Communist Party of the Philippines: Defend human rights against state terrorism

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following March 21 editorial from Ang Bayan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

News and Views from the People's Struggle

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.

Chicago, IL — Tyrone Williams, a leader in the fight for community control of the police in Chicago, was arrested yesterday by the judge in the murder trial of Jason Van Dyke. Van Dyke committed the heinous murder of Laquan McDonald in 2014. Judge Gaughan has repeatedly ordered arrests of community members in the court room for minor infractions, while allowing the defense attorney endless delays to the start of the trial. In this photo, Williams speaks at a Black History Month program about the campaign for an elected civilian police accountability council (CPAC). He is a member of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, as well as Freedom Road Socialist Organization.
#ChicagoIL #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Antiracism #LaquanMcDonald

Minneapolis, MN — About 100 people rallied here, March 8, to mark International Women’s Day. Loretta Van Pelt, of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, told the crowd, “We in Freedom Road know the enemy is bigger than Trump. And we call out that enemy. It is the capitalist class. We see the oppression and patriarchy that they try to shove down our throats. Their system that says women should work for peanuts, or work for free, and silently accept the abuses that ruin our lives. But we will not be silent! Today, on International Women’s Day, we shout our rage.”
Minneapolis, MN — Plans are underway to mark International Women’s Day with an outdoor rally, March 8, 5 p.m., at Mayday Plaza, 301 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis. Organized by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the event has been endorsed by Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, Anti-War Committee, Women Against Military Madness, Minnesota Peace Action Coalition, Welfare Rights Committee, Native Lives Matter, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of Minnesota, and Women's March MN.
Milwaukee, WI – Immigrants and community members gathered March 5 on Milwaukee’s south side, where the Young Peoples Resistance Committee (YPRC) led a rally, demanding that President Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress introduce legislation to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

Los Angeles, CA — An event commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the East L.A. Chicano walkouts was held at the Benjamin Franklin Library on March 3, 2018. Organized by adult librarian Patty Alvarado and Centro CSO, dozens attended the historic commemoration. Among those in attendance were Sal Castro’s son Gilbert Castro. Sal Castro was a Chicano public-school teacher who helped organized the walkouts.

Oshkosh, WI – On Mar. 5, more than 50 students participated in a march around the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) campus which culminated in the public announcement of a list of demands developed by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), followed immediately by the delivery of a letter containing the list to campus administration.