Minneapolis, MN – On January 14, a jury found a group of seven anti-war protesters not guilty of trespassing at a Minneapolis National Guard recruiting office last March. The charges stemmed from an incident that was part of a series of demonstrations organized to mark the 5th anniversary of the U.S. war in Iraq. On March 27, 2008, hundreds rallied and marched against the war on the University of Minnesota campus. That afternoon, a group of protesters organized by the Anti-War Committee attempted to enter the National Guard recruiting center located on the second floor of 825 Washington Avenue SE. After finding the doors locked and police waiting, they remained in the hallway and continued their demonstration. Police informed them that “the building owner doesn't want you here,” but they refused to leave. Sixteen people were arrested for trespassing.
Chicago, IL – Fifteen opponents of the Israeli siege on Gaza entered the Federal Building here, Jan. 16, and executed a sit-in at the offices of Senator Dick Durbin. Durbin had co-sponsored a resolution that gave the green light to Israel to continue the attack on Palestinians.
St. Paul, MN – At a press conference here, Feb. 6, Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee announced that the City of Saint Paul is spending $5000 to resolve a lawsuit that was filed by attorneys representing Mick Kelly. Kelly, an organizer for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, was arrested outside the Xcel Center June 5, 2008 while passing out leaflets at the Obama rally. He was promoting the Sept. 1 anti-war march at the Republican National Convention. Police placed him under arrest, then he was searched, put in a squad car and taken to the old police headquarters where he was cited for soliciting and peddling.
Chicago, IL – Sherri Taylor-Kennedy was insulted and angry at her employer. “When I got here I was informed that my position had been eliminated. I had 30 minutes to gather my belongings and be escorted off the premises.” She spoke out at a protest rally Feb. 10 to 200 co-workers and supporters at the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC).
Former Teamsters 743 President Hit with New Indictment
Chicago, IL – On Jan. 22, another federal indictment was brought against Robert Walston, the former Teamster president who in 2001 and 2004 stole elections in Local 743. This time he is charged with trafficking in cocaine. He had been driving from Chicago to Texas in June 2007 when he was picked up with $135,000 in his car. The Feds had been keeping tabs on him and knew he was going to buy up to 5 kilograms of coke with that money.
St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota People’s Bailout legislation was introduced in the Minnesota State Senate and House, Feb. 9. Authored by Senator David J. Tomassoni (D-Chisholm), and Representative David Bly (D-Northfield) the Minnesota People’s Bailout Act is a legislative attempt to protect the interests of low-income and working Minnesotans from the worst effects of the deepening economic crisis in Minnesota and the nation.
Venezuelan socialists netted another electoral victory, Feb. 15, winning a popular referendum on constitutional changes. The changes will remove the two-term limit on elected office.
The Colombia Action Network is organizing events in six cities to honor and remember those killed by the U.S.-backed war in Colombia. March 1 is significant because one year ago the U.S. government directed an attack inside Ecuador that killed Raul Reyes and 25 others. Raul Reyes was a commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP). Angela Denio who will be speaking in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said, “We will remember the brave Colombian rebels, Ecuadorian supporters and Mexican students who died at the hands of the U.S.-sponsored attack in Ecuador, especially FARC leader Raul Reyes who gave his life for the freedom of the Colombian people.”
A group called Take Back NYU! (TBNYU) occupied the student union at New York University, Feb. 19, placing demands on the university’s administration. The occupation lasted for two days. Near the end of the occupation, close to 500 supporters outside the building rallied in support of approximately 80 students who were inside the building. Fight Back! interviewed Christa Hendrickson, a student from Drew University and a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Hendrickson was present at the end of the occupation.
St. Paul, MN – The Welfare Rights Committee testified Feb. 18, in front of the Senate Health and Human Services Budget division. The Welfare Rights Committee slammed Governor Pawlenty’s MFIP (Minnesota’s welfare program for families) provisions. A statement from the Committee hit the following proposals:
Chapel Hill, NC – Six members of UNC-Chapel Hill’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) met with Congressman David Price and his staff on Jan. 23 to demand a just U.S. policy toward the Palestinian people. SDS is outraged with Representative Price for his vote in support of House Resolution 34, a one-sided resolution passed by Congress on Jan. 9 that condoned Israel’s massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza.
St. Paul, MN – A Ramsey County judge threw out all charges Jan. 23 in the first Repbulican National Convention (RNC) protest-related case to proceed to trial. The ‘Wall Street Seven’ consisted of seven people arrested on Sept. 1, 2008 for blocking the intersection of 9th and Wacouta in downtown Saint Paul. They were charged with obstructing legal process, disorderly conduct, unlawful assembly and blocking traffic. All charges were thrown out after the city of Saint Paul had presented the prosecution’s case and the judge concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
Junkyard Empire is a band from the Twin Cities that started out in 2006. They are a band with revolutionary music and revolutionary politics. Their lyrics and their music make you want to listen carefully and inspire you to want to take action.
