Oakland, CA – About 75 people came to the June 16 rally here to denounce the arrest of Carlos Montes in Los Angeles, and the grand jury subpoenas which are being resisted by 23 other anti-war and international solidarity activists in the Midwest.
Gainesville, FL – A dozen protesters gathered here, June 16, to speak out against the political repression of Carlos Montes, a longtime immigrant and Chicano rights activist. The rally was put on by the Gainesville Committee to Stop FBI Repression and took place in front of the local FBI office. Carlos Montes’ home was raided by Los Angeles sheriffs and the FBI on May 17 and he is facing trumped up charges. The raid on his home is linked to the raids on other anti-war and international solidarity activists that started on Sept. 24, 2010.
Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 protesters gathered in front of the FBI offices here, June 16, to demand that the charges be dropped against veteran Los Angles Chicano activist Carlos Montes. Protest organizers blasted the growing attacks by the FBI and other police agencies on anti-war, international solidarity and progressive political activists.
Chicago, IL – Chicago activists, including those from the immigrant rights and Chicano movements, rallied at the Dirksen Federal building on June 16 in solidarity with veteran Chicano activist, Carlos Montes. Montes was raided by the Los Angeles County Sherriff and FBI on charges of a firearm code violation. They seized his personal effects and over 40 years worth of political movement documentation.
Los Angeles, CA – Video of veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes speaking after his June 16 Court appearance. Montes talks about the LA Sheriffs and FBI raid on his home, legal developments in the case, and how his case is an extension of the repression that is being employed against anti war and international solidarity activists in other parts of the United States.
The FBI is relaxing its rules and removing restrictions on domestic spying for its 14,000 agents, the New York Times reported June 13. While FBI spokesperson Valerie Caproni claims the changes are “more like fine-tuning than major changes,” civil liberties advocates and activists are speaking out against the new rules.
St. Paul, MN – Members and supporters of the Welfare Rights Committee held signs outside the Governors’ mansion, June 8, to send the message “No cuts to poor and working people” and “Tax the rich, or shut government down.”
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Committee to Stop FBI Repression met June 5 to plan out a response to the FBI and Los Angeles Sheriff raid on the home of well-known Chicano organizer Carlos Montes.
Join the National Day of Action – Thursday, June 16, 2011
Fight Back News Service is circulating the call from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, urging cities to organize actions in support of Carlos Montes, a longtime activist for worker and immigrants’ rights.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following resolution adopted by workers and communist parties gathered at the International Communist Seminar in Brussels, Belgium, May 13-15. The statement expresses solidarity with Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), along with other anti-war and international solidarity activists who are facing repression in the United States. The resolution was signed by 42 parties.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following petition demanding an end to the prosecution of veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes. We urge all of our readers to sign it.
_Anti-war, international solidarity activists interrupt his speech in Minneapolis _
Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder got a cold reception in Minneapolis May 27, where the Committee to Stop FBI Repression dogged him all day about FBI and grand jury attacks on anti-war and international solidarity activists. 100 people gathered outside his event at the University of Minnesota. The shouts of protesters outside could be heard inside, “Hey Holder, hear our fury! Stop the FBI, end the grand jury!”
In its 2010 Annual Report, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR), a body of the Organization of American States, noted the FBI and grand jury repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists. The Committee to Stop FBI Repression publicized the IACHR's report in a statement on May 22.
Chicago, IL – On May 25, the Committee Against Political Repression brought together 30 supporters of Carlos Montes to denounce the raid by the FBI and Los Angeles Sheriff. Gathering in front of the Federal Building in Chicago, despite a thunder storm, the press conference and rally included a number of speakers.
Lucha y Resiste esta circulando el siguiente comunicado del Comite por los derechos de inmigrantes en Minnesota (MIRAc) denunciando la redada en la casa de Carlos Montes. Pedimos que otras organizaciones tambien manden mensajes de apoyo al stopfbi.net.
Fight Back News is circulating the following statement from the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc) on the brutal raid conducted at the home of Carlos Montes. We urge other organizations to send messages of support to stopfbi.net
_Demands Governor Dayton veto Health and Human Services Bill _
St Paul, MN – As the legislative session nears its final day, Republicans continue to push the state toward a government shutdown. For working and poor, disabled and elderly Minnesotans, a government shutdown would by far be a better outcome than the deadly cuts that Republicans are trying to force down our throats.