Los Estados Unidos e Israel están lanzando una guerra contra Irán. Es una guerra injusta y sin provocación. Ha habido numerosas bajas civiles en Teherán y en otras ciudades, incluyendo los reportes de 85 niños escolares muertos en Minab.

Esta es una guerra que EE.UU. eligió. Trump se apartó de las negociaciones, y luego alistó a Israel apartheid, y ahora, bombas y misiles están lloviendo sobre escuelas y estaciones de televisión. Irán tiene todo el derecho de responder.

Este año llega en un contexto. El declive del imperialismo de EE.UU. se está acelerando. Trump está tratando de preservar el moribundo imperio estadounidense, y el control del Medio Oriente es parte de ese proyecto. El año pasado, EE.UU. e Israel lanzaron una guerra fallida de 12 días con el objetivo de quebrar a Irán.

Ahora han regresado para intentarlo otra vez. Junto con su cómplice Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump enfrentará más derrotas y fracasos — si no pronto, será después. De cualquier forma, tendrán el mismo destino de los tigres de papel que los precedieron.

Irán traza un camino independiente. Se encuentra en el centro de un eje de resistencia que incluye a las fuerzas progresistas y patrióticas de Palestina, Yemen, Líbano e Irak. Los pueblos libres del Medio Oriente no vivirán bajo la dominación de EE.UU. Están determinados a acabar con la ocupación genocida de los sionistas. Así que los defensores del imperio tendrán sus manos llenas.

Aquí en los EE.UU., progresistas y revolucionarios tienen que salir, uniendo a todos los que se puedan unir para terminar con la guerra contra Irán. Lo que EE.UU. e Israel están haciendo contra Irán es un crimen, y debe ser juzgado como tal.

Trump ahora está hablando sobre un cambio de régimen. La verdad es que sí necesitamos un cambio de régimen — un cambio de régimen en Washington DC. Mientras nos oponemos a la guerra en Irán, y construimos un frente amplio contra Trump, podemos y haremos a los EE.UU. ingobernable.

#es #Iran #AntiWar #Statement #FRSO #OSCL

Fight Back News Service is circulating the Liberate and Unite New Orleans Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) statement on the suspension of Carson Cruse.

On December 13, Loyola University student and SDS member Carson Cruse was suspended for speaking at the Port of New Orleans public hearing in October. Carson was there supporting New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) and their demands which included that New Orleans stop shipping arms to Israel, ends its ties to the Port of Ashdod in Israel, and to suspend its contracts with entities that do business with Israel, i.e. Møller-Mærsk.

During his time speaking, Carson called out Sharonda Williams, Loyola’s General Counsel and a member of the Port of New Orleans Board, for punishing protesters and supporting the genocide as a member of the board. As retaliation, Williams reported Carson to Loyola for allegedly “promoting an unregistered student organization.”

This is yet another blatantly obvious attack on student free speech as Loyola attempts to quell our opposition to the genocide in Palestine.

This code of conduct report resulted in Carson’s suspension from Loyola and banning from campus until May of 2025, when he was set to graduate.

Carson was previously on probation for attending the Popular University for Gaza encampment, where he was arrested but subsequently found not guilty on all charges. Despite the not guilty verdict, Loyola upheld his disciplinary probation feeling as though they are above the law.

Sharonda Williams’ position as a port board member shows that Loyola and administrators of Loyola have very direct ties to Israel. Loyola giving their students sanctions and suspensions for speaking out against Loyola’s ties to genocide is a clear sign of administrative overreach and free speech suppression.

SDS stands for free of speech and demands that Loyola immediately reinstate Carson Cruse and drop all current sanctions on students for Palestine activism.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #Palestine #AntiWar

Highlands Ranch, CO – On Monday, November 4, Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) was joined by 25 community members to march and rally in front of Lockheed Martin’s Human Spaceflight Center. The group demanded disclosure to the public regarding the purpose of Lockheed Martin's Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program. 

The event began with a march on the building; however, themarch was short lived due to police cracking down with the threat of arrests unless organizers backed up to the sidewalk. DAWA member and emcee Solveig Swain stated, “These cops care about shutting down our right to peaceful protest, but turn a blind eye to the endless war crimes being carried out by Lockheed? Shame!”

The event continued on the sidewalk, where a picket and rally were held with speeches from socialist, student and anti-war organizations. 

Vincent Verheij with DAWA spoke on how militarism harms the average American, stating, ”Last year $1748 of the average Americans hard-earned tax dollars went to military contractors for the Pentagon.” The crowd found this fact shameful, and expressed that, especially in times as financially hard as these, this money should be going towards addressing the needs of people at home, rather than harming people overseas. 

Many of these weapons that Lockheed Martin and other weapons manufacturers produce are sold directly to Israel, with the intent to be used upon the Palestinian people.

Khalid Hamu from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “The resistance in Palestine is waging a struggle to see their people liberated. Israel has not been able to stamp out the resistance after more than a year now. The biggest military power in the Middle East has been failing to win their military objectives.” Despite the Israeli military failing its objectives in Palestine, the genocidal siege carries on; yet so does the resistance in Palestine and resistance to weapons manufacturers the world over. 

