On June 18, 1999 (the day the G8 met in Koeln, Germany), protest erupted throughout the world (in almost every major financial center in Europe, North America, and Australia, in Bangladesh, Nigeria, and elsewhere..) as the people of the world rejected the concept of "free trade" which gives the "unaccountable private tyrannies" called corporations free reign, further undermining the sovereignty of people over themselves and their communities. Here in Los Angeles, about 200 people converged on downtown LA for a street party "LA: Reclaim the Streets!". Three of us from the CPC were there in the front lines.

We gather at Pershing Square.

A few unwelcome guests survey the scene.

Banners unfurled, drums thumping, we march down 5th St.

Bystanders wondering what the ocassion is.

We move into the intersection of 5th and Olive, blocking traffic.

The party picks up.

"Jacked by the po-po". The brave few who started tagging the car were singled out immediately by the cops - in this photo a crowd of out-of-control officers wrestle one of these guys to the ground, almost clubbing Anne in the process.

Anne and Jon doing their part at blocking traffic.

There were around 200 people out dancing in the street.

The police began to show up in significant numbers.

...but the festivities continue unabated!

Finally, the pigs get serious and show off their well-rehearsed riot control.

Driven out of the street, but undaunted, the party continues.

Brendan and Jon keep the sign up. Corporations lose thousands of dollars as employees halt work to gaze at our exuberant spectacle.

At this point, I ran out of film. After the first police attack, we regrouped about a block away, then looped around through the jewelry district, where we continued to dance our way down the street, occupying another couple of intersections. Many onlookers were very positive and encouraging, agreeing profusely with our stance. Finally, trapped between two walls of riot police, and not wanting our joyful day to end with a fight, we dispersed.