New York, NY – On October 8, protesters gathered outside of the Southern District Court to demand the release of Cilia Flores. Chants of “Cilia, listen! The people are resisting!” rang throughout the courthouse plaza.

Participating organizations included Brooklyn Against War, Workers World Party, Code Pink, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). The small but steadfast rally of around 30 people lasted from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., closing with a press conference.

Briony Smith, an organizer with Brooklyn Against War and an Anti-War Action Network steering committee member, witnessed as the motion for Cilia Flores’ release to home detention was denied.

Smith stated, “Cilia Flores is facing immense gendered violence. What I witnessed inside the courtroom was a room full of men making medical decisions for a woman.”

Smith continued, “We heard in the arguments today that she has suffered a probable heart attack. Now the judge seems to be under the impression that a heart attack, a heart catheterization, and the procedures that will follow are something that can be recovered from in general population detention among 40 other women, when Cilia is getting three to hours of sleep.”

Tom Burke of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization was also in the courtroom Thursday morning. Burke stated, “Trump is trying to kill the first lady of Venezuela here. He doesn’t care about her life. He doesn’t care about President Maduro. Trump doesn’t care about the Venezuelan people! He just wants their oil. If you think you’re going to find justice in a U.S. federal courtroom, you better think again.”

Speakers at the press conference continued to emphasize the inability of the Trump administration to grant Flores a fair trial.

Not only was Cilia Flores’ motion to be released on house arrest denied, but U.S. prosecutors also brought forward new charges of “conspiracy to commit torture” against Flores and Maduro. The original indictment of narcoterrorism conspiracy, for which there is no evidence, was used by the U.S. government to justify the illegal kidnapping of Flores and Maduro on January 3.

The conspiracy to commit torture indictment alleged torture of U.S. citizens. Five of these citizens include oil executives who were arrested for corruption, and two of them were U.S. special forces members who attempted to raid and overthrow the Venezuelan government. They were all freed later in deals with the U.S.

Ignoring this important context, the court is content to paint Maduro and Flores as dictators who torture U.S. citizens, all while the U.S. is subjecting them to a notoriously inhumane prison and refusing medical treatment to Cilia Flores. It is the goal of the prosecution to obscure who Flores and Maduro really are – leaders who refuse to sell out the resources of their country to the United States.

Despite the second indictment and the outcome of the motion for house arrest, activists remain ready to take to the streets to defend Flores and Maduro, and plan to be at the Metropolitan Detention Center on November 3, for the tenth month in a row, to demand their release.

#NewYorkNY #NY #NYC #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #CiliaFlores #NicolasMaduro #Featured

Dallas, TX – Over 500 community members from across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex joined together Sunday, October 11, for a massive demonstration against the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

The protest started at Civic Garden Park in Dallas with community members chanting “Stand up, no fear, we don’t want no Zionists here!” aimed at two counter-protesters, who soon gave up and left. Attendees held large banners reading “We will return, hands off Gaza”, “Hands off Iran, hands off Gaza”, and “Hands off Palestine.”

The march was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement – Dallas, the Dallas-Fort Worth Anti-War Committee, DFW Shias for Justice, and others to “Honor the living, the martyred, and the land.”

As the march started off though downtown Dallas, Josh Rudd, a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Anti-War Committee, spoke on behalf of the Stop the Bombs Garland Campaign, remarking, “The Paligen bomb factory in Garland, Texas is responsible for decades of genocidal violence from Vietnam to Palestine. DAWC is working diligently to get our students out of this bomb factory and to shut down Paligen once and for all.” More information on the campaign at tinyurl.com/NoFamePaligen

The march continued to the Dallas Morning News headquarters, where representatives of the PYM called out the paper’s support for the U.S.-Israeli genocide on Gaza and for their biased reporting. The crowd chanted “DMN you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide” and “DMN shame on you, your hands are bloody too.”

Mohammad Khan from DFW Shias for Justice told the crowd, “We are here to show our unwavering support for Palestine and to let the Palestinian people know that we will never abandon them and will always stand by their side. We believe that the liberation of Palestine from the Zionist entity, along with the right of return and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination in their homeland, is fundamental to ending global arrogance and oppression. As the late Hezbollah leader and martyr, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said, ‘We, the Shia of Ali ibn Abi Talib, will never abandon Palestine.’”

Shane Prichard with the DFW Anti-War Committee, commenting on why they came to the protest, said, “I’ve been supportive of the Palestinian cause for a while now; but to learn most of the bombs dropped on Gaza are from here in the DFW, it makes me feel partially culpable, in a way. I hate that my tax dollars are killing helpless people, and I needed to make it clear by showing up.”

Nosayba Mahmoud of the Dallas Palestine Coalition concluded the protest, “We keep organizing. We keep challenging the narratives that make genocide acceptable. We keep demanding that our tax dollars sustain life rather than fund the killing of our brothers and sisters. We keep giving, teaching, protecting, remembering and returning. Again, and again. Our hope is disciplined, but it is also anchored in certainty. We believe oppression does not have the final word. We may not know when liberation will come, but we trust the promise of God that injustice is not eternal.”