After speeches, chants, and marching along the sidewalk, the event wrapped up. Organizers stated that this is only the beginning of their actions targeting the Lockheed Martin Human Spaceflight Center, and that they will be returning soon to continue fighting for their demands.

DAWA held a teach-in the previous week to raise awareness about space militarism and Lockheed Martin’s role in Colorado. The DRACO program, funded by NASA and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), is often marketed as a peaceful advancement of technology for space travel. However, DARPA’s funding, primarily for military applications, signals a new arms race in space.

Lockheed Martin’s partnership with DARPA has historically led to significant military advancements, including the F-35 fighter jet and MLRS artillery systems, sold to Israel. In 2022, Eric Brown, a vice president of Lockheed Martin’s space program, described the DRACO program as a “watershed moment,” comparing it to the Manhattan Project of today.

DAWA urged community members to recognize Lockheed Martin’s space program as another means of developing technologies for genocide and to reject attempts to portray these developments as technologies for neutral space exploration applications. DARPA’s funding, with a history of U.S. government investment in military technologies that were later sold to Israel and other bad actors, confirms space militarism as the new arms race and market for war profiteers.

DAWA is poised to continue fighting against space militarism and Lockheed Martin until their demands to achieve disclosure, end Lockheed Martin’s aid to Israel, and to push the company out of Colorado are met.

#HighlandsRanchCO #DAWA #AntiWar #DRACO #DARPA #LockheedMartin #FreePalestine

The event, titled “Perspectives on Policing: Connected Struggles Abroad” is the latest entry in the series on policing town hall series.

One of the presenters was Ramon Mejia. He is an ex-marine and prominent anti-war organizer with the group About Face, and gave an unflinching portrayal of the ever-growing violence in the military, explaining how the violence is turned back on the very people the military claims to protect, through the exchange programs with police.

In close coordination with Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and Bayan USA, NAARPR DALLAS was able to hold a rousing and informative event with presenters from all walks of life.

The struggle continues but the Dallas community showed a great willingness to learn and better understand that interconnected struggle all thanks to the people at NAARPR DALLAS. More town halls to come in the coming weeks and months.

#DallasTX #NAARPRDallas #BayanUSA #FRSO #PYM #AboutFace #AntiWar #Policing

Green Bay, WI - On October 6, several dozen protesters marched through downtown Green Bay in an event marking one year of resistance to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Members of Green Bay Anti-War Committee and Hate Free Outagamie began the march with a rally at Leicht Park. From there the protesters marched in a loop through Washington Street and Broadway, chanting “Free free Palestine!” and “From Lebanon to Falasteen, end the U.S. war machine!” The chants resonated with passersby who joined the march. 

The demonstration had significance beyond the eve of the anniversary of October 7; it highlighted the intensifying class struggle against imperialist aggression. Israel’s recent invasion of Lebanon - after the Israeli terror attacks involving pagers and cell phones, which resulted in at least 3000 civilians injured and at least 12 killed - has escalated tensions between Israel and states resisting the ongoing genocide in Gaza. For workers of the world, the need for an anti-war stance becomes increasingly urgent.

The chair of the Green Bay Anti-War Committee spoke at the rally before the march, stating “Our position is founded on the fact that the flames of conflict have a way of spreading. While billions flow into military operations abroad, our own citizens struggle with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, and underfunded education.” His speech emphasized that not only is war destructive abroad but also at home, making the anti-war stance the only rational choice by all workers worldwide.

The march was followed by a vigil for the Palestinian and Lebanese martyrs at Leicht Memorial Park. Members of Hate Free Outagamie and Green Bay Anti-War Committee read avigil statement. Massacres committed by Israeli Occupation Forces since October 7 were listed followed by a moment of silence for the over 42,000 victims of the ongoing genocide. The glow of vigil candles illuminated the park as the closing statements were made, and the poem If I Must Die by Palestinian poet Rafaat Alareer was read. 

As members of Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, Green Bay Anti-War Committee and Hate Free Outagamie will continue actions in the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin as well as participating in marches and rallies calling for an arms embargo and an immediate end to U.S. aid to Israel.

#GreenBayWI #FreePalestine #GreenBayAntiWarCommittee #AntiWar

Publicado el 7 de mayo de 2024

Los ocupantes Israelíes de Palestina han intensificado sus ataques contra la ciudad de Rafah en el sur de Gaza durante las últimas 24 horas. Han atacado viviendas y han matado a niños. Los aviones están fabricados en los Estados Unidos. El material de guerra que se utiliza lo suministra la administración Biden. Se está llevando a cabo un genocidio en Palestina y Washington, D.C. lo está facilitando.

El 7 de mayo, Biden pronunció una declaración inconexa y sorda quejándose de quienes “restan importancia y racionalizan” los acontecimientos del 7 de octubre de 2023. Ese es el día en que la resistencia palestina abandonó los confines de la prisión al aire libre más grande del mundo, Gaza, y asestó un golpe por la libertad. Al decir esto, Biden está abrazando el genocidio. Luego, Biden habló sobre el “antisemitismo” en los campus universitarios. Con eso se refiere a los heroicos estudiantes que están en solidaridad con Palestina.

