May 1st, Koreatown Is Transformed Again



On May 1st, 2007 the afternoon march that began on Vermont and 3rd on behalf of immigrant rights made its way down Vermont Ave. transforming the neighborhood of Koreatown, although marginally. Whereas last year's march took up the entire width of Wilshire Blvd., this year's march was confined to the sidewalk. Also, only a fraction of businesses closed, whereas last year the vast majority of businesses in the neighborhood closed.

Unfortunately, the rally which followed the march at MacArthur Park ended with the LAPD firing rubber bullets at the assembled crowd. From what I perceive and I was there but left shortly before it happened, the LAPD and the perspective of conservative white people which they represent, could not stand to see people which they regard as not having a right to be here gathered in a park. A place which on any given day is filled with people regardless.