#DallasTX #TX #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DAWC #PYM #DSJ #DPC

Grand Rapids, MI – On October 7, Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids held a vigil and rally to commemorate three years of genocide and three years of resistance. Over 60 community members gathered in Calder Plaza to mourn those killed in Palestine and to celebrate their ongoing struggle for liberation.

During the event, Zionist agitators attempted to disrupt the vigil but were met by organizers who successfully pushed them out of the plaza; far away from those in attendance. While the agitators sang the U.S. national anthem while flying Israeli Defense Forces flags, community members chanted over them, blocked their view, and passed around portraits of Palestinian martyrs while observing Salat as the sun set.

“Three years ago, Israel launched its most brutal assault on Gaza because Palestinians dared to resist 76 years of occupations and 16 years of a brutal siege,” Julliette Kibby, an organizer with Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids, stated. “Since then, the Palestinian people have suffered a genocide; the final culmination of the Zionist project!”

A Palestinian organizer from Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids focused on their home and the loved ones they’ve lost, stating, “I want to go home! I want to sit under that almond tree again. I want to see my cousins at the beach and say: ‘See! We’re all here now!’ But some of the people I imagine standing there won’t be!”

Organizers also focused on divestment and their campaign to get the Grand Rapids Retirement System to divest from Israel.

Sam Tunningley of the Freedom Road told the crowd, “The United States government, with the backing of the most powerful and moneyed interests, will stop at nothing to silence all of our organizations and leaders who challenge the U.S. stranglehold on the Middle East.”

As the event wrapped up, all those in attendance chanted and drowned out the eight remaining Zionist agitators still lingering at the corners of the plaza.

#GrandRapidsMI #MI #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #PSGR

Tucson, AZ – On October 7, dozens gathered outside of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to protest three years of Zionist genocide in Palestine. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and held signs with slogans like “End U.S. aid to Israel” and “U.S. hands off Iran!” Vehicles passing by the protest honked their horns, and drivers rolled down their windows to shout in support.

During the speaking program, Moyheddin Abdulaziz, a Palestinian organizer with Arizona-Palestine Solidarity Alliance, spoke to the crowd, “The Palestinian people need your voice, need your power, need your determination. Three years ago, the Biden administration, with their junior partner called Israel, started a campaign for genocide and annihilation of our people that continues until today.” Abdulaziz then led the protesters in chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

“Today, October 7, marks the three-year anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood, a day of courageous resistance and a historic moment in the fight for the liberation of Palestine from their genocidal oppressor, Israel,” said Arlee Thwing, an organizer with Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “October 7, 2023, will be remembered as a day when Palestinian resistance exposed the weakness and vulnerability of Israel and their U.S. backers.”

Members of veteran organizations also joined the demonstration outside the Air Force base. One member of Veterans for Peace, Adrian Fernandez, led the crowd in shouting “Fuck Zionism!”

Maria Sohn-Hasman, an organizer with the Tucson Anti War Committee, said, “It’s the system of U.S. imperialism that is bombing children and families abroad and it’s the same system of U.S. imperialism oppressing us working people here at home.,” adding, “and we have way more in common with the people getting killed around the world by these evil fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles that are being sent from and built here in our city than we do with CEOs in the U.S.”

Defense contractor Raytheon’s facility in Tucson is the principal assembly site for Tomahawk missiles. It was a Tomahawk missile earlier this year that struck a school in southern Iran, killing 120 children and several teachers. The Tucson City Council recently approved conveying 212 acres to the U.S. Air Force to be used by Raytheon, the biggest employer in Tucson. This decision came after a $20 billion contract was awarded to Raytheon by the Department of Defense.

The rally was organized by the Tucson Anti-War Committee and sponsored by several progressive organizations including Arizona-Palestine Solidarity Alliance, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (Tucson), Tempest Collective Tucson, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Veterans for Peace, Common Defense, and Communist Party USA.

#TucsonAZ #AZ #AntiWarMovement #TAWC

Minneapolis, MN– On Saturday, October 10, hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Minneapolis to join the Free Palestine Coalition (FPC) in marking three years of resistance to Israel’s genocide in Palestine.

Protesters demanded an end to the genocide and an end to U.S. aid to Israel. The crowd was energized by chants of “We will not stop; we will not rest! Boycott, sanctions and divest!” A choral group, Singing Resistance, led the crowd in resistance songs while the protest blocked an intersection downtown.

Meredith Aby, director of Women Against Military Madness (WAMM), addressed the crowd, asking “How many of you feel like the news this week has gaslighted us? They claim there is a ‘ceasefire’. It’s not a ceasefire. It’s a genocide. Israel has killed a child in Gaza every 71 minutes for three years! Israeli attacks have killed over 1100 Palestinians in Gaza over the last year, with the total confirmed killed since October 2023 reaching over 74,000.”

Since al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, over 175,000 people have been injured, and 94% of health facilities and hospitals have been damaged. The impact of the attacks has meant nearly all of the schools in Gaza have been destroyed, leaving no real educational infrastructure. Israel continues to block access of most food, oil and medical supplies, committing genocide in more ways than just bombs and guns.

Nadiyah Salawdeh, co-chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network – Minnesota brought attention to the decades of attacks by the Israeli state, saying, “The Palestinian people have undergone genocide for nearly 80 years. Our villages have been ethnically cleansed. The Israeli settler-state has made Palestinians into permanent refugees and slaughtered them in their camps. They have been starved and jailed and denied basic medical access.”

