News and Views from the People's Struggle
Fight Back! News Service is circulating the following call of the All Workers Militant Front (PAME), a fighting organization of Greek workers, for mass protests June 23. DEMONSTRATION OF PAME JUNE 23 ALL TO THE STREETS
Tallahassee, FL – Community members and students attended the Tallahassee City Commission meeting, June 17, to voice their opposition to ‘Operation Safe Neighborhoods.’ The program contains three elements, one of which seeks to hire 15 more Tallahassee Police Department officers.
Jacksonville, FL – On June 13, over 30 activists assembled at the International Association of Machinists hall to discuss methods, share strategies and to discuss points of political unity within the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition (JPC).
St. Paul, MN – As the politicians gather for the Minnesota special session, members of the Welfare Rights Committee confronted them with “Shame” signs. Despite indications earlier in the legislative session that welfare grants, known here as the Minnesota Family Investment Plan (MFIP), might be upped for the first time since 1986, anti-poor politicians from both political parties blocked the proposed increase. Members of the Welfare Rights Committee are vowing to continue the fight.
#StPaulMN #PoorPeoplesMovements #MinnesotaWelfareRightsCommittee
Tampa, FL – Palestinian activist Rasmea Odeh and her defense attorney Michael Deutsch spoke to activists here by live stream video, June 11. Deutsch explained Odeh’s case and upcoming legal appeal, with audience members asking questions. Florida activists plan to mobilize and attend the appeal hearing in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall.
Chicago, IL – Lead defense attorney Michael Deutsch filed a brief, June 9, with the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, to appeal the conviction and sentencing of Palestinian community leader Rasmea Odeh.
Scud missile launched against Saudi airbase
Washington, D.C. – In the context of a Saudi massive bombing campaign, the Army of Yemen, with the backing of Popular Committees, struck back by launching a scud missile at the Prince Khaled airbase, located in the southwestern Saudi city of Khamees Mushait. The government of Saudi Arabia says that the missile was shot down with its U.S.-supplied Patriot missile system.
Minneapolis, MN – Twin Cities activists will host a live stream event with long time Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh and her defense attorney Michael Deutsch, Thursday, June 11
Madison, WI – Last month, the Republican-dominated State Assembly continued their attempts to shame the 856,000 Wisconsin people using the food stamp program (called FoodShare), passing measures that would restrict what food could be purchased and requiring drug testing. The senate has yet to take up the measures. Governor Scott Walker has been advocating for the changes.
Washington, DC – The authoritative Lebanese news outlet Al-Manar is reporting that the Yemeni resistance scored a victory over the U.S.-backed Saudi military on June 1. The report states, “Dozens of Saudi soldiers were killed and scores were captured in an attack carried out by the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees on a Saudi camp in Asir region.”
St. Paul, MN – Palestine solidarity protesters gathered at the busy intersection of Summit and Snelling Avenues here, May 29, to demand Israel immediately halt air strikes on Gaza and for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
St. Paul, MN – An emergency response protest to Israel’s May 26 airstrikes on Gaza will happen here May 29 at 4:30 p.m., at the intersection of the Summit and Snelling Avenues in Saint Paul. The action is sponsored by the Women Against Military Madness Middle East Committee and the Anti-War Committee.
Los Angeles, CA – In a two to one decision, The federal Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Legal Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the extension of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) will be delayed while an anti-immigrant challenge from Texas state government and others continues to move thorough the court system. These measures would have provided some relief to about 5 million (of the 11 million) undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Tampa, FL – More than 120 people packed a room on the University of South Florida's campus, May 15, to attend a Nakba Day commemoration. Nakba Day marks the “Day of Catastrophe” – when the Zionists used terror to drive Palestinians out of Palestine and established the state of Israel in 1948.
Over 1000 mourners gathered today, May 23, for the memorial service for D'AngeloStallworth. Stallworth was a father of three and part-time supervisor at UPS with 11 years at the company. Pastor Craig Campbell, a UPS driver, led the service at the Paxon Revival Center.
Interview with a striking teacher
Seattle teachers participated in a one-day walkout strike on May 19. Teachers on the eastern side of Washington state are participating today, May 21. While it is illegal for public school teachers to strike, hundreds of brave teachers, along with other school employees, will be walking off the job to demand that their schools be funded, and that budget cuts against them end now. Fight Back! interviewed Chuck Saari, a public school teacher in the city of Kennewick who is striking today.
Salt Lake City, UT – Palestinian solidarity activists attended a vigil, May 15, commemorating the Nakba, Arabic for “catastrophe,” the genocidal expulsion of Palestinians by the Zionists. From 1947 to 1949, Palestinians were killed and pushed from their homes in the drive to create Israel.
Milwaukee, WI – Over 60 people demonstrated here May 15 to commemorate Al-Nakba at a busy intersection downtown.
Fight Back! News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Spring Lake Park, MN – On May 16, the Minnesota Chapter of American Muslims for Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Institute of Minnesota recognized the Minnesota-based Anti-War Committee for their Palestine solidarity work at “The Return is our Destiny,” which was the theme of the 14th Annual Palestine Day.