Chicago, IL – Chicago se está preparando para el Primero de Mayo, que de nuevo va a ser otro día nacional de protesta contra la agenda racista de Trump. Una coalición amplia de organizaciones de los derechos de los inmigrantes; la liberación Negra, los obreros, jóvenes y estudiantes se están preparando para manifestarse y marchar el 1º de mayo, el Día Internacional de los Trabajadores.

La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL) lo da todo para construir este Primero de Mayo. Una parte de la contribución de OSCL es nuestra cena anual de reconocimiento de la clase obrera. Este año, nuevamente, se llevó a cabo en el salón del Sindicato de Maestros de Chicago el sábado, 18 de abril.

El propósito del evento es reconocer a individuos y organizaciones que han contribuido a la lucha de los obreros y los oprimidos durante el último año, celebrar unas victorias y aplaudir a la gente que las hizo posibles. También es la recaudación de fondos principal de OSCL Chicago.

El evento fue un gran éxito, con casi 300 personas presentes en el salón y más de $20,000 recaudados.

Un año de resistencia contra ICE: Cuatro premios entregados.

Chicago fue uno de los primeros blancos de la ocupación de ICE, que comenzó en septiembre de 2025. Agentes de ICE y de la Patrulla Fronteriza aterrorizaron a las comunidades inmigrantes, arrestando a 3000 personas. Incluso realizaron una redada con 300 agentes a las 3 a.m. en la comunidad Negra de South Shore, donde agentes descendieron en rápel desde helicópteros sobre un edificio de apartamentos en donde vivían refugiados venezolanos.

Los equipos de Respuesta Rápida, Migra Watch, y las protestas de respuestas de emergencia empezaron antes de que Trump enviara más agentes aquí.

La cena de reconocimiento distinguió a cuatro activistas por sus contribuciones a la resistencia contra Trump y ICE. Kathryn Zamarrón es maestra de música de primaria en la escuela Walt Disney Magnet, y un líder de la base del Sindicato de Maestros de Chicago (CTU por sus siglas en inglés). Ella sirve en el Caucus Latinx del CTU y el Comité de Educación Primaria. Zamarrón tuvo un papel principal en organizar equipos de santuario para proteger a estudiantes no solo en su propia escuela, sino en toda la ciudad. Se le entregó un premio nombrado en honor a Karen Lewis, la legendaria presidenta del Sindicato de Maestros de Chicago.

Corina Pedraza, trabajadora de la biblioteca pública de Chicago, tuvo un papel de liderazgo en ayudar a la comunidad a suministrar servicios a las decenas de miles de trabajadores inmigrantes enviados en autobús por el gobernador de Texas desde 2022. También fue reconocida por su papel principal como organizadora de los equipos de respuesta rápida de los lados Suroeste y Sureste en 2025. Su premio llevó el nombre de Silverio Villegas González, asesinado por el ICE en un suburbio de Chicago al inicio de la ocupación de ICE/CBP.

La reverenda Ciera Bates-Chamberlain recibió el Premio Angela Davis por organizar a líderes de fe en oposición a ICE. Como directora ejecutiva de Vive Libre Illinois, cuando ICE amenazó a Chicago, ella organizo una coalición multife y multirracial que incluía ministros Negros e iglesias en el sur y oeste de Chicago. La red realizó una conferencia de prensa, una protesta en los púlpitos, y se manifestó junto con el movimiento de los derechos de los inmigrantes para defender nuestra comunidad.

Al final, los Estudiantes Mexicanos de Aztlán (MeSA) de la UIC recibieron un premio nombrado en honor a Rigo Padilla Pérez. Miembro de la Alianza por Justicia para los Inmigrantes Jóvenes en la UIC, Rigo fue líder en el movimiento de los Dreamers, que impulsó la aprobación de la ley de Acción Diferida por los que Llegaron de Joven. Falleció de cáncer hace tres años.

Se reconoció a MeSA porque en octubre, agentes de ICE arrestaron a dos mujeres cerca del campus. Los estudiantes protestaron, y ICE soltó a las mujeres, pero la administración de la UIC se negó a responder. MeSA entonces lideró una movilización de más de 200 estudiantes para oponerse a ICE en el campus y para exigir un campus santuario.

Premio por la solidaridad con Palestina

Gabriella Martinez es Asistente Certificada de Educación Especial en las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago y un líder de base del Local 73 de SEIU. Ella organizó a sus compañeros de trabajo para presentar quejas de ética contra el Tesorero del Estado de Illinois, Michael Frerichs, por la compra de bonos israelíes. Frerichs incluso compró más bonos durante el genocidio en curso en Gaza. Por su trabajo, Martinez recibió el premio Assata Shakur. Junto con varios miembros y jubilados del Local 73 de SEIU, la familia de Gabi la acompañó al evento.

Premio de Logro de la Vida: Premio de Pete Camarata para Jim Fennerty por defensa legal del movimiento

Jim Fennerty ha tenido presencia constante en las protestas de Chicago por décadas, llevando la gorra color verde de limón del Gremio Nacional de Abogados. Jim es un abogado del pueblo que ha constantemente defendido nuestro movimiento de los ataques de la clase dominante. Jim y su esposa, Janet, han estado activos políticamente en el movimiento por más de 50 años. Jim representó a Rasmea Odeh y los 23 Anti-Guerra, y ayudó a ganar una resolución civil histórica en representación de 800 manifestantes arrestados al principio de la Guerra de Irak.

El premio de Fennerty fue nombrado en honor al difunto Pete Camarata. Pete fue fundador de los Teamsters por un Sindicato Democrático (TSD). Durante su lucha contra los criminales que tomaron el control del sindicato, Pete fue uno de los primeros en combinar el poder de la base con la acción legal.

Fennerty fue presentado por el amigo de la familia Hatem Abudayyeh de la Red de Acción Árabe-Americana y la Red de la Comunidad Palestina de EE.UU. Muchas mesas estaban llenas de amigos y familiares de Jim y Janet, incluyendo a su hijo Nate, su hija Dina, su esposo Daniel Contreras, y su nieto Quinn Contreras.

Además, la familia de Pete Camarata estuvo presente con los Fennerty, incluyendo a su esposa, Robin Potter, a su hijastro Jackson y a su esposa, Joan; a su hijastra Aimee, y a su nieta Phoebe.

Premio William L. Patterson para Frank Chapman

El momento más importante de la noche fue el premio de logros de la vida para Frank Chapman. Se presentaron con grabaciones de saludos de la presidenta del CTU Stacy Davis Gates y del vicepresidente Jackson Potter.

El Premio William L. Patterson fue presentado por Anthony Quesada, concejal del distrito 35:

“A través de su liderazgo en la Alianza de Chicago contra la Represión Racista y Política, Frank ha ayudado a dirigir campañas que han dado forma a Chicago. Ha sido central en la lucha por la justicia por los condenados injustamente y por el control comunitario de la policía. Su trabajo ayudó a avanzar el movimiento que ganó consejos electos de distritos de la policía, los cuales le brindaron a la gente una verdadera voz en la seguridad pública. Y hoy, Frank continúa avanzando esta lucha a través de nuestra batalla por el referéndum de Poder Comunitario Sobre la Policía.”

“También ha sido mentor de generaciones de organizadores, muchos de los cuales están en el salón esta noche. En todas partes de Chicago y más allá, la gente ha aprendido de él como quedarnos con los pies sobre la tierra, como construir poder colectivo, y como seguir adelante en cada fase de la lucha. Su impacto vive en la gente que él ha moldeado y en los movimientos que siguen creciendo.”

También estuvieron presentes otros funcionarios electos, incluyendo la concejal del distrito 33, Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez; el miembro del Comité Demócrata del Distrito 35, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa; el concejal del distrito 25, Byron Sigcho López; y la senadora estatal Graciela Guzmán.

El premio lleva el nombre de William L. Patterson, el abogado del Partido Comunista de los EE.UU. que lideró la Defensa Internacional de los Obreros (ILD, por sus siglas en ingles) y quien organizo la defensa en masa de los chicos de Scottsboro en los 1930s. Más tarde, encabezó el Congreso por los Derechos Civiles, y junto con Paul Robeson llevó la petición de Acusamos de Genocidio a las Naciones Unidas. La formación de la Alianza Nacional Contra la Represión Racista y Política fue basada en el modelo de la ILD.

Chapman: “Somos parte de un mundo mejor que está naciendo”

Chapman es el director ejecutivo de la Alianza Nacional Contra la Represión Racista y Política, organizador de campo y director de educación de la Alianza de Chicago, y miembro del Comité Central de la OSCL. En sus comentarios, él compartió un poco de perspectiva sobre el régimen de Trump y sobre el cambio en este país desde su punto de vista habiendo nacido en 1942.

Refiriéndose a los que ven al Trumpismo como aberración cuando dicen, “Eso no somos nosotros,” indicando que eso no es lo que representa los EE.UU., Chapman respondió, “¿Qué demonios que no? Lo que le están haciendo a los inmigrantes me pasó a mí y a mi gente… 6200 niños han sido mantenidos en detención desde que Trump llegó,” continuando, “Y disparando a la gente en las calles en estilo de ejecución.”