The protest demands also called for an end to the war on Iran and Lebanon. Yossi Aharoni, member of the MN Anti-War Committee, told the crowd, “Palestine gives me hope. Yemen gives me hope. Lebanon gives me hope. Iran gives me hope.”

Aharoni continued, “Iran, a small, besieged country, cut off from the world, stood up to the United States and punched it right in the mouth and said, ‘No more!’ If Palestine can survive 78 years of unimaginable hardship; if Iran can stand up to the most powerful military force in the world, then who are we to give up?”

The protest was accompanied by many other protests throughout the Twin Cities earlier in the week, such as Students for a Democratic Society’s protest at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and WAMM’s protest at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River, both on October 7.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #October7

Detroit, MI – Wayne State University students and community members gathered Wednesday, October 7, to defend Palestine’s right to resist on the third anniversary of Israel-United States’ genocide in Gaza.

The demonstration was organized by WSU Students for a Democratic Society. Endorsing groups in attendance included WSU Students for Justice in Palestine, College Democrats at WSU, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Beginning the rally with chants, students defended the right of Palestinians to resist Zionist occupation, as well as demanded WSU divest from war profiteers. Protesters could be chanting that no more of their tuition money should go to funding genocide.

FRSO member Jackson Robak told the crowd, “We are here today to stand with the Palestinian Resistance, who, on October 7, looked death in the eye and bravely fought back against Zionist occupation, showing the world that the Israeli occupation forces could be defeated.”

A member of WSU SDS stated, “History has shown the world that the Palestine movement is an inalienable part of the student movement, that the oppressed people of the world have an ally in the student movement, and that even though Palestine has taken up less and less space in the headlines, we are still here and still fighting.”

A march around campus was led by a banner reading, “Wayne State cut the ties,” and Palestine flags were held high. While protesters were in route, a professor and class of approximately 250 students joined the march in support.

A small group of five Zionists attempted to counter-protest the rally, trailing behind marchers. Police stood in front of the Zionists; however, the size of the march showed that WSU students stand with the Palestinian people, and chants of “From Wayne State to Palestine, resistance is justified” drowned out those in opposition.

On their way back to Keast Commons, marchers passed the patch of grass where an encampment was set up in 2024 to demand WSU divest from Israel. Since the genocide began, students have mobilized to support the Palestinian people’s struggle for liberation, and, three years on, the fight for a free Palestine is still alive at Wayne State.

#DetroitMI #MI #AntiWarMovement #StudentMovement #Palestine #October7

Portland, OR – On October 7, around 150 people rallied and marched in downtown Portland to demand an end to the genocide of Palestine, an end to the war on Iran, and to stop the attacks on Lebanon. Portland for Palestine organized the protest following the call to action from the Anti-War Action Network.

The rally started at Terry Schrunk Plaza , where Mutaz Alshawa, one of the founders of Portland for Palestine, told the crowd, “For us as Palestinians, the Zionists’ violence against us did not start on October 7, the occupation has been going on for almost 100 years.”

Alshawa continued, “We must take a stand. We must be strong. If you idle, if you do not take a side, you are a part of it. Our tax money is funding this. We are being affected here every day in America.”

Dan Shea from Veteran for Peace stated, “These are clear demands: Stop the genocide! End U.S. aid to Israel! No war on Iran! Hands off Lebanon!” Shea encouraged attendees at this protest to attend the upcoming No Kings: Vote Early protest on October 17 and bring these demands forward as we go into mid-term elections.

As the group marched through downtown Portland, many passersby joined in on chants and filmed the march on their phones. Chants included, “Money for homes and education, not for bombs and devastation” and “From Iran to Falastin, stop the U.S. war machine!” A lone Zionist confronted the group yelling obscenities and followed the march for several blocks. Eventually, the Zionist was confronted by multiple marchers and was forced to leave the area of the march.

The march ended where it started, at Terry Schrunk Plaza. Singer David Rovicks performed at the event as attendees mingled and spoke with the organizations present about future organizing efforts.

The event was endorsed by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Sunrise Movement PDX, Diaspora Pa'lante Collective, and Veterans for Peace.

#PortlandOR #OR #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #October7

Tacoma, WA – Around 50 people gathered in downtown Tacoma on the evening of October 7 in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. The crowd gathered at 6 p.m. outside of the federal courthouse and chanted “Free, free Palestine!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

“I'm here today because I believe in a free Palestine,” said Ryan Bell. “Since the beginning in 1948 up until now, there's been Nakba on Nakba and we can't stand for it anymore.”

The event marked the third anniversary of the beginning of the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people. Despite the grim reality facing Palestinians, the mood of the action was inspired and hopeful. The crowd was determined to raise their voice and send a unified message.

“I came out because I’m Palestinian and I think it’s very important to speak up about what’s right,” said Yasmeen Juhar, president of the club South Asian, South West Asian, and North Africans at the University of Puget Sound (SSWANA at UPS). “Since 1948, the Palestinians have been experiencing oppression. And I think it's important for people to know what's happening and what the U.S. is funding.”

As the emcee introduced the event and the first speaker, the crowd continued chanting, including “We want justice, you say how? Stop arming Israel now!” and “From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machine!”

