Fort Lauderdale, FL – Over 250 people gathered at the Federal Courthouse here, Aug. 2 to protest U.S. support for Israeli terrorism in Gaza. As the bombs continued to drop on the people of Gaza, people of South Florida joined together to stand in solidarity with Palestine and demand an end to U.S. aid to Israel. This was the third major rally for Palestine in South Florida in three weeks.

Tampa, FL – On July 31, two dozen protesters gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Ybor City, demanding President Obama extend protection to incoming refugee children from Central America. The protesters stood in front of the office doors, brandishing signs and chanting, “Liberation! Not deportation!” The ICE office directs the detentions of undocumented immigrants in the Tampa Bay area.

St. Paul, MN – 150 people gathered here for Women Against Military Madness’ weekly Friday Palestine vigil, Aug. 1, at the intersection of Summit and Snelling Avenues. Protesters chanted “Free Palestine” and got honks from drivers. This was the third Friday vigil since the start of the recent upsurge in Palestine.

Tampa, FL – Local anti-war activists met in front of the Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse on Aug. 1 to demand, “Drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh!” This was in response to her pre-trial hearing in Detroit the day before, on July 31. Rasmea Odeh’s defense attorney Michael Deutsch had made a motion for Judge Borman to step down due to his political and financial support for Israel. In the Detroit courtroom, Judge Borman responded by refusing to recuse himself from the trial, claiming he could be fair and impartial, and that his donations were purely charitable.

St. Paul, MN – More than 300 people demonstrated in front of Senator Al Franken’s campaign office here, July 30, while 15 people were arrested for civil disobedience inside his office. This protest was the ninth demonstration in solidarity with the people of Palestine in recent weeks in Minnesota.

Chicago, IL – A die-in was held inside Chicago City Hall, July 30, to demand Boeing Company be dropped as a sponsor for the summer Air and Water Show next month. 40 protesters dropped to the floor, holding signs with the names of the dead in Gaza from Israel’s three week long war.

Fox Point, WI ­ 350 people gathered for a counter­demonstration against an ‘Israel Solidarity Gathering’ held at Congregation Shalom in the Milwaukee suburb of Fox Point, July 27. Supporters of Palestine gathered across the street from the pro­-Israel event for two and a half hours, at one point enduring a thunderstorm.

Naples, FL – In the early morning of July 16, one of Florida's biggest workplace raids led to 160 employees being investigated, with at least 16 under arrest.

Minneapolis, MN — On July 26, dozens of Twin Cities activists gathered in South Minneapolis to support the University of Minnesota’s Students for a Democratic Society (UMN SDS) chapter in its push to promote and fundraise for the 2014 SDS National Convention. UMN SDS joined with local anti-war groups in organizing the community party to generate both funds and excitement for Minneapolis’ selection as the hosting site for the SDS National Convention in mid-October.

Salt Lake City, UT – Over 100 people gathered in downtown here, July 25, to protest the Israeli military invasion of Gaza and the oppression of the Palestinian people. This is the second protest in the city since the start of Israel’s ground war on Gaza.

Chicago, IL – A counter demonstration to the July 28 “Chicago Stands With Israel” rally is being organized by Coalition for Justice in Palestine.

Chicago, IL – Chanting, “Gaza, Gaza, Gaza,” a crowd estimated by organizers at 15,000 people marched in Chicago July 26. Sponsored by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine, the march is the sixth mass protest sponsored by the coalition since July 5.

St. Paul, MN – More than 200 people gathered at the busy intersection of Snelling and Summit Avenues here, July 25, to protest the continued war on Gaza and the U.S. support for the Israeli assault. This protest was the eighth demonstration to stand with the people of Gaza in the past three week in the Twin Cities.

Double standard, special treatment for supporters of Israeli violence

Chicago, IL – Chicago’s supporters of Israel must have mistaken West Madison Avenue for the West Bank, say activists opposed to Israel’s assault on Gaza, because they harassed and assaulted counter-protesters with impunity at a pro-bombing rally, July 23.

St. Paul, MN – More than 500 people gathered on the Marshall Avenue/Lake Street Bridge that spans the Mississippi River, July 23, for the weekly peace bridge vigil that this week focused on Palestine. This is the fourth Twin Cities protest in two weeks against the Israeli attack on Palestine. The death toll in Gaza has increased to over 600 people since the ground invasion began. Over 100,000 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes.

St. Paul, MN – More than 500 people gathered on the Marshall Avenue/Lake Street Bridge that spans the Mississippi River, July 23, for the weekly peace bridge vigil that this week focused on Palestine. This is the fourth Twin Cities protest in two weeks against the Israeli attack on Palestine. The death toll in Gaza has increased to over 600 people since the ground invasion began. Over 100,000 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes.

Chicago, IL – Hundreds of protesters stood across the street from the Israeli consulate here, July 22, shouting, “Hey, Israel, waddya say? How many kids did you kill today?” They aimed their voices at a smaller crowd that waived Israeli flags and who gathered directly in front of the consulate in a show of support for the murderous assault on Gaza over the past two weeks.

The Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced that it captured an Israeli soldier July 20. According a statement from the Information Office of the Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades, the name of the occupation force solider is Shaul Aaron and his military number 6092065.

Chicago, IL – 4000 delegates from throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico gathered here, July 14 -18, for the International Convention of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Under the banner, “Bold, Brave, and Determined,” delegates discussed the impact of recent attacks on public sector unions and strategies for strengthening the labor movement.