skidrowdude on October 13, 2008, at 07:31PM – #1

What a great title E-

When Holding a Colorful Broadway Parade, Please Invite Downtown

That sums up a lot what I felt- I was left out. I really had no idea what the event was- and the security personnel totally told me wrong about it being "Columbus Day" parade, which made me go "hmm..." But regardless, I would have been eager to bring a chair and sit at Broadway and 2nd and watch the parade if I had known about it.

I got the memo (from LAPD) on Panama Independance Day Parade so I will not be surprised for that. I'm looking forward to it!

E

Norbie 7 on October 13, 2008, at 07:34PM – #2

Why must the parades be 'up' Broadway, instead of 'down'? Would be much better that way, for photography/photographers, with the sun from behind.

Divalicious on October 13, 2008, at 09:32PM – #4

It would have been nice if the organizers had alerted Downtown residents and businesses beforehand so that we would know about the street closures. The traffic cops working these events are real jerks -- we should be allowed access to our homes, even if there's a parade going on.

monk Turner on October 13, 2008, at 10:28PM – #5

If I'm not mistaken.. it is a protest of Columbus day because of what was done to the indigenous population.

-monk

Norbie 7 on October 14, 2008, at 12:30AM – #6

Protests obviously go up Broadway to march to City Hall or the Federal buildings, depending on who they’re after.

Eric, when they go after Bush (W.), they can keep on going all the way across the river, to the county looney bin. That's where he came from and that's where he'll end up! The movie opens a week from Friday. Robert Scheer says it's damn good.

willy on October 14, 2008, at 12:44AM – #7

This was the first Parade of the "Hispanic's day" which is the day that "Cristobal Colon" discovered America and the Spaniers began destroying all what existed before 500 years ago. Now many countries share the same language, teh Spanic, but most "Indigenous" people celebrate in latin America, the "Resistance" of 500 years. October 12, was the fist parade. This parade is one the best parade back "East" and much Stronger in NEW YORK over Broadway Ave. So if you missed it last Sunday, well, wait for next Year with a much better parade and bigger. This was a Started Point. For the Person who wrote the article? The parade that you suggest could be another Type such the "Carnaval in San Francisco, which Run on May", a cultural Carnaval and parade. The parade on Octuber 12, will be from Now "The Hispanic day" or "Dis de la Hispanidad"

BonAmi on October 14, 2008, at 08:16AM – #8

When I asked about the re-routing, the traffic cop said, "The parade, It's about to start." I played hookie from my workload long enough to take in the parade. I hit it just right at 5th. Seeing the mariachis, the traditional costumes, and the horses took me back to childhood watching the Fiesta Days Parade as a little girl.

The marching bands were a load of fun. They seemed to really be enjoying themselves and the music. It's always a hoot seeing horses dance to music - they can't help it. "Gotta dance!" Next time I'll clap for the Boy Scouts. They seemed a little sun-struck.

loveandhatela on October 14, 2008, at 10:28AM – #9

Great piece and pictures Ed. Yeah too bad they did not advertise or promote this parade in English as well. I would of loved to have attended this parade. I was hanging out in downtown the day before(Saturday,October 11- national coming out day). We Hispanics/Latinos come from 20 Spanish speaking countries, from Argentina to Venezuela.

VictorAtomic on October 14, 2008, at 09:27PM – #10

"Bringing Back Broadway Festival"

Now that sounds like a good idea! To have all aspects of Downtown represented in a parade would be fun! :)

or How about a "Bringing Back Broadway Christmas Parade" !

Sleepers on October 16, 2008, at 05:30PM – #11

"The lines of dancers in costume were a great change from the many protests that make their way up Broadway"

There are that many protests on Broadway / in Downtown period that a parade is a welcome diversion? Please. We should all be so lucky if more people didn't consider social activism 1) a contagious disease; 2) something to be pitied; 3) a sport only for the irrational or those prone to hysteria.

City Hall should consider itself lucky to be surrounded by so much passivity.

Lara VH on October 17, 2008, at 02:35PM – #12

"And Downtowners, note that the Panamanian Independence Day Parade heads up Broadway this Saturday, October 18. Consider yourself warned, and invited."

I thought the parade was 11/1??

Lara VH on October 17, 2008, at 03:12PM – #14

Well there you have it. It's so interesting, I live in the Eastern Columbia building and I didn't know about this. Where can I sign up to receive notices about closures? I usually just stumble upon them. I know closures are a necessary part of where I live, but a little notice would be nice =)

Mikeq on October 18, 2008, at 12:01PM – #16

I am a merchant/building owner on Los Angeles and I'm tired of these Parades on Broadway. In a city and state that is facing Huge Deficits, it once again schedules a parade on Saturday, the busiest Commerce day of the week. I can understand if it was and is about the first amendment, america, human rights but Panamanian Independence? Close down Broadway from Olympic to 1st? What am I missing here? We are facing terrible economic times, the city wants to raise the sales tax in Los Angeles,comes up for vote on the Nov. election, fill up vacancies in empty lofts and fill commercial space from businesses fleeing the downtown and they schedule a parade that really, nobody cares about? We need to get back to the basics in this city and start looking at the big picture. Downtown needs to bring in commerce if the residential community is going to survive. If commerce leaves because they can't survive then all those lofts will be worth much less than and people will really have a problem! Shame on the City Permits Division!

Back to What Basics? on October 20, 2008, at 08:30AM – #17

Mikeq:

Public celebrations are a necessary part of our increasingly dehumanizing, technologized and capitalist-obsessed society.

They are a periodic reminder, in both urban areas as well as remote villages, that people exist and offer people a periodic and public opportunity to celebrate en masse.

Rather than complaining about the rare Saturday parade, take the initiative and keep whatever business(es) you operate open until 9 pm. Inspire other shops to stay open later, to turn around downtown as a veritable ghost town at night. You have PLENTY of hours in every given day to stay open and get money into your pockets.

Be a leader here.

Dennis Smith on October 20, 2008, at 03:31PM – #19

Just a "heads up" to all concerned that there are "Road Closure" and "No Parking" signs that have gone up on 5th & Hill today warning of traffic disruption this Wednesday, the 22nd of October. I wasn't able to access traffic info at lacity.org (perhaps because I'm using Safari) but with a little searching I found that there is a protest march against police brutality planned for that day starting at City Hall and ending up at MacArthur Park.

I don't know if there's much to it but I thought I would get this out there.

Justin Sullivan on November 11, 2009, at 05:53PM – #21

I've got some great photos up of this event over at my blog. Just click on my name and you'll be redirected. Enjoy!