News and Views from the People's Struggle
Minneapolis, MN – Steff Yorek, the Political Secretary of Freedom Road Socialist Organization sharply condemned the Israeli authorities for opening fire on the massive, March 30, Great March of Return protests in Gaza, Palestine. Early reports indicate that at least seven Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured.
New York, NY – Over 1000 people gathered at Columbus Circle in New York City on March 28, to protest the police killing of Stephon Clark. Clark was a 22-year-old unarmed Black man who was shot 20 times and killed by police officers in Sacramento, California.
Chicago, IL – A prominent leader of the movement against police crimes, Frank Chapman, of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, condemned the March 27 decision by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry to not prosecute the Baton Rouge, Louisiana cops who murdered Alton Sterling in July 2016.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Mindanao.
St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Anti-War Committee and Women Against Military Madness will hold a protest on March 30, 5 p.m., at the Summit and Snelling Avenues, in Saint Paul to mark Palestinian Land Day. Palestinians around the world will commemorate Land Day, a day in 1976 when Israeli military forces shot and killed six young Palestinians who were among thousands protesting the Israeli government’s expropriation of Palestinian land.
Chicago, IL – People power prevailed over the racist Cook County court system on March 15 as Tyrone Williams, a leader in the movement for community control of the police, was released from jail after being held incommunicado for seven days.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following March 21 editorial from Ang Bayan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Minneapolis, MN — On March 20, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced charges against former Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor for the murder of Justine Damond. That same night, Justice for Justine Damond and the rest of the Twin Cities anti-police crimes movement came together to demand #Justice4All with a rally of around 100 people. March 21 was Noor’s first appearance in court.
México City, México – Fight Back! interviewed leaders of the militant teachers union in Oaxaca, México – the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) Section 22. The interview was done on March 5, during the 18th Congress of the World Federation of Teachers Unions (FISE) in Mexico City. In this interview, CNTE Section 22 leaders talk about the history of militant teachers’ struggle in Oaxaca and their current struggles to stop neoliberal education reform while confronting serious state repression.
Minneapolis, MN – It may have been Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, but the sea of green in downtown Minneapolis was not a display of holiday revelry, it was a sign of an important labor struggle, as over 200 AFSCME Hennepin County Medical Center clerical and technical workers, along with supporters, picketed to demand a decent contract.
Milwaukee, WI – On March 16, more than 50 community members celebrated International Women’s Day, an annual event hosted by Milwaukee’s Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). The event addressed the struggle for women’s liberation and the vital work that women do in our communities.
Fight Back! interviewed Chicago Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa and Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression about the struggle for an elected, civilian police accountability council (CPAC). The legislation to create this ordinance was sponsored by Alderman Rosa and eight other members of the Chicago City Council.
Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Anti-War Committee issued the following action alert to its supporters on March 15 after the Trump administration announced the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State and the nomination of Deputy Director Gina Haspel for CIA director. Fight Back! is circulating the call for constituents to contact their senators.
Panama City, Panama – The World Working Women’s Congress of the World Federation of Trade Unions was held in Panama City March 8 through 10. Militant women trade union leaders from around the world gathered under the slogan, “We fight for equal rights at work, in society and in life.”
México City, México – Fight Back! News interviewed Ibai Redondo, a representative of the teachers union that’s part of the union federation Langile Abertzaleen Batzordeak (LAB) in the Basque Country. The interview was done on March 5, 2018 at the 18th Congress of the World Federation of Teachers Unions (FISE) in Mexico City. In this interview, Redondo speaks about why there is a struggle in the Basque Country for independence from Spain, his perspective on the European Union, and some of the struggles that the teachers union is waging.
New York, NY – On March 10 approximately 60 people gathered on the corner at the entrance to Penn Station for an International Working Women’s Day rally.
México City, México – On March 5, Fight Back! News interviewed Niurka González Orberá, the General Secretary of the Cuban Union of Education, Science, and Sports Workers (SNTECD). The interview was done at the 18th Congress of the World Federation of Teachers Unions (FISE) in Mexico City.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following March 9 statement by Ka Madaay Gasic, Spokesperson, New People’s Army (NPA) -Mindoro (Lucio De Guzman Command).
Chicago, IL – Women from the national liberation struggles and the working class were honored at Freedom Road Socialist Organization’s annual event in Chicago, March 10, to celebrate International Women’s Day. More than 60 activists heard about the Black liberation movement icons, Marion Stamps and Sylvia Woods.
México City, México – On March 5 the World Federation of Teachers Unions (FISE) successfully concluded its 18th Congress in México City. Militant teachers and education workers from around the world gathered to strategize how to resist regressive ‘education reform’ proposals that capitalist governments are pushing forward in country after country to corporatize and privatize public education.