Story By: Jessica Conway
No Justice, No peace! No justice, no peace! The chants echoed through the streets on Mar. 19 2011.
It was a protest on the streets of Hollywood and Vine, not just for anything but for a change in the world.
The streets were filled with thousands of people, young and old of all races, who were unhappy with the choices our government is making.
“If this were truly a democracy the war would end!”, said Jim Lafferty from National Lawyers Guild.
The protest continued with a native dance lead by Aztec Dancers Chief Longwalker, followed by several speakers.
Protesters were angry about budget cuts, war, and equality with an emphasis on war. Thousands of people out of the crowd were directly related to someone who had died or had been recruited to war.
Emotion fled through the crowd, even regret towards voting for President Barack Obama in office.
One protestor claimed, “fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on you, he will not be voted into office again.”
At 1 p.m. police prepared themselves, surrounding the area as the crowd began to march, carrying signs and passing out flyers demanding for our troops to return home.
The chanting continued, “gay, straight, black, white, same struggle, same fight.”
An anonymous Police enforcer said, “It’s pretty peaceful for the amount of people here, lets just hope it ends on a goodnote.”
Past the CNN building, then past Hollywood and Highland, finally they stopped in front of the Chinese Theater.
More speakers stepped up the another stage, both pride and anger filled each speakers voice.
“We are going to stand up and fight back with ambition and numbers,” said Eman Kaleq, UC Irvine student.
Guest star Chris Shiflett, from the Foo Fighters spoke and performed an acoustic song on war.
“It’s time, let’s stand together today in unity for piece,” said shiflett.
The event was to inspire people to stand up for what they believe in, whether our government controls our country or not.
The event theme seemed to reflect, no matter how small the event may seem as it grows we can over throw what our government controls.
“We must stand up and ask ourselves not who has their billions in the white house or congress but who is marching in the streets,” said Lafferty.
Next, former soldier in war, Ron Kovic conveyed how his life was after becoming paralyzed 43 year ago in war.
“I wake up to war everyday,” he stated.
He believed we were not exempt from the tragedies happening in Egypt now, suggesting we need to fight together for what we want.
The protest ended with our troops loved ones sitting in front of the Chinese Theater holding boots, signs and pictures to let authorities recognize what we stand for will not be ignored, but will one day change the way of the world.
