Steve Lopez: How many people does it take to save L.A.?
More people than the few dozen who assembled on the southern steps of City Hall Monday at noon to “take back” the city from special interests and sold-out politicians, as organizers have described their fledgling movement. As for the bikers who were expected to join the Bastille Day party and demand a cyclists' bill of rights, either they were detoured or they all got hit by angry doctors on the way downtown, because only a handful showed up.
But as things got started, with former L.A. Daily News editor Ron Kaye calling L.A. a corrupt, broken city -- and sounding like a man who might be interested in public office -- the crowd grew to roughly a hundred. Still not enough to charge the fortress and evict the despots, but hey, it’s Los Angeles, it’s Monday, it’s summer, and it’s downtown.
Among the speakers complaining about the state of affairs were Sandra Tsing Loh, the radio personality and education activist, and City Controller Laura Chick, who said she was just there to listen. Steve Barr, the Green Dog schools boss, told the “crowd” there will be no taking back the city until the schools are fixed.
Monitoring the scene, off in the distance, was Matt Szabo of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office. No problem, Szabo said. The mayor shares their concerns and has made them the centerpiece of his administration. As we talked, a couple walked by with a sign that said “Impeach the Mayor and City Council.”
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