Chicago, IL – Hundreds gathered from across the country for the People’s Summit, united in their opposition to the NATO/G8 agenda of war and poverty. Organized jointly by the Coalition Against NATO/G8 War and Poverty Agenda (CANG8) and Occupy Chicago, the People’s Summit included 40 workshops and four plenary sessions. More than 50 attended a workshop featuring three Chicago leaders of the CANG8, speaking on, “The Strategic Aim in Opposing NATO in Chicago.”
Minneapolis, MN – About 25 people marched in the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression contingent in the annual Heart of the Beast Theater May Day parade here, May 13. The contingent passed out thousands of flyers educating the public about the upcoming trial of Carlos Montes and the attacks on the 23 Midwest activists who have been targeted by FBI and grand Jury repression. They asked people along the parade route to call the Los Angeles District Attorney Cooley to demand that he drop the charges against Carlos Montes. The crowd was receptive and supportive. The Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression built for their picket in solidarity with Montes on the first day his trial, May 15, as well as to invite people to come to the protest against NATO next weekend in Chicago.
San Jose, CA – On May 12, the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression held an art auction fundraiser for the defense of Carlos Montes. Bay Area artists contributed their paintings, posters, photographs and other art for a silent auction. The program included music and spoken word. Hundreds of dollars were raised for the legal defense and organizing efforts for Carlos Montes.
Los Angeles, CA – On April 26, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli ordered the trial of longtime Chicano and immigrant rights activist Carlos Montes. The trial will start on May 15. Shortly after this trial date was set, a massive campaign began around the country to demand L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley to drop all charges against Carlos Montes.
Chicago, IL – The Coalition Against NATO/G8 War And Poverty Agenda (CANG8), which is spearheading the massive march on the NATO summit May 20, has announced the speakers and cultural performers who will be on stage during the protest.
Speakers call for stepped up efforts to support Carlos Montes
Chicago, IL – On May 6 over 100 people attended a panel at the Labor Notes conference called Solidarity Forever: The Labor Movement, Political Repression and the Fight for Civil Liberties. The panel focused on the repression against Carlos Montes and the Anti-War 23 and explained why it’s important for the labor movement to take a stand against political repression.
Los Angeles, CA – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has created a great new video on the life of Carlos Montes, and the fight to beat back the attempt to jail him.
Minneapolis, MN – “All 1500 people marching for immigrant rights here, May 1, heard about the case of Carlos Montes,” stated Jess Sundin of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression.
Los Angeles, CA – Thousands of protesters took to the streets here on May 1, International Workers Day, to demand legalization for all. The protest, organized by Southern California Immigration Coalition, was the largest Los Angeles May Day event. The mostly Chicano/Latino crowd was made up of students, teachers, vendors, garment workers, parents and activists from all the progressive movements, including the Occupy movement. Participants and supporters of the demonstration included the United Teachers Los Angeles, International Action Center, Union Del Barrio, Bayan USA, FMLN, FSLN, L.A. Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Mecha and others.
Minneapolis, MN – About 90 people gathered here, April 28, for a May Day program and dinner organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Speakers included prominent trade unionists and representatives of low-income, Occupy, student, anti-war and immigrant rights organizations.
Los Angeles, CA – On April 26, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli ordered a trial to begin on May 15 for Carlos Montes, a longtime Los Angeles Chicano activist in the anti-war, immigrant rights, public education and Chicano liberation movements. The trial will start at 8:00 a.m. at the Criminal Courts Building, 13th floor, Department 100, at 210 West Temple Avenue in Los Angeles.
Minneapolis, MN – Members of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression bannered and distributed leaflets here, April 25 in support of veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes, the day before his Los Angeles court appearance.
Los Angeles, CA – On the evening of April 14, dozens gathered at the Echo Park Methodist Church in Los Angeles at a fundraiser in support of Carlos Montes. The event, dubbed a “Night of Solidarity,” featured speakers from a variety of social justice movements, political poetry, music and a multiple course dinner. All proceeds and donations supported the LA Committee to Stop FBI Repression’s defense work.
Los Angeles, CA – In the first significant victory in the case of veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes, Superior Court Judge George Lomeli handed down a ruling March 27, dismissing two of the six felony charges that are pending against Montes. Thanking supporters outside the courtroom, Montes said, “The success we have had here today is due to your efforts and to those of my attorney, Jorge Gonzalez. Two charges down, we need to get the other four dropped.”
Los Angeles, CA – Veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes will be back in court March 27. The LA Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges activists to join them at the Superior Courts Building to picket and pack the court hearing. They will raise the demand, “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes.”
*Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement of support in defense of veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes from the State Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE).*
New York, NY – Dozens packed into a standing-room only panel discussion at the Left Forum called, “U.S. Imperialist Wars, Political Prisoners, Past & Present, and the Anti-War Struggle” on March 18. The Left Forum, one of the largest gatherings of left and progressive thinkers in the country, hosted thousands of activists and academics organizing for social justice.
New York, NY – Jess Sundin of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression is [speaking on a panel at the Left Forum in New York City this weekend](http://www.leftforum.org/panel/us-imperialist-wars-political-prisoners-past-present-and-anti-war-struggle). The Left Forum, one of the largest gatherings of left and progressive thinkers in the country, will host thousands of activists and academics organizing for social justice. Sundin will speak on the panel “U.S. Imperialist Wars, Political Prisoners, Past & Present, and the Anti-War Struggle” March 18, at 3:00 p.m., at Pace University, Pace Plaza, Room W 609.
Chicago, IL – Veterans of the Chicano movement gathered in Casa Aztlan, Feb. 26, to welcome Carlos Montes to the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. The event was hosted by Magda Castaneda, an activist who participated in many of the struggles of Pilsen, including the fight in the 1970s to open the famous political space.
