Back in 1985, a couple of friends joined me in forming a group called Venice Neighbor-to-Neighbor. It grew to dozens of active members. Our mission was to protect the newly appearing encampments of people without homes on Venice Beach. Police harassment was vicious and businesses were advocating for Bantustans out in the desert. Just as you describe.
One of our unhoused members was shot in the back while searching for food in a dumpster. Turned out that local drug dealers didn’t want the encampment dwellers seeing their nightly drug deliveries. There’s a great deal more to this story. But I’m no longer on the west coast and, sadly, Venice has become too gentrified to take any action in support of unprotected neighbors.
wow. yeah, i know this has a long history. it's gotten much worse even since i shot this video and wrote this article back in 2015 about Google's war on the local homeless population. can only imagine the difference between now and the 90s.
"One of our unhoused members was shot in the back while searching for food in a dumpster. Turned out that local drug dealers didn’t want the encampment dwellers seeing their nightly drug deliveries." This is really fucked.
And they were paying off the cops. After the shooting, the County sent in a remarkable “mediator” named Borden Olive, to deal with the conflict. VNN appointed me to participate as the representative on our side. Borden’s real job was to help us win and to establish police collusion with the drug dealers. He was a brilliant and patient guide. But of course LA government is far too big and corrupt to address these problems systemically.
Way to go, Yasha! 50 years ago San Blas was one of the most magical places I'd ever been to. Beach outside of town was wonderful. Anyway, take care and all the best to wife and child!
"...Playa La Saladita is truly a longboarder’s paradise. Saladita surf sessions offer long rides, good vibes, and beautiful surroundings. Surf pioneers first started visiting the break in the mid 1970s, with the first official lodging opening in 1998, and electricity only arriving in 2000...."
Police duct taped up signs at all the visible encampments stating they'd be forced to leave starting this past week. I don't know what's become of it or where they'll be able to go.
I am trying assess whether or not it is a reliable source for public opinion in Russian and the former Soviet Union. I've heard you describe on your podcast that the consensus in Russia today is that communism is not missed. Similar sentiments have been displayed on RT. However, videos on this page and in other recent public opinion polls suggest otherwise.
Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says. Chris Miller now says talk of a full withdrawal was a “play” to convince a Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces.
Perhaps Biden should be given Nobel Peace prize instead to swindler Obama...
Back in 1985, a couple of friends joined me in forming a group called Venice Neighbor-to-Neighbor. It grew to dozens of active members. Our mission was to protect the newly appearing encampments of people without homes on Venice Beach. Police harassment was vicious and businesses were advocating for Bantustans out in the desert. Just as you describe.
One of our unhoused members was shot in the back while searching for food in a dumpster. Turned out that local drug dealers didn’t want the encampment dwellers seeing their nightly drug deliveries. There’s a great deal more to this story. But I’m no longer on the west coast and, sadly, Venice has become too gentrified to take any action in support of unprotected neighbors.
wow. yeah, i know this has a long history. it's gotten much worse even since i shot this video and wrote this article back in 2015 about Google's war on the local homeless population. can only imagine the difference between now and the 90s.
https://yashalevine.com/articles/we-got-geeks-inside-google-s-ugly-war-against-the-homeless-in-la
"One of our unhoused members was shot in the back while searching for food in a dumpster. Turned out that local drug dealers didn’t want the encampment dwellers seeing their nightly drug deliveries." This is really fucked.
And they were paying off the cops. After the shooting, the County sent in a remarkable “mediator” named Borden Olive, to deal with the conflict. VNN appointed me to participate as the representative on our side. Borden’s real job was to help us win and to establish police collusion with the drug dealers. He was a brilliant and patient guide. But of course LA government is far too big and corrupt to address these problems systemically.
Yes indeed. So many stories bubbling just under the surface.
Way to go, Yasha! 50 years ago San Blas was one of the most magical places I'd ever been to. Beach outside of town was wonderful. Anyway, take care and all the best to wife and child!
Hi Yasha
Great to hear about more surfing figuring in your day 👍
If you get a chance, see if you can drive the 11 hours(!) down to La Saladita about 30 miles north of Zihuatanejo.
Nice mellow longboard waves: https://wavecation.com/break/mexico/guerrero/la-saladita-2r1mf1zp
"...Playa La Saladita is truly a longboarder’s paradise. Saladita surf sessions offer long rides, good vibes, and beautiful surroundings. Surf pioneers first started visiting the break in the mid 1970s, with the first official lodging opening in 1998, and electricity only arriving in 2000...."
Welcome back. There's a similar anti-homeless push happening in Austin.
https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-07-09/austin-looks-for-routes-out-of-its-homelessness-crisis/
Police duct taped up signs at all the visible encampments stating they'd be forced to leave starting this past week. I don't know what's become of it or where they'll be able to go.
Hi Yasha. I'm curious if you are familiar with the YouTube page 1420. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4R4M9YVfYjjPmILU2Ie1A)
I am trying assess whether or not it is a reliable source for public opinion in Russian and the former Soviet Union. I've heard you describe on your podcast that the consensus in Russia today is that communism is not missed. Similar sentiments have been displayed on RT. However, videos on this page and in other recent public opinion polls suggest otherwise.
And -- one more Afghan lie:
Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says - Defense One
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2021/08/trumps-pledge-exit-afghanistan-was-ruse-his-final-secdef-says/184660/
Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says. Chris Miller now says talk of a full withdrawal was a “play” to convince a Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces.
Perhaps Biden should be given Nobel Peace prize instead to swindler Obama...
Great need on PW’s!! So glad you were able to keep going.