November 1st - Election Eve
Huntington Beach Banner Drop

We were on the pedestrian overpass near Warner Ave. for a full hour until darkness fell.  The large number of positive responses of honks, waves, and thumbs up was truly amazing for OC!  We were totally stoked and are very optimistic for the election tomorrow! 
 
Several CHP motorcycle cops drove under us, but none approached us.  A traffic heliocopter circled above us for over 10 minutes, and we were even on the traffic report!  A CHP motorcycle cop parked on the shoulder beneath us shouting orders from his loudspeaker (none of which we could understand) until he finally drove off.  The use of a pedestrian overpass is really good, and we should remember to use them!  
 
Thanks to Beverly, Diane, Jodie and Lorraine (all from Costa Mesa), Lisa from Santa Ana, and Linda from Yorba Linda who all joined me in our last action before the election to "Give Bush the Pink Slip".  Also a big thanks to Lisa for bringing her banner.  Since we had two banners, we were able to face both the northbound and southbound lanes, significantly slowing traffic in both directions.

Oct. 29, 2004
Downey Banner Drop

Our banner drop on Friday off the 105 Fwy at Woodruff in Downey was the best yet!  We stayed there for about 75 minutes until 6:30 pm when darkness fell.  And even though 2 cop cars drove by us on Woodruff and one CHP cop car drove under our overpass on the 105 Fwy, no cops stopped to hassle us at all!    We were stoked!  Thanks to Patricia and Teresa from LB who joined me.
 
We also were joined by about 6 people from the LB chapter of "Grassroots for Kerry".  They brought their own signs and their enthusiasm.  We thank them as well.
 

October 25, 2004
Cerritos Banner Drop

Reporting on our successful banner drop done today off an overpass on the 605 Fwy in Cerritos.  There were 5 of us (2 from OC and 3 from LB).   We were able to fly our banner and signs for about 45 minutes un-impeded until (only) two LA County Sheriffs arrived.  The first officer was friendly for about 30 seconds until we asked him if we could hold the banner for 10 more minutes (until 6 pm).  Then he got macho and ordered us to leave immediately or he would arrest us.  As usual, he said we were creating a hazard and could cause an accident.  So we left peacefully.  He then became nice again and thanked us for following his directions.  We even think he said "Go Kerry".
 
Many thanks to Linda G., Kathy P. and her friend Susan, and Diana for coming with me today! 

October 8, 2004
Long Beach/Signal Hill banner drop on a 405 Fwy overpass. 
 
After about 25 mins, a Signal Hill police officer (and I use the term "officer"very loosely) showed up and told us we could not hold up our banner.  As our discussion with him ensured, a CHP officer arrived, followed by 3 more cops.  Imagine that ... 3 Code Pink ladies so threatening, that they needed reinforcements, a ratio of 5 to 3!  They threatened us with arrest and taking away our banner if we did not leave at once.  Traffic slowed down considerably and even more cars honked for us when they saw the 5 cop cars with flashing lights hassling us!!!

So we had no choice but to leave, after only about 30 mins.  We asked to speak to the supervising officer, and about 15 mins later one arrived on a motorcycle.  Two ladies also happened to come by and gave us great support!  We want to thank them!!!  LB Code Pink Patricia M. also arrived and was ready to assist by making calls for us if needed.  We are ready for another banner drop! 

September 16, 2004
LA Banner Drop

These are pictures of our very first banner drop in LA with Code Pink LA activists.  It was great to meet some of the founders of Code Pink.  One of them, Tiffany, was one of several Code Pink women who managed to sneak into the RNC, verbally protest, and then consequently get dragged out and arrested.  The toes of her shoes were totally scuffed when they dragged her out.  It was an honor to meet her and to tell her that we are very proud of her!