Yesterday's funeral tribute to labor leader Miguel Contreras was a "three helicopter event", as we say in L.A. I've never witnessed such a show of power, certainly not in the name of the poor and powerless. It was quite beautiful; Miguel would have loved it. Nearly 5000 people jammed into the Cathedral of our Lady of Angels, with red t-shirt clad janitors and restaurant workers in reserved seats in the front rows. I saw at least two congresspeople, top national labor brass, and every state and local politician imaginable. Noticeable contrast: Mayor Hahn strolling around, looking lost, alone, after taking communion. Challenger Antonio Villaraigosa never leaving the side of Maria Elena Durazo -- one of his close old friends from radical Chicano days. As Cardinal Mahoney and a dozen priests swinging incense, carrying tall candles, slowly made their way out of the cathedral, followed by the body, to applause and mariachi music, Maria Elena was supported on one side by CA Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and on the other by the next Mayor of Los Angeles..... I don't believe there was one person in that crowded room that doubted the outcome of Tuesday's election when they saw that sight. Along with no less than 5 spontaneous applauses -- 3 of them turning into the rousing Farmworkers clapping rite -- there were two high points. Maria Elena's eloquent call for Miguel's passion for working people's rights to be carried on "He has been called a kingmaker, but they do not capture the true Miguel becuase they do not share WHY he was a kingmaker" -- Her words were nearly matched by Cardinal Mahoney's eloquent use of scripture to call for the meek, the poor, particularly new immigrants to "rise up" -- "let the meek not remain meek, but rise up to improve their lives." I am not kidding; it was astonishing to see the man who just helped elect Benedict lead what felt like a solemn, determined labor rally. He then even invoked Joe Hill -- or was it Mother Jones -- and called on us to "Don't Mourn -- Organize."
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