The Black Lives Matters Movement came to Palm Springs last night and their protest march and rally was a complete breathe of fresh air in the Valley. This group, which has been maligned and labeled as a hate movement similar to the KKK by right wing media, put on a well organized, friendly rally. If these people are a hate movement, so is your local church choir.
It was a completely diverse crowd, that included people of all stripes braving the heat. Protests tend to draw interesting types but fortunately there was only a few such at the march. I was struck by what a wonderful job the organizers did. Everyone was made to feel welcome. Even an aging white guy like myself. I can not stress enough that the young people who were the organizers were just terrific.
As I said last night, a big tip of the hat to PS Councilman Geoff Kors, his partner PSUSD member James Williamson and future PS Council candidate Lisa Middleton for showing up to support the protest. I did see representatives from Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia's office but none from Chad Mayes or Jeff Stone's office.
The Palm Springs Police Department was out and they did a nice job. Lt. Mike Kovaleff is a great role model to newer officers. He mingled with the crowd and was totally professional. I do wish other officers would have followed his cue but since a forum is being planned between BLM and the police, the issue should right itself.
Before the march, I was curious to see whether local LGBTQ groups would show up. I have often wondered in the past 6 months whether Palm Springs is turning into a single issue 1% community. I am pleased to say I may be jumping the gun on that. There were many LGBTQ members and groups who showed up last night.
Having lived in the Valley for a quarter century, it was completely rejuvenating to see how much the Valley has grown politically.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or on Twitter @skellynj
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Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
BLM March To Test Progressive Movement In The Valley
How progressive is the Coachella Valley? That question is about to be put to the test with a Black Lives Matter protest scheduled in downtown Palm Springs next week. The event starts on Monday, July 25th at 7PM at Frances Stevens Park.
Of course, participation may be less than can be expected depending on how warm the weather is and people being out of town. So far BLM has done a good job of using social media to get the word out. And to their credit, the PSPD has acted professionally. The PSPOA (Palm Springs Police Officers Association) has uncharacteristically also been restrained. This is also welcome.
This being Oz with a plethora of new residents, many do not realize the problems faced historically by Latino and African Americans in the Valley. It was only a few years ago that Palm Springs finally apologized for the disgraceful behavior used in clearing Section 14 of minority residents back in the 60's.
My late brother Tom was an avid car collector. One of his pride and joys was a 1960's Chevy low rider. One weekend in the 90's, while he was visiting me in Palm Springs, we were pulled over twice by PSPD in the span of 4 hours. Imagine both officer's surprise when the passengers were 2 red headed Irishmen!!! The first official reason given was an obstructed plate and the 2nd was a faulty tail light. Neither was remotely true and we went on our way. I imagine that if we were Latino, the result would have been different.
If white readers want a surprise, ask your friends from the Black and Latino community how many times they have been pulled over or had their license plates run by local police.. I bet you willed be shocked at the answer.. I was working on a radio program last week when a black gay rights activist who lives in Palm Springs explained how many times he has had his plates run when a police car is behind him at a red light. He was obviously a perfectly respectable man and you could feel his sadness whilst recalling this?
Now this is not to imply that we are living in the Jim Crow South. But it does imply that we have some of the issues that BLM is protesting about right here. I am also wondering if any local elected officials will join the protest? There are no council meetings scheduled for Monday Night. Some are attending the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia but some will be at home.I bet that answer is zero.
This Wednesday, I will have lived in the Valley for 25 years. There has been much change for the better. The West Valley has become more diverse with a heavy import of LGBTQ residents. That diversity has greatly improved the landscape of the West Valley with a corresponding taking of political power, But that occurrence has not bridged the racial divide in the Valley. Monday night, a large diverse crowd at the protest would go long way to doing so.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or on Twitter at @skellynj
Of course, participation may be less than can be expected depending on how warm the weather is and people being out of town. So far BLM has done a good job of using social media to get the word out. And to their credit, the PSPD has acted professionally. The PSPOA (Palm Springs Police Officers Association) has uncharacteristically also been restrained. This is also welcome.
