[Orochimaru]

Please Sign Both Petitions!

Now with over 1500 Signatures!

Thank you for all your kind e-mails about the petition I appreciate your continued patronage.

RasutoIbuki's Petition Thread: http://forums.anime-...?showtopic=6296

After reading through the petition set up by RatsutoIbuki I would like to say that I do commend his efforts on trying to bring together the community of Anime Expo go-ers, young and old, in order to change the location of the future Anime Expo 2008's location at the Los Angeles Convention Center. In an official petition for the relocation of Anime Expo 2008 and in order for it to get attention to those not only in this community, but outside this community, I used the opening statement from the petition posted and my personal information in order to set up an official petition on "petitiononline.com" in which the link is displayed below.

Anime Expo 2008 Relocation Petition

In order for this petition to be a sucess please provide your full first and last name and no aliases when signing this petition. Full names will not be displayed and please provide appropriate comments that do not include, "chat speak, cussing, or any inappropriate in regards towards the SPJA and Anime Expo staff members." Please help spread the word about the relocation to any future Anime Expo 2008 attendees and give backing to our arguments about having "safe enviroment" in order to enjoy the future convention.

After reading through this thread the basic complaints are:

+ The area in which the convention is taking place.
+ The time at which it is taking place.
+ Hotel and food services in the area
+ The danger/threat that presents itself in the area of the Los Angeles Convention Center
+ Parking fees that go between 10 to 20 dollars a day

There is no way that you can stop what is probably going to happen at the Los Angeles Convention Center and that point has been made clearly in the many posts of the users on this server. If the petition does not accomplish its goal please contact the SPJA with the information provided by beetnick82 below.

SPJA Headquarters:
Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
1733 S. Douglass Road, Suite G
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 937-2994

There have been suggestions of improvement that would make this convention more successful that personally I would believe should not be ignored in petitioning a successful service to attendees. We need to look beyond now that we have stated the fact that, "Yes it is a dangerous and unsafe area and that poses future problems for innocent attendees that have little knowledge on how to combat the danger." Such suggestions that are appealing are:

+ Shuttle buses (provided by: Kitsune)
+ Improved police protection
+ Providing information about the area when signing up for your ticket

If you have any more suggestions for improvements or even a better written petition statement please send it in a private message to my account on this server in which it includes the title of "Anime Expo 2008 Relocation Petition Reply," otherwise, I will not open the private message or consider your opinion stated within. Please do not send one word e-mails or any other sort of "spam" in this case. I will include it in an edit section and will try to frequently update it in order to appeal to your decisions as convention attendees.

*ATTENTION*

Please take this petition seriously and not as a passing opportunity to get your two cents in. All opinions regarding the location should be directed to the Society of the Promotion of Japanese Animation through letters or e-mails. If you wish to make a change make it now and sign the petition for the relocation of Anime Expo 2008 to a safer location.

Thank you for reading through this information.


Sincerely,


Miwa

This post has been edited by Orochimaru: 01 August 2007 - 01:20 PM

[Orochimaru]

Quote

RasutoIbuki and I were neither trying to lead people nor force people into signing our petition it was their choice of free will and their belief that we can make Anime Expo 2008 a good year. It was their belief that this coming year can be a great convention with improvements and that we could even make this the biggest one yet despite hindrances along the way. Anime Expo has become something more that just The United States Largest Anime Convention it has become many ways a place where people can just be themselves and no longer fear the popular eye of discrimination and to take a quote from the opening ceremony from Anime Expo 2005, "Anime Expo is like world peace, but with big guns." Let the will of the fans live on through hardships and troubled times, and be brought together in a finale of epic proportions.

*EDIT 1.1

An important note that I have found out after researching about successful petitions and other notes that it takes around 10,000 plus people to sign one petition in order for it to even be considered. It is great that within the first few hours that there are already over 30 signatures on the petition but we need plenty more.
I ask of you as Anime Expo attendees and as a fellow attendee spread the word of this petition and help us reach our goal by the end of the month!

We reached 500 signatures in just three days! I can't believe the support behind this decision and I would like to thank the Anime Expo community board and all those who signed the petition for a better Anime Expo 2008. It currently is at 528 signatures so I hope by the end of the day we can get another 200 if possible. Once again we can all make a difference if we try and enjoy our future years with the SPJA and attendees being satisfied in the process.

