Minneapolis, MN – On June 29 and 30, over 80 members of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 638 participated in a series of parking lot rallies and practice pickets at the Broadway Street UPS hub in Minneapolis. The actions were driven by the rank-and-file efforts of the hub’s Teamster Contract Action Team, and were organized for every shift.

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, June 29, the Teamsters at UPS Olympic hub in downtown LA held coordinated pickets including both UPS drivers and part-time workers. The pickets occurred between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., allowing both the drivers and the part-time workers to participate before and after their shifts.

New Orleans, LA – Activists convened in an open forum, June 22, hosted by members of an LGBTQ delegation that visited Cuba in early May. About 25 others joined virtually. Gregory William from the Women in Struggle / Mujeres en Lucha and Serena Sojic-Borne of Real Name Campaign New Orleans spoke as delegation members. Speaker Verde Gil Jimenez, a coordinating member of the Trans Masculine Group of Cuba, attended remotely from Santa Clara.

Carlos Montes, a member of the Central Committee of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, condemned the Supreme Court for their June 29 ruling that bans affirmative action at colleges and universities.

Minneapolis, MN – Starbucks workers in the Twin Cities area went on strike on Wednesday, June 28 as part of Strike With Pride, a national strike action this week by Starbucks Workers United involving over 150 stores across the country. More than 50 Starbucks workers and supporters turned out to the picket line at the store on Silver Lake Road in Saint Anthony, which borders northeast Minneapolis

Jacksonville, FL – Hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon, June 27,in downtown’s James Weldon Johnson Park across from City Hall to remember Ben Frazier, a well-known civil rights activist and elder in Jacksonville, Florida who passed away this past Saturday, June 24, after a bout with cancer.

Minneapolis, MN – At the June 28 Minneapolis city council meeting, rent control policy was on the agenda for a normally non-controversial procedural vote to refer the policy to the Business, Housing, Inspection and Zoning (BIHZ) Committee. With the June 28 meeting falling on Eid, a Muslim holy day, the three Muslim council members, all of whom support rent control, were not able to attend the city council meeting. These three included the two coauthors of the rent control policy, Aisha Chughtai and Jamal Osman, as well as Council Member Jeremiah Ellison.

Fighting for justice one year later

Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, June 26, the family of Brieon Green held a balloon release to mark one year since his passing. Green’s family has been fighting for justice with the help of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) and the Justice for Brieon Green Coalition. This fight has taken many forms – from marching in the streets to meeting with the district attorney and the Milwaukee County sheriff.

Austin, TX – On Tuesday, June 27, over 200 nurses and supporters formed a picket in 100-degree weather outside of Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin. A part of the historic one-day strike of over 2000 nurses across Texas and Kansas, National Nurses United members authorized the strike by 98%.

Austin, TX – On Tuesday, June 27, close to a dozen students and community members gathered in front of the Texas State Capitol to speak out against Senate Bill 17, which effectively bans diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public universities in Texas. At the speakout, called by Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), students talked about the impacts of the ban on diversity programs.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following article from the June 21 issue of Ang Bayan (“The People”), the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Washington, DC – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and United Parcel Service wrapped up bargaining on all non-economic issues on Tuesday, June 20. The following day, economic proposals were shared, marking a new phase in negotiations.

East Los Angeles, CA – On May 27, East LA residents, impacted family members, and supporters united against the new formation of two separate deputy gangs in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department as well as the vicious escalation in deputy-involved killings.

Commerce City, CO – On June 24, rank-and-file Teamsters stood out in front of the gate of the Commerce City UPS hub outside Denver to speak out against the economic proposals UPS submitted during negotiations. These proposals include wildly unpopular ideas, such as the creation of a two-tier wage system for preloaders and a $17 per hour starting wage. As people were walking out of the gate, many workers flocked to the table, insulted by these proposals and ready for further action.

Los Angeles, CA – The largest union in the state of California, representing more than 96,000 state workers, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 held a spirited rally in downtown this morning, June 22. Rank and filers, union representatives, and supporters numbered 100 people. A large sound truck adjacent to Spring Street and in front of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Los Angeles office, provided a stage for speakers.

Minneapolis, MN – The Freedom Road Socialist Organization Fund Drive has now surpassed $70,000 and more money is coming in every day.

Los Angeles, CA – On June 17, Centro CSO and allied organizations held a march and rally at La Placita in Los Angeles as part of the Legalization 4 All Network’s Week of Action to protest Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Senate Bill 1718. The L4A Network called for nationwide protests as SB 1718 is an attack on undocumented immigrants as well as anyone who employs or aids them. For example, hospitals in Florida will be required to ask a patient’s immigration status, while out-of-state driver’s licenses for undocumented people will be outlawed.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Orlando, FL – On July 3, the Orlando District of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a Political Program release discussion at a meeting attended by over 30 people representing other progressive forces in the area.

Minneapolis, MN – Immigrant rights protesters gathered at East Phillips Park on Father’s Day, June 18, to speak out against the separation of immigrant families and for legalization for all. This action was part of a national call to action from the Legalization for All Network in response to extreme anti-immigrant laws passed in Florida and several other Republican-controlled states, as well as increased militarization of the U.S.-México border.