Desde el 7 de octubre, los sionistas han matado a más de 35,000 Palestinos. Aún no se han contado muchos más muertos, enterrados bajo los escombros de las casas de Gaza. Casi 100,000 personas han resultado heridas en los ataques israelíes. El hambre es aplastante, ya que el cerco ha provocado una hambruna.

Y, sin embargo, los ocupantes israelíes no han logrado ninguno de sus objetivos. La resistencia palestina es fuerte. Es inquebrantable y no se pone de rodillas. La resistencia palestina ha aceptado algunas condiciones que traerían una calma sostenible a la situación y, por el momento, los sionistas han respondido con masacres en Rafah.

Los logros de la resistencia palestina no se pueden deshacer, y la ocupación israelí ha mostrado al mundo entero exactamente lo que es: un estado de apartheid que asesina, tortura y miente. Es una creación del imperialismo occidental, específicamente de los Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña, que lo establecieron como una herramienta para dominar el Medio Oriente.

El sol se ha puesto sobre el imperio británico y ahora se está poniendo sobre el imperio estadounidense. Los pueblos del Medio Oriente están cansados de que los forasteros les digan cómo vivir y qué hacer, mientras las corporaciones occidentales les chupan sus recursos naturales. Un nuevo día está llegando.

El pueblo palestino está luchando por una causa justa. A ellos se han sumado muchos otros, incluidos millones de nosotros aquí en los EE. UU.

Los crímenes de Israel y sus partidarios en Washington deben ser expuestos y combatidos. ¡Exigimos que se recorte toda la ayuda a Israel! ¡Apoyemos a Palestina! ¡Palestina será libre, desde el río hasta el mar!

#Espanol #Spanish #OSCL #FRSO #Palestine #Statement #International #AntiWar

Chicago, IL – On Thursday, January 18, nearly 150 students rallied and marched at the University of Illinois at Chicago as part of Students for a Democratic Society’s national day of action against the U.S. bombing of Yemen and in solidarity with the resistance in Palestine.

Despite the cold and wind students gathered between UIC lecture centers to show their solidarity with the Palestinian and Yemeni resistance. SDSers led students in chants of “Yemen Yemen stand your ground, turn another ship around!” and “Money for schools, not for war, U.S. out of Yemeni shores!”

SDSer Angel Naranjos began the rally with a speech emphasizing the connections between U.S./Zionist aggression in Palestine and the ongoing immigrant crisis and economic war against progressive governments in Central and South America.

“It is the reactionary and racist, billionaire class of countries like the United States, Britain and Israel who are the direct beneficiaries of the siege on Palestine. In particular, our government, here in the United States, is directly responsible… for the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans, just as they are responsible for displacing countless Palestinians.”

Nadiah Alyafai, a South Yemeniyah member of the US Palestinian Community Network, lauded the heroic actions of the Yemeni resistance, stating, “Yemen has proved to the world this is not just a Palestinian fight. The importance of freedom and liberation lies within the context of everyone's freedom. The Palestinian fight is central to the whole Arab world and to anyone that fights in the name of social justice, because there is no justice or peace in the world without justice and peace for Palestine.”

Alyafai also condemned the brutal bombing of Yemen, stating the U.S. government “would rather bomb multiple cities in Yemen to protect Israel from suffering economic damages than to stop the genocide in Gaza. It is clear that, under capitalism, shipping containers have more sanctity than human life.”

SDSer Erin Boyle condemned the hypocritical lies of Secretary of State Blinken and the U.S. government., stating. “Our state officials have no shame for the blood on their hands, our secretary of state said the South African case against Israel in the International Court of Justice ‘distracts the world from important efforts for peace and security.’ Shame on him. Peace and security for who? Israel continues to rain down bombs on Gaza paid for by us.”

Liz Rathburn of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization emphasized the pressing need for solidarity between workers and oppressed people in the United States and the resistance in Palestine.

“We the working people in this country have more in common with the people of Yemen and Palestine than we do with our own government or with the apartheid regime in Israel, they are waging a revolutionary struggle against the same empire working people in this country need to overthrow.”

After the speakers, activists led students in a march on the UIC administration building to support Students for Justice in Palestine in their demand that UIC cut its ties with Israeli institutions. Before dispersing, students shook the 28-story tower with chants of “There is only one solution, intifada revolution!” and “Genocide Joe it is time, stop funding war crimes!”

#ChicagoIL #International #Yemen #AntiWar #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #USPCN #FRSO

St. Paul, MN – On January 13, about 250 people gathered in below-zero temperatures to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. weekend by participating in a car caravan, followed by a rally at the State Capitol.

Near the Saint Paul Western District Police Department, surrounded by strip malls, protesters called for no business as usual during a genocide, as drivers and passengers decorated cars with signs carrying slogans like “Solidarity with all oppressed peoples” and “Justice for Marcus Golden! Murdered by SPPD nine years ago!”