This being Oz with a plethora of new residents, many do not realize the problems faced historically by Latino and African Americans in the Valley. It was only a few years ago that Palm Springs finally apologized for the disgraceful behavior used in clearing Section 14 of minority residents back in the 60's.
My late brother Tom was an avid car collector. One of his pride and joys was a 1960's Chevy low rider. One weekend in the 90's, while he was visiting me in Palm Springs, we were pulled over twice by PSPD in the span of 4 hours. Imagine both officer's surprise when the passengers were 2 red headed Irishmen!!! The first official reason given was an obstructed plate and the 2nd was a faulty tail light. Neither was remotely true and we went on our way. I imagine that if we were Latino, the result would have been different.
If white readers want a surprise, ask your friends from the Black and Latino community how many times they have been pulled over or had their license plates run by local police.. I bet you willed be shocked at the answer.. I was working on a radio program last week when a black gay rights activist who lives in Palm Springs explained how many times he has had his plates run when a police car is behind him at a red light. He was obviously a perfectly respectable man and you could feel his sadness whilst recalling this?
Now this is not to imply that we are living in the Jim Crow South. But it does imply that we have some of the issues that BLM is protesting about right here. I am also wondering if any local elected officials will join the protest? There are no council meetings scheduled for Monday Night. Some are attending the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia but some will be at home.I bet that answer is zero.
This Wednesday, I will have lived in the Valley for 25 years. There has been much change for the better. The West Valley has become more diverse with a heavy import of LGBTQ residents. That diversity has greatly improved the landscape of the West Valley with a corresponding taking of political power, But that occurrence has not bridged the racial divide in the Valley. Monday night, a large diverse crowd at the protest would go long way to doing so.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or on Twitter at @skellynj
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Tribe Parks It In Palm Springs
The announcement yesterday that the Agua Caliente Tribe is building a parking structure in downtown Palm Springs has thankfully generated little if no comment. This stands in marked contrast to the hysteria that occurred when the tribe tore down the Spa Hotel. The outcry from the modernist movement in town was such that cats from Beaumont to Blythe fled in terror.
Much of that can attributed to the fact that many of the newer residents of Palm Springs have no idea that Palm Springs sits partially on an Indian Reservation. Since a lot of the residents are retired they get active in city affairs. While that is to be commended, it would be more helpful if people would actually learn local issues. The "I have been coming to the desert for years, or I have owned a home here for years", statements irk me.In reality that makes one a tourist or a part time resident.
The city has very little control over tribal land. The billboards one sees on Dinah Shore Drive or on Gene Autry Way are on tribal lands. The city has no jurisdiction on these parcels. That is just a one example of some of the nuances in Palm Springs.
In the past few years, the relationship between the tribe and the city deteriorated. Regardless of who was at fault, it is extremely important that this not occur again. For Palm Springs to succeed, the city and tribe must be on the same page. Tribal rights must be respected. The tribe was here long before the city and will remain long after.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed @skelly
Much of that can attributed to the fact that many of the newer residents of Palm Springs have no idea that Palm Springs sits partially on an Indian Reservation. Since a lot of the residents are retired they get active in city affairs. While that is to be commended, it would be more helpful if people would actually learn local issues. The "I have been coming to the desert for years, or I have owned a home here for years", statements irk me.In reality that makes one a tourist or a part time resident.
The city has very little control over tribal land. The billboards one sees on Dinah Shore Drive or on Gene Autry Way are on tribal lands. The city has no jurisdiction on these parcels. That is just a one example of some of the nuances in Palm Springs.
In the past few years, the relationship between the tribe and the city deteriorated. Regardless of who was at fault, it is extremely important that this not occur again. For Palm Springs to succeed, the city and tribe must be on the same page. Tribal rights must be respected. The tribe was here long before the city and will remain long after.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed @skelly
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