“Pero ya hemos visto esto: vimos cuando le dispararon 16 veces a Laquan McDonald. Y hace unos días, la policía estatal le disparó 15 veces a un hombre, a poca distancia de mi casa,” y “Dejen de decirme que esto es algo que no han visto antes.”

“Estamos exigiendo el fin del trumpismo, pero vamos más allá de eso. ¡Somos parte de un mundo mejor que está naciendo!” Continuando con las letras de La Internacional, Chapman dijo, “Levántense ustedes los prisioneros del hambre. Levántense condenados de la tierra. Porque la justicia truena condena. Un mundo mejor está naciendo.”

“¿Están listos para lograr esto? ¿Están listos para la revolución?” preguntó, provocando aplausos atronadores

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #DerechosdelosInmigrantes #NacionalidadesOprimidas #Afroamericanos #OSCL #NAARPR #LaLuchadelPueblo

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the FRSO Salt Lake City District.

The Freedom Road Socialist Organization has been reestablished in Utah, emerging stronger with two vibrant new districts.

The rebirth of our district in Salt Lake City was catalyzed by a renewed engagement in the anti-imperialist struggle. The spark came after we participated in the Utah Anti-War Committee's letter-writing campaign in support of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently unlawfully being held as a hostage in U.S. prison. This act of solidarity reinvigorated our revolutionary organization in Utah and coincided with the commencement of Freedom Road organizing in Orem, 40 miles south of Salt Lake.

Today, our districts now strive to be beacons of progress and revolutionary drive in Utah, having summed up the many successes of the past and made concrete plans to address challenges. New cadres recruited from the mass movements are fighting to win a deeper fusion with Utah’s working and oppressed people.

Our renewed district in Salt Lake City collaborates with a variety of progressive forces, including Armed Queers of Salt Lake City, the Utah Workers Center, Healthcare Workers for Palestine, and Utahns for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land. In Orem, our new comrades support powerful partnerships with Students for a Democratic Society at Utah Valley University, alongside the Whistle Committee and the Civil Disobedience Club, bringing Freedom Road to the heart of Utah County for the first time.

Since January 2026, our district membership has quadrupled in size, a surge that speaks to the hunger for genuine revolutionary struggle in Utah. Our recent activities have focused on the anti-war movement, providing support to the UAWC’s actions against U.S. aggression in Iran, Cuba, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Palestine. Our district celebrated International Women's Day with a massive rally at the state Capitol alongside MMIR Utah and UAWC, which we followed by a well-attended May Day panel that drew dozens of Utahns eager for change and for an end to ICE terror in their community.

Our district welcomes all revolutionaries in the Salt Lake area looking for a community of organizers where they can serve the people's movements, rebuild the communist party and study Marxism-Leninism. A new generation of cadres has taken up the call to land blows on the monopoly capitalist class.

The message from Utah is clear: opposing forces failed to break us. Instead, these experiences only served to forge a harder, more disciplined, and more dedicated organization. In Utah, FRSO is quickly evolving into a force to be reckoned with, dedicated to the long-term goals of the labor movement, student activism, immigrant rights, LGBTQ liberation, and gender justice, all while building the anti-war movement and laying the groundwork for a socialist society.

The fight carries on.

#SaltLakeCityUT #OremUT #UT #PeoplesStruggles #AntiWarMovement #FRSO

Tacoma, WA – Several hundred people took to the streets of Tacoma on May 1 to rally for immigrants and workers’ rights. The crowd gathered around 4 p.m. and began chanting with messages such as “Stand up and shut it down, Tacoma is a union town!” and “Power to the people! No one is illegal!” Energy was high, and the mood of the event was celebratory.

The rally opened on Tacoma’s downtown Theater Plaza, with speeches from union members, immigrant rights activists, and tenant organizers. Nearly 40 organizations endorsed the event, including Teamsters Local 117, Washington State Nurses Association, Indivisible Tacoma, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Malaya Tacoma, and many more.

“I think May Day is the sickest holiday ever created,” said one attendee, Edgar Alvarez. “I’m here to contribute to the workers’ movement first and foremost. We’re in a spot right now where we need to start building momentum.”

The program at Theater Square concluded with a performance of Solidarity Forever by local protest band Bugs for Change. The crowd then moved into the street and marched first up the hill to Tacoma City Hall.

The crowd continued with chants such as “Union jobs and education, we will fight for liberation!” and “Stop the deportations!”

“Immigrant workers were on the front lines of the Haymarket affair, they were on the front lines of the 2006 megamarches and continue to be on the front lines of labor struggles across the country,” said Rie Guerrero of Pierce County Immigration Alliance. “The reason we’re stopping here at Tacoma City Hall is because one of the entities reaping profits from the abuse of our immigrant neighbors is our very own city government. The city of Tacoma has invested its retirement system in a mutual fund that has holdings in GEO Group, meaning it has banked its employees' financial futures on the continued profitability of concentration camps like the Northwest Detention Center.”

After that rousing speech, the crowd marched back down the hill towards the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC).

“We’re marching to demand justice for the immigrants that are in detainment in the NWDC,” said Moon Gosserand, emcee of the coalition event. “We must always, even if we don’t know them personally, stand up for the people that need it.”

The planned route to the NWDC crossed Tacoma’s 11th Street bridge, and, as protesters approached the bridge, members of the Tacoma Police Department started forming barricades to block the marchers from continuing on their route. However, the marshal team refused to turn back and pushed through. Eventually the police relented and the protesters continued as planned, completely shutting down the 11th Street bridge.

Chanting continued as the crowd made their way to the NWDC, including chants such as ““When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Shut it down! Shut it tight! Workers of the world unite!”

Upon arrival at the NWDC, the crowd continued chanting and the program resumed on the street outside the detention center. There were more songs and speeches, including one from Maximo Londonio, a member of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 695, who was imprisoned by ICE in May 2025.

One attendee reflected on the crowd which had marched nearly two miles from the starting location, “It’s really cool to see so many people from Tacoma uniting and showing up,” said Sterling Peel, a band leader with Bugs for Change and general member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “It really shows that this is a working-class town for the working-class people, and we have a strong working-class movement, and I love to see it.”

The program concluded with a song offered by members of Tangoll Migrante Movement which included the refrain “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” Many attendees vowed to continue fighting.

“Bottom line is, get in the streets!” said Alvarez. “If you’re not in the streets, get in the streets.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #Labor #MayDay

The rising costs of energy drove the increase in prices, on the backs of higher fuel prices as a result of Trump’s war on Iran. Gasoline prices were up 28.4% over a year ago. Electricity rates were up 6.1% from a year ago.

These higher prices mean that the purchasing power of workers’ incomes, or what economists call real income, fell in April as compared to March, and also fell compared to a year ago. Using another measure of prices paid by workers, the CPI-W, real wages or hourly earnings fell 0.3% in April from March, and fell 0.2% as compared to a year ago.

There were also signs that higher fuel and energy prices are spreading to goods and services that use a lot of energy to produce. With diesel fuel prices up over 60% from a year ago according to the AAA (American Automobile Association), transportation costs are showing up in the higher prices for food, up 0.5% in April as compared to no increase in March. Airline fares have soared, up more than 20% as compared to April 2025, as jet fuel prices have almost doubled.

While economists often refer to the “core” rate of inflation, which takes out food and energy costs as they are more variable month to month, this means that the actual rate of inflation for lower and middle income households is actually greater than the headline (total) inflation, since those consumers spend more of their income on necessities like food, gasoline and electricity.

With Trump polling at all-time lows, with 70% of people disapproving of him on the economy, Congress is proposing to suspend the federal gasoline tax. However, the tax is only 18 cents a gallon, or about 4% of the current national average price. But with gasoline up more than 40% since the war started, this would at most offset 10% of the increase. Further, the gasoline tax is an excise tax that the seller pays, so there is no way to ensure that the gasoline sellers pass on the tax cut to drivers.

With no end in sight to the war that is blocking the flow of oil, gas, fertilizer, sulfur (used in industry) and helium (used in a lot of tech industries), higher prices are likely to spread to more and more goods and services.

#SanJoseCA #CA #CapitalismAndEconomy #Inflation #Featured

Orlando, FL – An hour before the Orlando City Commission meeting, community organizers rallied outside City Hall to put police accountability back on the agenda. Activists and community members toughed it out in the heat. They crowded around a banner that read, “Say their names” and held “Bring back the Civilian Review Board” signs.

The action was called for by Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC), a local grassroots group that fights for justice for the victims of police violence. OAPC is advocating for the return of a civilian review board (CRB) as a step towards justice, accountability and community control over the police.

OAPC organizer Richard Thomas addressed the crowd, “in 2024, the Civilian Police Review Board was dismantled and in the years following there has been an immediate surge in police brutality and community victims.” Thomas went on to describe how that hasty decision was made unnecessarily after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passed HB 601, a law designed to intimidate local governments into abandoning civilian oversight of the police.

