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.

Washington, DC – The authoritative Lebanese news outlet Al-Manar is reporting that the Yemeni resistance scored a victory over the U.S.-backed Saudi military on June 1. The report states, “Dozens of Saudi soldiers were killed and scores were captured in an attack carried out by the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees on a Saudi camp in Asir region.”

St. Paul, MN – Palestine solidarity protesters gathered at the busy intersection of Summit and Snelling Avenues here, May 29, to demand Israel immediately halt air strikes on Gaza and for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Los Angeles, CA – In a two to one decision, The federal Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Legal Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the extension of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) will be delayed while an anti-immigrant challenge from Texas state government and others continues to move thorough the court system. These measures would have provided some relief to about 5 million (of the 11 million) undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP).

Interview with a striking teacher

Seattle teachers participated in a one-day walkout strike on May 19. Teachers on the eastern side of Washington state are participating today, May 21. While it is illegal for public school teachers to strike, hundreds of brave teachers, along with other school employees, will be walking off the job to demand that their schools be funded, and that budget cuts against them end now. Fight Back! interviewed Chuck Saari, a public school teacher in the city of Kennewick who is striking today.

Milwaukee, WI – Over 60 people demonstrated here May 15 to commemorate Al-Nakba at a busy intersection downtown.

Fight Back! News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.