Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1277960
Summer 2020 – LOCAL695.ORG 13 MEMBERS IN ACTION Many members of Local 695 showed their community spirit and pride as they participated in the recent peaceful protests happening around Los Angeles. The protests brought sisters and brothers of 695 together over the weeks following the killing of George Floyd. Our members peacefully marched, voicing their concerns in this time of great unrest. Many of the marches included participants taking a knee and holding it for eight minutes, forty-six seconds, to show solidarity for racial justice. Tim Song Jones, recently retired Boom Operator, arrived at a peaceful protest in Glendale with his wife. He says, "My wife really felt compelled to participate, however, I didn't want her to go alone. When we arrived, I was pleased at how the demonstration was very peaceful. The crowd took a knee for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to commemorate the memory of George Floyd." Cheyenne Wood, VTR Operator, participated in two demonstrations. She went first to City Hall and joined the protest against DA Jackie Lacey over alleged inequality. Protestors again took a knee and sang together in solidarity. Later in the week, Cheyenne joined the march through Hollywood. She wanted to be involved in creating real change from the streets up. When asked if she felt at risk to COVID-19, she said, "I didn't really feel fearful of catching the virus, we were practicing social distancing as best we could, and most everyone was wearing masks." Mixer Chris Polczinski arrived, sign in hand, at one of the largest protests on Hollywood Boulevard. He and his wife joined the enormous group that marched through the streets of Hollywood. There were so many people there, that, he says, "Even as we left to walk to our car, we could still see and hear the crowds from many blocks away." Boom Operator Ben Greaves and Mixer Amanda Beggs went a step further in their volunteer efforts and actually worked with the protest organizers, providing their equipment and on-set skills to help with audio reinforcement at many of the events. To help support these events, Ben has been working hand-in- hand with a diverse group of filmmakers and says, "This is an inflection point in our society. COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter are shining a bright and uncomfortable light on our society. As members of Local 695, it's important to remember who we are, what we are, and who we represent. Setting up speakers is the easy bit. What we do once the news cameras have disappeared and attention is directed elsewhere is going to be the real challenge." Notable were the Local 695 members who hit the streets with sponges, brooms, mops, and paint brushes to help clean up after the unruly night of violence and looting in their neighborhoods. Mixer Shawn Holden, 695 Trustee, and her partner, cleaned up in their neighborhood near the Fairfax District. They helped remove graffiti by painting fences and tending to buildings that had been hit hard by vandals. She was compelled to help clean up, and to see what was needed. Shawn wound up at their local post office, feeling it was a small gesture to help her community. Shawn says, "We went to help because we live here! We were right in the middle of things as they were getting bad. One block to the north and another to the south, there were flash bombs and tear gas canisters going off. We had to close the windows because the smoke was getting into the house. The next morning, it seemed like the whole neighborhood was out to help clean up. We got out around 9 a.m. and lots of things were already taken care of. A great show of community support." went first to City Hall and joined the protest against DA Jackie Lacey over alleged inequality. Protestors again took a knee and sang together in solidarity. Later in the week, Cheyenne joined the march through Hollywood. She wanted to be involved in creating real change from the streets up. When asked if she felt at risk to COVID-19, she said, "I didn't really feel fearful of catching the virus, we were practicing social distancing as best we could, and most everyone was wearing masks." Mixer Chris Polczinski arrived, sign in hand, at one of the largest protests on Hollywood Boulevard. He and his wife joined the enormous group that marched through the streets of Hollywood. There were so many people there, that, he says, "Even as we left to walk to our car, we could still see seconds, to show solidarity for racial justice. Tim Song Jones, recently retired Boom Operator, arrived at a peaceful protest in Glendale with his wife. He says, "My wife really felt compelled to participate, however, I didn't want her to go alone. When we arrived, I was pleased at how the demonstration was very peaceful. The crowd took a knee for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to commemorate the memory of George Floyd." Cheyenne Wood, VTR Operator, Cheyenne Wood Tim Song Jones Chris Polczinski