Longtime community activist Lawanna Gelzer spoke passionately about the right of the community to have real oversight and accountability. Speaking about the long struggle against police crimes in Orlando, she said, “The city council is now debating ICE’s role in the community, but for years they have been acting like ICE in our community!”

Organizer Cassia Laham directed her comments at Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Right now, when the police kill a community member, the media repeats their false narrative, the FDLE [Florida Department of Law Enforcement] whitewashes the investigation, and everything is swept under the rug. The CRB can give families a voice. You have the power to bring it back.” Laham also referred to an ACLU study about the decision to abandon civilian review boards across Florida. It concluded that HB 601 cannot in fact prevent cities from establishing review boards. There are currently two ways that a new CRB could be created in Orlando: through a ballot referendum or mayoral decree.

As the action drew to a close, emcee Edmund Anglero led the crowd in chants of “Justice for Kaleb Williams,” a 20-year-old local tattoo artist who was killed in November by OPD in a botched SWAT raid. Standing alongside Williams’ family, it was a powerful reminder to all in attendance of exactly why the fight for justice must go on.

Afterward, the group attended the city commission meeting and participated in public comment. OAPC organizers vowed to continue their campaign to bring back the CRB. This may have been the first time that some commissioners heard about the fight for police accountability, but it will not be the last.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #OAPC #Featured

Minneapolis, MN – On Mother’s Day Sunday, May 10, the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC) organized a pro-choice Mother’s Day protest across from what was an anti-abortion, Pro Life Action Ministry (PLAM) billboard.

A few days leading up to the protest, members of MNAAC learned the billboard was replaced with a local orthopedic billboard. Despite this change, they continued with the protest with about two dozen attendees to fight for comprehensive reproductive healthcare, oppose abortion restrictions and the attempts of “pro-life” organizations to influence legislation and to shame women.

MNAAC is actively fighting against the existence of “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs), or anti-abortion centers, in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, with activists demanding restrictions on the ability of CPCs to spread medical misinformation and demanding state and local regulations to require CPCs to disclose that they do not provide a full spectrum of reproductive healthcare.

CPCs convince unknowingly pregnant people in crisis to not have abortions by using scare tactics and promoting myths about abortion causing depression, cancer and infertility. In Minnesota CPCs outnumber abortion care clinics eleven to one, since there are 90 CPCs and nine abortion care clinics. Anti-abortion attacks continue at the federal level with the recent 5th Circuit ruling that seeks to block remote prescription and delivery of mifepristone by mail.

Activists shared their stories about what it means to have the ability to choose to become a parent and how American imperialism continues to harm mothers.

Jordann Hoff, a member of MNAAC, shared that blocking access to mifepristone via telehealth and delivery by mail will harm nearly two-thirds of people needing to have an abortion, since approximately 63% of all abortions are via medication.

Emily Newberg, a member of Women's Against Military Madness (WAMM) shared how Palestinian women are using tent scraps for pads and, without aid mothers, are continuing to take care of their children alone as the men have migrated away throughout the war.

River Road Townsend, a member of Twin Cities Coalition For Justice (TCC4J), told their story about receiving a lifesaving abortion during their first trimester because they still had children to take care of, and how they later were able to choose to adopt a child into their family. Townsend calls their family a family of choice; and that reproductive healthcare should not have to come through the intersection of luck and circumstance.

MNAAC is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization fighting for reproductive justice. The pillars of reproductive justice are the right to have a child, the right to not have a child, and the right to parent a child in safe and sustainable communities while maintaining personal bodily autonomy as a human right.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #MNAAC #AbortionRights #WomensMovement #LGBTQ

New York, NY – On Wednesday, May 6, the Movement of Rank and File Educators gathered for general assembly in Midtown Manhattan. More than 40 classroom teachers from across the city met to discuss the presence of NYPD in schools and the police’s role in oppressing the student body of New York and intimidating teachers and staff in schools. The group was joined by the Dignity in Schools organization, which is against scanners and police in schools.

The meeting began with a teach-in on the history of policing in schools in NYC, which first began in the 1970s after the United Federation of Teachers made a mistake by striking against Black and Puerto Rican parents who wanted to exercise control over their children’s schools, known as the Oceanhill – Brownesville strike. The UFT, led by Albert Shanker, made an historic mistake by pitting the rights of white teachers to a job against the rights of Black and brown parents to decide who taught their children, instead of uniting the struggles together against a common enemy.

The assembly moved on to discuss the way language in the UFT contract about students “disruptive behavior” has been used by teachers to have students removed from their classes. This practice disproportionately affects Black and brown students today.

They also talked about how the NYPD imposes expensive scanners for students onto certain schools, and obscures data about where these scanners are located in the city. It can be assumed that most scanners are placed in majority Black and brown schools. Some students in the NYC public school system are required to go through metal detectors and scanners operated by cops and are treated as possible suspects when they get to school.

The frequent delays at scanning make students late to school and makes it more difficult for teachers in the classroom to teach their lessons. The group discussed how the money that goes into expensive scanners could easily be used to give teachers better working conditions, and students better learning conditions, or funneled into job positions in the school that are staffed by unions.

The teachers then broke out into groups to talk about the situations in their schools, and, with the help of a campaign toolkit, some came up with plans to get rid of racist scanning and NYPD presence in their schools through rank-and-file mobilization and engagement of the broader school community.

#NewYorkNY #NYC #NY #MORE #UFT #Labor #PoliceAccountability #Teachers

St. Paul, MN – On May 9, the day before Mother’s Day, 100 Minnesotans, from all generations, gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol with blue bunny hats in remembrance of Liam Conejo Ramos and the 4030 immigrants who were kidnapped during Operation Metro Surge.

Two months on from the drawdown of Operation Metro Surge, people came out to the Capitol to demonstrate their determination to fight back against the continuing attacks on immigrant communities. Protesters brought their own blue bunny hats or grabbed one made by the Conejo Rally organizers. The crowd of blue bunny hats made for an emotional visual as various immigrant rights advocates spoke to the crowd.

The event, dubbed the “Conejo Rally,” was co-organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and Families Against Military Madness (FAMM). The rally honored five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who in January was kidnapped by ICE agents along with his father outside their home in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The two were then sent to the notoriously cruel Dilley detention center in Texas, where Liam became depressed and ill.

As images of the scared preschooler in his blue bunny hat stoked global outrage, a judge ordered ICE to release the pair, and they returned home on February 1; but the nightmare is not over, for them and many other immigrant families.

The federal government is still trying to deport Liam and his family and seems determined to retaliate against them for the attention their case has received. The Department of Justice successfully moved to end the family’s asylum claims, and now it has appealed the release of Liam and his father. Nonetheless, Liam and his family themselves attended the Conejo Rally, bravely keeping their story in the public eye.

Kevin Centeno, an administrator at Liam’s school stated, “We’ve seen children used as baits. I’ve seen parents taken just for taking out trash, going to work, dropping off their kids, or picking them up from school, or from everywhere they need. These parents are not a threat. These are working-class families. This is our community. We will stand together for those who cannot stand. We will not be afraid for those who are afraid, and we will fight back.”

Liz McLister, the co-emcee of the rally from FAMM told the crowd, “We know that the fallout from Operation Metro Surge is still impacting our neighbors in the form of PTSD, continuing detentions and deportations; and the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, income and program cuts. We know ICE is still better funded than some countries’ militaries, and that it’s concentrating power behind the scenes as I speak! We know that someone has died in ICE detention every six days so far this year. The terror persists, albeit in less obvious ways.”

Manuel Pascual, the co-emcee of the rally from MIRAC, notified the crowd of the renewed threats made by “border czar” Tom Homan and the new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Last week at the Border Security Expo, Tom Homan boasted about the rate of kidnappings made by immigration officers, who are now making about 1200 arrests a day. He also explicitly threatened to send more agents to states and cities that restrict cooperation with federal law enforcement, which would lead to an increase in collateral arrests and violence courtesy of the federal government. Markwayne Mullin, for his part, clarified the Trump administration’s strategy of conducting mass deportations, but in a quieter fashion, with the DHS out of the headlines.

The people are also fighting back at the state level to uphold immigrant rights through a large coalition of immigrant rights groups called the North Star Alliance. Karen Wills, a member of the North Star Alliance Policy Team addressed the crowd and told them about the importance of getting Senate File 3699 passed in Minnesota, something the coalition has been working on. This bill is expected to be discussed this coming week, and would restrict immigration enforcement agents’ access to courts, hospitals, schools, and childcare centers.

In addition to passing bills like this, MIRAC members have been pushing for immediate action via an executive order issued by the governor to ensure immigrant communities get immediate protections.

Myrka Zambrano, who spoke at the rally on behalf of MIRAC, asserted, “We have already seen what the federal government is capable of. The time to act was yesterday. We need change now. Governor Walz has the power to make it happen. We are asking Walz to issue an executive order to make us a sanctuary state now. We are demanding no cooperation with ICE and local law enforcement. We are demanding all charges dropped against protestors. We are demanding justice for all of the victims of ICE terror.”