This year was the 9th annual MLK Solidarity March & Rally for Marcus Golden, who was unjustly shot and murdered by the Saint Paul Police Department on January 14, 2015.

Speakers from endorsing organizations spoke on issues centering their demands, such as community control of police, reparations for descendants of chattel slavery, the free Palestine movement and stopping endless wars. The car caravan started in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul and stretched many city blocks. By the time cars arrived at the final rally destination, about 150 cars filled both lanes and honked in the rhythm of chants.

Sabry Wazwaz of the Anti-War Committee and Jae Yates from TCC4J made the connections to police violence and specific tactics used by the IDF against Palestinians in occupied Palestine.

Nick Tolliver, an AWC member highlighted the facts, stating, “The U.S. and Israel are connected at an ideological level because they are both systematically racist settler colonies masquerading as liberal democracies that use their racism to justify the construction of oppressive and violent institutions. We must come together and demand an end to the unchecked repressive state violence that is perpetuated domestically by the police, ICE, the FBI, and internationally by the whole military industrial complex and the CIA. We must force our institutions to bend to the will of the people or be broken by our collective power.”

After the long caravan reached the capitol grounds, there was a short rally in the memory two movement activists who died in the past two years, Mel Reeves and Tou Ger Xiong, as well as speeches about what Dr. King would do today.

The event was organized in coalition with Black Lives Matter MN, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J), the MN Anti War Committee (AWC), and Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence (FSFAPV) and was endorsed by many other organizations.

#StPaulMN #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #MLK #PoliceBrutality #AntiWar #International #Palestine #MNAWC #TCC4J

Chicago, IL – Over 750 protesters braved the coldest weekend of this winter so far on Saturday, January 13 to demand that the U.S. and its allies take their hands off Yemen and end their support of Israel’s genocide in Palestine.

The protesters spoke in favor of Yemen's naval blockade against Israel as well as in support of South Africa charging the apartheid state with genocide at the International Court of Justice. This was the latest in a string of weekly protests organized by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine since October 7, 2023.

In addition to the usual chants of “Free Palestine” and “No more money for Israel's crimes” protesters chanted “Yemen, Yemen stand your ground. Turn another ship around.”

“Yemen’s message to the world is that there will be no business as usual unless the Zionist state of Israel and its partners stop the genocide in Gaza,” said Nadiyah Alyafai, a Yemeni member of the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), explaining why Yemen has been blocking ships in the Red Sea that are doing business with apartheid Israel.

Protesters condemned the series of airstrikes that have killed people in Yemen, mostly perpetrated by the U.S. and UK.

“It seems the British did not get enough after we sent them home with their tails between their legs in our war for independence in 1967. So, we will do the same now!” declared Omar Al-Yemeni, also a member of USPCN.

“Yemen is stopping the killing of civilians. The U.S. and UK are protecting their assets. Now the world can see how the Western powers prioritize profit over the people,” said Yasmin from Students for Justice in Palestine. “Meanwhile, South Africa’s decision to bring Israel to the International Court of Justice is a powerful act of solidarity.”

“All the countries who supported apartheid in South Africa are now supporting apartheid in Palestine,” said Kobi Guillory, co-chair of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. “Those of us who are oppressed by imperialism have to unite and fight back.”

Protesters resolved to continue pressuring U.S. politicians to stop their support for Israel’s genocide.

Nadiyah Alyafai added, “We tell Joe Biden: ‘Get your bloody hands off our homelands!’”

#ChicagoIL #International #Palestine #Yemen #AntiWar #USPCN

St. Paul, MN – On January 12, 40 community activists braved the snow, 16-degree temperatures and high winds to rally at the weekly Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) bannering at a busy intersection to stop Israel’s brutal, genocidal bombing of Gaza.

In her fiery speech, Kelly Thomas, an organizer with Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar, said, “Palestinians have long been allies in our fight for Black liberation. And much like we cannot achieve Black liberation while living on stolen land, we cannot achieve Black liberation while living in the imperial core and allowing our government to fund and support a genocide. ‘Land Back’ means ‘land back’ for everyone, both for our indigenous relatives and for all Palestinians.”

#StPaulMN #International #Palestine #AntiWar #WAMM

New Orleans, LA – On January 12 at 11 a.m., about a dozen protesters laid on the sidewalk in front of the Hyatt Regency during an annual luncheon for Greater New Orleans Incorporated (GNO Inc).

They rolled out banners reading “End collaboration with Israel” and “Genocidal New Orleans Inc: No innovation with occupation.”

GNO Inc. is a regional economic development non-profit organization that receives grants from local governments. The luncheon is their keystone networking event.

Protesters condemned the group for participating in the “Innovation Embassy,” an agreement set to facilitate technological trade with Israel this year. Other parties to the “embassy” include the Port of New Orleans and the New Orleans Business Alliance.

GNO Inc. moved their event’s location up by one story ahead of the protest. Hotel security closely watched the gathering. A protester wearing a yamaka took offense as one security guard remarked about someone in a “Jewish hat and glasses.”

“GNO, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide!” and “Divest from genocide! No profits from apartheid!” chanted protesters at the die-in.

