Legalize L.A.

May 1st is a big day in L.A.  It's the anniversary of the big demonstrations that happened across the country two years ago in support of immigration reform,which in California, centered around the DREAM Act.  Today, downtown was filled with people who held signs that said: "Legalize LA"; "Stop Separating Families"; "I am not a criminal."  I left the office around 4 and stayed for about an hour.  It was peaceful, organized and surrounded by cops.  

As I stood on the corner of 1st and Spring, I leaned over, glassesless, to ask the nearest person, - Adrian, a guy with his hair in a braided ponytail, on a bike with a camera (sound interesting, Pau?),- what the signs said.  We continued to small talk and it turned out that we kind of work in the same crowd. He works for an afterschool program and knows people I "know" from work. He took my picture. He walked with me through the crowd to show me around.  We ran into a bunch of his friends, who happened to include one of Joaquin's friends.  

I looked for joaquin, but didn't see him.  It's only a matter of time before the crowds collide...  The energy of the crowd was good and strong.  When I got back into my office, my coworkers were amused that I found interest in being there.  I was amused that they were amused.  

Events like this is one reason I couldn't wait to get up here.  Tomorrow the mayor will give a press conference to report on the event.  He was supposed to speak at the rally, but if he did, I missed it.