Alex Schaefer is a free man again

Yesterday was the last day the City Attorney had to file charges regarding my vandalism arrest, so I checked today and nothing. No charges filed! So today I got an exoneration of my bond which means I'm a free man. I can leave California if I want to. The first thing I did on my way home from the courthouse was go to Rite Aid and get a couple tubs of sidewalk chalk! :)

Revisiting George Carlin

I caught this video of George Carlin on Max Keiser's website. It's his musings on the Death Penalty from a show in 1996. Here's a quote: "The death penalty doesn't mean anything unless you're afraid to die... like the bankers who launder the drug money." This was fringe thinking back then, but it's mainstream headlines today. I had to post this clip along with some supporting links...

Wachovia/Wells Fargo laundering drug money:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/12/1082753/-STUNNING-Wells-Fargo-launders-Mexican-drug-cartel-money-then-invests-in-for-profit-prisons

Bank of America laundering drug money:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/los-zetas-laundered-money-bank-america_n_1658943.html

HSBC laundering drug money:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/business/us-said-to-investigate-money-laundering-at-hsbc.html

Folks, George was right all along.

the fires are from within

another work in progress shot of this latest painting. I'm liking it and enjoying the larger size. I occasionally get rebuked, mostly over the internet but occasionally in person, that my paintings look like I want to "blow up" the banks, and then I'm harrangued with words like "9/11" and "domestic terrorism" etc.

I try to tell them the banks in my paintings are not blowing up, they are melting down.

The fires are from within.

And no one seems to notice, no one seems to care.

The banks pay a paltry $150 million to steal at least ten times that amount. It's just to cost of operating the fraud.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-03-23/wall_street/31228281_1_bid-rigging-banks-government-contracts

I couldn't resist: shitibank

I have two more days until I'm exonorated of the charge of vandalism, but I just had to get this out of my system. Chalk on public sidewalk is NOT illegal! And shiti- I mean citibank, for this type of behavior alone you deserve public shaming: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/15/business/la-fi-citi-settlement-20120216 No more "settlements" for banking crime because to these billion and trillion dollar thieves that is not a deterrent, it's just the cost of operating the fraud racket... The CEO's of these sorts of banks need to go to prison.

Chase on the Miracle Mile by Alex Schaefer

Here's a block in of a new burning bank for the show at Cal State Northridge. It's a larger version of a painting I made last year, Chase Bank on the Miracle Mile. I had a lot of fun starting this last night! Today I'll get the flames going! acrylic on canvas, 48 by 36

Matt Taibbi on Eliot Spitzer: Eric Holder's Failure

Watch this video! And read the article here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/matt-taibbi-eliot-spitzer-discuss-eric-holders-failure-20120822

Our Justice Department is utterly failing to serve the People or any historic notion of the rule of law.

Alex Schaefer talks to Kristine Frazao about chalk

I can't believe that I hadn't already posted this on my blog. I like this interview from last week.

plus here's some links to other articles that will get you riled up:

The Un-Mourned Victims Of Our Bankster Politics http://market-ticker.org/post=210580

Goldman Non-Prosecution: AG Eric Holder Has No Balls http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/ag-eric-holder-has-no-balls-20120815

Alex Schaefer paints Sunset and Vine

Sunset and Vine is a classic intersection and this building is an iconic example of Millard Sheets architecture; this used to be a Home Savings and Loan. Then it was bought out by Washington Mutual and now Chase. People ask me sometimes why no one seems to notice or do anything about the raging financial flames in my painting. I simply say because we're not doing anything in real life! Are you upset? Are you protesting? oil on canvas 24" by 48"

p.s. for fun here is a photo of the painting after the first lay-in and before the fire and details

p.p.s. this painting is going to be in a show at Cerritos College called Architectural Deinforcement, Constructing Disaster and Decay.

alex schaefer on Truthdig

This story is getting around.