The protest took place in the context of Israel’s ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza. New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Port (NOSHIP) organized the event.

“The Jewish hat will return!” cried Sruly Heller of NOSHIP, as the protest concluded.

#NewOrleansLA #International #Palestine #AntiWar #NOSHIP

Freedom Road Socialist Organization condemns the cowardly January 11 attack on Yemen by the U.S., United Kingdom, and their accomplices. The large-scale military strike took lives and destroyed property.

It was meant to frighten Yemen’s government and people. But the opposite took place. The government of Yemen has announced that it will continue to blockade shipping to Israeli-occupied Palestine. Backing that decision up were more than one million people rallying in the Yemeni capital city Sana'a.

Yemen’s response to the genocide in Gaza has been nothing short of heroic. Long a target of a brutal war waged by the Western powers and Arab reactionaries, Yemen’s choice to embrace the Palestinian resistance stands as an example to all yearn for liberation and justice.

In Palestine, the Israeli occupiers are losing the war, and the resistance movements in Lebanon and Iraq, along with the governments of Syria and Iran, are helping along the process that will end the occupation once and for all.

So, the Zionists have resorted to genocide. More than 30,000 are dead and they kill more every day. The mass murder is not an accident, it was embedded in the logic of the Zionist project from day one. And the imperial backers of the project, the U.S and Great Britain were, and still are, well aware of it.

Yemen’s courage stands as a beacon of hope where there is the darkness of oppression. It represents a step to a brighter future where the peoples of the Middle East will be free from imperialism and Zionism. When the monopoly capitalists that run the U.S. lose their hold on the Middle East, it will be milestone in the decline of the American empire.

For us in the U.S., standing with Palestine is important. The genocide Palestinians face would be impossible without U.S. backing. What we do here to stop it is important.

We need to stay in the streets and turn up the heat on all those who back Israel economically, with weapons, or who provide political cover to that apartheid state. Representatives of the Biden administration should be confronted about their support of genocide. All U.S. aid to Israel should stop!

There are two sides fighting in Palestine. It is not complicated at all. There is the oppressed and the oppressor. Israel exists on stolen land and borrowed time. The clock is ticking. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!

Hands off Yemen! End U.S./U.K. attacks!

#International #Yemen #Palestine #AntiWar #FRSO #Statement #Feature

Denver, CO – On January 6, the Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) was joined by organizers with the Colorado Palestine Coalition (CPC) to host a march and rally that drew around 400 attendees to the streets of Denver.

This was quite the first action for a new organization. The DAWA appears to be set to continue their fight for Palestinian liberation and an end to U.S. aid to Israel in their home state of Colorado.

The January 6 protest highlighted the ongoing participation of Colorado’s politicians in funding the genocide of Palestinians with tax dollars.

The event began with a series of chants and speakers from various organizations who spoke of the connection between U.S. investments in the Middle East capital and the genocide, victories by the Palestinian resistance, and the guilt of Coloradan politicians.

After the initial block of speakers, the protesters took to the streets. They marched down 15th Street, through 16th Street Mall, and back up to the Capitol building on 17th Street. They passed through 16th Street Mall chanting, “While you’re shopping bombs are dropping! While you’re eating kids are bleeding!” Some onlookers cheered in support, some joined in, and some appeared angered by the march.

Upon return their return to the Capitol after the brief, yet powerful, march, the action concluded with two final speakers and a prayer.

The DAWA had been participating in actions with the Colorado Palestine Coalition for the National Week of Action called for by the US Palestinian Community Network, the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Students for a Democratic Society.

One of the notable actions was a rally at Governor Jared Polis’ office, which was forcibly stopped by police who threatened to arrest and trespass the activists. Despite shutting down the protest and the capitol building as well, it appears that protesters are just getting started.

Tyler Hartley of the DAWA stated in his speech, “Unfortunately for Jared Polis and our other elected officials, we won’t be silent when a genocide is being done with bombs made here on the front range!”

#DenverCO #International #Palestine #AntiWar #DAWA

Los Angeles, CA – Chants of “Shut Sadaf down!” and “Boycott Sadaf!” echoed through an industrial area of Los Angeles as over 100 people rallied outside the Sadaf Foods building calling for a boycott of the company on January 5.

A member of U.S. Palestinian Community Network, along with Sol Marquez, a member of Centro CSO in Los Angeles and David Pulido, a member of CSO Orange County entered Sadaf Foods with the intention of negotiating and presenting their demands.

Inside, the USPCN person stated to staff of Sadaf Foods: “I’m Palestinian. My parents were born before there was even a thing called Israel. And the fact that we would even call it Israel is in itself a problem. We do not recognize this entity on our stolen land.”

The staff disclosed that 3.7% of their transactions are done with Israel, equating to millions of dollars. Despite being met with resistance, the negotiating team firmly presented the demands. First, cut all ties to Israel and anything associated with the Zionist institutions, military and nonmilitary. Second, cease the outsourcing of foods from colonized and stolen Palestinian land. Third, to stop exploiting and appropriating Arab and Palestinian cuisine and trying to pass it as Israeli food. Finally, issue a public apology and reparations.

