Dear readers,

Estimados lectores,

St. Paul, MN – A pesar de una de las peores tormentas de nieve que hemos visto desde hace mucho tiempo, la gente de bajos recursos llegó a la capital este 2 de febrero, para exigir que los legisladores deshagan los recortes a la asistencia pública. La protesta fue organizada por el Comité para los Derechos a la Asistencia Pública (Welfare Rights Committee) y la Coalición de Minnesota para los Derechos a la Asistencia Pública (MN Welfare Rights Coalition). Más de cien personas de bajos recursos les dijeron a los políticos minnesoteños que es hora de cobrarles más impuestos a la gente rica, para poder cumplir con las necesidades de la gente más necesitada. La hora de la manifestación correspondió con el primer día de sesiones de la asamblea legislativa del estado de Minnesota.

A special issue of Fight Back! prepared for the protests at the Republican National Convention is now available online here along with other coverage of protests at the RNC.

St. Paul, MN – A picket line and press conference took place here Nov. 1, at the office of the police community service unit, to announce that the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War has submitted another application to demonstrate at the Republican National Convention. Permits for protests and demonstrations in Saint Paul are submitted to this office.

St. Paul, MN – Standing in front to the Xcel Center, Sept. 1, the site of next year’s Republican National Convention, organizers of the massive protest planned against the war on Iraq pressed their demand for permits. The city of Saint Paul has refused to issue permits and is having subcommittees of the city’s so-called Free Speech Committee meeting in secret. Speakers – including members of Women Against Military Madness, the Welfare Rights Committee and the Anti-War Committee – made it clear that would fight any attempt to restrict their right to protest against the Iraq war at the Republican National Convention.

Minneapolis, MN – Activists planning protests at the Republican National Convention packed a city hall conference room here, Aug. 8, to blast a proposed ordinance that would place big restrictions on the right to demonstrate. Deb Konechne of the Welfare Rights Committee told members of the city government’s ‘Free Speech Working Group’ that the proposal was trash.

Dear Readers,

For 78 days the people and government of Yugoslavia resisted attempts by the United States and NATO to occupy the province of Kosovo. In Belgrade and other cities, patriotic people gathered on bridges, in factories and TV stations to thwart NATO bombing runs. NATO responded by destroying hospitals, nursing homes, and churches. The destruction of the Chinese embassy, an act of premeditated murder, sent the clear message, “We will stop at nothing.”

Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Welfare Rights Coalition has issued a call for all progressive organizations to sign a declaration against the five-year limit on welfare. It is reprinted below.

U.S General Tommy Franks, the commander of U.S. and British forces during the war on Iraq, has been named in a war crimes case, filed in a Belgian court. Belgian law allows cases to be brought before its courts in response to violations of International Humanitarian Law.

Surrounded by American troops, a handful of the media were summoned June 28 to witness a truly strange event – Paul Bremer, the U.S. head of Iraq’s occupation, announcing a ‘transfer of power’ to a government headed by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.

St Paul, MN – Braving one of the worst blizzards in recent memory, low-income people converged on the state capitol, Feb 2, to demand that lawmakers undo the cuts to public assistance. Organized by the twin cities-based Welfare Rights Committee and the statewide MN Welfare Rights Coalition, more than one hundred low-income people told Minnesota politicians that it's time to tax the rich and meet the needs of the poor. The rally was timed to coincide with the opening day of the state legislature.

Colombian revolutionary Ricardo Palmera will spend the upcoming holiday season in a jail outside Washington D.C. The FARC leader will have no visitors. He is forbidden to see or talk with friends and family. The National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera is urging everyone who is concerned about justice to send Palmera a holiday greeting card.

Washington DC - Smiling at supporters with his fist in the air, Ricardo Palmera, a leading Colombian rebel was led from the courtroom by guards Oct. 12. Palmera, a negotiator and spokesperson for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was kidnapped and brought to the United States. He is now on trial in Federal Court.

Washington D.C. – Colombian revolutionary Ricardo Palmera goes on trial here Oct. 10, in one of the most bizarre cases ever. Palmera is a negotiator for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the FARC. The FARC controls 40% of Colombia and has 27,000 armed fighters. The trial of Palmera is an attempt by the Bush administration to criminalize a national liberation movement.

Chicago, IL – Chanting, “CIA! NED! Hands off Venezuela!” more than 100 trade unionists and other progressive activists braved one of the hottest days in Chicago’s history to rally here, July 24. They demanded that the AFL-CIO break its ties with the U.S. government’s National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The National Endowment for Democracy has worked to overthrow the progressive government of Venezuela, headed by Hugo Chavez, and has bankrolled right-wing organizations all over the world.

Flint, MI – Chanting, “Not one dollar, not one dime! Cutting wages is a crime!” more than 75 auto workers joined together here for a spirited picket line at the Delphi auto parts plant, Feb. 16. Many on the picket line were members of the rank-and-file auto workers organization, Soldiers of Solidarity. Coinciding with the end of sparkplug production at the plant, the protest slammed Delphi/GM’s demands for concessions.

As Fight Back! goes to press, a key battle for the working class is shaping up in West Coast ports. On one side stands the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU), which has mobilized strong support from West Coast labor. On the other side is the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), a coalition of shipping companies. Behind the PMA stand big business and the Bush Administration.

Benton Harbor, MI – On June 17, the African American community of this southern Michigan city rebelled against police terror. Police chased down, without justification, a 28-year old Black motorcyclist, Terrance Shurn. According to witnesses, they rammed his motorcycle from behind, causing it to crash into an abandoned house. Shun was killed. The pursuing officers gave each other high-fives. The cops then kicked his body.