Speaking up on the Row

By now, many of you know of the Tuesday press conference where Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced 100 additional light fixtures being installed in Skid Row to deter crime was, as the LATimes reported, “upstaged” by an impromptu protest by Los Angeles Catholic Workers.

The volunteers dropped their soup spoons and picked up protest signs, always at the ready, to stand behind the Mayor and drown him out with chants. It was reported Villaraigosa acknowledged the protesters: "The folks behind me, almost none of them live on skid row." A skid row resident also spoke up, protesting the protestors, reports LAT:

"You can't speak for me. I live here," Emanuel Compito, wearing a suit and a large cross, said loud enough for everyone to hear. "They're only here from 9 to 5. They're gonna go home to their nice comfortable conditions."

At the Los Angeles Catholic Workers blog, retired English Teacher and Skid Row Advocate Big City Poz wrote in to also protest the protest, but noted his comment on their blog was deleted.  And Compito isn't done either. Part of an e-mail to Central City East Blogger is after the jump:

 ,

While we did not come to press conference because we agree with every aspect of Safer Cities Initiative...we did come to support those efforts that we do agree upon and to listen to what the Mayor's future intentions....As well as to express our own concerns! Those protesters (who did not live in this community) had the "freedom of speech"! Nevertheless, I and others have the "freedom to hear"! I believe that these protesters interfered with that right.

These individuals are here in this neighborhood from 9 to 5 ( or whatever time they leave). They go home to there comfortable homes and clean streets. They are not around during the evening time to see what the homeless do...they turn their eyes to the drug trafficking. They don't concern themselves with all the garbage and trash that is scattered around the neighborhood by the various "street ministries" that come claiming they are here to "help the homeless". Food and clothing end up on the streets of Skid Row. These protesters "point their fingers" at others...they need to take responsibility for the damage they do!

Again, I don't need others to speak for me...nor "think" for me! Too many people believe they have the solutions to our problems without asking the homeless what they think. And when they do ask...they simply ignore the homeless comments and suggestions. So, I believe that the protesters were being very rude to us that wanted to hear!

Other comments in response to the protest:

"Compito, known around Skid Row as O.G. Man, is the founder of the Skid Row 3 on 3 basketball league. He also runs an art class for children on Skid Row, and has worked hard to get more trash cans on the street. When he speaks about Skid Row, I tend to listen." [Blogdowntown]

"I just thought about this while writing the blog.  A lot of things are going on in Skid Row right now.  Skid Row Housing Trust has a building going up on San Pedro. SRO Housing Corp has a building going up on 5th Street adjacent to the James Wood Center. New lights are going in. The Skid Row basketball League is growing. [Skid Row Scribe]

Skid row residents that were there [as the]  Mayor continued to speak at the press conference slowly moved to stand behind the Mayor and the protesters. This was not shown on the main stream media.  
  [Central City East Blogger]

The issues isn't all black and white. [The Los Angeles] Catholic Workers can be seen around skid row in the coldest days finding those in need of blankets, . . .but to interrupt a press conference put on by residents of skid row. Well, come on . . isn't it about empowerment? [Central City East Blogger]

Photo Courtesy of Skid Row Scribe

Comments

[EL CHAVO!]

Many of the Catholic Workers live in a communal house in Boyle Heights, it's unfair to paint them as living somehow completely separated from the reality of LA urban life when they spend so much time there. I've been to their home, it's not some sort of den of luxury, not by a long shot. They do very good social and political work, I'm glad they're holding the mayor accountable. He wants to cut all city services except the police and fire depts, which make up 2/3 of the budget. How much time does the mayor spend on skid row? Someone has to call Villaraigosa out, he's on the wrong track.

Bravo Catholic Workers!

[Joe Cornish]

Come on, El Chavo. Nobody is disputing the good work of the Catholic Workers. It's their childish acting out that is the topic of discussion. Believe it or not, it is possible to "call Villaraigosa out" without shouting him out.

.....and check this out, El Chavo---the Catholic Workers have removed two of my disagreeing (but respectful) comments from their blog. They want to be heard, but they don't want anyone else to be heard. I call that hyprocrisy.

What do you call it?

[EL CHAVO!]

Childish acting out? Why not just call it a protest? You have a blog, make your case there. Blogs all around town delete comments, so what? That's their right, no matter how backwards it may be.

[Joe Cornish]

"No matter how backwards it may be."---El Chavo, April 4, 2008

Backwards? Yes, indeed, E.C. The silly protest was backwards.

.....and maybe you delete comments, but I don't. Don't throw your projections on me, deleter.

Also, as far as making my case on my blog, why aren't you making your case on your blog instead of here?

I call you a hypocrite, El Chavo. What do you call it?

[EL CHAVO!]

I call you crazy.

[Joe Cornish]

I can live with that. Now why don't you go back to covering corn on the cob. You're good at that.

[EL CHAVO!]

Aye aye Captain! Come on Kernels!

[Joe Cornish]

I like you, El Chavo, and I love your blog.

[e@v]

Hate into love in 5 seconds flat. Thanks guys. I know both of you in person, and would not expect anything other but strong personal beliefs backed up by experience and personal truths.

[Joe Cornish]

Hey, El Chavo recognized I was joking about the corn on the cob. Who could not like a person like that? .....and trust me, it was never hate. Sometimes it's a blast to just go at it! I love you too!