UMN SDS statement of Halimy Hall occupation

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the University of Minnesota Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

News and Views from the People's Struggle

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the University of Minnesota Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
Washington DC – Flight attendants at United Express carrier Mesa Air, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), are ramping up their fight for a decent contract as they enter the first session of federally mediated negotiations, under the supervision of the National Mediation Board (NMB). AFA filed for federal mediation in September to press forward on a new contract for 560 flight attendants.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Praxis Press, together with Friends of Socialist China, has released an excellent new book, People’s China at 75: The Flag Stays Red. This book is edited by Keith Bennett and Carlos Martinez, and compiles articles by China experts from all over the world explaining and defending Chinese socialism. Anyone who wants to understand socialism in China, from 1949 to today, should read this book.

Philadelphia PA – On October 16, over the objections of students, Temple University Beasley School of Law adopted anti-protest policies mandated by the American Bar Association. In the spring of 2024, the American Bar Association (ABA) adopted a mandate forcing all law schools to adopt policies designed to prevent the student protests that have taken place since October 7, 2023.

Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, October 18, Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) members and community gathered at local bookstore ReArte in Boyle Heights for a film screening and discussion. The film was on the history of Haiti and was shown in light of recent racist remarks by Donald Trump in Ohio. Haitian American and CSO member Chris Bernadel and the CSO immigration rapid response team chair Jordan Peña co-facilitated the event.

New York, NY – On Saturday, October 19, members of the New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NYAARPR) gathered in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood to speak out against increased policing in the city’s transit system. The action occurred just a month after the police shot three people at the nearby Sutter Avenue subway station, over a suspected fare evasion.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Anti-War Committee of Chicago.
The Anti-War Committee of Chicago strongly condemns the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designation of Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network as a sanctioned entity and gross slander as a “sham charity.”

Atlanta, Ga – On October 9, students, faculty and community members gathered on the green space at Georgia State University (GSU) for a vigil for Palestine. Over 80 people joined in honoring the lives taken by the U.S./Israeli genocide in Gaza, and to call out GSU’s active involvement in the genocide.
The event began with an Islamic prayer practiced in times of calamity and in support of the oppressed. Tears ran down dozens of faces listening to the prayer pleading “O Allah, grant victory to the people of Palestine.” A few GSU cops popped up in full gear to watch students mourn.

Philadelphia, PA – On September 26, the Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression members joined the UNITE HERE Local 274 picket line as Philadelphia stadium workers struggled for healthcare and a living wage.
The strikes were a culmination of negotiations which began in January of this year. Despite Aramark making over $18 billion in revenue last year, workers are still getting the shaft. At $14.11 an hour, the wages that Aramark food service employees earn are among the lowest in comparison to concession workers in other parts of the country.

San Jose, CA – On October 6 – a day before the anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – 250 people gathered in front of San Jose City Hall to show their solidarity with the resistance in Palestine and their commitment to the movement for a free Palestine.
Signs bearing slogans such as “San Jose divest from genocide,” “Divest from Alphabet and Microsoft,” “Silicon Valley has blood on their hands,” “End U.S. aid to Israel,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” were held by participants. Despite the record-breaking heat, the community came together with energy and determination.
El noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste! está difundiendo la siguiente declaración del Frente Popular para la Liberación de Palestina (FPLP). La traducción al inglés fue publicada en Resistance News Network en Telegram. Posteriormente, el noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste! realizó la traducción de esa versión al español.
Durante nueve días consecutivos, la maquinaria de guerra sionista ha llevado a cabo masacres genocidas y limpieza étnica contra nuestro pueblo en el norte de Gaza, en particular en el campamento de Jabalia.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The English translation appeared on the Resistance News Network on Telegram.
For nine consecutive days, the zionist war machine has been carrying out genocidal massacres and ethnic cleansing against our people in North Gaza, particularly in Jabalia Camp. This has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of martyrs, extensive destruction of infrastructure, the blocking of relief supplies, and a starvation war, while preventing fuel from reaching hospitals – threatening the lives of thousands of patients and wounded, as part of a deliberate effort to completely empty northern areas.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Wayne State University.
On October 7, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Wayne State University joined the National SDS Student Walkout to remember one year of genocide, resistance, and student struggle against our administrations all over the country. We hoped to be able to protest without the threats of repression and violence by the Wayne State Police Department (WSU PD). However, this was not the case.

Portland, OR - Over 100 people gathered Portland’s Sewallcrest Park on October 7 to protest one year of escalated genocide in Palestine. The date is marked the one year anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, an operation carried out by Palestinian resistance groups that targeted Israeli military bases just outside of the Gaza strip; a historic display of resistance against the, at the time, 75-year occupation of Palestine. The event was organized by Portland for Palestine.

Philadelphia, PA – On October 7, an energetic coalition of university students and community members gathered at Drexel Square Park in Philadelphia to commemorate one year of resistance against the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The march attracted a sizable crowd of a couple hundred passionate participants, united in their call for justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people. As the group made its way towards the University of Pennsylvania’s “Pennovation Works” research facility, chants for liberation echoed through the streets, reinforcing the message that the struggle for Palestinian rights continues unabated.

Los Angeles, CA – On October 7, dozens of community members from Boyle Heights and East LA gathered at the intersection of César E Chávez Avenue and Soto Street in Boyle Heights for a Palestine solidarity rally. The rally marked the one year anniversary of the U.S.-funded Israeli genocide in Palestine that began October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel has murdered over 41,500 Palestinians in Gaza and over 2000 in Lebanon.
The solidarity rally began at 5:30 p.m. with chants started up by Gabriel Quiroz Jr of Centro CSO. Chants calling for support for the Palestinian resistance and an end to the genocidal attacks being carried out throughout the region by Israel echoed in the streets.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the Marcos regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Porferio Tuna last October 2 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. We demand that all his rights be respected, including his right to a lawyer of his own choosing, and that he be immediately released.

Tallahassee, FL – On October 7, over 150 community members gathered to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and Palestinian resistance on the anniversary of Operation Al Aqsa Flood.
Jayci Qassis, organizer with Dissenters, started off the event with important historical context for October 7, stating “The Al-Aqsa flood was the result of a culmination; a boiling point of almost a century long existence of living under oppression by the Zionist entity. A year ago today, Palestine brought to consciousness the truth about the over 76 year long occupation that stemmed from the Nakba. We honor the courage and steadfastness of the Palestinian resistance, our brothers and sisters in Gaza and across all of Palestine in their struggle for liberation.”
Arlington, TX – On October 7 the University of Texas at Arlington Progressive Student Union and Students for Justice in Palestine collaborated in a joint march and die-in to demand the university break ties with corporations, like Lockheed Martin, that assist the genocide in Palestine.

Santa Ana, CA – On October 6, activists and community members gathered for a film screening of The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza followed by a discussion on the U.S.’s role in the ongoing genocide against Palestinians.
The event began with Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) member Diana Terreros explaining the significance of the Palestinian resistance operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent brutal attacks Israel launched against Palestine.