Central Los Angeles : After 23 Days in Park, Sit-In Is No Picnic for Activist

CaShears--a ballad singer turned grass-roots activist--had spent, by Thursday, 23 consecutive days and nights sitting in a recliner in Leimert Park to protest former Gen. Colin Powell’s decision not to run for president.

“It’s lonely. It’s cold. And it’s dangerous,” CaShears said, smiling and eating fresh pecans a man brought him. “This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

CaShears (he has gone by that single name for years as an entertainer) began his sit-in Nov. 13, the week after Powell announced that he would not seek office. He has vowed to sit in the park, day and night, until Powell either decides to run or comes to Leimert Park, in person, to tell CaShears why he does not want to be president.

People bring him food--a pastrami sandwich, banana nut rolls and baked chicken--and check on him, CaShears said.

Meanwhile, members of the local Citizens for Powell Committee, whose headquarters is down the street from Leimert Park on Crenshaw Boulevard, are preparing to fly to New Hampshire to rally voters to write in Powell as a presidential nominee in the primaries.

Since his outdoor protest began, CaShears appears to have lost a little weight. His skin has gotten darker and drier from all the exposure, but he has not lost his spirit.

“It’s important for people to see a smile on my face,” he said.

Every morning, CaShears said he is awakened by an elderly woman at 6:30 a.m. when she gets off the bus at the park. His daily routine is to run 15 laps around the park, and then clean up and shave in the small mobile home he has parked a few yards away.

He said he still believes Powell may change his mind, or at least visit the park. “I can visualize him here and I believe he’s that kind of man,” he said.

A spokesman for Powell said the former general does know of CaShears’ protest but has no plans to visit.