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

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disneydreamer74

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Just wanted to inform those coming to visit soon, yesterday was our first day at DLR and when we came back to our hotel (FFI on Harbor) we were met at both sides of the crosswalk by protesters of the police shooting in Anaheim. I will say that most were peaceful protesters but a few were shouting warnings to visitors that they should not return to the park that night because they were gonna storm the place! We were VERY concerned and stopped to talk to Disney executives that were standing at the entrance. They tried to assure us that they would not be able to enter. There are several Anaheim police officers near the protesters to stop any violence. When I returned back to the hotel at night they were all gone. That was my main concern, walking back at night. :sad2: This afternoon we walked back to the hotel again for a break and there were a smaller bunch of protesters but several police rushed towards the stoplight near Hojo's. It appears that several hundred protesters were planning on storming the entrance to DLR but police are trying to stop them at the light. They are even stopping traffic by walking in the street. It really has my family kinda nervous. I have seen and talked to several hotel GM's along Harbor who are also concerned about their properties. :confused3 Not trying to scare anybody, but I want others to be aware of what to expect when you arrive. We have 2 more days of our trip and I am hoping this subsides soon.
On a more positive note, inside the parks you wouldn't know anything is going on outside. Crowds are busy, but manageable. CL is fabulous! I am really impressed. More later!
 
Friday was our last day there and the protesters came to DL on Saturday. As we drove by them on our way to the airport on Saturday, I felt badly for the parents who had to explain what the signs said to their children as they were entering DL. I know my kids would be curious and its just not the conversation I want to have on my way to the happiest place on earth.

I know that these tensions are real, and people have a right to peaceful protests. But the people entering DL on summer days are mostly vacationers who do not live in Anaheim. It is the wrong target audience in my opinion. Their cause was already on the news without targeting DL. Maybe it is selfish to not want your vacation to be protested, but so be it.
 
How ridiculous.

Protesting in front of Disneyland? Pathetic, in my opinion. This situation has NOTHING to do with DL other than the fact that the instances they're protesting occurred in Anaheim.
 
Friday was our last day there and the protesters came to DL on Saturday. As we drove by them on our way to the airport on Saturday, I felt badly for the parents who had to explain what the signs said to their children as they were entering DL. I know my kids would be curious and its just not the conversation I want to have on my way to the happiest place on earth.

I know that these tensions are real, and people have a right to peaceful protests. But the people entering DL on summer days are mostly vacationers who do not live in Anaheim. It is the wrong target audience in my opinion. Their cause was already on the news without targeting DL. Maybe it is selfish to not want your vacation to be protested, but so be it.

Although this may seem to be a problem just in Anaheim I got this from the examiner.com which shows the attention is spreading.

"At 4 p.m. on July 29, 2012, at the Denver Skate Park Occupy Denver is planning to march in support of protesters in Anaheim, CA against the police violence that has led to 2 deaths"

Also saw a video online that they intend to protest @ DLR every weekend 12-4pm until the cops involved are brought to justice.
http://inagist.com/all/228706987658080257/
 

That sucks :( I don't get a couple of their issues. Cops shouldn't be shooting people, I agree. I don't understand complaining about hispanics being under represented on council. Do they not vote? It's not like it's a dictatorship where people are appointed, the population decides who will represent them.
 
I checked into the DLH today and was at the parks until 5pm or so. There have been absolutely no issues at the Resort thus far. It seems as though this problem may be confined to the areas outside the Resort.

OP, I hope you are doing ok and that you are able to enjoy yourself. :thumbsup2
 
That sucks :( I don't get a couple of their issues. Cops shouldn't be shooting people, I agree. I don't understand complaining about hispanics being under represented on council. Do they not vote? It's not like it's a dictatorship where people are appointed, the population decides who will represent them.

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.
 
Edited: I found one on the Facebook pages but didn't notice the language (logger's daughter, sorry lol) so I took down the link. :)
 
We are here now (arrived yesterday) and you would never know they were there if you didn't go the area on Harbor where they all are. We are stayiing in a hotel that uses ART, and we just drove past them in the bus. If you are staying right there at the crosswalk were Best Western Park Place Inn or other nearby hotels are, then they will bother you. If you are staying farther away (like we are at the Hilton) or on property, then you will barely know they are there. I am not worried at all where we are. It is peaceful on our part of Harbor, as well as in the parks. Lots of crowds (as expected--the parks are packed!), but nothing to worry about with the protestors.

