U.S. Social Forum – San Jose June 24-28

San Jose , CA – The U.S. Social Forum begins today, June 24, here in San Jose with a concurrent site in Philadelphia. The event is bringing together many different sections of the people’s movement under the slogan “Another World is Possible, Another System is Necessary.”

Chicago, IL – Internationally recognized experts on the effects of torture are weighing in on the appeal of prominent Palestinian American activist Rasmea Odeh, who is challenging her unjust November 2014 conviction on an immigration charge. Odeh, who was tortured and raped in an Israeli prison, was denied the right to present a meaningful defense in her Detroit trial last year.

Chicago, IL – Standing in solidarity with the memories of those massacred in Charleston, South Carolina, activists here in Chicago linked their murders with the national epidemic of police crimes.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following call from the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera. We encourage all of our readers to support this effort. Peace for Colombia! Free Simon Trinidad! National Call-in Day to the White House: Thursday, June 25th, 2015, 8am-5pm EST Call the White House at (202) 456-1111

Fight Back! News Service is circulating the following call of the All Workers Militant Front (PAME), a fighting organization of Greek workers, for mass protests June 23. DEMONSTRATION OF PAME JUNE 23 ALL TO THE STREETS

Durham, NC – Over 200 people gathered in east Durham on June 20 to rally and speak out against the white supremacist terror attack in Charleston that left nine African Americans dead earlier this week. The rally, organized by the Durham Solidarity Center, included speakers from Muslims for Social Justice, Black Workers for Justice, Workers World Party, as well as other activists and organizers in the community.

Chicago, IL – “Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, South Carolina, is a sacred shrine of the Black liberation movement, but it has been turned into the site of a racist massacre of Black people,” said Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

Minneapolis, MN – A highly visible anti-war protest was held in the Twin Cities June 17 to speak out against the decision by the Obama administration, announced last week, to send additional U.S. troops to Iraq.

Chicago, IL – 200 community activists met here June 13, to learn how civilian control of the police can curb police crimes in oppressed nationality communities. The event was organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which has been organizing to win an elected Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC).

Phoenix, AZ – 200 immigrant detainees began a hunger strike on June 13, at the for-profit Eloy Detention Center run by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). The hunger strike is in response to two recent deaths of detainees at the hands of guards who are believed to have used excessive force.

Minneapolis, MN – University of Minnesota campus union workers, holding signs demanding “raises and respect“ held a press conference regarding the U of M proposed budget before testifying at the board of regents public budget hearing.

Chicago, IL – Lead defense attorney Michael Deutsch filed a brief, June 9, with the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, to appeal the conviction and sentencing of Palestinian community leader Rasmea Odeh.

_Condemn police violence, racism _

McKinney, TX – About 300 protesters gathered at the McKinney police station, June 8, to condemn the police violence shown on the now infamous McKinney swimming pool video. About 20 people spoke, discussing police violence, the police focus on the black teenagers, and the racist neighbors that responded to a pool party that had black guests by calling the police.

Chicago, IL – 5000 teachers and their supporters marched in the Chicago Teachers Union first major contract mobilization, June 9. Their slogan was “A Fair Contract and A Just Chicago,” continuing their tradition of fighting for the needs of the working class as well as their members.

Milwaukee, WI – A coalition of Palestine Solidarity groups in the Milwaukee area will host an event in solidarity with Palestinian hero Rasmea Odeh. The live stream with Odeh's lawyer, Michael Deutsch, will take place at 6:00 p.m., June 11 at the People's Books Co-op, located at 804 E. Center Street in Milwaukee.

Minneapolis, MN –Black Lives Matters Minneapolis issued a statement, June 7, in response to police abuse at a pool party of Black youth in McKinney, TX. Videos of the incident are receiving wide circulation on social media.

Scud missile launched against Saudi airbase

Washington, D.C. – In the context of a Saudi massive bombing campaign, the Army of Yemen, with the backing of Popular Committees, struck back by launching a scud missile at the Prince Khaled airbase, located in the southwestern Saudi city of Khamees Mushait. The government of Saudi Arabia says that the missile was shot down with its U.S.-supplied Patriot missile system.

Minneapolis, MN – After months of organizing and community pressure, the Minneapolis city council voted 12-1 to repeal laws against lurking and spitting, June 5. These laws, disproportionately enforced against African Americans and other oppressed nationalities, had been criticized as “Minneapolis Black Codes.”

Washington DC – 26 years after the People’s Republic of China turned back an attempt to overthrow socialism, the U.S. State Department issued a statement, June 3, complaining about the “Chinese government’s violent suppression of peaceful protests in and around Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.”

Madison, WI – Last month, the Republican-dominated State Assembly continued their attempts to shame the 856,000 Wisconsin people using the food stamp program (called FoodShare), passing measures that would restrict what food could be purchased and requiring drug testing. The senate has yet to take up the measures. Governor Scott Walker has been advocating for the changes.