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/alex_schaefer_arrested_for_chalking_20120816/

Alex Schaefer inspires "Bankers Behind Bars" t-shirt

I gave this artwork away for free on this blog in the name of protest and look what a friend of mine gave me today! Amazing how the internet and the real world can come together to get some amazing things happening! Thank you Justin! I am in awe. Make one yourself! Update: I want the world to know, I don't care what you do with this graphic. I only hope it spreads. I share it with everyone! It's yours. :)

the Alex Schaefer Hour! August 15th

This week on the Alex Schaefer Hour LIVE at 1pm at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/halotalk/2012/08/15/the-alex-schaefer-hour get the latest on the chalking arrest! I met my lawyer for the first time in person, went to the arraignment, NO CHARGES FILED! In essence, Protest won!! Have fun with Schaefer for an hour, there'll be some good stories to tell. call in! 949-203-4726

Alex Schaefer on Reddit!

Here's a link to the Mother Jones article on reddit:

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/y766u/chalk_up_the_sidewalk_go_to_jail_across_the/

and here a link to the original video on Max Keiser TV:

http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/x2k9r/alex_schaefers_chalking_protest/

NO CHARGES FILED for Alex Schaefer

It was a quick day at arraignment court, my name wasn't even on the roster. The city isn't pressing any charges but they have two weeks to change their mind and mail charges... So I'll check back each week and then if no word, my bond is lifted and I'm a free man again. In the meantime, I need to pick another place to protest! This isn't over by a longshot. My lawyer is going to send me a letter with his constitutional analysis of the situation and outcomes, he outlined there are two ways to move forward with this, the slow way or the fast way. The slow way would be to continue to work this case through the legal system, the fast would would be to find the tallest, shiniest, too big to fail bank tower and have at it again. You know me, I'm all about the fast way! And I know that my lawyer fully supports whatever decision I make. Stay tuned folks, this is just the beginning! Here's a shot of me dressed nice for court, and a nice close up of my notice to appear...

Alex Schaefer in Mother Jones Magazine

Here's a link to a great article in Mother Jones magazine about chalk and protest in America.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/08/war-chalk-arrests

Alex Schaefer's chalk post Arraignment today!

Today is the arraignment! Folks this is just beginning, keep your eyes on this story. I'll update this post with some pictures later today

Alex Schaefer likes this quote by Voltaire

Alex Schaefer Arraignment Countdown

I met my lawyer today for the first time face to face. This is what a couple of Freedom Fighters look like! I can't believe this is happening but it's happening! And still this is just beginning... there are all kinds of directions this case can take but I will continue to take the most direct action and push the limits of civil disobedience and the law. Stay tuned, things are going to get hotter

Bankers Behind Bars

Here's a good theme for the next protest movement: No more fines, only jail time for bank crime. Bankers Behind Bars!

I comped out this logo. It's a take off of the Better Business Bureau logo. It'll make a good stencil!!

This is an original design by me but I'm giving away for anyone to use in their own form of protest. make shirts! stickers! just spread it around!

Alex Schaefer Arraignment Countdown

Wow how exciting, my arraignment is Tuesday August 14th. So I imagine by noon Tuesday we will all get to know the next step in this ongoing saga that is mi vida loca, as they say in LA. Hmm. I don't have any tattoos, but maybe I should get LA and my crazy life on me somethere some day... ahahahahah!

And tomorrow I get to meet my lawyer and take him out to a nice dinner for certain. I can't wait!! He might be able to get what he calls an "over the counter" arraignment so it's possible we might find out Monday! I'll keep you informed and have some pictures to update this post.

And look at my new follower on twitter! :)

I got a letter from a former teacher who is in France right now. He's French and has a revolutionary spirit and he saw the video and emailed me I loved what he wrote here:

"I do not wish you luck, I say get them and confront them and call them out.
I am sure that you will win out
All the best to you my radical friend."

and look at this awesome place I get to visit!

No charges for Goldman Sachs

You have got to be kidding me?!?! Am I reading this right? No charges for Goldman Sachs. So Goldman Sachs is off the hook for their crimes? Goldman Sachs LA office might have to be my next protest once my ongoing case is resolved. Unbelievable. Once again, I have served more time than any bank CEO for this global crime against humanity.