A lone Zionist counter-protester attended the rally and attempted to disrupt the program. However, his sign was snatched by attendees and destroyed while the crowd chanted. After losing his sign, the counter-protester resigned himself to quietly standing at the back while the program continued.

“What's happening in Palestine is just wrong and, you know, against everything that I believe in,” said Sarah Toole. “I think that [the Zionist] is on the wrong side and that he is just wasting his time.”

Event speakers connected the struggles of the Palestinian people with the broader anti-war and anti-imperialist movements, with speeches from organizations like South Sound Veterans About Face and Bayan USA. The mood was one of solidarity, with people of different backgrounds and national origins standing together against genocide and Zionist occupation.

“I'm here to support my Palestinian friend Yasmeen. I was born in Brazil, another country where the United States has major influence,” said Maya Welch. “I'm here today with her, for her, for us, for myself, for my people.”

After the speeches concluded, attendees taped names and photos of Palestinian martyrs to the front of the federal building as the crowd continued to chant “Israel you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!” and “Viva viva Palestina!”

“Under imperialism, we’re stuck in a cycle of exploitation that keeps oppressed nations like Palestine chained to the machine of imperialist greed,” said Abbie Baughman of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “As individuals, we can’t stop the US from funding Israel’s genocidal plans. Together, we can unite the multi-national working class under a political party that is capable of waging socialist revolution!”

The crowd dispersed around 8:30 p.m. after more chanting. Many lingered behind to make plans for further collaboration and actions related to the cause for Palestinian freedom.

“Palestine is on the path to liberation,” said Baughman. “And so are we!”

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Dallas, TX – On October 7, marking the three-year anniversary since the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, when the Palestinian resistance broke out of Gaza, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization Dallas hosted a webinar highlighting the past hundred years of resistance against Zionism and the racist apartheid state of Israel.

Kai Leslie, an organizer with FRSO Dallas, commented during the presentation, “We know that Palestinian Resistance is a righteous resistance; a resistance born out of desire to liberate their lands from this brutal occupation and FRSO stands proudly in solidarity with the Resistance.”

Janis Sandon, a member of the DFW Anti War Committee and co-presenter, commented, “DAWC is working on a campaign to stop the Paligen bomb factory in Garland, Texas, which produces the MK80 series, which is used to wipe whole neighborhood off the map and repeatedly used against civilians.

“The MK80 series from this facility make up the majority of the bombs used by Israel to commit genocide in Gaza and now to expand bombing to Iran, Yemen, Lebanon and beyond. This is the one bomb Israel uses the most, and the U.S. only manufactures these bombs at this one facility. Paligen is partnering with local schools through the FAME program, and our goal is to meet with schools to educate them about the situation and to convince or pressure them to end all partnerships with this facility.”

The 30 attendees praised the informative discussion and welcomed future presentations of this nature.

#DallasTX #TX #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DAWC

San Jose, CA – On the evening of Wednesday, October 7, a Zionist drove his car onto the sidewalk and directly into a crowd of pro-Palestine protesters that included families with young children. San Jose police then allowed the assailant to drive away without citing or detaining him.

The pro-Palestine protest began with more than 60 people outside San Jose City Hall to mark the third year since Al-Aqsa Flood, Israel’s escalated genocide in retaliation and the third year of resistance in Palestine and worldwide.

As people gathered, there was already a group of counter-protesters flying Israeli and Iranian monarchy flags and holding racist and Islamophobic signs that included slogans such as, “Fuck Islam.” Pro-Palestine protesters met the counter-protesters with chants of “Free, free Palestine!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and repeated chants of “Shame!”

The rally then transitioned into a march to the notable San Pedro pedestrian street. The crowd chanted while many cars driving by honked in support. The march paused for a program of speakers at San Pedro Square.

Salem Ajluni of Human Agenda drew attention to the sustained upsurge of Palestine solidarity around the world, saying, “Gaza has gifted us with opportunities to expand and develop oppositional, political and cultural forces that will have large and lasting impacts and effects if we nurture and develop them to their full possibilities.”

Fadi Saba, a Palestinian educator and activist, encouraged the attendees to continue fighting and organizing for Palestine, stating, “It’s ‘Free Palestine’ until Palestine is free.”

Philip Nguyen, member of San Jose Against War (SJAW), highlighted the fight for Palestine in San Jose through SJAW’s divestment campaign, explaining, “We have a duty to apply mass pressure and get the council to do the right thing – to divest from genocide.”

Nguyen noted the divestment wins in Illinois, Minnesota and several Bay Area cities, saying, “The number of wins for divestment are growing, and we’re going to win in San Jose too!”

Dina Saba, president of Democrats for Palestinian Rights Bay Area, reminded the crowd that the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians has continued for decades, saying, “As a daughter of a Nakba survivor, we know that the Palestinian people have been terrorized, oppressed and dehumanized well before October 7, 2023.”

Panda Shim, member of Students for a Democratic Society at San Jose State University (SDS SJSU), brought attention to SDS’s campaign to kick war profiteers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman off campus, saying, “On September 2, SDS successfully scared off Northrop Grumman from a job fair and it has not returned!”

Shim continued, “While thousands of people in Gaza are succumbing to malnutrition and Palestine is reduced to rubble, the war profiteers bathe in millions of dollars.”