Zambrano continued, “And we want a statewide eviction moratorium. What we want is simple. We want Governor Walz to protect immigrants and all Minnesotans from federal violence and repression.” MIRAC’s upcoming actions will be aimed at pressuring Governor Walz and the gubernatorial candidates to uphold these sanctuary state demands.

The rally concluded with a speech from Liam’s father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. “As you know, we have gone through very difficult times, but thanks to your support, your messages, and your good wishes, we have pulled through. Thank you for being here. This is the symbol that represents all immigrants, ” Arias declared, holding up a blue bunny hat.

At the end of the rally, participants gathered on the steps in front of the capitol building with their blue bunny hats, chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here!”

#StPaulMN #MN #MIRAC #ImmigrantRights #SanctuaryState #LiamConejoRamos #OperationMetroSurge

Anaheim, CA – Rosie Camacho se acercó al podio del Ayuntamiento de Anaheim el 21 de abril, apretando contra su pecho una muñeca tejida. Camacho era la madre de Albert Arzola, y la muñeca simbolizaba el espíritu de su hijo.

Camacho dijo, “El 6 de diciembre nunca volverá a ser lo mismo. ¡Las personas que se suponía que debían cuidar de él lo asesinaron! ¡Asesinaron a mi hijo, justo delante de mis ojos! ¿Y quieres que confíe en ellos?”

Camacho continuó, “¡Necesito saber quién disparó a mi hijo! Apuesto a que sigue en el departamento de policía haciendo su trabajo, intentando matar a la siguiente persona.”

Doce miembros de la familia de Albert, junto con miembros de la Organización de Servicio Comunitarios del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), exigieron justicia ante el Concejo Municipal de Anaheim. En una victoria para la familia, y tras meses de presión pública, al final de la sesión del consejo, la alcaldesa Ashleigh Aitken anunció que se había revelado el nombre del policía asesino a los abogados de la familia Arzola. Aitken también pidió al abogado municipal Robert Fabela que informara sobre los avances en la publicación del informe de la autopsia. La lucha por otras demandas continúa, incluyendo la divulgación pública del nombre del policía asesino, su despido del Departamento y más.

Grace Arzola, tía de Albert Arzola, dijo, “Albert fue asesinado a las 9:32 PM. Como residente de toda la vida de Anaheim, el domingo estaba aquí y se estaban disparando los fuegos artificiales de Disney. Me di cuenta de que mi sobrino estaba sentado en el suelo, perdiendo la vida, y a menos de una milla de distancia, ustedes tenían fuegos artificiales. La diferencia que supone menos de una milla en la forma en que nos tratan.”

Adlai Carrillo dijo que la noche en que Albert fue asesinado por la policía de Anaheim, nadie llamó a la policía. Los agentes que mataron a Albert se encontraban en una de las llamadas “patrullas de represión de pandillas”. Carrillo dijo, “Todos sabemos en qué se han convertido estas patrullas: una herramienta utilizada para perseguir, discriminar y acosar a personas de comunidades desfavorecidas bajo la etiqueta de ‘vigilancia proactiva’. Y por eso, los oficiales ‘entraron en contacto’ con Albert sin ninguna razón legítima”. Carrillo dijo, “¿Por qué su oficial saltó de su auto con el arma ya desenfundada? ¿Con el dedo ya en el disparador, listo para disparar antes de evaluar cualquier cosa?”

Grace Arzola explicó cómo el segundo oficial que emboscó a Albert esa noche nunca activó su cámara corporal. Ella dijo, “Si todavía está en el departamento y trabajando, ¿por qué no lo han despedido? Eso es algo crucial. Por eso les dieron esas cámaras: para mostrar la transparencia de todo el incidente. Pero en el momento más importante, cuando le quitas la vida a alguien, ¿su cámara estaba apagada? ¿Y ahora quieren ponernos bajo vigilancia? ¡Esto es una broma!”

Arzola se refería a la decisión del Concejo Municipal de aprobar la instalación de equipos de lectura automática de placas. Esta tecnología se promociona como una forma de reducir la delincuencia, pero en realidad se utiliza para vigilar a la población y, en ciudades de todo el país, los datos se han compartido con agencias federales como ICE. Más tarde esa misma noche, el Concejo Municipal de Anaheim votó por unanimidad a favor de aprobar la instalación de los equipos, con un costo de $736,344 dólares, a pesar de las protestas del público.

Marie Flores Cofinco conectó el pasado con el presente cuando habló sobre el asesinato de Fermín Vincent Valenzuela a manos de la policía de Anaheim en 2016. “Estoy aquí para recordar a la ciudad de Anaheim, para recordar a los concejales y a la alcaldesa el asesinato de mi sobrino: Fermín Vincent Valenzuela. El 2 de julio de 2016, el agente Daniel Wolfe estranguló a mi sobrino hasta matarlo con la ayuda del agente Woojin Jun, bajo la supervisión del sargento Daniel González.” Cofinco dijo, “El sargento González supervisó y dio instrucciones a Daniel Wolfe diciéndole ‘Mantén ese estrangulamiento. Mantén ese estrangulamiento. Mantén ese estrangulamiento.’”

Según Cofinco, durante el juicio, entre 40 y 50 agentes de policía de Anaheim uniformados entraron en la sala del tribunal con la intención de intimidar a la familia de Valenzuela. Pero al final, la ciudad se vio obligada a pagar $13.2 millones de dólares a los hijos de Valenzuela.

David Pulido, miembro de CSO, dijo, “Están ocultando la identidad del asesino de Albert. Están ocultando el hecho de que la policía de Anaheim está llena de asesinos. El oficial que mató a Marcel Ceja en 2011 sigue en el departamento. Se llama David García. Los oficiales que mataron a Fermín Vincent Valenzuela siguen en el departamento. Se llaman Woojin Jun y Daniel Wolfe. El oficial que mató a Joel Acevedo en 2012 y a César Cruz en 2009 sigue en el departamento. Se llama Kelly Phillips. Lo sé porque CSO consiguió recientemente las listas actualizadas de la policía de Anaheim”.

Pearl Arzola, hermana de Albert, señaló que la ciudad intentó ocultar el nombre del agente alegando amenazas sin fundamento contra la vida del policía asesino. Ella dijo, “¿Cómo es que los estamos amenazando? Lo único que exigimos es justicia. ¡La justicia para mi hermano no es una amenaza! Ustedes tienen armas. ¡Nosotros no tenemos armas!”

Pulido concluyó su comentario diciendo, “Durante décadas, Anaheim y su policía se han interpuesto en el camino de la justicia para las familias. Por eso CSO lucha por el control comunitario de la policía. Tenemos que construir nuestro propio poder para hacer que la policía rinda cuentas. Su Junta de Revisión Policial fue un comienzo, pero no fue lo suficientemente lejos. Necesitamos una comisión elegida democráticamente con el poder de disciplinar y despedir a los policías asesinos. ¡Justicia para Albert Arzola! ¡Justicia para Fermín Vincent Valenzuela! ¡Justicia para Joey Acevedo!”

#AnaheimCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

The entire Party and all revolutionary forces nationwide salute the heroism of the 10 fallen Red commanders who fought the fascist attackers in Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19. The people mourn the deaths of their beloved children who selflessly gave their entire lives to advance the interests of the oppressed masses in Negros and the entire people’s struggle for genuine freedom and democracy.

They also grieve the death of nine other unarmed individuals, including two children, who were mercilessly killed by the unhinged soldiers of the 79th IB. They include youths from the cities and other countries who went to Toboso to support the peasant and farm worker masses in their struggles to defend their right to land and livelihood.

In solidarity with the loved ones of those killed in Toboso, the people strongly clamor for justice. The memory of the lives of the nation’s best and finest children is forever etched in the consciousness of entire nation.

The broad masses of Negros demonstrated how they love and cherish their fallen Red commanders when hundreds of fellow villagers joined the funeral, defying fascist soldiers’ intimidation. Such a display of affection for the NPA further strengthens the Red commanders’ determination to continue their sacrifices in wholeheartedly serving the broad masses of the people.

The NPA suffered a heavy setback in Toboso. However, this is temporary and one which the masses and the people’s army will overcome by drawing bitter lessons. In memory of the martyrs who fell in Toboso, the NPA’s determination grows even stronger to ceaselessly strive along the shining yet arduous and winding path of revolutionary armed struggle. The NPA is fully resolved to take action to achieve justice for the victims of the Toboso massacre and for the thousands of other victims of the AFP’s fascist suppression in Negros and other parts of the country. From the land nourished by the Toboso martyrs’ blood will spring even more fighters who will rise and take up arms in various guerrilla zones and fronts throughout the country.

Although a dark chapter, the Toboso massacre sheds light on worsening conditions, the ongoing feudal oppression, the state’s fascist violence, and the extreme suffering of the peasant and farm worker masses in Negros, which impel them to rise and wage armed resistance. It further highlights the reasons why the masses must advance the armed revolution to defend against the oppressive ruling classes and their fascist attack dogs.

It further inflames the desire of even more youth, especially rural youth who directly suffer feudal oppression and fascist violence, to join the people’s army and contribute to the people’s struggle for national and social liberation. It also calls on urban intellectual youth to go to the countryside to learn from the masses and join in advancing the people’s war.

