Austin, TX – On Tuesday evening, November 1, a small group of students from the Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapter gathered in front of the Perry Castañeda Library at University of Texas at Austin campus to protest against the national “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – People across Michigan are celebrating a victory with the passing of Proposal 3 which restores abortion rights in Michigan. Proposal 3 passed with 56.7% voting yes and 43.3% voting no.
Minneapolis, MN – Members of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) testified at the Minneapolis city council public hearing on the city budget on November 10. This was the first of three public hearings the city will hold on the 2023 budget.
Milwaukee, WI – On November 10, the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals – AFT Local 5000 held a press conference to call attention to the unsafe working conditions in hospitals in the context of what public health experts are calling a tridemic – of the Flu, COVID-19 and RSV this winter season.
Orange, CA – 150 Orange County Transportation Authority maintenance workers, represented by Teamsters Local 952, walked off the job on Wednesday, November 2 demanding that OCTA increase healthcare allowances and negotiate in good faith.
Los Angeles, CA – On October 27, Centro CSO hosted a community forum dubbed the “Barrio Townhall” at the Boyle Heights neighborhood City Hall. The event called on November 8 voters to support Dr. Rocio Rivas for Los Angeles Unified School District School Board District 2, and to vote “yes” on Measure A, which would bring more accountability to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.
Tampa, FL – More than 20 Tampa residents gave public comment at the Tampa City Hall, November 1 about the city council’s voting to put subpoena power on the March ballot, which would give the now toothless civilian review board (CRB) power to subpoena the police. Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBCAC) held a press conference in front of the city hall, on Sunday October 30, in support of subpoena power and to publicize the upcoming city council vote.
Civilian oversight of El Paso County Sheriff’s Department needed
Colorado Springs, CO – On Tuesday, October 25, community members and activists with the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition attended the El Paso County Commissioners board meeting to demand civilian oversight of the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. The call for civilian oversight came after the death of 18-year-old Dezarae Archuleta in El Paso County Jail, the eighth person to die in custody this year. The event was co-sponsored by the Chinook Center and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Fight Back! News interviews the chair of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) Joint Nationalities Commission Masao Suzuki.Fight Back!: FRSO says that the U.S. is a jailhouse for oppressed nationalities. What is meant by this?
Milwaukee, WI – On October 26, the Justice for Brieon Green Coalition descended upon the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to demand transparency around the case of Brieon Green. Members of the coalition rallied and picketed outside of the building since sheriff deputies closed the entrance as soon as the crowd gathered. Wednesday’s event also marked four months since Green’s death while being held in Milwaukee County Jail.
Milwaukee, WI – On October 22, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and members of the Lucille Berrien Park community came together to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the park’s renaming. Although Berrien herself wasn’t able to join the celebration, two of her grandchildren were able to attend and offer beautiful memories of growing up with Berrien and being taught by her to be strong women committed to justice.
Denver, CO – On Monday, October 24, community members gathered at the Denver City Council Building to make their voices heard regarding Denver’s public budget for 2023. Mayor Michael Hancock seeks to spend almost 37% of the city budget on Public Safety. Though this is a slightly smaller percentage of the budget than last year, the proposed plan will spend an additional $45 million on Public Safety as compared to 2022.
Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, October 21, more than 50 protesters gathered with signs, banners and sidewalk chalk outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office to demand that the U.S. Senate take action to legalize immigrants with DACA, a program which is currently under attack. The protest was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC).
Tallahassee, FL – On October 20, students at Florida State University, led by FSU Students for a Democratic Society (FSU SDS) gathered to counter-protest an on campus appearance by conservative mouthpiece Charlie Kirk. Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a national organization that peddles racist, homophobic, alt-right talking points on college campuses.
San Bernardino, CA – Dozens of Amazon workers out of an air hub in San Bernardino walked off the job on Friday, October 14 in an unfair labor practice strike demanding a $5 pay raise, safer working conditions and no retaliation for organizing. Amazon workers start around $17 per hour with limited benefits and work under high production quotas.
Minneapolis, MN – On October 9, approximately 40 people gathered in the East Phillips neighborhood, at the Roof Depot building, a now abandoned facility that previously housed many polluting industries, to protest against the city of Minneapolis’s plans to demolish the building.
Minneapolis, MN – Scabby the rat has become a familiar figure on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus as the contract fight between Teamsters Local 320 and the administration intensifies. Teamsters voted by a 93% margin to strike if the university does not agree to their demands to end poverty wages. The university brought in a company called “Chefs On the Fly” to scab on the potential strike and has put them to work in dining facilities. They are being housed in a hotel near campus, the Hilton Garden Inn.
New York, NY – Around two dozen organizers and community members gathered in front of New York City Hall, the office of Mayor Eric Adams, to host a No Cops in Power rally.
Milwaukee, WI – On October 13, dozens of community members, including organizers, concerned community members, and the family of Brieon Green gathered to officially launch the Justice for Brieon Green Coalition. The coalition will serve as the organizing body for leading the work around Green’s case and is built around the following points of unity: Justice for Brieon Green; full transparency now; 24/48 now, and CPAC now.
Minneapolis, MN – About 150 University of Minnesota AFSCME workers and their supporters joined a noon informational picket, October 10 to demand real raises, respect and racial equity. The action coincided with a meeting of President Joan Gabel and Twin Cities deans. The meeting was set for Walter Library, but the administration attempted to evade the picket, and moved the gathering to Coffman Union. Workers marched to Coffman, held a picket in front of the building and chanting, they marched up to the third floor meeting location.