A downtown day supporting UTLA teachers and students

I had a nice little downtown day supporting our teachers and students at Grand Park.

I’m not a teacher, nor even a parent, but I had a free day and decided to show up to support the people doing this important work. Many women in my family - both grandmas, aunt, cousin, mom - spent their careers in public education, and of course I’m a product of public schools (including state university!) So I wore red and showed up to the rally in Grand Park. I really appreciate that Grand Park has become an epicenter of activism and celebration, especially because I have a soft spot since it’s where my husband proposed!

My favorite moment was Aloe Blacc playing a few songs, starting with “I Need a Dollar” and finishing with “Wake Me Up.” Everyone was incredibly energized and it was exciting to be there.

After the rally was over, I grabbed lunch at Burgerlords in Chinatown. Been to this spot a couple of other times and they have a small menu of classic burgers and fries. Simple, unfussy, and hit the spot after standing around the rally for hours.

Obligatory “I barely drink soda buuuuuuuut…” sometimes it’s needed after a rally.

Finally, I enjoyed a beer at Imperial Western, a new-ish bar in Union Station that I’ve already managed to visit a few other times. Years ago, I took an LA Conservancy tour of Union Station and we went into the defunct Harvey House restaurant, which was rented out for special events and had otherwise fallen into disuse. When word spread that the excellent 213 bar group had bought the space to revamp, I was excited but unprepared for how long the wait would be. Turns out, the wait was worth it and it’s great to have a drink in the huge, light-filled space at such an iconic station. Today I had a collaboration brew, Bells and Whistles (a peach sour).