FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 18, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Inland Empire CODEPINK Protests State of the County Address
ONTARIO – Peace activists from the Inland Empire, including members of CODEPINK and other organizations, staged a protest outside the "Empowering Tomorrow" State of the County event. Their mission? To bring attention to the region's complicity in the global military-industrial complex and the militarization of local communities.
Protesters have gathered outside the venue where elected officials and community leaders convened, raising concerns about the county’s investments in the war economy. As attendees entered the ticketed event, they were met by a group of committed activists who wanted to send a strong message: the Inland Empire must no longer turn a blind eye to its role in perpetuating violence and militarization.
The Inland Empire has seen a rise in warehouse developments, which protesters argue are linked to the broader militarization of the economy. These warehouses, they say, are part of a system that props up a global supply chain steeped in exploitation and violence. Simultaneously, activists have been calling on local, state, and federal officials to push for a ceasefire in conflicts worldwide, and to divest from companies profiting from genocide. Despite their persistent efforts, these pleads have largely fallen on deaf ears.
What drew particular ire was the billions of dollars that county officials have funneled into the military-industrial complex, including millions allocated for police equipment. For many constituents, this prioritization of militarization comes at the expense of other pressing local needs, such as resources to combat wildfires and other emergencies. Peace activists point out that while the region burns, literally and figuratively, the county’s leadership remains focused on arming itself rather than protecting and empowering its people.
One question echoing the loudest at the protest: What is the state of your conscience, San Bernardino County?
For those in attendance, the true "State of the County" is not taking place inside a paid-ticket venue, but outside, among the people. Their goal is for the elected officials to hear their constituents—those who refuse to be complicit in the county’s contribution to global violence and militarization.
"We refuse to be ignored," a spokesperson for CODEPINK said. "And we will NOT be complicit."
The protest represents a grassroots effort to ensure that the future of the Inland Empire reflects the values of peace, justice, and sustainability, rather than perpetuating a system that thrives on war and oppression.
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