Click the link and read this article: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/08/10-1

Art Threat: Alex Schaefer's Plein Air Protests

wow an awesome article in the KCET ARTBOUND series. Fantastic! Word is spreading. With my arraignment coming Tuesday, I will continue to update this blog and keep my readers informed of the latest. http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/alex-schaefer.html

Alex Schaefer Chalks Chase Bank

This will be settled through the legal system. Wish me luck on my arraignment on August 14th! I will be pleading NOT GUILTY!

the Alex Schaefer Hour! August 8th, 2012

Listen to the Alex Schaefer Hour live at 1pm! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/halotalk/2012/08/08/the-alex-schaefer-hour

My guest will be Meagan Boyd. Friend and artist, we'll talk about life and chalk and protest and art and all things in between; I might paint her. Callers are encouraged: 949-203-4726

here's the latest piece on my easel. The corner of Sunset and Vine

Listen to internet radio with CoaguLAradio on Blog Talk Radio

Alex Schaefer on the Keiser Report

Alex Schaefer, Chalk, and Downtown LA Artwalk

GET ON POINT PEOPLE! I am a chalk protest activist but I DO NOT support "chalkupy" at ArtWalk in Los Angeles. "Chalkupy" Los Angeles has vowed this ArtWalk to keep their protest to Pershing Square and area Banks but I'm afraid of rumors that people from Oakland are coming down to cause trouble wherever it's most crowded, i.e. ArtWalk. Why? What are you protesting at ArtWalk? Artists? Small businesses? Because those are the only people affected by the last "chalk walk", and clashing with the police at that particular event only makes the protestors look bad. Chalk in front of a bank and make a point about it. Occupy Oakland are the same folks pictured smashing American Apparel stores, which is, ironically, local American Manufacturing! WTF??!! Use protest well America, it's sacred and growing more rare. And if the main thought in your heart going into a protest is "Fuck the Police" you are lost.

Wow, thanks. peace on both sides, the people and the police, made for a calm, fun artwalk and not another pointless riot scene. This chalking issue is going to be solved in court once and for all. this was the coolest thing I saw that night

Alex Schaefer interview teaser on the Keiser Report

Full interview goes live tonight! On the internet starting tomorrow. http://keiserreport.com

Alex Schaefer chalks Chase

I thought I'm post this again and get it on the top of my page... This was a drone attack. A surgical strike of protest designed to explode in outrage in the hearts of the American People and the World. To wake us up, again, to reality: inequality, injustice, insanity, inhumanity. our elected representatives utterly fail us. Look for my interview with Max Keiser coming out Monday! also here's a nice piece about it on the internet! http://toobbox.com/blog/meet-alex-schaefer/ and a cool playlist: http://toobbox.com/playlist/alex-schaefer

Burning Wall Street at Cal State Northridge

Mark your calendars, this is going to be a fun show! I'll be at both the Gallery Talk and the Reception on Saturday when they light the whole thing on fire! This is some performance art I can get into!

UPDATE Sept 19th: the Gallery talk has been MOVED to the 27th of Sept. at 2pm

Alex Schaefer in ArtVoices magazine

I got a good review in ArtVoices this month and wanted to post it! To view the image FULL SIZE: click on the image. then control-click the next image and select "view image". Then you can use the zoom tool and voila! Works on all the images I post BTW...

the Alex Schaefer Hour with Marcel DeJure

Listen to internet radio with CoaguLAradio on Blog Talk Radio

Here's a shot of Marcel DeJure and the custom made pants he's creating for me. If you know me, you know I don't put much thought into my clothes and nearly everything I own has paint on it. But these are not just pants, they are ART and Marcel is a genius. Looks like these will be debuting at the Hive Gallery show opening this Saturday! Body Painting is cancelled unfortunately because the city and the Hive are now working out permitting issues that have arisen over this. Hey when you're avant-garde you have to expect the man to be there! ahahhaha But one good thing about it is free admission all summer, come on down and appreciate some art. Since there's no body painting, I think we all need to dress crazy! Wear some art!