Been at DLR for a few days, protesters are kinda scary.

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We arrived yesterday right when the police were directing traffic off Harbor. I'm staying right at the crosswalk and honestly I did not find these people (all 15-20 of them) scary at all. There were a second set with religious signs (protesters or the protesters?) on the hotel side, maybe ten and I'm pretty sure *I* scared one of them when I gave her a withering look and firm "no" when she tried to hand my kid a card. No one shouted or said anything really, just stood there with their signs. Dis security and suits were out and about and I didn't feel threatened or nervous at all. Nor did I feel the need to explain it to my kids, we just walked on by and went about our business.
 
Actually, all of the protestors that I saw today were not "generation XYZ" or young people. They were mostly all middle aged to elderly. This looked nothing like the Occupy movement.
From what I saw in news reports, there was a small minority, who shouted threatening things at DLand visitors and looked as if they were out for trouble. My hunch is that there's a mix of protesters, some local, with legitimate grievances and peaceful attitude, others looking for taking advantage of the tensions for getting press (some of whom are likely to be non-local semi-professional trouble makers).

We'll be driving down tomorrow and are determined to not let our fun being spoiled. If we personally encounter protests and riot gear police, I'll explain to my kids that this is a free country, that anybody can stand up for what he or she believes and peacefully demonstrate, but that, just, as they sometimes may see at their school or other places, there will always be occasional bullies who doesn't understand that, though they might not like the rules, those rules protect all of us. By sticking together, we can hopefully put those bullies into their place and don't play their game.

We'll be there Tuesday through Saturday, and I saw that protests are mostly planned for weekends, so I hope that I won't have much explaining to do, but I found that any situation can be used for teaching (in this case civics 101, the importance of social contracts, figuring out how to peacefully work together despite differing views and perspectives, and the challenges of that goal that come from some people's self-righteous arrogance--on all sides). Let's hope that reason and justice prevail (pending the official investigation of the police incidents rather than jumping to conclusions and hurting people, either physically or emotionally, in the process). I am such an optimist about people (despite worldwide evidence to the contrary). I trust that, if those of us who care about the world work together, we truly have the potential to make any place the happiest place on earth. If that makes me naive, so be it.

Although our views don't totally align I understand what you are saying.
That is the attitude that we need, I believe. If we'd all believe the same and would be the same, the world would be a rather dull place. But even with differences in opinion, I passionately believe that we can understand, care about, and respect one another.
:thumbsup2:grouphug::disrocks:

The picture in post #14 brings back memories, semi-retirement is kinda nice. All of that riot gear is Hot, Uncomfortable, and Heavy, I do not miss it one bit...
I am in awe of the courage and dedication of the vast majority of the members of our law enforcement. In the toughest situations, when most of us try to get away, you guys walk the other way. Thank you for taking the heat for us. Just want to make sure that, when I talk about racism in police departments, I am very aware of the fact that those are isolated incidents. It's a tough job for internal investigators to tell rookies' misjudgment in scary situations that require split second decisions apart from bad apples in the department, so I hope they'll be doing a good job with that.

All of that said, I'm so glad that we'll be staying on the DLH side! I feel so sorry for the managers and employees of the hotels on Harbour Blvd. Can you imagine how concerned they must feel right now? Too sad.
 
I was worried this was going to happen too. We were there last week when it was starting. Each day I thought it would end up coming to DLR but thankfully it hadn't when we left. Sorry for those that are having to deal with it though :sad2:
 

This makes me so sad :sad2: I feel sorry for all the families that have to walk through them. Hopefully it ends soon!
 
im just gona say one thing about this.
One it sucks they are protesting so close to dl
2 yes cops killed some one, oh im so sorry. But the one they killed already shot at a cop first.
3 this is all about gangs again. The cops are there to protect us but the gangs don't care about us or those vacationing. They pull guns all the time it doesn't matter where you are dl or Phx az. I hate my city i hate where i live but even near DL is bad too it happens every where.

half of these protesters are just protesting and have no idea what really occurred some ppl are against all cops no matter what. Remember the cops are protecting us and they only shot the guy after that guy had already shot at them.
Its so wrong that it happens here and there and I wish wish wish the gangs would be taken care of but they never will.

stepign off soap box now and hope the rest of the ppl can have good trip im sorry the dumb protesters are messing up your trips but maybe the dumb gang members shouldn't be shoring at cops every time they come around.
 