*EDIT 2.1

Ryvannis, on Jul 4 2007, 02:30 AM, said:

Concern, if it was relocated where would you guys prefer it then?

Infernoman's Thread: http://forums.anime-...?showtopic=6387

Infernoman has began a thread opting for the SPJA to move Anime Expo 2008 to Ontario convention center. It contains useful information about the Ontario Plaza which includes: pictures, hotels in the general area, floor space, and for an extra tid-bit of information I picked up looking at wikipedia articles that Anime Expo has been held there before in the past. Unfortunately, the thread is locked, but I would like to extend my thanks to him for offering another option in this dilemna.

There has been word that the area around the Los Angeles Convention Center is scheduled for improvement by next July and this hopefully good news to some people, but do not let this divert you from our goal. The information source can be found here (provided by: TaraP).

*EDIT 3

Cosplay.com copy: http://forums.cospla...ad.php?t=118062

It seems that there is the issue of the same petition being repeated over the internet causing a spread of votes that could be massed together and result in a better outcome. This has been brought to my attention by Akagaminosteven posting about a seperate one on a "Cosplay.com" forum I believe. If you do find any copies please post the two petition links located in the first post and direct them to this thread to read over the first post. You do not need a user to read the message.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,



Miwa

This post has been edited by Orochimaru: 05 July 2007 - 02:33 PM

[Orochimaru]

+Special Thanks+

Kisuka (promotion)
moonwing (promotion)
RasutoIbuki (promotion)

Infernoman (information)
E-mail address hidden for protection (information)

This post has been edited by Orochimaru: 01 August 2007 - 01:14 PM

[samuraigundam]

Whats wrong with the area orochimaru?Not every African american,hispanic and asian is a gang member you know.

This post has been edited by samuraigundam: 04 July 2007 - 01:43 AM

[Orochimaru]

samuraigundam, on Jul 4 2007, 02:15 AM, said:

What's wrong with the area Orochimaru? Not every African American, Hispanic, and Asian is a gang member you know.

I never said that everyone was one or was not one. I'm trying to take a neutral pose on this problem, but if you go to this link you can read about their complaints and information through Los Angeles Police Department links and less than admirable activity in the area. Again, I am not saying every person there is bad or that it cannot be a good Anime Expo 2008, but the concerns of the majority outweigh those of the minority in this case. Please do not take offense to this statement.

My father has actually worked in the "wrong side" of Los Angeles and really it has gotten better over the last couple of years and hopefully shows more improvement before Anime Expo 2008 before we as attendees go to the convention center. Being prepared to protect the attendees should be one of the concerns of the SPJA and its not only the complaint of being in a bad area. There is also the mode of transportation and hotel issues involving the distance walking to get to the actual line for registration.

I'm not saying anyone's good or bad I'm just promoting the idea that appeals to the people right now and may help improve the chances for many on having a good Anime Expo 2008 (since there have been so many complaints regarding Anime Expo 2007 being held at the Long Beach Convention Center). I thank you for your concern and glad that you expressed your feelings regarding this matter.

Sincerely,


Miwa

This post has been edited by Orochimaru: 04 July 2007 - 05:40 AM

[RasutoIbuki]

Thanks! I just got off the train this morning and went right to sleep after the 2 hour drive home, otherwise I would have gotten to this as well.

Posted a link to this in the main thread I made.

Edit: I just want to put this here as well. I encourage everyone to sign both petitions, or at least one or the other. When it gets as big as I think it can, I pledge to print them both out and over-night them to the SPJA Headquarters! So, lets make it as big of a paper stack as we can get, guys!

Also, I do not think that this is a waste of time, and I do not believe they can ignore us!

This post has been edited by RasutoIbuki: 04 July 2007 - 11:06 AM

[moonwing]

RasutoIbuki, on Jul 4 2007, 11:59 AM, said:

Thanks! I just got off the train this morning and went right to sleep after the 2 hour drive home, otherwise I would have gotten to this as well.

Posted a link to this in the main thread I made.