The NPA is steadily regaining strength throughout the country. It continues to expand and multiply the number guerrilla zones and areas to carry out mass work and launch tactical offensives. Wherever it expands in the countryside, the Red commanders are warmly welcomed and tightly embraced by the masses who are deeply desirous to defend their interests and rights. They know the NPA is their weapon against their class oppressors and exploiters. They eagerly join the people’s war as village self-defense forces, militias, or soldiers of the people’s army.

Class contradictions in the countryside are extremely sharp. Landlords employ worsening forms of taking away the resources created by peasants. There are widespread cases of land grabbing and eviction of peasants, as well as dispossession of fisherfolk’s fishing grounds. Corporations in mining or plantations of big foreign capitalists and comprador bourgeoisie relentlessly plunder and destroy the environment. The military imposes martial law to crush wherever the masses resist oppression.

For the oppressed masses, armed struggle is just and necessary. They can defend their lives and livelihoods only by arming themselves and fighting.

Revolutionary armed struggle is the primary form of struggle in advancing the protracted people’s war to end the oppressive and exploitative ruling system. Armed struggle advances alongside the various forms of people’s resistance, open and secret, legal and illegal, urban and rural. The people’s war is a peasant war since it mainly focuses on implementing the revolutionary program for land reform.

The people’s war is also a patriotic war aimed at opposing and overthrowing the neocolonial state and the mercenary AFP. It must advance even more now amid the US imperialists’ war preparations and the resultant intense crisis in the Philippines. In collusion with the Marcos puppet regime, the US and its allied imperialist powers’ military forces is turning the entire country into a springboard for imperialist war. They are now paving the way for American monopoly capitalists to take over exclusive control of the country’s land and minerals.

It is become ever clearer to the Filipino people that there is no other path towards salvation from imperialist domination and plunder other than the path of revolutionary armed struggle.

Let us set ablaze the path of the people’s war. Let us amplify the call for young workers, peasants, and intellectuals from the cities, and even overseas, to join the New People’s Army. Let us echo our call for the people to take part in carving the country’s a new history towards a future of freedom and prosperity.

#International #Philippines #CPP #NPA #AngBayan #TobosoMassacre #Negros19

The employment report, based on a survey of businesses, was strong relative to the weak hiring in 2025, with 115,000 new jobs created. There were still pockets of weakness, with government jobs declining by 8000, making April the seventh month in a row of job losses by government workers. Manufacturing also lost jobs, down by 2000 jobs.

However, the survey of households showed more weakness, with the labor force participation rate declining by 0.1%. Without this decline, the unemployment rate would have gone up. The unemployment rate was also held down by a big jump in self-employed workers, many of whom, like rideshare drivers, are really a new type of temp workers. Last, but not least, the broadest measure of unemployment, which includes people who gave up looking for work and people working part-time who can’t find full-time jobs, rose to the highest this year, at 8.2%.

Workers’ compensation, including wages, benefits and taxes paid by the employer, rose 3.1% in the first three months of the year (January to March) according to another BLS report issued Thursday, May 7. But prices rose even faster, meaning that real compensation, or the purchasing power of workers’ wages and benefits, actually fell by one half of one percent, or 0.5%, during these same three months.

This meant that the share of total output in the economy that goes to workers was only 54.1% in the first quarter, the lowest since these records began almost 80 years ago, in 1947. With more of the share of the economy going to corporate profits, rent, interest and small business income, it is no wonder that more and more people feel that the rich are getting richer, and the poor poorer.

The growing divide between haves and have-nots can also be seen in the contrast between the latest Consumer Sentiment report by the University of Michigan and the booming stock market. The Consumer Sentiment report, which covers the period of April 21 to May 4, fell to an all-time low of 48.2. This drop reflected consumers’ expectation of inflation to rise. Expectations are that inflation will jump over the next year from 3.3% over the last 12 months to 4.5% over the next 12 months. This will further reduce the purchasing power of workers’ wages.

In contrast, the stock market, as measured by the broad S&P 500 Index, is at an all-time high. The stock market is being driven by corporate profits and the fast-growing wealth of those at the top. In particular, semiconductor chip stocks have risen to about 15% of total stock market value, even higher than during the 2000 dot-com stock market bubble.

How have sales and business profits held up with so many working-class households struggling amid soaring gasoline prices? On one hand, more and more consumer spending is based on high-income households as the economic divide in terms of income and wealth continues to grow. On the other hand, lower and middle income households, mainly the working class, are borrowing more to make ends meet. The Federal Reserve report on consumer credit, released yesterday, May 7, shows that credit card borrowing increased at the fastest rate since the last bout of inflation, in 2022.

#SanJoseCA #CA #CapitalismAndEconomy #Jobs #Unemployment #Featured

San Jose, CA – On May 7, dozens of community members gathered at Hillview Branch Library for a panel discussion led by rank-and-file union members and organizers about the state of the labor movement in the South Bay.

The panel members included Ariya Amin of San Jose Teachers Association; Armando Barbosa of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265; Nancy Mendoza of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, and Philip Nguyen of Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Service Employees International Union Local 521.

The discussion centered around the importance of unions, local struggles against school and store closures, ICE, and the fight against the Trump administration’s attacks on workers.

“Unions are essential to us harnessing our collective power. We will always be up against forces that are opposed to that, so it is essential to be organized,” said Amin, “As teachers, our working conditions directly affect our students. We not only advocate for ourselves, but our students and their families.”

“The union is important because it gives the working class a voice at the table,” stated Barbosa, “We think about entering into a labor non-physical warfare, because that’s what we’re really up against. We are in battle. The contract is our sword and our shop stewards are our defense mechanisms.”

Nancy Mendoza highlighted the effects of the Trump administration on organizing Cardenas grocery store workers, “Cardenas workers, a lot of them came on a parole visa, so they all got laid off. Trump suspended their visas and they were unable to work.”

Cardenas, however, took advantage of the situation to circumvent the union’s organizing efforts. Mendoza added, “Cardenas grocery store tells the workers that we work with ICE. That’s a big one, so now we’re giving them cards for Know Your Rights and we’re holding classes for them to attend so they know their rights for when they face ICE.”

The event concluded with a short Q and A session and opportunities to socialize.

#SanJoseCA #CA #Labor

Anaheim, CA – On May 5, Community Service Organization (CSO OC) along with the family of Albert Arzola mobilized to Anaheim City Council to demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired from Anaheim Police Department. When the family and CSO OC arrived, they came with signs that read “Fire killer cop Nathan Garcia.” The city council was visibly shaken and rattled by the signs.

Pearl Arzola opened her comment with, “It has been five months, and you have not given us anything but a name, but that name is still patrolling our neighborhood. Officer Garcia is not a part of a gang unit, so why is he allowed to patrol in an unmarked car terrorizing the whole community?” Arzola followed with “I get really bad anxiety attacks and so does my sister in-law, and you guys just continue to not care. You guys continue to pay this person. You need to fire him immediately.”

Arzola, who works in healthcare talked about the night of Albert’s murder, “If I would’ve done any necessary measures I could’ve saved my brother’s life, but I couldn’t because your officer was pointing a gun at me saying get the fuck inside.”

Pearl’s comment set the tone. The Arzola family, CSO OC members, and other city council attendees chanted “Fire him! Fire him!” and “Fire Nathan Garcia!”. The crowd was very emotional and angry all night.

Leslie Lopez, a cousin of Albert Arzola, called out a city council member by saying, “Norma [Campos Kurtz] isn’t here, but I wanted to congratulate her because she still has a killer cop working within her district. We know this because we saw him. About a month ago he was at a raid within the same neighborhood where the officers were high-fiving him like it was a celebration that he was back. There is nothing to celebrate.”

Lopez continued, speaking about the night of Albert’s murder. “Matt Sutter, the public information officer stated there were 12 people detained. I want to show you the 12 people detained.” Lopez then proceeded to show images on her iPad, many of whom were children. On the live video, the city officials turned the camera away from Leslie in an attempt to hide information. Leslie then followed with “Statements were made that night. When the officers needed to move Albert they said, ‘let's drag his ass.’”

Throughout the whole night, the Arzola family yelled “Shame!” and rang bells to create noise and disruption. The noise fell on heartless ears, as did the very emotionally heavy comments of the family.

Grace Arzola stated “It’s Cinco De Mayo and I want to share a song that reminds me of my nephew. I actually listen to this song every day on my way to work. It says that when two souls truly love each other, no matter how far apart they are they will never stop loving one another. That's why, beautiful sky when I die, don’t stop loving me.” Grace continued “I will never stop loving my nephew. Until the minute I stop taking my last breath I will miss him dearly.” Grace's comment moved everyone in that room. She said it with tears in her eyes and every person felt it.

She followed her comment with “I’m not sure if you guys read the LA Times report, but Nathan Garcia had a previous incident of excessive force with a 14-year-old. If the kid’s parents had done what Nathan Garcia did, the kid would be in foster care. He profiles young Chicano males. If officer Garcia had been held accountable for that incident then my nephew would still be alive.”