Drusie Kazanova of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization reminded the crowd that resistance is justified under oppression, noting, “It is right to rebel, and the struggle continues now. There has been a global awakening where people from all walks of life look at the real face of the enemy and see it for what it is, and the ranks of the fighters joining the struggle against that enemy continue to grow.”

Kazanova continued, “Resistance to imperialism is a force that will never be snuffed out!”

When the crowd returned to the starting point at the corner of City Hall, the protesters drowned out the pro-Iranian monarchy, pro-Israel group with chants. During the end rally, a Zionist counter-protester suddenly drove his car over the curb and onto the sidewalk, attempting to run over the group of pro-Palestine protesters before being stopped by a member of San Jose Against War, Jack McCann.

Even as McCann stood directly in front of the car with his hands up, the driver continued to drive forward, making physical contact with McCann's body. Behind McCann, the crowd of pro-Palestine protesters included several families with young children.

The Zionist driver emerged from the vehicle wielding a metal rod or pipe. San Jose police, who had been present for the entire duration of the protest, allowed the driver to get back behind the wheel and drive away without citing or detaining him.

In a video statement released by San Jose Against War about the incident, McCann stated, “This was assault with a deadly weapon and could easily have turned into a mass murder. It is no surprise that this shameful, cowardly crime was committed by the same Zionists who showed up to celebrate three years of genocide and crimes against humanity.”

Referring to the police officers’ negligent handling of the incident, McCann continued, “Again, this comes as no surprise, as American cops regularly receive training from Israeli forces, and the City of San Jose has millions invested in genocide.”

San Jose Against War expressed plans to press charges against the driver and file a report with the City of San Jose's Independent Police Auditor about the incident.

#SanJoseCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SJAW

Seattle, WA – On October 3, activists from Seattle Against War rallied in solidarity with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores for the Anti-War Action Network’s day of action. Activists canvassed passersby and collected petition signatures demanding the release of the kidnapped leaders.

This is one of many actions to demand “Hands off Venezuela” since President Trump abducted Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores on January 3. Since then, Maduro and Flores have been held prisoner at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on false charges of narcoterrorism. The Trump administration is continuing its collusion with prosecutors by tacking on charges of human rights abuses against Maduro and Flores.

Flores is being tortured in prison. Flores has lost over 25 pounds in jail and is suffering from deteriorating cardiac health. A U.S. District Court judge has denied her request to be released on house arrest to manage her health problems.

The activists demanded an end to U.S. militarism and intervention in Venezuela, chanting, “U.S. Navy, CIA, we don’t want you, go away!”

Seattle Against War member Rae Lee said, “It’s completely upside-down that the United States, a country which bombs and disintegrates people every day, a country that constantly violates international law to serve the interests of its monopoly capitalist class, is able to play world police and kidnap the ruler of another nation.”

#SeattleWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #International #Venezuela #SAW

New Orleans, LA – On October 7, the third anniversary of al-Aqsa Flood, New Orleans pro-Palestine groups, students and community members gathered to demand an end to all U.S. aid to Israel.

Members of the grassroots pro-Palestine organization New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) erected a banner over the steps facing New Orleans’ famous Jackson Square in the French Quarter. The banner read the people’s demand: “Stop the Gaza genocide, end U.S. aid to Israel!” as tourists and passersby stopped by to take pictures.

Several activist groups rallied and spoke on how the history of occupation, ethnic cleansing and massacres by the Israeli state against Palestinians did not begin on October 7, 2023.

“When the Palestinian resistance broke down the apartheid gates on October 7, they opened the gates to a new world!” said Freedom Road Socialist Organization member Carson Cruse.

Cruse continued, “Let's be clear that this is not just a moral issue of Israel versus Palestine. This is a class issue. The same ruling class that is bombing Gaza, they are suspending and expelling student protesters, stealing oil from Venezuela, price gouging you and me, funding Trump and his dogs' campaigns.”

NOSHIP members spoke of Trump’s agenda to further militarize and occupy the Gaza strip through his Board of Peace. The board issued its first contract for construction of a military base in Rafah, to be populated by foreign troops. The contract was awarded to a Louisiana-based company, Arkel International.

“While Trump’s Board of Peace serves to further solidify the violation of Palestinians’ right to self-determination, Louisiana companies like Arkel stand to profit from it,” said Cristine Farah from NOSHIP.

NOSHIP member Tracie Ash highlighted the breadth of destruction caused by Israel and its financial backer, the U.S., since October 2023, stating, “82% of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, including 94% of the hospitals and clinics, with 90% of the population displaced. Nearly 300 journalists have been murdered.”

Speakers combatted the Zionist narrative that Palestinians have no right to resist 75 years of occupation and apartheid.

Local organizations and community members are gearing up for a large March for Palestine in downtown New Orleans on October 17.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #NOSHIP #FRSO

New York, NY – On the afternoon of Saturday, October 10, hundreds of people gathered in Washington Square Park to march for Palestine on the anniversary of October 7, 2023, better known as al-Aqsa Flood.

October 7 was a day when the Palestinian Resistance stood up to its occupiers. Israel has been committing atrocities, genocide and occupation of land since the Nakba in 1948. Palestinians were justified in standing up back in 1948, and in every single time they’ve fought back since then.