Edit: I just want to put this here as well. I encourage everyone to sign both petitions, or at least one or the other. When it gets as big as I think it can, I pledge to print them both out and over-night them to the SPJA Headquarters! So, lets make it as big of a paper stack as we can get, guys!

Also, I do not think that this is a waste of time, and I do not believe they can ignore us!

Agreed! Even if we don't make the traditional quota of signatures, I think it's important that we as attendees send a message to SPJA if the majority is truly concerned about the location of upcoming AX cons. After all, if it wasn't for us attending and spending our money, AX would not be enjoying its title of "largest anime con in North America." WE are the ones responisble for that, so why shouldn't we let SPJA know that we aren't satisfied?

[samuraigundam]

Orochimaru, on Jul 4 2007, 05:26 AM, said:

I never said that everyone was one or was not one. I'm trying to take a neutral pose on this problem, but if you go to this link you can read about their complaints and information through Los Angeles Police Department links and less than admirable activity in the area. Again, I am not saying every person there is bad or that it cannot be a good Anime Expo 2008, but the concerns of the majority outweigh those of the minority in this case. Please do not take offense to this statement.

My father has actually worked in the "wrong side" of Los Angeles and really it has gotten better over the last couple of years and hopefully shows more improvement before Anime Expo 2008 before we as attendees go to the convention center. Being prepared to protect the attendees should be one of the concerns of the SPJA and its not only the complaint of being in a bad area. There is also the mode of transportation and hotel issues involving the distance walking to get to the actual line for registration.

I'm not saying anyone's good or bad I'm just promoting the idea that appeals to the people right now and may help improve the chances for many on having a good Anime Expo 2008 (since there have been so many complaints regarding Anime Expo 2007 being held at the Long Beach Convention Center). I thank you for your concern and glad that you expressed your feelings regarding this matter.

Sincerely,
Miwa

Yeah,sorry if that sounded harsh.It's just that,being a resident of L.A,I hear racist remarks every day about the people here,and now I seem to rush to judgement thinking every criticism of this place must have some racist overtone.I should have a little more faith in people,and I wont post about this sort of thing again(this is about the forth time of done that),unless I know for sure someones being offensive like that on purpose.

After all,I dont want people to dislike me.

And I do understand the safety concerns completely.Even though I dont live anywhere near downtown.

Thank you for responding.

This post has been edited by samuraigundam: 04 July 2007 - 02:41 PM

[Orochimaru]

RasutoIbuki, on Jul 4 2007, 11:59 AM, said:

Thanks! I just got off the train this morning and went right to sleep after the 2 hour drive home, otherwise I would have gotten to this as well.

Posted a link to this in the main thread I made.

Edit: I just want to put this here as well. I encourage everyone to sign both petitions, or at least one or the other. When it gets as big as I think it can, I pledge to print them both out and over-night them to the SPJA Headquarters! So, lets make it as big of a paper stack as we can get, guys!

Also, I do not think that this is a waste of time, and I do not believe they can ignore us!

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to put a notice in the heading in order for Anime Expo go-ers to sign both petitions for this event. We just need some kind of representation as a mass that we want our rights to be justified as year round fans and our given support to the SPJA over the last 16 years Anime Expo has been running in California. Have a happy fourth of July!

moonwing, on Jul 4 2007, 01:07 PM, said:

Agreed! Even if we don't make the traditional quota of signatures, I think it's important that we as attendees send a message to SPJA if the majority is truly concerned about the location of upcoming AX cons. After all, if it wasn't for us attending and spending our money, AX would not be enjoying its title of "largest anime con in North America." WE are the ones responisble for that, so why shouldn't we let SPJA know that we aren't satisfied?

Very good point. Thank you again for the promotion and spread of the petition moonwing you have made the first step very easy in the community and have this not just become a complaint by a few group of people on the Anime Expo forum. Thank you! Have a happy fourth of July.

samuraigundam, on Jul 4 2007, 03:24 PM, said:

Yeah,sorry if that sounded harsh.It's just that,being a resident of L.A,I hear racist remarks every day about the people here,and now I seem to rush to judgement thinking every criticism of this place must have some racist overtone.I should have a little more faith in people,and I wont post about this sort of thing again(this is about the forth time of done that),unless I know for sure someones being offensive like that on purpose.

After all,I dont want people to dislike me.