Allies of the Palestinian struggle gave speeches expressing their support. Diana Terreros, member of CSO Orange County, expressed her organization’s unequivocal support of the Palestinian resistance. She reminded the crowd that Chicanos know the importance of boycotts: “In the 60s, Chicanos joined forces with Filipino Americans to boycott Delano grapes to support a strike against poor pay and working conditions”. She stated that today, Chicanos in CSO stand in solidarity with Palestinians because while their struggles are different, they are united against the common enemy of U.S. imperialism.

Michael Williams from Black Lives Matter-LA also reminded the crowd of the history of solidarity between oppressed nationalities, “There’s a lot of history of Palestinian and Black resistance together. Our struggles have been intertwined for a long time.”

A member BAYAN expressed, “The symbiotic struggle between Palestine and the Philippines is underscored by the alarming fact that U.S. tax dollars directly contribute to funding the oppression and violence against activists in the Philippines.”

The USPCN member present in the negotiations addressed the crowd stating that the Sadaf Foods staff said their business was apolitical. The negotiation team gave them examples of businesses that supported Germany during the Holocaust and asked if they would have considered that apolitical as well.

Two common themes that emerged among all the speeches were how the struggles of the oppressed are intertwined and that imperialism being responsible for this oppression. Sol Marquez stated, “U.S. imperialism is at the root of everything and imperialism in general is the number-one class that is oppressing people like Palestinos, the working class, Chicanos and many of you here.”

The rally was primarily organized by U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Centro CSO, CSO Orange County, BLM LA, Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestinian American Women’s Association and International League of People’s Struggle as part of a national week of action to stand with Palestine and end U.S. aid to Israel.

Protesters marched back to the sidewalk and continued chanting. USPCN and others plan on continuing their boycott efforts of Sadaf Foods until their demands are met.

#LosAngelesCA #International #Palestine #AntiWar #Sadaf #Boycott #USPCN #CentroCSO #SJP

Denver, CO – Around 12:30 p.m. on January 7, Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) was joined by the Colorado Palestine Coalition (CPC) to host a car rally through Denver in support of the Palestinian resistance.

The event drew about 50 cars and caused chaos throughout the streets of Denver, resulting in traffic backups as far as the eye could see and protesters chanting out of beds of trucks winding through the streets. Anyone passing through Denver on Sunday could not ignore the calls for a free Palestine.

Before taking to the streets, there was a time for car decorating and speeches. When speaking on the deep ties between U.S. aid and the maintenance of the Israeli occupation, Kyle Burroughs of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization pointed out, “In these affirmations of how strong this bond is, is actually revealed a weakness. If this is what is so important to Israel, then we know how to win. We must end U.S. aid to Israel. If US aid is propping up Israel and Zionist war crimes we have to end that aid. We have to.”

Speaker for the DAWA, Julia Swezy drew this connection as well, “Every day when we come together in the streets, take direct action, and express our support of Palestine, we strike a blow to the terror state of Israel and to the involvement of the United States. We cannot stop.” These activists know how they can achieve their goal of a free Palestine, and it does not appear that they will be letting up on their pressure until all of their demands are met.

Overall, the event seemed to be a success for the DAWA and the CPC, especially considering that this action was only the second organized by the DAWA. Decorating cars with paint and car markers while playing music was a lighthearted and enjoyable time for the pro-Palestinian community; while driving through Denver and causing large buildups was a very effective, means to spreading the demands of the protesters.

This car rally was the second in as many months put together by supporters of Palestine. If the success of these events provides any forecast, these actions will likely begin to increase in frequency and scale of disruption.

#DenverCO #International #Palestine #AntiWar #DAWA #USPCN

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN).

The U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) condemns the U.S. and UK imperialist attacks on the sovereign Arab state of Yemen. The U.S. and its allies have launched several airstrikes on multiple Yemeni cities in the past few hours. The attacks came after continuous provocation by the U.S. to stop Yemen from aiding the Unified Palestinian Resistance against the U.S.-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Yemen has vowed to intercept all Israeli and Israel-bound ships until the war crimes against the people of Palestine have ceased.

These attacks are a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty. The U.S. imperialist agenda is being exposed as it strives to destabilize and colonize the region in a continuous effort to support the genocidal, zionist state of Israel.

After the U.S.’ failed attempt to create a coalition to occupy the Bab al-Mandab Strait, it resorted to aerial strikes to further destroy Yemen, a nation recovering from a previously U.S.-funded war waged on them by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – a war which left Yemen devastated and facing a horrific, U.S.-manufactured humanitarian crisis. In addition, as collective punishment by the U.S. and its allies, humanitarian aid to Yemen was suspended.

As a number of Arab governments have been normalizing relationships with the apartheid state of Israel, and passively watching the genocide, Yemen stood up strongly and bravely in support of Palestine, preventing the advance of any naval vessels headed towards Israel. Its actions in the Red Sea, along with attacks from the Lebanese Resistance against the north of Israel, have inspired Arabs and other anti-imperialists and Palestine supporters across the world, in addition to providing real material reinforcement to the Unified Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.

