Fort Lauderdale, FL – Thirty community activists gathered at the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale, December 2, to denounce the violent treatment of Central American refugees at the U.S. border. Protesters present demanded asylum for the refugees, the withdrawal of troops from the border and an end to U.S military involvement in the Americas.

Minneapolis, MN – As national attention has focused on the caravan of Central American refugees winding its way through Mexico towards the U.S.-Mexico border, on November 30 more than 250 immigrants and human rights activists in Minnesota rallied in support of the caravan.

Tucson, AZ – Over 100 people chanted, “Troops off the border! Defy Trump’s order!” at the Davis-Monthan Air Force base on December 1. Signs reading “Refugees welcome here!” drew many honks of solidarity from traffic passing by the base entrance where demonstrators stood outside.

Victory nears in struggle for democratic rights

Minneapolis, MN – People holding signs reading, “Municipal ID for all” and “Sanctuary now!” packed into the Minneapolis City Council Public Health, Environment and Civil Rights Committee hearing November 26. They came to give testimony and to encourage the city council to create a Minneapolis Municipal ID.

Chicago, IL – Father Jose Sigfredo Landaverde from the Mission Faith, Life and Hope is undertaking a hunger strike, as of November 30, in solidarity with the mothers of the migrant exodus. A group of refugee women in Tiajuana have launched a hunger strike to demand the end of deportations and an accelerated asylum process. The hunger strike comes a few days after a march in Tijuana ended with U.S. officials throwing tear gas at migrants who tried to cross the border.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Nov. 28 statement by Prof. Jose Maria Sison, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Chief Political Consultant.

Prepares for large rally Saturday at Air Force base

Tucson, AZ – On November 27, in response to the U.S. government’s brutal use of rubber bullets and tear gas on demonstrators in Tijuana, three actions of solidarity took place in Tucson. One was at an elementary school where a class of children chanted “Solidarity now!” in a video shared on social media. Another was coordinated by a handful of “Ragin’ Grannies” outside Tucson High holding signs that read “Refugees welcome here!” A third action took place at the University of Arizona and had a turnout of over two dozen people. Their two huge banners read “No hate, no fear! Refugees welcome here!”

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee.

Wall Street likes the news

San José, CA – On Monday, November 26, General Motors announced that it was cutting 15,000 jobs. Their plans include closing five auto and auto parts plants in the United States and Canada. Wall Street liked the news, and GM’s stock rose almost 5%, three times as much as the broader stock market. But for thousands of GM workers, the holidays suddenly became much bleaker.

San Ysidro, CA – U.S. Border Patrol agents fired tear gas and rubber bullets into Mexico in response to a march organized by refugees, including many women and children, seeking asylum. The march had remained peaceful until Mexican authorities forced the refugees marching into a canal separating San Diego and Tijuana, according to the American Friends Service Committee. It was then that Border Patrol agents fired tear gas, flash bangs and rubber bullets into the crowd. One young girl is reportedly in critical condition after being “struck with tear gas” according to the Movimiento Cosecha. The world's busiest border crossing was subsequently closed on both sides.

Los Angeles, CA – In an outrageous decision, the jury sided with two-time killer and Los Angeles Police Department officer Eden Medina. The civil rights violations trial on 14-year-old Jesse Romero's killing started November 13 and lasted only six days. Early in the preceding, a judge ruled to exclude key evidence from the proceedings.

The following was written in response to the Dave Schneider’s commentary, “A socialist look at the Florida 2018 midterm results.” View part one of the article here. View part two here.

Minneapolis, MN – As national attention has focused on the caravan of Central American refugees winding its way through Mexico towards the U.S.-Mexico border, immigrants and their allies in Minnesota will rally in support of the caravan on Friday, November 30.

Part two of two

This is part two of a two-part series. View part one here. The specter of socialism in South Florida

Part one of two

This is part one of a two-part series. See part two here.

Tallahassee, FL – On November 7, students, activists and community members from around the Tallahassee area gathered at The Plant Arts Center to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia. The event was organized by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

Dublin, Ireland – The International Conference Against US/NATO Military Bases began in Dublin, Ireland November 16, with a demonstration in front of the General Post Office, site of the 1916 Easter Uprising.

Tucson, AZ – On November 13 around 50 people gathered in front of the Federal Building in downtown Tucson to demand that President Trump remove over 5000 troops deployed to the border. With chants of “Say it loud, say it clear! Refugees are welcome here!” the crowd generated many honks of solidarity from passing cars, tractor trailers, school buses and city buses.

Tampa, FL – On November 20, students held a rally at the University of South Florida (USF) calling for increased protections for immigrant students. The event was hosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) as a part of their campaign, “Immigrants are Here to Stay,” to win noncompliance with federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Customs and Border Protection, that are charged with implementing attacks on the undocumented.

Oshkosh, WI – November 21 marks the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest moments in the history of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO). On this day in 1968, 94 African American students and their supporters marched to the administrative offices at Dempsey Hall and occupied the then-university president's office. Angered by the poor living conditions, grading discrimination, inability to sign up for classes, the lack of African American history and art courses and no Black cultural center on campus, these students demanded change.