The rally was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and their emcees passionately chanted to an energized crowd, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

Max Gurman of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “We’re out here today for the countless lives lost to the American backed Israeli war machine. And on the third commemoration of the start of the genocide, we’re here because we firmly stand with Palestine and their right to resist occupation and genocide by any means necessary.”

The crowd began marching and throughout the streets and New Yorkers could hear the pro-Palestine chants.

Kinsey Dyal of Brooklyn Against War commented, “BAW is proud to stand with the people of Palestine against Zionism and U.S. imperialism. Israel as it is today would not exist without billions of U.S. aid from our tax dollars. On the anniversary of October 7, it’s our responsibility to honor the people in Palestine who have been martyred and continue the fight for complete divestment!” Brooklyn Against War has been primarily organizing the effort to drop the charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

The march continued to closing rally at Herald Square.

#NewYorkNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

New York City, NY – Over 100 students rallied at Garibaldi Plaza in Washington Square Park on October 7 to demand NYU cut ties to Israel after three years of genocide in Gaza. The protest was organized by the NYU Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

Protesters chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” There were several journalists with cameras taking video and photos of the rally. Police officers stood off to the side of the protest to keep watch of demonstrators. Many people who walked by expressed support by joining along in chants. A few Zionists yelled at protesters but were largely ignored by the crowd.

The SJP, the representative for student activists from the Student Government Assembly, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at NYU and Law Students for Justice in Palestine all spoke to the devastation that Israel has brought onto the Palestinian people in Gaza in the past three years and the continued occupation of Palestine for the last 78 years. They highlighted NYU’s complicity in the genocide and occupation through its investments in weapons companies, its campus in Tel Aviv and its suppression of pro-Palestinian speech on campus. They demanded that NYU shut down its campus in Tel Aviv, disclose and divest a its funds in weapons companies and Israel and end its crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech on campus.

After the speakers, protesters marched around NYU campus chanting, “One, we are the students! Two, we won’t stop fighting. Three, until Palestine is free, free, free, free!” and “NYU what do you say, how many kids did you kill today?” Police once more followed close by.

After marching, SJP invited people to attend a vigil, their last event for their week of action for Palestine to start the semester.

#NewYorkNY #NY #NYC #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #October7 #NYU

Fort Collins, CO – About 30 community members marched through downtown Fort Collins on October 7 to demand a free Palestine and an end to the U.S.-backed, Israeli genocide in Gaza. Organized by Fort Collins Against War (FCAW), the march and vigil were part of a nationwide day of action called by the Anti-War Action Network marking the third anniversary of Operation al-Aqsa Flood.

The action began at Oak Street Plaza with speeches and chants before participants marched toward Old Town Square. There, Hatem Teirelbar, a member of Denver Anti-War Action, led a moment of silence and read the names of some of the Palestinian children killed in the ongoing genocide.

As the march passed through Old Town Square, chants like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go!” reverberated off the walls of Old Town Square. Other chants throughout the march connected the Palestinian resistance to other conflicts in the Middle East.

From Old Town Square, the march continued to Fort Collins City Hall, where participants chalked messages including “Long live Palestine” and “Keep my taxes out of Israel!”

At city hall, FCAW organizer David Stakelin told the crowd, “We understand that the forces of imperialism that continue to oppress and kill people in places like Palestine are the same forces that oppress and exploit people here.”

Stakelin highlighted the importance of sustaining the anti-war movement with action, saying, “Now is the time to let our government know that we will not sit by while it funds massacres overseas. Now is the time to join an organization, resist oppression, and forge a world where human life is valued above profit and empire.”

Throughout the action, FCAW tabled at Oak Street Plaza, providing community members with an opportunity to learn more about the organization and its work on local campaign building.

Stakelin closed the by saying, “When we finally see a free Palestine, the world will remember the Palestinian people as people who resisted. October 7, 2023, woke up millions of people around the world to the reality of Zionism, occupation and imperialism. We must stay awake. We must continue to organize and resist. And we must continue fighting until Palestine is free.”

#FortCollinsCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #October7

Jacksonville, FL – Marking the third year since Israel escalated its genocide in Gaza, on October 7, the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, organized a rally at the Saint John’s Town Center mall to bring attention to the fact that Israel continues its massacres of the Palestinian people and to demand that the U.S. stop sending aid to the Zionist state.

Since the ceasefire has taken effect, Al Jazeera reports that Israel has violated it at least 5147 times. These violations include shooting at civilians, raiding residential areas, demolishing at least 273 properties and bombing/shelling Gaza at least 1109 times. All this has resulted in the deaths of almost 1500, the injuries of over 5000 and the detainment of 198 Palestinians.

Starting in the evening rush hour with many cars passing by and showing support, the rally kicked off in the heart of the Saint John’s Town Center. JPSN invited a broad coalition to attend, including the UNF chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, Jax Democratic Socialists of America, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Speakers and chants focused on the demands to end U.S. aid to Israel´s genocide as well as showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Conor Cauley of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “What October 7 revealed to us, is the fact that the U.S. is nothing more than a greedy, warmongering empire and Israel is its cruel genocidal proxy state. It is now clear to us that we share a common enemy in that empire. While we have to beg year after year for better jobs, better healthcare and better education, our government not only ignores our pleas but sends billions of our own tax dollars to aid in Israel’s genocide.”

