Salt Lake City protests police violence, calls for DA’s resignation

Salt Lake City, UT – Heavy winds blew and rain fell on Utah anti-police-brutality activists, April 8, but they stood defiant, refusing to let weather dilute their message that prosecutors must drop the ridiculous charges against Abdullahi “Abdi” Mohamed, who was shot and paralyzed by Salt Lake City police last year.

Tampa, FL – On the morning of April 7, President Trump ordered the U.S. military to attack Syria, firing over 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syrian government targets near Homs, Syria’s third largest city. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that only 23 of 59 missiles struck intended targets, with the majority assaulting nearby villages. Syrian media sources are reporting at least nine civilians died in the attack, including four children.

Fort Lauderdale, FL- After the U.S. fired 59 missiles at a Syrian airbase, activists in South Florida came together, April 8, to oppose all U.S. military intervention in that country. A diverse group of 50 activists, from young children to Vietnam War veterans, met outside of the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale with one simple message, “U.S. hands off Syria!”

Tampa, FL – Around 15 activists and community members gathered to oppose U.S. intervention and aggression against Syria. The protest was in response to the launching of 59 Tomahawk missiles on Shayrat Airbase as ordered by Donald Trump. This attack is the first time the U.S. has directly attacked the Syrian Arab Republic, but is not the first time the U.S. has attempted to overthrow the Syrian government.

Minneapolis, MN – In response to the recent U.S. air strikes against Syrian military targets by the Trump administration, over 200 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war protest on Saturday, April 8.

Houston, TX – Houston activists held two major actions in Houston to protest Trump's illegal war against Syria, April 7.

Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Anti-War Committee plans to show that Salt Lake City won’t stand by idly while Trump pours gasoline onto the burning conflict in Syria. They’re calling for a protest Sunday afternoon, April 9, to denounce Trump’s missile attack, which has been callously disguised as a humanitarian response to the use of chemical weapons.

Tucson, AZ – Immediately following President Trump’s order to unleash 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Syria, the Tucson Anti War Committee called an emergency rally for April 8. Joined by around 30 Tucsonans, the protest demanded: “Hands off Syria!” and “U.S. out of the Middle East!”

New York, NY – Hundreds of protesters gathered at Union Square, April 7, to protest the bombing of Syria. On Thursday, April 6, President Trump launched 59 Tomahawk Missiles into Syria that killed nine people, including four children.

Lufkin, TX – Members of the April Sixth Anti-War Coalition (ASAC) held a ‘Hands Off Syria’ demonstration, April 8, in front of the Ward R. Burke Federal Courthouse in downtown Lufkin. The anti-war activists gathered around the courthouse with signs that read “Hands off Syria,” and “No to war.” They chanted, “What do we want? Hands off Syria!!” and “No justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East!”

At least 4 arrested, 1 hospitalized

Jacksonville, FL – Police launched a vicious attack on a “No war with Syria” rally in Jacksonville’s Hemming Park, this evening, April 7. Eyewitness say at least four have been arrested, and that one protester was beaten so severely that he has been hospitalized.

Minneapolis, MN – An Anti-war Bannering to “Say no to U.S. war in Syria – no escalation of the endless wars,’ is set for Saturday, April 8, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street, in Minneapolis. The action is being organized by the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition.

Chicago, IL – Sarah Chambers is one of the best-known rank-and-file leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). A distinguished, award winning Special Education teacher at Maria Saucedo Academy, her name is a familiar one to politicians, and to the Board of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Photos of her leading protests to defend her students have appeared regularly in the Chicago media, and even in the New York Times.

Meredith Aby-Keirstead of the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee blasted Trump’s attack on Syria, April 6, stating, “We denounce U.S. missile attacks on Syria. The U.S. should not increase its intervention in Syria. More bombing will not bring back the victims of this recent chemical weapons use. This escalation risks a broader regional war. Israel is considering invading and Russia could respond too. The U.S. is pouring gasoline on this conflict. The anti-war movement needs to respond in full force by demanding an end to U.S. attacks and get its troops out of Syria.” Aby-Keirstead added, “We can't just protest the Muslim ban. We need to protest how our government creates more refugees.”

Los Angles – Angry Chicano parents and children from Marianna Avenue Elementary School protested, April 4, a proposal to place a KIPP charter school on their campus. Parents at Marianna asked Centro CSO to help organize this protest with the parents in leadership. The protest and march started in front of Marianna with loud and furious chants, “What do we want? Public schools, no charters!”

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Rasmea Defense Committee.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 25th, 2017, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (rally at 1:00 PM, hearing starts at 2:30 PM)

Houston, TX – About 20 people rallied in front of City Hall, April 4, to demand Justice for Alva Braziel and Vincent “Vido” Young, both of whom were murdered by Houston police. They passed out a leaflet to people at City Hall with the photo of the cops that killed Alva Braziel with the title “Wanted for murder.”

Milwaukee, WI – On March 29, the Venezuelan Supreme Court stripped the National Assembly of its authority and took over legislative responsibilities for the government. This decision, one which they have the constitutional authority to do, has been met with widespread condemnation in the U.S. Media sources like NPR and CNN have referred to it as a “self-coup d’etat” and the establishment of a “dictatorship” by Venezuelan President Maduro. Members of the right-wing opposition, always the first to call for violence, have even hinted at this being the beginning of civil war.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the followings March 29 statement from the Welfare Rights Committee.

People's impeachment of pro-U.S. Park government in the south

Washington DC – On March 22, the U.S. military conducted the largest-ever military exercise with south Korea's armed forces, preparing for an invasion and military strike on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). These war games amassed 300,000 South Korean troops and 17,000 U.S. troops on the 38th parallel, which has formally divided Korea into 'north' and 'south' since 1945. U.S. stealth bombers and South Korean fighter jets simulated bombing Pyongyang, the capitol of the DPRK, along with other sites in anticipation of “a crisis situation” in the Korean Peninsula, according to U.S. Navy commanders.