David Pulido, a CSO OC member, went into further detail. “On June 27, 2024 Nathan Garcia and his partner brutally arrested an unarmed 14-year-old Chicano. They drove their knees into his back, fractured a rib, and kicked him in the genitals.” Pulido continued with “This is why we fight for community control of the police. We should have direct authority over the police and who is hired, fired and how they are disciplined.” Pulido brought a lot of anger and frustration with his comment, he continued by saying “We demand the public release of all body cam footage; we demand the release of the autopsy report, we demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired!”

Donna Nelson, who’s 21-year-old son was murdered by Anaheim Police on July 22, 2012, stated, “12 months prior to the killing of my son, the Anaheim Police Department also killed David Raya, Marcel Ceja, Bernie Villegas, Rosco Cambridge, Martin Hernandez, Manuel Diaz. All within one year. In 2014 it started up again. I picture the bodies piled up here, and they kept piling, and more and more families kept coming here asking for change. We have all these layers of oversight that doesn’t do anything.” She continued, “In 2016 Gustavo Nejera was killed by officer German Alveraz who’s standing right by the door.”

After the comments ended, CSO OC members and friends and family of Albert Arzola confronted Alveraz who was standing outside the council chambers. David Pulido said this to him: “You killed a 22-year-old for what? For throwing sand?” A coworker of Albert said, “You're the only gang here, and can kill people and get away with it.” Alveraz didn’t have much to say, but he was visibly shaken. He showed no remorse for his killing of Gustavo.

Throughout the whole night, residents of Anaheim, and other impacted families alike spoke in support of the Arzola family's demand to fire Nathan Garcia from the force. The entire chamber erupted in chants, yelling at the council and Anaheim Police Chief Manny Cid to fire killer cop Nathan Garcia. Many attendees who were there for other reasons rallied behind the demands. The community’s anger and distrust and ion with Anaheim PD grows stronger by the day.

#AnaheimCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #KillerCop #NathanGarcia

Santa Ana, CA – On May 1, nearly 300 people packed into Sasscer Park for International Workers’ Day. The rally and march, which also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the immigrant mega marches, was organized by the Orange County May Day Coalition. The energy in the crowd grew as the emcee of the rally, Abe Quintana from Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) led chants of “ICE out of Santa Ana! ICE out of OC!”

Michelle Ceballos from UAW started by emphasizing “the wealthy have extracted more and more profit from us, kept our wages low, raised prices, and bought out our politicians! It doesn’t have to be this way! May Day reminds us that when we fight, we win!”

Speaking on the immigrant mega marches 20 years ago Ceballos added, “In 2006, on a Day Without an Immigrant, millions hit the streets to defeat an anti-immigrant law, and won. In January, hundreds of thousands across the U.S. shut it down, to get ICE to back off. Today, people joined the call to shut it down again, to keep building momentum for a mass movement!”

Erika Armenta, the wife of Noe Rodriguez, a man who was killed by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) is also a member of CSO OC. Armenta told the crowd, “We need community control of the police to ensure that officers who have taken the lives of our loved ones face consequences-specifically, that they be fired and subsequently imprisoned. They must be held accountable for the lives they have unjustly snatched away!”

Armenta also spoke of CSO OC’s fight for immigrant rights, “Our Immigration Committee works with the working-class immigrants of the Coach Royal mobile home park who are fighting unjust evictions and abuse from Kingsley Management Corporation.”

Hussein Imreish from the Palestinian Youth Movement said,“ For the past two years we have seen how essential the labor movement is for Palestine. Through our campaigns such as Mask of Maersk and the Peoples Arms Embargo we have connected with principled and dedicated workers who reject the imperialist forces inflicting violence and exploiting our people.”

Diana Terreros from Freedom Road Socialist Organization Orange County (FRSO OC) kicked off her speech by saying, “Immigrants are super exploited to increase the profits of the billionaires.” Terreros spoke about the local example of Kingsley. “They do illegal terrible things to the residents all for profit and then count on the residents being too afraid to fight back due to their status. They have even threatened to call ICE on them! Shame!” Terreros finished with a call to action by saying, “We are an organization of fighters working shoulder to shoulder with the working class and have a real strategy to build a united front against these capitalists and you should join us in this fight!”

Gaby Hernandez from Chicanos Unidos stated, “We have worked heavily and led the campaign against gang injunctions. Gang injunctions create prisons in our communities without walls.” Hernandez added that “We started fighting against injunctions in 2006 and just a few months ago we were able to shut down injunctions here in Orange County!”

At the height of the rally, the large crowd started marching. The protesters stopped traffic, fully taking over the road, chanting “ICE out of OC!”, “Donald Trump, let’s be clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and “Jail killer cops!” throughout downtown as the crowd filled the busy streets.

The crowd held up signs saying “No Ice! Stop the deportations,” “Workers Forever, CEOs never” and “Fight for workers' and immigrants’ rights” while passing cars gave honks of support.

While marching, David Pulido, a member of FRSO OC and a chant leader for the march, brought attention to the parking lot where 73-year-old Miguel Chavez was brutally arrested by the SAPD in 2022. “They shot him with less-lethal rounds and sicced a K-9 dog at him! He later died from his wounds!” This started powerful chants of “Justice for Miguel Chavez!” and “Jail killer cops!”

This OC May Day coalition was comprised of and included organizers from CSO OC, OC DSA, FRSO OC, UAW, Harbor Institute, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Code Pink OC, OC Peace Coalition, CHIRLA, Orange County Banner Drop, OC Mutual Aid, Chicanos Unidos, Palestinian Youth Movement Orange County Environmental Justice, General Strike US, Nuestras Manos, Santa Ana Lucha, Santa Ana Active Streets, Save Orange Hills, Green Party of OC, Union de Barrio, VietRISE and Climate Action Campaign and.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #MayDay #InternationalWorkersDay #ImmigrantRights #Labor #CSOOC

Austin, TX – On Thursday morning, May 7, community members packed the Austin City Council meeting to demand that the city take action to stop local police collaboration with ICE. Jesse Valdelamar, of La Frontera Unida, gave public comment on this issue as supporters packed the room with signs with messages such as, “ICE out” and “Legalization for all.” After the public comment, around 25 people rallied outside City Hall.

In his speech, Valdelamar said, “On April 24, this city government shamefully capitulated to the racist demands of Governor Abbott and updated police orders such that officers ‘should, when operationally feasible’ contact ICE over administrative warrants.”

Just before this, Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to withdraw $2.5 million in city funding. Valdelamar said, “If this was really a money issue, we should be talking about cutting back on the millions of dollars in handouts to big business that this city gives out on a regular basis rather than risk sending any of our community members to their deaths in a concentration camp.”

Sameeha Rizvi of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) spoke on how the Trump administration is making claims about ICE taking criminals off the streets. Rizvi said, “I mean so far, if that’s the reason we are going to use, how come we have so many Muslim immigrants who have been detained just because they spoke up on Palestine?”

Rizvi continued, “Let’s be clear. ICE does not make our neighborhoods safer. Agencies that exist to tear families apart have no place in our communities.”

Jake Holtzman, of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said, “These racist politicians are a product and a symptom of a whole rotten system. And that is the system of monopoly capitalism. The capitalists are waging ICE terror, mass deportations and tearing families apart, all to line their own pockets. Shame!”

Holtzman continued, “We need a revolution to kick the capitalists out of power and put working and oppressed people in charge. And our demand is national liberation and self-determination for the Chicano nation here in the Southwest, and full equality for all Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans in the U.S..”

#AustinTX #TX #ICE #ImmigrantRights #LaFronteraUnida

Minneapolis, MN – On Wednesday, April 22, the city of Minneapolis released a long-awaited after-action review examining the Minneapolis Police Department’s failures in the handling of the murder of Allison Lussier and the shooting of Davis Moturi.

Allison Lussier was a Native woman living in the North Loop of Minneapolis who called MPD more than six separate times to protect her from her abuser Chuck Foss. Despite her family and community making MPD aware of Foss’s potential connection to the case, MPD never called a crime scene unit to investigate and failed to interview witnesses or review surveillance footage. Chief O’Hara, without reviewing the findings of the medical examiner, immediately declared she had died of an overdose despite the lack of investigation.

There was similar neglect in Davis Moturi’s case. Moturi logged 19 separate complaints with MPD regarding racist harassment and threats from his white neighbor John Sawchak, and, leading up to the shooting, the Moturi household called MPD at least 38 times according to the report. Officers did not arrest Sawchak until five days after the attempt on Moturi’s life.

The findings confirmed what families, organizers, and community members have been saying for years: the system meant to protect the most vulnerable is failing, and without sustained public pressure, those failures are buried. This review did not come out of nowhere. It exists because Allison’s family and loved ones refused to stay silent. They organized, they pushed, and they forced this city to confront the truth.

Activists and community members listened as the City Auditor presented for nearly four hours to a joint meeting of the Audit Committee and the Minneapolis City Council. What the City Auditor presented was beyond misconduct; the presentation showed MPD engaged in patterns of neglect and indifference toward non-white victims and that these failures show up in every level of the department’s functioning.