Conor continued, “The FRSO is proud to stand with the Palestinian people and their resistance, and we demand an immediate end to all US aid to Israel! Because we know the masses do not want to pay for genocide! We don't want war with Iran! And we don't want war with Lebanon! What we want is a free Palestine!”

Many people held signs demanding “Genocide out of Jax” and displayed flags to show solidarity with the Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese people.

Sara Mahmoud, a long time organizer in the movement for a free Palestine and currently with JPSN, told the crowd, “We take pride in the heroism we saw during Al-Aqsa Flood, when the Palestinian and the Palestinian people alone broke through the largest open air prison and completely upended the status quo as it relates to Palestine; because the first time in our history, the popular sentiment of the world, including here in the belly of the beast, is with our people in Palestine.”

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #Palestine #AntiWarMovement #October7

Chicago, IL – Over 50 students and community members mobilized at the University of Illinois at Chicago on Wednesday, October 7 to demand a free Palestine. The protest, organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at UIC, marked three years of Israel's genocide against the Palestinians and 78 years since the Nakba. After the program, students marched through campus chanting.

Speakers connected the struggle for Palestinian liberation to the violence of the U.S. to its own people and the struggle against imperialism globally.

“It has been 78 years since the Nakba, the violent and mass displacement of the Palestinian people all in the name of Zionism. Yet the rabid attack dog known as Israel was not satisfied with their brutality and are now at three years of genocide towards the Palestinian people,” said Dani Espinoza of New SDS.

Sarah Ahmad a member of SJP said, “The ruling class, who has authorized a $21.7 billion payment abroad to Israel since October 2023 and ignored all domestic calls for humanitarian relief, does not act in the interests of justice or humanity – they act in the interests of imperialism, colonialism and capitalism.” Ahmad continued, “But it is the people who have the power to transform society. It is the people, organized in solidarity, who can tear down these systems of oppression and build something new, something just, and something free.”

Ángel Naranjos, reading a statement from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said, “It is right to rebel and the struggle continues now. We demand an immediate and total end to all U.S. aid to the apartheid state of Israel, the right of return for all Palestinian refugees, and the release of political prisoners.”

Naranjos continued “Of course, October 7 did not happen in a vacuum, but was the legitimate and righteous response to 75 years of ethnic cleansing, of Nakba, of the daily reality of occupation in the form of military violence, land and water theft, demolition of homes, of people trapped under apartheid.”

Rania Salem of the U.S Palestinian Community Network said, “They do not want us speaking on Palestine, they don't want us educating and mobilizing the masses, they do not want us unifying together under one powerful movement that works and fights together. They do not want the students organizing against their institutions in support of Palestine; they fear our movement, because they know that we are winning.”

Graeme Eble, a member of New SDS, said, “So we stand here today as students and community members to continue to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. The U of I system is still invested in genocide. We must show our administration that the students will never back down. We will not be silent in face of genocide, and we will always demand the liberation of the Palestinian people.

Valeria Muñoz Gonzalez of MeSA said, “Our state Illinois invests millions into Israeli bombs, which is investment into a genocide. Instead of investing in the genocide, our government officials in Illinois could choose to invest within our communities. That's right. We must continue to call for UIC and Illinois to divest. We must call for the liberation of Palestinian people for the liberation for all.”

Gonzalez continued, “What's happening in Palestine isn't far from our country. The same violence being unleashed on Palestinians is taught to the FBI, CIA, and ICE in trainings in which the U.S. and Israel collaborate with. That's right. These trainings teach tactics of police violence, mass surveillance, racial profiling, and suppression of descent from protesters. U.S. law enforcement has participated in exchange programs to learn from the violence the IOF uses on Palestinians to unleash in our brown and Black communities. The killings committed by ICE are connected to the IOF senseless killings of Palestine.”

The crowd chanted things like “Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

The protest was organized by SDS and SJP in response to UIC's continued complicity in the genocide being committed by Isreal and the United States against the Palestinian people. A few of UIC’s acts of complicity include inviting an Israeli ambassador to campus, organizing a study abroad trip to Israel, and leaking the names of SJP members to the Israeli government.

Endorsing organizations include US Palestinian Community Network, Anti-War Community Chicago, SJP, Anakbayan UIC, JSC, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Latinos Unidos, Sanctuary for all, Housing Staff United, Mexican Students De Aztlán.

#ChicagoIL #IL #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SDS #SJP

Billings, MT – On the evening of October 7, about a dozen people rallied to commemorate the third anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood. The rally, put on by Magic City Anti-War (MCAW), noted the bravery of the Palestinian resistance and demanded an end to the U.S.– Israeli genocide against Gaza.

“It is right to rebel! Israel go to hell!” protesters chanted as the sun began to set on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn.

“Three years ago, the Palestinian resistance struck a humiliating blow to U.S. imperialism. And today, we see the U.S. losing almost every battle it starts, including against Iran and Yemen!” declared Lain Dorsey, of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

The protesters demanded, “No war with Iran!” They expressed outrage at Donald Trump’s statements about hypothetical attacks against Los Angeles and San Diego being a “small price to pay” in his criminal war against Iran.

The protest continued until the sun went down, with Billings community members enthusiastically chanting in support of a free Palestine.

