Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

Fern

By Fern

Chicago, IL – Over 300 people gathered on Saturday, May 19 in a Chicago park to demand healthcare, not warfare. Protesters gathered outside a CTA train station and then rallied at Horner Park on the North Side. Protest leaders gave speeches opposing the war and poverty agenda of the NATO and G8 summits. They demanded money for healthcare and ending homelessness here at home, not for the war in Afghanistan.

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By Fern

The Coalition marches towards Tampa City Hall.

Tampa, FL – Over 30 supporters rallied here, April 10, in Joe Chillura Park to demand permits to march on the Republican National Convention and to slam the “Clean Zone” ordinance. The Clean Zone ordinance proposed by the city government of Tampa would place massive restrictions on any sort of demonstration against the RNC in August. Restrictions include what sort of everyday items protestors could bring to protests and would place any and all actions against the RNC far away from the convention center – effectively silencing any opposition to the Republican agenda of war and poverty.

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By Fern

Gainesville SDS MC Chrisley Carpio introduced the speakers at Turlington Plaza

Gainesville, FL – Over 200 students, community activists and supporters rallied and marched from the University of Florida campus to the downtown FBI office on March 26, demanding justice for Trayvon Martin. Organizers of the rally brought forward two main demands: Arrest George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin and fire the police involved in the case for obstructing justice and covering-up the truth.

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By Fern

Students learn all about tuition hikes

Gainesville, FL – Students at the University of Florida (UF) got a real taste of fear this past week when members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) hosted the “Tuition Hikes House of Horrors.” SDS created a walk in haunted house filled with information about the scary 15% tuition hikes the University of Florida administrators are imposing.

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By Fern

Far left Graham Picklesimer, GAU Co-Bargaining Chair, Steve Picklesimer, Highlan

Orlando, FL – The Florida Education Association (FEA) held their 2011 Delegate Assembly Oct. 27-29 at the Rosen Centre Hotel of Orlando, Florida, with the theme of “We Are One – Union Strong.” The event opened with the famous IWW Solidarity Forever union song and was attended by more than 600 delegates from all over the state of Florida.

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By Fern

SDS Organizer Diana Moreno at Occupy Gainesville Assembly

Gainesville, FL – The ongoing Occupy Wall Street protests finally reached here on Oct. 5. Working people and students from across Gainesville converged on the downtown farmers market to hold the first Occupy Gainesville assembly.

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By Fern

"Gators Stand Against Tuition Hikes" banner

Gainesville, FL – 80 members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and their allies participated in a march here, Sept. 16, against annual tuition hikes planned by administrators at the University of Florida (UF). Administrators say they will raise tuition by 15% or more each year through 2019.

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By Fern

Members of SDS & SJP speak out for Palestinian statehood at Univ. of Florida

Gainesville, FL – On Sept 14, the University of Florida chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied together in favor of Palestine’s United Nation’s bid for statehood. About 30 students came together in Turlington Plaza to chant and hold signs supporting the Palestinian liberation struggle.

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By Fern

SDS Organizer Chrisley Carpio leads the Dec. 9 2010 rally against block tuition

Gainesville, FL – The group Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in Gainesville has a new reason to celebrate. On Sept. 6, student activists at the University of Florida (UF) defeated the block tuition system proposed by the administration and their Board of Trustees.

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By Fern

Jose Soto speaks on victories attained by GAU and the student fees campaign

Gainesville, FL – The Graduate Assistants Union (GAU) and allies from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied against student fees leveled upon graduate students at the University of Florida, Aug. 16. Volunteers began by leafleting and talking to teaching assistant employees about the importance of banding together and fighting for the union that provides them with healthcare and pay stipends. Many graduate students are surprised to learn that without the union, fees would go up every year like other campuses. Now the GAU union hopes to eliminate the fees, making graduate school more affordable for everyone. Most graduate student employees understand how poorly the administration treats them, despite teaching almost 50% of all undergraduate courses.

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