Protesters Gather Outside Schwarzenegger's Party!

Protesters outraged at Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed changes to state pensions and teacher salaries gathered outside a hotel last night, where the Governor was holding a lavish fund-raiser to support his agenda.

Nurses, fire-fighters and teachers spilled into the street outside the Century City hotel Wednesday, calling for the governor's ouster and waving placards that read, "California not for sale" and "Don't privatize retirement security."

Police said there were approximately 1,500 protesters, however no arrests were made.

The protest was the latest in a series of actions by a loosely affiliated group of union members, Democrats and others designed to frustrate Schwarzenegger's plans.

The Republican Governor has called for series of changes to everything from public employee pensions to how legislative districts are drawn, in order to create a level balance on the California state budget. Opponents have challenged Schwarzenegger's policies in court, run TV ads against him and staged street demonstrations.

Schwarzenegger has been organizing a state-wide petition drive to take his proposals directly to the voters in a special election expected this fall, raising an estimated $50 million he said he needs for the campaign.

" Arnold anticipated that the special interests would start crying foul play when he was trying to bring about reform," Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson said. "Right now, the unions are fighting for their own interests. The Governor is fighting for the people's interest."

Police temporarily closed off the street outside the hotel as the crowd swelled, snarling afternoon rush hour traffic.

Global Arnold Staff