Six revolts the media ignored

[Hannah Bell]

People are taking to the streets on a regular basis across the country, but unlike the corporate-sponsored Tea Party -- whose spokespeople can't answer basic questions about the deficit they claim to be so worried about -- those who believe in health care, affordable housing, economic justice, education, a living wage, and a better life for all rarely, if ever, get the attention they deserve.

Instead, the media, even the alternative media, spent the better part of last year obsessing over the Tea Party and manufactured personalities like Sarah Palin, while ignoring people like 85-year-old Julia Botello.

Last month, Botello was among 22 people arrested for blocking the doors of a Chase Bank branch in downtown Los Angeles. Over 200 homeowners facing foreclosure and eviction and their supporters took part in the action organized by the Home Defenders League and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment...Imagine if over 200 Tea Partiers took part in a similar action. Imagine if an 85-year-old Tea Partier was photographed being led away by two cops, one holding each arm. Not only would this video footage be shown over and over again on the cable shows, but Julia Botello would be bombarded with interview requests. But because she's standing in solidarity with people who are losing their homes, she's only been contacted by two other reporters.

"If we're united, we're a better force. We need to stand together," she says. "I use my voice for the people. I know all of the councilmen and councilwomen in my area. I'm not afraid to speak and ask for better conditions for my community." Botello found her voice 10 years ago after falling and hurting her knee on a routine walk home. Her South Central Los Angeles neighborhood was usually dark because the street lights rarely worked. "We usually had only one light that worked," she said, "so I went to local council meetings and raised my voice. Why are our streets dark? We need light. My neighborhood hasn't been dark since."

IN ADDITION to the Chase Bank action last month, several other protests failed to receive the attention they deserve...

http://socialistworker.org/2011/01/25/six-revolts-the-media-ignored

[Sherman A1]

K&R

:kick:

[Sherman A1]

1. K&R

:kick:

[truedelphi]

2. During the Great Depression, over 35 states prohibited foreclosures on homes.

Where are our current day state legislatures on this matter?

Why here in California, when legislation was set up so that certain bank programs would have to have documentation clearly spelling out the details, at first the measure gained a foothold, but then lobbyists made their calls, and the measure did not survive.

[oasis]

3. k and r

[Kurovski]

4. K&R

We need an aggresive media that represents everything that goes on.

[fascisthunter]

5. the media fears giving activism for humans any exposure

unless they are tea party brownshirts, then yes, the media will cover it.