To learn about and attend future actions, follow @MagicCityAntiWar on Instagram

#BillingsMT #MT #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #MCAW

New Orleans, LA – On Tuesday, October 6, around 30 students and community members held a rapid response pro-Palestine rally outside Tulane Chabad to protest an event held there. Inside, three students who served in the Israeli Defense Forces gave a talk on the three-year anniversary of October 7.

The rally was organized by Together United Louisiana Students for a Democratic Society (TUL SDS). The student organization has protested IDF events held by Tulane all three times they have taken place in the past year. The event was not publicly advertised anywhere. Students learned of it only hours before via a mailing list.

SDS organizer Keenan Gray spoke about their rapid response, stating, “Even though Tulane tried to hide this event and we only found out about it three hours in advance, SDS knew we had to quickly organize a protest to show that the genocidal IDF is never welcome on this campus.”

Students and community members gathered outside the building, banging drums and chanting, “Tulane hear us loud and clear, IDF’s not welcome here!” And “We want justice, you say how? IDF off campus now!”

“Tulane knows they are monsters. That’s why this is happening off campus. That’s why these cowards didn’t even advertise their event until three hours ago. That’s why last year they tried to arrest us for protesting the IDF, why they retaliated so violently against the encampments, and why they constantly shut down pro-Palestine activism,” said TUL SDS member Jai Thombre. “Tulane treats its own students like we are the threat yet welcomes the IDF with open arms.”

Attendees of the event came outside to shout at protesters, but passersby cheered the crowd on and honked in support.

SDS organizer Rory MacDonald, who Tulane Police attempted to arrest at a similar demonstration in November 2025, spoke about the student movement at Tulane, “We are still here, we are still fighting. The anti-Zionist movement at Tulane has only grown. It’s only gotten stronger, and the Zionist movement is cowering!”

Students ended the rally with a promise to continue fighting back against Zionist forces on their campus.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS

Minneapolis, MN – To mark the third year since Israel initiated the Gaza genocide on October 7, 2023, organizers in the Twin Cities organized many protests to emphasize that, despite the alleged ceasefire and so-called “Gaza peace plan” announced in October 2025, daily massacres by Israeli forces continue.

The October 7 actions come ahead of a major protest march planned for Saturday, October 10 in downtown Minneapolis, planned by a large coalition of Palestine solidarity groups, under the banner of “Three years of genocide; three years of resistance.”

According to health officials, Israeli attacks have killed over 1100 Palestinians in Gaza over the last year, with the total confirmed killed since October 2023 reaching over 74,000.

The day started with a lunchtime protest at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in front of the student union, organized by campus chapters of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Students for Justice in Palestine, Educators for Justice in Palestine (EJP), and Young Democratic Socialists of America.

Emil Chu of SDS spoke to the crowd of over 100 students, saying, “October 7 ripped open the belly of the beast and gave people a look at the hypocrisy and injustice that was the lifeblood of this country. It awakened a great consciousness in many people for the first time that our country cares more about profiting off of a genocide than the well-being of its citizens.”

Chu continued, “When I first started organizing for Palestine, I was compelled to action by our country’s active participation in the greatest moral injustice of the 21st century. I was aghast that anyone could sit on the sidelines while a genocide was so obviously being perpetrated. Three years in, I’ve been arrested several times, gone to jail, lost job opportunities, and sacrificed personal relationships for Palestine, and I would do it all over again if I could, because I am moved, more than anything, by the spirit of the Palestinian people’s resilience in the face of immeasurable cruelty.”

Later that day, Women Against Military Madness dedicated its weekly End War Protest on the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River to mark the third anniversary of October 7. Around 75 people came to line both sides of the Saint Paul side of the bridge for an hour and half.

Many speakers and chants focused on the need for people to take action to end U.S. funding and complicity with Israel’s genocide. Sima Shakhsari, an organizer with both of EJP and Let Iran Live, told the crowd, “The state of Minnesota must divest from companies that enable this genocide. In the Twin Cities, activists have achieved several victories that include stopping the contract with Skydio in Minneapolis; and Saint Paul is next.

“I have faith that we will divest, from Minnesota to the east coast and west coast and the south, until the U.S.-Israeli murderous regime is dismantled,” Shakhsari concluded.

Since last year’s anniversary protest, Israel and the United States have expanded the war to include more fronts, notably including Lebanon and Iran. Lina Jebara, a member of both the MN Anti War Committee and U.S. Palestinian Community Network, spoke to the crowd on how Israel has expanded its attacks on Lebanon.

“Since October 7, nearly 9000 Lebanese have been killed by U.S.-Israeli violence. Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have been ongoing and have only escalated since the war on Iran began, with nearly half of those 9000 martyrs being murdered this year,” Jebara said. “Israeli officials have not been subtle with their goals. They do not shy away from accusations of ethnic cleaning and have outright stated their intent to repeat the ‘Gaza model’ in Lebanon.”

The Free Palestine Coalition (FPC), a large collection of groups, is planning to hold its annual community march on Saturday, October 10 at 1 p.m., starting at Gateway Park at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Similar marches called by the FPC in October 2024 and 2025 drew thousands of participants eager to demonstrate mass solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle against occupation, apartheid and genocide.

#StPaulMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #October7