I imagine this will all die down in a few days--so if you are coming next week, I wouldn't worry at all.
 
Thanks for updating, everyone! We are coming in early August and are really hoping that all this settles down very soon--for us, and for all of you there now who are trying to enjoy your family vacations! I understand how the protesters think that by being at Disneyland, they will attract more media attention, but I also feel like it's just causing more ill will. Anyway, thanks again for keeping us disboarders informed!
 
We were a long walk away at Hilton Garden Inn the other day, as all of this was starting, and I was nervous that something like this would happen! Since we walked back and forth each day (except for one evening), despite staying further away we WOULD have been affected by this because we didn't take transportation in.


From what I read elsewhere, some protesters think that Disney "owns" Anaheim, so they're taking it to Disney.

Meanwhile, the family of at least one of the men is asking people to NOT do this. But "protests" like this always take on a life of their own; they are almost never ONLY about the sparking incident. Just like thugs took over a happy, friendly, FAMILY protest of the WTO in Seattle (I was in training on one of the main streets and saw the crowd go from families pulling little kids in wagons to young men wearing black with full face covers as the day went on, they are taking this over, too. I hate it.

Also, if there's ONE thing I know not to do around the police, it's to run away. Too bad the guy didn't know that!
 
Also, if there's ONE thing I know not to do around the police, it's to run away. Too bad the guy didn't know that!

Exactly, what part of stop or I'll shoot do they not understand? Also, these were guys with known offenses, not innocents playing in the front yard. Wasn't one in a stolen vehicle? I mean, come on.
 
A wall of PD in SWAT gear blocked a road to Disneyland today.

AzBBvWVCIAAvvPN.jpg:large

Photo credit - @AmberLyon - July 29
 
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...:cool1:
 
Why protest Disneyland? If your issue is with the police, then you could certainly protest PEACEFULLY in front of the police department...
 
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.
 
...What do they possibly hope to accomplish with a Disneyland invasion? ...
I removed the username from this quote because the general sentiment was asked a few times and I am addressing everyone that has the same general question.

The idea that the protestors are working off of is as follows:
They have expressed in many ways that they believe that Disney controls Anaheim. So, they are trying to get Disney involved for a few reasons:
1. To hold them responsible for the city of Anaheim's actions since Disney generates so much tourism (aka: money) for the city

2. To force Disney to pick a side (the residents of Anaheim or the APD)

In an effort not to get involved at all, Disney has been taking actions to protect Park visitors and keep all protest action outside of the Parks.

I checked into the DLH today and was at the parks until 5pm or so. There have been absolutely no issues at the Resort thus far. It seems as though this problem may be confined to the areas outside the Resort.

OP, I hope you are doing ok and that you are able to enjoy yourself. :thumbsup2
Today, they protestors were attempting to bring their activities as close to DLR as they could. Reportedly, the APD formed a line between the protestors and DLR and moved the crowd away from DLR, keeping it away from the Resort.

All of the above is my understanding based on what has been all over local news.

I found their facebook page if anyone is interested: - deleted -
Ummm.... there is quite a bit of inappropriate language on that page. I am not sure that should be linked to from DIS. Definitely not family-friendly.

- Dreams
 
Although this may seem to be a problem just in Anaheim I got this from the examiner.com which shows the attention is spreading.

"At 4 p.m. on July 29, 2012, at the Denver Skate Park Occupy Denver is planning to march in support of protesters in Anaheim, CA against the police violence that has led to 2 deaths"

Also saw a video online that they intend to protest @ DLR every weekend 12-4pm until the cops involved are brought to justice.
http://inagist.com/all/228706987658080257/

As far as from what I've read, Anaheim authorities are doing everything they are supposed to do in these cases and it is being investigated properly. What else do they want?

Still, I'm glad I ended up cancelling my HoJo portion of my stay and will just be at DLH.
 
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