And I do understand the safety concerns completely.Even though I dont live anywhere near downtown.

Thank you for responding.

Your very welcome. I would have hated for this to become a racial issue among members. Personally, I have no set standards on what a person looks like or how they act or any other possible difference in order to become their friend. Hope you have a happy fourth of July.

[Akagaminosteven]

Is the petition on Cosplay.com the same one?

[Orochimaru]

Akagaminosteven, on Jul 4 2007, 08:11 PM, said:

Is the petition on Cosplay.com the same one?

I haven't been notified about a petition on "Cosplay.com" so it most likely is just a copy. Please sign the official one on this forum which can be found in the first post or the petition I have posted on "petitiononline.com" which is also located in the first post.

If you can please provide the link to the "Cosplay.com" petition and I can clear up this issue. It is hard to gain a lot of signatures if there are many copies floating around the internet. If you can, direct the users to this thread and have them click the "petitiononline.com" that I have formentioned.

Thank you.

Sincerely,



Miwa

[Akagaminosteven]

I just checked, it is indeed a copy.

[Orochimaru]

Akagaminosteven, on Jul 4 2007, 08:24 PM, said:

I just checked, it is indeed a copy.

So it is indeed the "petitiononline.com" link? Sorry if I am repeating my question I just want to make sure that it is indeed that petition or RasutoIbuki's that is being signed in the process.

[Akagaminosteven]

I'm pretty sure, they quoted your original post, including the link you posted. Here's the thread just incase you want to see everything:

http://forums.cospla...ad.php?t=118062

[Orochimaru]

Akagaminosteven, on Jul 4 2007, 08:34 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure, they quoted your original post, including the link you posted. Here's the thread just incase you want to see everything:

http://forums.cospla...ad.php?t=118062

Oh wow! Thank you. It spread so fast. Haha.

Thank you for your help and that is indeed the original post.

Sincerely,



Miwa

[Kisuka]

lets hope i helped. :3 *pokes* im on here too u know not just cosplay.com xD

This post has been edited by Kisuka: 05 July 2007 - 01:24 AM

[Orochimaru]

Kisuka, on Jul 5 2007, 02:22 AM, said:

lets hope i helped. :3 *pokes* im on here too u know not just cosplay.com xD

Oh wow! Thanks so much. I guess I have to change the from "Cosplay.com". Haha.

[Orochimaru]

*ANNOUNCEMENT*

Just a thank you to all you guys out there and making this petition a success over these three days. In just a few days I end up checking it at 8:00pm and it has grown to a whopping 621 signatures only hitting 500 earlier today. I'm sure RasutoIbuki wouldn't have comprehended how many people were in favor of improved conditions or change in convention centers when he posted a single thread a few days ago. Some people think its hopeless; others say it will only last a few weeks; but no matter how long it lasts, whether you change your minds or not I'm glad that we banded together at this moment for the greater good.

I also heard about how quickly it has spread to forums and webpages from a simple post by Kisuka on "Cosplay.com" to some rumors about gaia and I know there are a few hotlinks to the petition located on "myspace.com". We made it possible together as the true representatives of Anime Expo to bring a better change in 2008.

Thank you all for your fantastic support.

Sincerely,



Miwa

[mamori]

in all fairness, it will only last a few weeks ^^;;

but that's more because if it isn't changed soon (within the next 4 weeks), it probably won't change at all. at which point we can only hope that the area around the center is made safer in the next 11 months or that proper actions are taken to achieve a simialr result, or decide not to go and ask for my money back. (ill probbaly pre-reg. just to be sure, since many guests seem to announce they;ll be coming *after* the mailing pre-reg deadline.

This post has been edited by mamori: 05 July 2007 - 07:47 PM

[tidusora]

mamori, on Jul 5 2007, 08:46 PM, said:

in all fairness, it will only last a few weeks ^^;;

but that's more because if it isn't changed soon (within the next 4 weeks), it probably won't change at all. at which point we can only hope that the area around the center is made safer in the next 11 months, or decide not to go and ask for my money back. (ill probbaly pre-reg. just to be sure, since many guests seem to announce they;ll be coming *after* the mailing pre-reg deadline.

I agree with you, there.

This post has been edited by tidusora: 05 July 2007 - 07:47 PM