Black Friday Boycott: Pro-Palestine Protesters Rally in Downtown Santa Monica

On Friday, November 29, 2024, protests broke out in Downtown Santa Monica during Black Friday, coinciding with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Demonstrators gathered to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and urged a boycott of holiday shopping to draw attention to their cause. Protesters blocked traffic along Broadway Avenue near Santa Monica Place Mall, chanting slogans in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Chants such as "Free, free, Palestine" and "The people united will never be defeated" resonated through the streets as the group marched from Tongva Park to the downtown shopping district. The protests temporarily shut down traffic on Broadway between 2nd and 4th Streets as activists rallied in front of the bustling mall, calling for consumers to join the boycott and stand in solidarity with Palestine. Organizers emphasized the connection between consumer activism and global advocacy, urging participants to resist economic systems they believe perpetuate conflict. Similar demonstrations were reported in cities worldwide as part of a broader movement aligning with the start of the holiday shopping season to amplify calls for justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Falun Gong Practitioners March in Santa Monica, Urging End to Persecution and Organ Harvesting in China

Santa Monica, October 20, 2024: Falun Gong practitioners marched along the Third Street Promenade, holding signs that read "Stop Persecution of Falun Gong in China" and "Falun Dafa is Good," in an effort to raise awareness about the persecution faced by Falun Gong adherents in China.

Palisades Park has become a weekly gathering spot for these practitioners, where they not only engage in their spiritual exercises but also use the opportunity to highlight the plight of Falun Gong believers. Their mission is to bring attention to the injustices carried out by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations, urging for global solidarity against human rights violations.

One of the core issues raised is the alarming practice of forced organ harvesting, particularly impacting Falun Gong adherents and other political prisoners in China. Reports of political prisoners being executed to meet organ demands have generated widespread concern and calls for international intervention.

Falun Gong, also known as "Falun Dafa," is a spiritual discipline with roots in Buddhist traditions, emphasizing truth, compassion, and tolerance. For those interested in learning more about its teachings, FalunDafa.org provides a wealth of information on its philosophy, exercises, and the inspiring stories of practitioners.

 

Activists March for Plant-Based Treaty at Santa Monica Pier, Demand Global Climate Action

 

Santa Monica, CA – On Saturday, September 14, 2024, demonstrators gathered at the Santa Monica Pier to rally in support of the Plant-Based Treaty, urging immediate climate action. Marchers carried banners reading "I Endorse the Plant-Based" and "Eat Plants, Plant Trees" as they chanted, "What do we want? Climate action! When do we want it? Now!" echoing their demand for urgent steps to address environmental degradation.

The Plant-Based Treaty movement is calling for an international agreement to complement the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, specifically targeting food systems to halt deforestation, promote plant-based diets, and restore ecosystems. Organizers emphasized the treaty’s core principles: halting land use changes for animal agriculture, transitioning to sustainable plant-based systems, and actively restoring ecosystems.

The rally sought to build momentum by encouraging individuals, businesses, and local governments to endorse the treaty and advocate for its adoption in global climate negotiations. As the chants of "Stand up, fight back!" rang through the pier, supporters aimed to send a clear message: the time for climate action is now.