#GenocideJoe Biden is not satisfied with funding Israeli war crimes and having the blood of 23,000 Palestinians on his hands. In the wake of an historic day in The Hague, where representatives of the remarkable state of South Africa offered powerful testimony about the Israeli genocide against Gaza to the International Court of Justice, he also approved these airstrikes on Yemen to murder more Arabs and devastate even more of the nation that has made us all so proud.

History has proven over and over that, wherever the U.S. military advances, destabilization and carnage is left behind, as we experienced in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, and dozens of other countries across the world. The U.S. and its imperialist warmongering allies must keep their bloody hands out of our countries.

#International #Yemen #AntiWar #USPCN #Palestine

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following resolution adopted by AFSCME Local 526.

AFSCME Local 526 Stands with the Palestinian people against Genocide

AFSCME Local 526 dedicates itself to improving the lives of working people, and fighting for a world where all people can live with dignity, justice, respect, peace, and equality. We consistently stand against Islamophobia, antisemitism, and racism in all its forms.

We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, Palestinian trade unions, anti-Zionist Jewish people, and millions of others who are demanding an end to Israel’s colonial violence and genocide.

We condemn the active role of the U.S government in supporting Israel’s system of occupation and apartheid, illegal settlements, and forced displacement of Palestinians, which is the root cause of the conflict.

We mourn all loss of life resulting from the conflict and call for an immediate end to Israel’s aggression against Gaza that has killed over 23,000 Palestinians and displaced 85% of Gaza’s population, 1.9 million people.

U.S. support for Israel’s war has caused a humanitarian disaster, and is risking a deadly outbreak of famine, disease, and a wider war. The billions of U.S. tax dollars spent on weapons for Israel every year should be reallocated to fund programs that help poor and working people, like healthcare, education, and childcare.

AFSCME Local 526 commits to taking the following actions in support of peace and justice:

1. We will send letters to our Congressional representatives, asking them to endorse bills such as H.R. 3103 and others that take meaningful action to end the genocide and occupation.

2. We will join over 900 unions, governments, and popular organizations who have endorsed South Africa’s Genocide Convention case against Israel at the U.N. International Court of Justice.

3. We will petition our employer, the Milwaukee Public Museum, to correct the large map in the “Crossroads of Civilization” gallery that includes a label for Israel, but not Palestine.

4. We will send a copy of this resolution to AFSCME leadership, encouraging them to join the many union internationals who have already called for a ceasefire.

5. We will continue to support and participate in actions led by the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, Wisconsin Labor for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Milwaukee Anti-war Committee, and others.

Passed unanimously at the AFSCME Local 526 membership meeting on January 11th, 2024.

#MilwaukeeWI #International #Palestine #AntiWar #Labor #AFSCME #AFSCME526

Dallas, TX – On Monday, January 9, hundreds of pro-Palestine community members gathered for a rally at Dallas Love Field Airport to protest the arrival of President Joe Biden in Texas.

The rally was held outside of the entrance to the airport where Joe Biden was landing, with banners and signs denouncing the president’s support for the ongoing U.S.-backed Israeli genocide and occupation of Gaza. Attendees chanted “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Biden was visiting Dallas to attend the funeral of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who had voiced support for Palestinians facing occupation and apartheid during her career.

Shortly after Biden landed in Dallas, the protesters stood in front of the Cedar Springs entrance to the airport calling for a ceasefire, blocking all traffic into and around the airport for over 20 minutes. During this time, the demonstrators continued chanting and some people left their cars to start chanting “Ceasefire now” along with the crowd.

Eventually, the police cleared out the cars and began roughly arresting community members at the protest, 13 individuals in all. The large crowd surrounded the police cars chanting “Shame, shame, shame” and “Dallas PD, KKK, IDF they’re all the same.”

After the arrests, the rally turned into a march around the airport, demanding the release of all arrested protesters. The march continued to block traffic around the airport and eventually forced the police cars to stop and wait before taking the protesters to the Lew Sterrett Jail in downtown Dallas.

Lanay Hyatte, who was arrested at the demonstration, remarked during the wait a Palestinian women who was arrested was in pain from overly tight zip-tie handcuffs cutting off circulation in her wrists and it took the police “about 20 minutes to find a pair of scissors to cut them off.”

Hyatte also spoke about how the women who were arrested who wear headscarves were all forced to remove them in front of male guards and for their public mugshots, remarking “that triggered me and made me feel violated.” She mentioned that another woman who was arrested told her that a male officer “touched her back multiple times and had touched her hand in a way that felt inappropriate,” also noting that they were all forced to remove their clothes in front of officers.

Additionally, all of the community members were marked as “white” in the court system, despite Lanay Hyatte being a Black woman and many of the others being Arab, which made it more difficult to obtain information on their booking through the county jail website.

Dozens of showed up at the entrance of the jail to demand the quick release of the 13 arrested demonstrators. Many people stayed the night in the atrium of the jail, playing music and calling the court to demand a speedy release. All 13 were released the following morning without bail and were greeted by the cheers and embrace of the crowd. As police nervously ushered the crowd out the door, cheers of “Free free Palestine!” filled the jail lobby.

