directors, West Basin Municipal Water District
- Gary Holloway, United Steelworkers Local 675
- Carlos Andwater, Torrance Teacher Association
- Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, president of Social Security Works PAC and Singer for Sha Na Na
- Al Muratsuchi, California State Assembly member
- Ben Allen, California State Senator
- Tony Hale, California Democratic Party for the 66th Assembly District
Back to the Protest
There are many more, but by signing up for action updates from these organizations, you will definitely find yourself with some awareness and opportunities to resist in public with people who feel the same as you. It's a good feeling to do it together.
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