With L.A. Fleet Week ready to launch this week, grassroots organization Code Pink has announced several special events designed to promote peace and community engagement on the San Pedro waterfront from Thursday to Monday, May 21-25.
Code Pink, according to its website, is “a feminist grassroots organization working to end U.S. warfare and imperialism, (and) support peace and human rights initiatives,” among other efforts.
This week’s initiative, Code Pink said in a statement, “provides an alternative perspective to the traditional military displays of Fleet Week, emphasizing peaceful solutions and community solidarity.”
The 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week will open on Friday and run through Memorial Day on Monday. Service members and ships began arriving Tuesday and a welcome party will kick off the public festivities on Thursday evening in downtown San Pedro.
Code Pink’s alternative plans for the week include:
6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 21: Peace table and canvassing at Sixth and Centre streets; messages will include advocacy for “healthcare over warfare” and there will also be a free pop-up clinic from All Power Free Clinic.
5-6 p.m. Friday May 22: Weekly rally for Peace at the Vons at Gaffey and 13th streets in San Pedro, followed by a caravan to Wilmington, where there will be a Fleet Week Welcome Party at the Banning Residence Museum.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Passing out fliers at the Battleship Iowa, followed by a screening of “Earth’s Greatest Enemy” at the United Methodist Church, 580 W. Sixth St., in downtown San Pedro from 2 to 5 p.m.
3-6 p.m. Sunday, May 24: International Peace Prayers at the Garden Church, 429 W. Sixth St.
3-6 p.m. Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Veterans for Peace rally at the Battleship Iowa.
Code Pink is collaborating with three other groups to present the events: San Pedro Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Military Families Speak Out, and Veterans for Peace LA.