The anti-war movement proudly participated in the Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Jr. “Kingdom Day” parade in South Los Angeles. Hundreds of anti-war advocates marched in the streets that were lined by hundreds of thousands of people. The parade wound from MLK Blvd. and Western Ave. to historic Leimert Park. The popular chant “Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!” resonated with the majority African American crowd.
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In all, the MLK parade featured more than 400 contingents, including marching bands, school groups, politicians, corporate floats and community organizations. The organizers of the parade have diluted Dr. King’s anti-imperialist message and instead taken a firm pro-military, pro-police posture. At this year’s parade, contingents of Marines, ROTC, JROTC and “LAPD explorers” were given prime spots, while the anti-war contingent was placed near the end.
The irony was not lost on the crowd or the anti-war marchers, who were undeterred. The hundreds of thousands of African American on the route cheered and clapped for the banners that read “Remember MLK: stop war, poverty and racism!” Other signs highlighted the criminality of the U.S./Israeli war on the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Carlos Alvarez, PSL candidate for L.A. mayor, marched with the anti-war contingent. Participants warmly received his campaign’s message in defense of workers’ homes, jobs and rights, and against exploitation, racism, bigotry and police brutality.
ANSWER Coalition organizers distributed tens of thousands of flyers promoting the March 21 anti-war protest in Los Angeles and linking the struggle today to Dr. King’s struggle for justice in the 1960s. The flyer read:
“During the Vietnam War, Dr. King called the U.S. government the ‘greatest purveyor of violence in the world.’ Unfortunately, King’s statement rings true today. The U.S. government is occupying Iraq and Afghanistan and funding the massacre of Palestinians by Israel. Be a part of the people’s movement that demands real change: an end to war abroad and racism and poverty at home.
“March 21 is the sixth anniversary of the criminal invasion of Iraq. On that day, people around the world will be marching in solidarity with the people of Iraq demanding an end to the occupation of their country.
“We will also march against the U.S./Israeli war on the people of Gaza that has killed over 1,300 Palestinians. We will march against the expanding war on Afghanistan.
“While millions of families are losing their homes, jobs and health care in the U.S., the real military budget next year will top $1 trillion. If used to meet people’s needs, that amount could create 10 million jobs, provide health care for all, rebuild New Orleans and so much more.
“Coming just two months after the inauguration of the next president, the March 21 Mass Protest in L.A. will be a critical opportunity to let the government hear the voice of the people!”