The audit revealed that MPD did not request the Medical Examiner’s report in Allison’s case until nearly two years later and only after the Auditor attempted to obtain it. Several officers outright refused to participate in the audit, including Sergeant Heyers, who was the detective assigned to Allison’s case. One officer who took early retirement before the auditor could speak to him reportedly said, “I’m not going to participate in the investigation.” Despite orders from leadership to participate, O’Hara chose not to enforce this order and as yet there have been no consequences for these officers.

When asked whether race played a role in how Allison’s case was handled, Chief O’Hara repeatedly dodged the question. Additionally, coordination between MPD and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office still had not been established even after months of public scrutiny and promises. O’Hara blamed these issues on understaffing, but a lack of staff does not explain why reports weren’t requested, why officers refused to cooperate and properly file reports, why families were ignored, or why accountability only shows up when the community forces it. MPD received a budget increase of over $5 million in addition to nearly $20 million in approved overtime in 2026, so the issue is clearly not a lean budget but a mismanagement of its resources.

Despite everything revealed in this audit, justice has still not been served. Allison Lussier’s killer has not been charged and MPD has yet to take full responsibility not just for failing her in the investigation, but for failing her before her murder and in how they communicated with the public afterward.

We also stand in solidarity with the family of Mariah Samuels, whose case reflects the same patterns. These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern of neglect, especially when it comes to indigenous women, Black women, and marginalized communities. The families and community members demand a full direct apology, real consequences for officers who failed to act and investigate these cases, and immediate and meaningful investment in domestic violence response. Twin Cities Coalition for Justice will continue to highlight these cases and push for community control of the police so that cops are held accountable for these egregious failures.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #TCC4J #AllisonLussier #DavisMoturi #MariahSamuels #PoliceAccountability #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

Mayo 5 es el aniversario n.º 208 del nacimiento del fundador del socialismo científico moderno, Karl Marx. Los comunistas alrededor del mundo marcaran este día celebrando y conmemorando su legado, y a nosotros los comunistas en Estados Unidos nos haría bien recordar sus contribuciones monumentales y evaluar lo que Marx nos tiene que decir hoy.

Marx no fue el primer socialista. Él fue el primero en poner a la teoría socialista sobre una fundación científica y materialista, y en darle al socialismo una orientación revolucionaria firme. Como su gran alumno Lenin dijo,

“La doctrina de Marx es omnipotente porque es verdadera. Es completa y armónica, y brinda a los hombres una concepción integral del mundo, intransigente con toda superstición, con toda reacción y con toda defensa de la opresión burguesa. El marxismo es el heredero legítimo de lo mejor que la humanidad creó en el siglo XIX: la filosofía alemana, la economía política inglesa y el socialismo francés.”

Lo importante a entender aquí es que el marxismo no salió de la nada. Nació de la interacción de ideas que vino antes de él, impulsado por el crecimiento del capitalismo y el movimiento obrero revolucionario. En otras palabras, Marx tomó la materia prima de las teorías más avanzadas de economía política, filosofía y pensamiento socialista, y, en el horno de la feroz lucha de clases, forjó la teoría del socialismo científico.

Cuando decimos “socialismo científico,” ¿a qué exactamente nos referimos? ¿De qué forma Marx hizo al socialismo científico? Primero que todo, tenemos que entender que el pensamiento socialista, antes de Marx, era, en su núcleo, idealista y utópico. En pocas palabras, esto significa que fallaba en entender que la conciencia es impulsada y moldeada ante todo por la realidad material, y debe hacer su misión cambiar la realidad material en formas fundamentales. Los socialistas utópicos que precedieron a Marx eran incapaces de entender esto, así que crearon todo tipo de fantasías sobre sociedades utópicas sin manera real de llegar allá.

Marx, por otro lado, entendió que el cambio histórico y social es un proceso gobernado por leyes, y que solo al entender y aprovechar estas leyes podríamos remodelar la sociedad de una forma fundamental. Marx entendió que es la base material y económica de la sociedad, cómo la sociedad organiza su producción y distribución de bienes, lo que determina las ideas de esa sociedad, en vez de al contrario. Basado en procesos materiales, Marx vio que la historia se había movido a través de una serie de etapas, del comunalismo primitivo a las antiguas sociedades esclavistas, al feudalismo, y al capitalismo. Además, entendió que es la lucha de clases la que sirve de motor del cambio histórico. Vio que la lucha de clases es inevitable siempre y cuando existan las clases. La lucha de clases y la revolución inevitable son el resultado de cualquier sistema donde las relaciones de producción, las relaciones de clase de propiedad y poder, vengan a reprimir el desarrollo de las fuerzas productivas que mueven el progreso. Solo al liberar las fuerzas productivas de las trabas de las relaciones productivas reaccionarias puede progresar la sociedad a una etapa elevada. Esto es lo que pasó durante cada cambio histórico de un modo de producción a otro. De este modo él concluyó que es la gran misión histórica de la clase obrera el derrocar el capitalismo, tomarse el poder estatal a través de la revolución, y remodelar sistemáticamente la sociedad a través de su propio estado socialista. Al hacer esto, la clase obrera arrancaría y eliminaría todos los vestigios de las clases y la lucha de clases, dando lugar a la sociedad comunista. Esta es la idea básica de la concepción materialista marxista de la historia, o el materialismo histórico.

Subyacente a esta teoría de la historia está la filosofía de Marx del materialismo dialéctico, que entiende que la contradicción, donde fuerzas oponentes luchan una contra otra y cambian de lugar, es el catalizador de todo cambio. La teoría marxista del materialismo dialéctico fue desarrollada más a fondo en formas importantes por su compañero, Friedrich Engels, y luego por Lenin, Stalin y Mao.

Marx tomó su materialismo dialéctico e histórico y los aplicó al análisis de la economía política. De este modo, en su gran obra El capital, reveló las leyes del movimiento del sistema capitalista, cómo la explotación capitalista estaba basada en un tipo de robo de la clase obrera escondido en los mecanismos de la producción capitalista.

Él fue capaz de entender la ley del valor, que opera en el centro de la producción de mercancías – que el valor de una mercancía está determinado por el tiempo de trabajo socialmente necesario requerido para su producción. Explicó cómo la competencia impulsa a los capitalistas a maximizar sus ganancias al incrementar la productividad para reducir el costo de producción bajo el promedio social. Y él vio a través de la cortina de humo de los economistas capitalistas para revelar a todos que era mediante la artimaña de la plusvalía, el valor producido por la clase obrera más allá de de lo que son pagados, robado por los capitalistas, que los capitalistas pueden hacer eso. Esto es la base de la ganancia capitalista, llevando al enriquecimiento de la clase capitalista, la concentración de la riqueza en menos y menos manos, y el empobrecimiento y pauperización de las masas obreras. De esto, Marx entendió que esto inevitablemente llevaría a crisis cíclicas de sobreproducción, tirando a trabajadores al ejército de reserva de los desempleados, gastando y arruinando las fuerzas productivas. Esta es la crisis donde las relaciones productivas actúan como trabas para el desarrollo de las fuerzas productivas, un ciclo aplastante de ruina cuya única resolución es la revolución.

El capital fue el mayor obsequio de Marx a la clase obrera. Dejó claro el problema, el capitalismo en sí, y la solución, la revolución socialista. Diagnosticó la enfermedad y reveló la cura. Pero Marx no era un mero teórico. Él entendía que era solo al organizarse para la revolución como clase que los obreros podían liberarse a sí mismos de la explotación y construir una nueva sociedad. No debemos olvidar o minimizar el hecho de que Marx era un organizador revolucionario. Él escribió folletos y editó periódicos con el fin de educar y agitar la clase obrera. Y él fundó y dirigió organizaciones de clase obrera revolucionarias.

En 1846 fundó el Comité Comunista de Correspondencia. El CCC se juntó con la Liga de los justos y formó la Liga Comunista en 1847, que Marx lideró. En efecto, el apasionado programa de la Liga Comunista, El manifiesto comunista, del que Marx fue coautor con Engels, se convertiría en una de sus más conocidas y ampliamente leídas obras. En 1850 Marx dio su famosa Circular del Comité Central a la Liga Comunista donde explicó el lado práctico de la teoría postulada en El manifiesto. Ahí Marx explica que los trabajadores deben actuar independientemente con sus propios intereses de clase con el fin de establecer un gobierno de los obreros a través de la revolución. Después de ser exiliado a Londres como resultado de su actividad revolucionaria, él ayudaría a fundar y liderar la Asociación Internacional de Trabajadores, conocida en la historia como la Primera Internacional.

Las contribuciones de Marx hoy en día

Hoy, el capitalismo se ha desarrollado a su fase superior y final, lo que Lenin llamaba imperialismo. Es un sistema moribundo, un sistema en declive. Es un sistema más allá de la ayuda, más allá de la reforma. Cualquier rol progresivo que alguna vez tuvo en la historia se acabó hace tiempo. Solo nos reprime de construir un mundo mejor.

