News and Views from the People's Struggle
Chicago, IL – More than 400 people braved arctic conditions, protesting in front of the Egyptian consulate here, Feb. 4. Demonstrators chanted, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will see Mubarak fall!” Several speakers called for an end to U.S. aid to Mubarak's regime.
Kalamazoo, MI – Twelve anti-war activists, including a city council member, protested outside the U.S. Federal Building here, Jan. 25. The protest, organized by the newly-formed Kalamazoo Coalition Against Repression, was a part of the national day of actions against government repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Dallas, TX – About 150 people gathered here, Feb. 5, to remember the victims of Egyptian government repression and demand that Hosni Mubarak leave. The protesters came out in spite of the icy roads and heavy pre-Super Bowl traffic. Protesters declared that not only Mubarak but also his vice president, Omar Suleiman, are responsible for the hundreds of murders committed by police and gang members hired by the Mubarak government and that neither one of them could be allowed to oversee Egypt's transition to democracy.
Lima, Peru – After 15 years in prison in Peru, on Jan. 24 U.S. progressive activist Lori Berenson finally won her freedom. Berenson had been jailed in Peru since November 1995. She was initially released from prison last May, only to be rejailed three months later as Peruvian judges went back and forth about whether to continue to imprison her.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement adopted by the General Executive Board of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. In part the statement deals with a 2009 incident at Rock Island, Illinois. The FBI attempted to disrupt the struggle that was being waged by workers at Quad City Die Casting, by slandering trade unionists who were mobilizing support for their effort.
Chicago, IL – Chanting, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will see Mubarak fall,” more than 1000 people demonstrated here, Jan. 29, at the office of the Consulate General of Egypt. The protest in solidarity with the struggle of the people of Egypt was one of many that took place in cities across the U.S.
Khalil Maqdesi, member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) expressed support, Jan. 27, “for the people of Egypt and their struggle for democracy and social justice, as centrally important for all Arab people.”
San José, CA – On Jan. 25, 75 people rallied in front of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and then marched through downtown San José and by the federal building. The march and rally was organized by the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression. The rally was one of many that took place across the U.S., in response to the FBI and Grand Jury witch hunt that has been unleashed on anti-war and Palestine solitary activists.
_Activists “Will Not Participate in” Grand Jury _
Chicago, IL – Speaking at a rally of 350 supporters Jan. 25, Sarah Smith explained that being subpoenaed hasn't had the effect that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wanted. The crowd cheered when she said, “I'm not backing down. In fact, I've been made stronger by the support from all of you to be become more politically active.”
Kiev, Ukraine – 35 protesters gathered at the U.S. Embassy here, Jan. 25, to oppose the repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists in the United States. The demonstration coincided with the day that nine Palestine solidarity activists were called to appear in front of the Grand Jury in Chicago, Illinois.
Milwaukee, WI – Two dozen people protested outside the Federal Building here, joining the Jan. 25 National Day of Action called by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The protests coincide with the day that Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called nine Palestine solitary activists to a grand jury that is aimed at anti-war and international solidarity organizers.
Asheville, NC – Despite freezing rain, 35 protesters gathered in front of the Asheville Federal Building here, Jan. 25, chanting, “Stop the witch hunts, stop the raids – we are here we are not afraid!” The protest was a part of the national day of action in solidarity with the nine newly subpoenaed activists who were called before a grand jury in Chicago.
Minneapolis, MN – Chanting, “From Minnesota to Palestine, solidarity is not a crime,” about 250 demonstrators gathered at the Federal Building here, Jan. 25, to protest FBI and Grand Jury repression that is being directed against anti-war and Palestine solidarity activists. Protesters were forced to jostle for standing and picketing room between high banks of ice and snow on the sidewalks and plaza.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following message by Lynne Stewart to the Jan. 25 protests against the FBI and Grand Jury witch hunt that has been unleashed on anti-war and international solidarity activists. Lynne Stewart, a heroic and long-time progressive lawyer, is serving a ten-year prison sentence in Fort Worth, Texas for allegedly helping terrorists. Her courage and determination stand as an example to all of us who are working for peace, justice and equality.
Minneapolis, MN – On Jan. 20, dozens of Latino immigrants who were among the hundreds fired from Chipotle Mexican Grill throughout Minnesota last month protested at a downtown Minneapolis Chipotle. At the protest the workers entered the store, while eight of the workers’ allies chained themselves together inside the store until they were arrested. The workers and their supporters are demanding justice from Chipotle.
Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Resources Protection Council, the Center for Biological Diversity and Laura Gauger filed a Clean Water Act citizen suit Jan. 18 against Flambeau Mining Company over its partially reclaimed Flambeau Mine near Ladysmith, Wisconsin. According to the suit, the mining company is violating federal law by discharging pollutants, including potentially toxic metals like copper, iron and zinc, into the Flambeau River and a tributary known as Stream C that flows across the company’s property.
Los Angeles, CA – Angry Black and Latino activists held a protest at a fancy dinner party where U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was speaking to honor Martin Luther King, Jan. 17. The Martin Luther King Coalition for Jobs, Justice and Peace; LA Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant; Latinos Against War; Fight Back News and other allies protested the visit of the attorney general at the annual MLK SCLC gala dinner to call out how the FBI attacked and harassed Reverend King and continues those same attacks today.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) urging students to join the Jan. 25 protests to stop the FBI and grand jury witch hunt directed against anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Chicago, IL – “Every day more cities are signing on to the call for the January 25 protests against the Grand Jury witch hunt that’s being directed against anti-war and international solidarity activists,” states Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.
Minneapolis, MN – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has issued a leaflet on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the struggle against political repression. Tom Burke, a spokesperson for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges activists to distribute the flyer at Martin Luther King Day events, stating, “Dr. King was a giant in the struggle for equality, peace and justice, and the FBI did its best to destroy him. Distributing this flyer at MLK Day events brings out an important message about the government’s continuing attempts to repress movements that are working for social justice.”