Chicago, IL – More than 200 activists from 73 organizations met at the Kent College of Law here, Aug. 28, to lay the groundwork for massive protests at the G8 and NATO summit is scheduled for May of 2012. The conference, initiated by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) served as the founding meeting of the “Coalition Against NATO / G8 War and Poverty Agenda.” Participants agreed that the meeting was a resounding success.

Minneapolis, MN – The framework agreement reached by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Republican politicians is a victory for big corporations and Minnesota’s wealthy. For the rest of us, it is a setback. It is the opposite of what a progressive solution to the state budget crisis should be. The Republican shutdown of state government appears to be ending with a Republican solution to the budget short fall – the burden of the crisis will be shifted onto the backs poor and working people. Again.

_Make the rich pay for the crisis _

St. Paul, MN – Members and supporters of the Welfare Rights Committee gathered on the steps of the state capitol building here, June 30, unfurling a huge banner reading “Tax the rich! No cuts to poor and working people.” Unless Democrat Governor Mark Dayton goes along with the Republican plan to slash the social safety net, the government will shut down at midnight.

Minneapolis, MN – Members and supporters of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression participated in the Heart of the Beast Annual Mayday Parade and festival, receiving an enthusiastic response. Committee members carried a giant puppet of an FBI agent and dressed as witches, symbolizing the FBI and grand jury witch hunt that is being waged against anti-war and international solidarity activists. The parade is a longstanding community event.

As of 4:00 pm, March 15, a major nuclear disaster is underway in Japan. In the wake of Friday’s devastating earthquake, a fire in a cooling pond for spent fuel rods and three major explosions have hit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, located on the country's east coast. There are widespread reports of elevated radiation levels and many residents have fled the area.

Chicago, IL – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is undertaking a national effort to sign up thousands of people to a “Pledge to resist FBI, Grand Jury repression.”

Madison, WI – More than 50 tractors, some with manure spreaders, joined the massive March 12 protest at the Wisconsin state capitol here. The Farmer Labor Tractorcade was organized by the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Family Farm Defenders.

St. Paul, MN – Nearly 2000 people gathered at the state capitol building here, Feb. 26, to support the fight of Wisconsin workers. The noon rally brought out a broad spectrum of trade unions, including the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and Teamsters. Members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other progressive organizations also participated.

Protests also planned at U.S. Embassies

Chicago, IL – “Announcements of additional cities joining the Jan. 25 protests are pouring in. We are going to send a clear message that we have a right to speak out and organize. International solidarity is not a crime,” says Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. To date, actions are planned in 43 cities. A complete list of cites participating is available at Stopfbi.net.

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