Y en sus últimos estertores es especialmente brutal y violento, intentando prolongar su vida parasitariamente de la sangre de los pueblos obreros y oprimidos de todo lugar. La presidencia reaccionaria de Trump ha agudizado las contradicciones del capitalismo, y, luchando para reprimir la marea de la historia que inevitablemente lo borrará, solo apura su desaparición.

Todo lo que Marx nos ha explicado sobre el capitalismo continúa siendo válido, desde El capital hasta la Circular a la Liga Comunista, desde su explicación de sus leyes del movimiento hasta los medios de su derrocamiento. En efecto, se requiere organización revolucionaria de parte de los obreros conscientes de clase luchando por el socialismo, junto a las nacionalidades oprimidas que buscan la liberación del imperialismo.

Como Mao Zedong dijo una vez,

“A nosotros nos incumbe organizar al pueblo. En cuanto a los reaccionarios chinos, nos incumbe a nosotros organizar al pueblo para derribarlos. Lo mismo ocurre con todo lo reaccionario: si tú no lo golpeas, no se cae. Esto es igual que barrer el suelo; por regla general, donde no llega la escoba, el polvo no desaparece solo.”

En otras palabras, debemos continuar la obra más fundamental de Marx y seguir sus pasos. Debemos comprender las leyes de la historia, aprovechar las contradicciones y organizarse para la revolución.

J. Sykes es el autor del libro “The Revolutionary Science of Marxism-Leninism”. El libro se puede comprar visitando frso.org/books

#RevolutionaryTheory #Marx

Santa Ana, CA – On the morning of April 29, chants of “Fuera Kingsley!” rang outside the room where the Rent Stabilization Division (RSD) was meeting. Coach Royal mobile home park residents, alongside members from Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC), held a press conference before a hearing with the RSD. The residents have been facing abuse and harassment from Kingsley Management Corporation, the owners of the park, for years.

Kingsley has retaliated against residents who stand up against their abuse of power with unjust evictions. The RSD was scheduled to hear 18 petitions regarding these unjust evictions.

“If Kingsley wins, immigrants lose!” chanted Karla Alvarado, before kicking off the event with an emotional testimony. “I have been a resident for 28 years and I was evicted, not for misbehaving or owing rent, but because they wanted to show us we get punished for speaking up.”

Alvarado demanded justice for all residents who have been evicted through coercive and deceitful tactics, stating, “We want justice in our city, our people are hurting! Kingsley is giving the Spanish-speaking residents documents in English and also pressures them to sign under duress. This needs to stop!”

Guadalupe Barragan, longtime tenant rights activist and resident, got on the mic to state her demands. “What we are hoping to accomplish here today is to ask once again for city officials to help us, as we have been harassed, threatened, abused, robbed, and caused death! We want Santa Ana city officials to help us get Kingsley corporation out!”

Resident Julian Orozco shared his experience with Kingsley intimidation tactics: “I was supposed to get the title to my home after I had completed the contract and sent them a $300 money order. A week later they told me it had been a mistake and tried to do an additional contract for another three or four years. They tried to get me to sign it so that I would pay more. Rob McDonald [Kingsley staff], showed up at my house trying to intimidate me to sign the papers.”

A CSO OC member closed out the press conference demanding Kingsley get out and for help from government officials to stop this systemic abuse. He demanded justice for Maria Pedraza, a former Coach Royal resident who took her life due to the abuse at the hands of Kingsley.

As residents entered the building to begin the hearing, CSO OC members continued to chant, “Kingsley out! If Kingsley wins, the people lose!”

Once inside, Kingsley’s lawyer Ariel Badell motioned to have resident supporters removed from the chambers, including members from CSO OC, CHISPA, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (C.L.U.E.) and Tenants United Anaheim (TUA). Two city officials sided with Kingsley. After pushback from supporters citing the Rent Stabilization Ordinance , it was determined that witnesses were lawfully allowed to be present within the chamber and remained seated.

As this situation unfolded, Department of Homeland Security vehicles arrived just outside the building’s entrance. It is unknown who made the call, but residents and supporters believed it was used as an intimidation tactic, as many of the residents are immigrants.

As the hearing began, petitioners were not provided interpretation services despite many of the residents being monolingual Spanish speakers. Supporters present requested the city officials to provide interpretation services. Kingsley’s law team refused to provide interpretation services for their team, as Badell stated that they are “legally not obligated to provide interpretation services.” Supporters continued to advocate for the petitioners and demanded they receive interpretation services until city officials eventually accepted.

Later, as a city council member and reporter attempted to observe the hearing, Badell’s team attempted to remove the official and media. She threatened to sue the city for its involvement and claimed the hearing was “turning into a circus.” After reviewing the policies and procedures of the petition hearing, city officials ruled that the reporter and the elected city official were indeed allowed to be present at the hearing.

Overall, Santa Ana city officials initially allowed the Kingsley Management Corporation team to attempt to prevent the petitioners from exercising their rights within the hearing, such as access to interpretation services, allowing designated witnesses, and allowing for observers to enter the hearing room.

The city of Santa Ana remains complacent to Kingsley Management Corporation’s exploitative practices of steamrolling Coach Royal residents’ hearings and settlement negotiations. Only eight out of the 18 petitions were heard. The Coach Royal residents will receive the verdict of their hearings within 30 days.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #PeoplesStuggles #Housing CSOOC #CLUE #TUA

Salt Lake City, UT- On May 5, over 100 city workers and supporters demanded a strong contract in front of the Salt Lake City and County Building as union negotiations continue. Organized under AFSCME 1004, Salt Lake’s city workers demanded no cuts to worker compensation and condemned the city’s proposal for its attacks on union rights.

Also at issue are benefits, longevity, weekend shift differentials and holiday pay.

In a rally outside the city council chambers, city workers and their supporters chanted, “Who makes the city run? We do!” Workers from other unions answered the call for support from AFSCME 1004, including CWA 7765, which represents both the University of Utah’s campus and healthcare workers and the SunTrapp, a local bar.

Wearing green AFSCME shirts and holding signs reading “Strong contract now” and “We make the city happen,” municipal workers and their many supporters in the wider Salt Lake labor movement and community filled the City and County Building as Mayor Erin Mendenhall attempted to justify an austerity budget and regressive tax increases.

After Mendenhall’s presentation, union organizers led the crowd in a procession through the city council’s chambers, the line of green AFSCME shirts demonstrating the deep solidarity among municipal workers, their resolve in the contract negotiations, and the strong support they enjoy from the community and trade unionists.

After the procession, the crowd rallied once more on the steps of the City and County Building, the city workers having demonstrated their will to stand up for their dignity in the workplace, and community members having affirmed their solidarity with the workers who keep Salt Lake City running.

#SaltLakeCityUT #UT #Labor #AFSCME

Denver, CO – On Friday, May 1, public spaces saw protests, rallies and events celebrating International Workers’ Day. About 100 attended a May Day rally at the Colorado State Capitol to hear activists, organizers and workers speak in support of workers everywhere.

Grassroots groups such as Aurora Unidos Community Service Organization (AUCSO), Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee (DACAC and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) put on the May Day rally, inviting all those who stand against the billionaire agenda threatening community safety, and who stand for labor rights, public services and education to attend.

Alfredo Carbajal of AUCSO spoke to the crowd about issues plaguing immigrants in Denver and Aurora, including the GEO Detention Center in Aurora, which holds over 1500 people.

Carbajal stated, “For over a year now, we’ve witnessed the international targeting of our Black and brown friends and family with racist policing, detainment and family separation. From guard mistreatment to malnourishment and medical neglect, we have heard it all.” AUCSO works closely with families targeted by immigration enforcement and private for-profit prisons like GEO.

Carbajal continued, “Immigrants, workers and students are in the fight for a more just path to legalization and true self-determination.”

Miles Thompson, chair of DACAC told the crowd, “The police serve as a tool used by the bosses to stifle the progress that labor unions fight so hard to make, in addition to terrorizing our neighbors from oppressed nationalities.”

Thompson continued, “At DACAC, our fight for community control of the police is linked intrinsically to the labor struggle, and for Black and Chicano liberation. We oppose any and all suppression carried out by the corrupt police that harm civilians of all backgrounds.”

Condemning Aurora’s current police chief, Todd Chamberlain, for protecting “killer cops and slandering victims of police brutality,” Thompson pointed out that Chamberlain was not elected by the people and chose to serve the ruling class. Thompson also made a call to action, encouraging those who stand with the working class to use May Day to connect with like-minded organizers.

Kyle Burroughs of FRSO stated, “Which side are you on? As the CEO at UPS, Carol Tome, and her ghouls, see a potential boom in profits from automation. Buildings are closing down, tens of thousands of my coworkers at UPS are kicked to the curb and told they can't work their livelihood anymore, their healthcare and what bit of financial stability they had stripped of them. Which side are you on?”

Burroughs also denounced the war on Iran and the need to “drive a stake through the heart of the parasite class, the capitalist class.”

Burroughs continued, “There's so much to fight against, but there’s also so much to fight for.”

After the event at the capitol, many organizers and attendees went on to support other May Day events happening later that day.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #ImmigrantRights #MayDay