Free Republic

Fourth of July descended into mayhem across Southern California as unruly crowds overwhelmed packed-out fireworks displays, looted stores, ignited fires and saw cops charge on horseback. The worst unrest erupted in Newport Beach, where Independence Day revelers poured into Orange County, choking traffic and triggering a police response as disorder spread near the pier. Authorities ultimately shut down businesses from the Newport Pier to Pacific Coast Highway as officers moved in to restore order. Officers were swarmed by hundreds of people who hurled bottles and other debris at them before the crowd turned on one another and began fighting. Mounted...

Albertsons is closing additional stores and cutting jobs nationwide as it works to stabilize operations following the collapse of its $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, intensifying pressure on the grocery chain.The Boise, Idaho-based company — which operates banners including Safeway, Vons and Pavilions — has announced a new round of closures in recent weeks as it pivots to cost-cutting and operational changes.

Grocery Union Threatens Pickets Across U.S., Canada Tue Dec 16, 7:55 PM ET By Sue Zeidler LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Union leaders on Tuesday called for pickets of Safeway stores across North America in support of 70,000 Southern California grocery workers who have been out of work for two months in a contract dispute with Safeway and two other leading chains. Over the next few weeks, the United Food and Commercial Workers union said it would ask consumers not to shop at Safeway stores. Protests could also broaden to include acts of civil disobedience by supporting religious groups, a union...

Markets to close stores on Thanksgiving due to labor dispute ALEX VEIGA Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Doors will be closed Thanksgiving Day at nearly 860 Southern California supermarkets because of the labor dispute between three supermarket operators and some 70,000 striking or locked-out grocery clerks.The chains' stores - Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Ralphs - traditionally have opened for business for at least a few hours on Thanksgiving Day. They decided last week, however, not to open during the holiday. The stores will reopen Friday. (snip) The union turned up the pressure on the chains Monday by extending its picket...