Wake Up The Media protest
by Joe Sacco Sunday March 20, 2005 at 03:12 AM

On Saturday, March 19, 2005, the 2nd Anniversary of the War on Iraq, Las Vegans took to the streets for several actions throughout the day. The first protest began at 9AM. Over 50 people gathered outside the entrance of the Las Vegas Review Journal to protest against the invasion/occupation of Iraq and the corrupt media monopoly of free speech.

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Local grass-roots organization "Peace Now!" held signs and banners outside the LVRJ, the largest newspaper in Nevada, to say they are going to continue to have their voices heard in the streets until U.S. troops return home.

Food Not Bombs, a group of people who provide free food for the hungry, was present at the event with plenty of delicious pastries, breads, and more to feed the activists.

Local journalist and outspoken activist Saab Lofton was given the bullhorn to speak his mind about what he thinks of the Las Vegas Review Journal (LVRJ) and their political takeover of the weekly Las Vegas CityLife.

Lofton has been recently fired from the LV CityLife, immediately after the LVRJ bought the weekly paper. There are plans to merge the Mercury (already owned by the LVRJ), another weekly, with the LV CityLife. While Saab and much of the community believes his recent employment is politically-motivated, LV CityLife employees denied such claims.

And, to add insult to injury, the Managing Editor of the CityLife, Matt O'Brien told LVIMC that he did not show up to report on the Wake Up the Media protest, saying he wasn't going to spend his whole day covering the protests against the invasion of Iraq.

He did however appear at the U.S. Army Anti-Recruiting protest held at noon. When asked if he and his photographer were going to be present at the big action at 5PM on the Las Vegas Strip, he said "No". O'Brien said that although he didn't attend the morning or evening protests, he would report on all three actions.

After Saab expressed his outrage with the media giant LVRJ, other members of "Peace Now!" shared the bullhorn to raise awareness about the continuing illegal, racist, and imperial occupation of Iraq.

Drummers and other musicians made a whole lot of noise to express themselves too. The drum circle kept the energy of the group up and everyone really seemed to enjoy the music.

A handful of LVMPD police on horses, a couple of cruisers, and a few police on foot observed the protest but kept there distance. There were no arrests or incidences at this protest.

The protest ended at about 11:30AM. Some people carpooled to Nellis and Lakemead for the U.S. Army Anti-Recruiting protest.

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