Hyatte remarked “As somebody who has always been on the other side advocating for people who have been incarcerated in the jail system, seeing it on the inside is really a testament to how resources are being wasted on a system that clearly has failed and is doing a disservice to the community when those resources could be used elsewhere to prevent houselessness and to create economic mobility.”

Hyatte concluded by saying “The reason why I had chosen to be a part of the protest yesterday is because I understand the interconnectedness of Black liberation with Palestinian liberation. As a biracial Black woman, Palestinian people have always stood for Black lives and I feel it is my duty to show solidarity as an ally to also show solidarity with Palestinian people in ending the occupation and calling for an immediate ceasefire and for lifting the siege.”

After their release from the Lew Sterrett jail , Jo Hargis of the Dallas Anti-War Committee and Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “Joe Biden and the government of the United States provide Israel the political support, bombs, technology and money that make the genocide in Palestine possible. Joe Biden has the blood of over 22,000 Palestinians on his hands. While there is no justice in Palestine, Joe Biden should have no peace.”

Fari Cinna, another of the arrestees, remarked “Even in a cell, we were guaranteed some degree of safety, something that Palestinian prisoners do not have the luxury of. Being held for hours is nothing compared to the years of administrative detention suffered by Palestinians under the Zionist occupation. Our action was designed to amplify the voice of Palestinian resistance, and we hope to have accomplished that goal.”

#DallasTX #International #Palestine #AntiWar #Biden

Edina, MN – On January 8, more than 50 supporters of Edina students packed the school board meeting for the second time to express their concern about the political repression of pro-Palestine students. At their last meeting on December 11, 2023, the Edina school board adjourned their meeting instead of listening to the concerns of students and community members. The community returned, as promised, to demand an end to student repression.

Supporters demanded justice for a group of Muslim students that were targeted and suspended after participating in a walkout for Palestine at their school on October 26, 2023. School administrators punished the students for using the popular chant, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free.”

Supporters of Palestinian liberation use this chant to call for a permanent end to Israeli apartheid and equal rights for all Palestinians. The demands expressed during the meeting included removal of any record of suspension or punishment from the students’ permanent records, investigation into the violence committed against these students during the walkout, and a formal apology from the administration for targeting their students’ first amendment rights. Speakers also demanded an end to the continued political repression of students, who have been told they can’t come to school wearing clothes with messages in support of Palestine or have Palestinian flags in school.

Sabry Wazwaz, a Palestinian member of the MN Anti-War Committee, addressed the board. “The students told the principal and staff that metal water bottles were thrown at them during the protest. That’s disgusting. What kind of board member does not protect their students? Who is the one that was violent? Those that simply said a chant that means everyone deserves equal rights? Or those that have thrown metal water bottles?”

Isaac Stets, a member of the MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee and a Minneapolis public school high school student, shamed the actions of the school administration. “There is no excuse for censoring opposition to genocide. There is no excuse for the precedent your actions set for political repression of students. This sets a precedent for censoring the political speech of students everywhere and creates an atmosphere in which students must fear speaking out against war crimes. This is a punch in the face to any student who speaks up against injustice in the way that our schools have pretended to teach us to do.”

Several other speakers addressed the board with powerful speeches calling for the school to correct this injustice, including members of organizations leading the struggle against U.S. aid to Israel, such as American Muslims for Palestine, Jewish Voices for Peace, Students for Justice in Palestine, the MN Council on American-Islamic Relations, and more.

At the end of public comment, supporters left the board meeting and rallied together outside to vow continued support for the students. They marched out of the building loudly chanting, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free!”

This action was initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and endorsed by the Free Palestine Coalition.

#EdinaMN #International #Palestine #AntiWar #StudentMovement #HighSchool #MIRAC #MNAWC #MNFreePalestineCoalition #Feature

Kissimmee, FL – On Saturday, December 30, around 250 protesters gathered near downtown Kissimmee to demand an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza, which has killed over 20,000 Palestinians, and its 75 years of occupation and ethnic cleansing in Palestine.

The protest was organized by Florida Palestine Network (FPN). The rally started with speeches from FPN and other community members calling for a ceasefire, the end of U.S. aid to Israel, and a free Palestine.

The group then marched around downtown Kissimmee, with chants of “Gaza, Gaza, don’t you cry! Palestine will never die!” and “Not a nickel, not a dime, no more money for Israel’s crimes!”

They were accompanied by digital billboard trucks displaying statistics of the toll of Israel’s siege on Gaza and were met with honks of support from motorists.

The march showed that the movement will not be distracted by the holiday season and continues to unite people in the fight for liberation into the new year.

One of the speakers, Corrine Daly, said, “We see countless mothers crying for their children who have been hit by airstrikes, I can’t do anything but continue to show up. I encourage every single person who is ever on the line about showing up, whether that be in their job, in their communities, with their families. stand firm. Stand and know that you are on the right side of history, free, free Palestine!”

#KissimmeeFL #International #Palestine #AntiWar #FPN