News and Views from the People's Struggle
Arlington, TX – On March 8, Progressive Student Union at the University of Texas at Arlington held an event in observance of International Women's Day.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the speech delivered by Rasmea Odeh at the Chicago celebration of International Women’s Day.
Chicago, IL – Some of the strongest women fighters in the working class and oppressed nationalities’ movements in Chicago gathered March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day. Four women were honored with the first Rasmea Odeh Awards, in an event organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and endorsed by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, AnakBayan, Anti-War Committee, and the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. More than 100 people attended the celebration.
Chicago, IL – Donald Trump is bringing his hate tour to the West Side of Chicago this Friday, March 11, with an evening rally at the campus of the University of Illinois (UIC).
Family of Edwin Rodriguez demands D.A. prosecute ELA sheriffs deputies for killing son
Los Angeles, CA – The family of Edwin Rodriguez and their attorneys held a press conference March 8 at the historic La Placita on Olvera Street, the heart of the original Mexican/Native settlement. The family is demanding the release of the names of deputies who beat and killed Edwin Rodriguez on Feb. 14, and that D.A. Jackie Lacey prosecute them for murder.
St. Paul, MN – Members of the Welfare Rights Committee and their supporters rallied March 8 at the opening day of the 2016 Minnesota legislative session. The protest coincided with International Women’s Day.
Milwaukee, WI – On March 6, about 30 Milwaukee activists and community members gathered at the Riverwest Public House for an International Women’s Day event hosted by Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).
Houston, TX – The Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a forum in Houston, March 5, to inform the community about socialism and why we need a socialist revolution. The event was held at Solidarity Houston, a community library and meeting space for activists. Over 60 students, professors and activists from a variety of different movements attended the event.
Minneapolis, MN – For the fourth week in a row, Friday, March 4 brought a crowd of protesters to the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, demanding justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed by Minneapolis police in November. Once again, Freeman was out of the office. This week, protesters came armed with a letter from Jamar’s parents, James and Wilma Clark. The open letter was directed to Freeman, as well as Governor Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Chief of Police Janeé Harteau, and was also shared with the media.
Arlington, TX – Progressive Student Union had their second Donald Trump Piñata Bash, March 1, at the University of Texas at Arlington for Super Tuesday, the day when the primaries for a majority of the South, including Texas, took place. Twenty people came out to look, take photos and bash the Donald Trump piñata.
Los Angeles, CA – Several hundred marched through the streets of East Los Angles, Feb. 29, carrying the body of Edwin Rodríguez, who was severely beaten and shot by the LA sheriffs. The family and community demanded justice for Rodriguez, prosecution of sheriffs who murdered him and an end to police killings. They chanted, “The sheriffs are assassins.”
Chicago, IL – At a Feb. 29 press conference held in front of the Boeing Company Headquarters, Kait McIntyre, former Boeing board candidate and member of the Anti War Committee (Chicago) spoke on the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission forcing Boeing to allow a shareholder vote on a resolution that would force the corporation to detail its arms sales to Israel. Gwen Farey of 8th Day Center and the Midwest Coalition of Responsible Investment also spoke at the event.
Minneapolis, MN – Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University in Minnesota, in conjunction with over 30 UMN student organizations and faculty, is calling on Minnesota Student Association to pass a resolution urging the UMN to divest from corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid.
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 20 people gathered at a rally, Feb. 27, organized by Utah Against Police Brutality to demand a community controlled police review board.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Feb. 26 statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Tampa, FL – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of South Florida (USF) held a lecture and then a protest as part of Black History Month.
Minneapolis, MN – Wayne Wittman, age 86, a longtime activist in the labor and peace movements in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, died Feb. 23. Wayne suffered a heart attack while on a bus coming home from a labor meeting where he introduced a resolution that was passed. His wife Joan said, “He died doing what he loved to do.”
Minneapolis, MN – For a third consecutive Friday, protesters descended on the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, Feb 26. It was the largest turnout yet for the Friday protests. Dozens demanded prosecution – and no grand jury – for the police that killed Jamar Clark last November. The action included the video testimony of an eyewitness to the police killing and the presence of Clark’s father, James Clark, who said, “There is no justice for Jamar, but there can be justice through Jamar.” Protesters say they will return again next week.
#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #JamarClark
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Tallahassee chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
Minneapolis, MN – Around 200 people rallied and marched in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood against Islamopobia, Feb. 20. The protest was organized by a new coalition of some two dozen state organizations calling themselves Minnesotans Against Islamophobia.