One of the men shot and killed by police had already shot at the officer that killed him, just fyi. The other instance is a little more sketchy, but the guy killed DID run from the police. I read that the population of Anaheim is 50% Hispanic, if that's correct. Are many of them illegal and therefore can't vote? I have no idea.

Rioting is NEVER the answer.

They are NOT rioting, they are protesting and it is quite legal. Protesting does work. Also they are trying to get attention and protesting in front of Disneyland will get them attention. Having said that I sure wouldn't want my kids to have to see this before they go to DL. Use it as a lesson in democracy.
 
For those who are concerned about their safety, my suggestion is to stay clear of the immediate area where there are protests, but also understand that this is localized to that area only. The only reason I even suggest avoiding the protest area is that there have been a few instances where tension flared up a little and police had to get a bit aggressive. Just a bit, but someone walking through that area at that precise time may have been caught up in it. Generally speaking, there is very little to be concerned about in terms of safety for visitors to DLR from the protests or protesters.

As for the surrounding area, DLR is situated in a mixed use area with some being residential. In the early days this was not a real problem, but as DLR grew, so did traffic. Regular commercial fireworks didn't help either. People who had the means have been moving further away from the parks for some time now. The result is the property values in the areas surrounding DLR have remained below many other areas of OC. I think we all understand the socioeconomic related issues that occur in cities and urban areas where income is low. This is the issue the Anaheim PD faces and they do a generally good job of managing it. There are incidents and in this case they spawned protests against the police.

Tourists have little reason to be in those neighborhoods most affected by these issues and where these incidents occurred. The area surrounding DLR is actually very safe, even for those walking to off property hotel.
 
They are NOT rioting, they are protesting and it is quite legal. Protesting does work. Also they are trying to get attention and protesting in front of Disneyland will get them attention. Having said that I sure wouldn't want my kids to have to see this before they go to DL. Use it as a lesson in democracy.

But, they are protesting the shooting of known criminals with gang ties. To me, they don't have a leg to stand on. These were bad guys, without a doubt, who would have thought nothing of shooting the cop first. This may turn into a riot, given their gang ties.
 
REMINDER: There is NO POLITICAL discussion allowed on Disboards. I have VERY STRONg opinions about all of this, but this isn't the place to talk about it, as MaryJo reminded us all above.
 
But the one they killed already shot at a cop first.
Just stating facts so people don't keep chiming in with the same objections. The primary boy they are protesting for did not have a gun. He chose to run away from the police and they chose to shoot and kill him.
 
trying not to make this political....

Remember, some of the protestors are protesting near Disney property for several reasons.

1. They know that it will get media coverage
2. They know it is the most congested/heavily traveled part of Anaheim
3. They know if guest become uncomfortable, Disney will pressure the city for a resolution

They also know that the police will be out in force in this area. I hate to be this cynical, but you know some of the more extreme protestors are praying for another incedent to rally more sympathy to their cause....maybe also get a big pay-off from the city if all goes well.

Regardless of how you feel about the issues, dragging Disney in and scaring innocent visitors that don't even live in Orange County is pretty low. Best advice I can give is completely ignore them.
 
Drove down Harbor Bl an hour ago. I didn't see any protestors or anything out of the unusual besides a bunch of tourist.
 
They're only expected on weekends until this comes to a resolution.
I know. I live here. It's not as bad as some may believe and as the media is protraying it to be. On Saturday, there were more media people here than protestors. I think that's what spurned on more protestors on Sunday. They just wanted to be in the media.
 
I'm going to go ahead and close this thread now. I think people have strong opinions (understood), and sometimes it is really hard not to discuss.
 
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