Many protesters were upset with development issues, such as a planned Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga, a 229-home project proposed for the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and a 1,950-home subdivision being reviewed in San Pedro. One woman carried a sign that read "Proud to Be a NIMBY."
The rally drew a few political leaders, including Chick and DWP Commission President Nick Patsaouras. As Patsaouras listened to the speakers, a Calabasas resident approached another DWP official to demand that the utility stop putting fluoride in its water.
The event was also attended by Steve Barr, chief executive of the charter school group Green Dot, who urged the crowd to take the movement to some of the neighborhoods that have the greatest need, such as Watts and South Los Angeles.
Some took a philosophical view of the event, which combined political rhetoric with street theater.
"They have some wacky people, and they have some good, hard-working people," said James Rojas, who heads the Latino Urban Forum, as he watched the protesters. "That's the way democracy is. You take the good with the bad."
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david.zahniser@latimes.com
