Salt Lake City, UT – On November 11, over two dozen community members gathered at the Salt Lake County Council to raise concerns about sponsorship of Clark Planetarium by weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman. The Clark Planetarium is a popular county-operated attraction in downtown Salt Lake, offering all-ages exhibits about science and space exploration. The mobilization was organized by the Utah Anti-War Committee.

“People all around the community have commented that the Northrop Grumman logo plastered on the side of this facility is an eyesore and a disgrace on this community,” said one attendee.

Another participant said, “The Planetarium aims to be a family-friendly space that fosters curiosity, education, and a love for science and astronomy. However, aligning with Northrop Grumman contradicts these values. This company, while claiming to support science education derives over 80% of its revenue from contracts with the Pentagon, producing missiles and aircraft that are used in conflict such as the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the war against Iran.”

In recent months, community opposition has grown to the prominent Northrop Grumman logos placed inside and outside of the facility, as well as volunteers being sent from the weapons manufacturer to oversee youth science events.

Northrop Grumman has 8 operating facilities throughout Utah which manufacture nuclear missiles, F-35s, B-2 bomber jets, and Blackhawk helicopters. Many of these weapons have been sold to Israel or deployed in recent U.S. military interventions such as the attacks on Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro. Northrop Grumman is also involved in the manufacture of surveillance aircraft, contributing to the deadly militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Under heavy pressure, a motion to end the partnership was made. It did not pass, receiving a yes from only two sitting county council members. The issue is expected to be brought up again on the November 24, where the Utah Anti-War Committee, who leads the campaign, plans to mobilize even more community members.

On November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine, a march to the Planetarium is planned.

The recent midterm elections, which will unseat a number of Republican council members, are also expected to affect the campaign. If successful, the Northrop Grumman Out campaign may see one of its first major wins in the growing anti-war movement in Utah.

#SaltLakeCityUT #UT #AntiWarMovement #UAWC

Activist and cycling group Philly Bike on Your Left called the protest in support of the ongoing boycott campaign Boycott CookNSolo, which targets restaurants owned by Zionist restaurateur, Michael Solomanov. Solomanov uses the profits and facilities of his restaurants, including Goldie, Dizengoff, Zahav, Laser Wolf, and others to fundraise money and support for pro-Israel lobbyists and groups. 

A few days before the action, Zionist forces caught wind of the event and ran to the corporate press to condemn it. Some city and state politicians including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, released statements condemning the action, without any evidence, as “antisemitic” or “anti-Jewish.”

Among other obvious falsehoods, many such statements echoed AIPAC language, pretending that the bike ride was being purposefully held on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, an infamous pogrom against German and Austrian Jews. The historical German hate crimes occurred on the night of November 9, 1938, while the bike ride was planned for November 8th during the middle of the day. Such statements intended to hide the anti-Zionist purpose of the event from the public and whip up counterprotesters to show up in force against an antisemitism that was nowhere to be found. 

At the invitation of Governor Shapiro and others, hundreds of hateful right-wing demonstrators flooded Philadelphia on the day of the bike ride protest. The right-wing counterprotesters were overwhelmingly older white people who waved Israeli flags, dropped thumb tacks, and called activists, passersby, and local restaurant workers racial slurs. They formed lines around the boycotted business and tried assaulting the bikers as they passed by. 

Meanwhile, the riders circled around the streets of Rittenhouse, stopping at lights to chant “Free, free Palestine!” 

Another Palestine solidarity ride is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 12PM.

#PhiladelphiaPA #Philadelphia #Palestine #AntiWarMovement

Chicago, IL – On the morning of Thursday, October 29, U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) – Chicago, Anti-War Committee (AWC) – Chicago, Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) – Chicago, and other organizations in the Illinois Divest from Genocide Network held a press conference outside the office of Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs to urgently demand that he decline to renew an Israel Bond worth $20 million set to expire on November 1, 2026.

10 days before the press conference, a member of USPCN asked Frerichs if he intended to renew the bond. Frerichs responded, “every time we look at the rates they give, we look at analysis of the investments, and we make a decision.”

Noura Ebrahim, co-founder of BDS-Chicago, challenged Frerichs’ statement during the press conference, stating that “behind every discussion of interest rates are Palestinian families whose lives, homes, and futures are being destroyed. Their humanity cannot be reduced to a calculation on a balance sheet. Israel Bonds are loans to a genocidal colonial project; calling that a ‘return on investment’ proves the moral depravity of the treasurer of ours.”

Frerichs has been a vocal supporter of apartheid Israel and has purchased or renewed Israel Bonds 6 times since the U.S.-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza began, despite consistent demands from the Illinois Palestinian community, the largest in the country, the Illinois Divest from Genocide Network, and tens of thousands of concerned constituents. Currently, the total active amount of Israel Bonds held by the State of Illinois is $100 million.

73 for Palestine, a group of rank and file workers and retirees from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73, has submitted 4 ethics complaints against Frerichs to the Office of the Executive Inspector General (OEIG) for his continued investment in Israel Bonds.

“The violations include abuse of authority, corruption, favoritism, improper use of state time and other resources for prohibited political purposes, and misuse of public assets,” said Nesreen Hasan.

Israel Bonds have become significantly less stable amid pressure from divestment campaigns and the state of the Israeli economy, contrary to Frerichs' claims. The European Union halted the sale of Israel Bonds in September, causing a ripple effect of worsening financial volatility that led pro-Israel New York City Comptroller, Mark Levine, to stop investing city pension funds in Israel Bonds due to their erratic outlook. Minnesota, North Carolina, Michigan, and Maryland have fully or partially cut state investment in Israel Bonds.

“We are here among the millions of people throughout the world who have drawn a red line and said, you’re either with Palestine or you’re with genocide,” said Elinor Keener with AWC-Chicago. “So, Michael Frerichs has a very easy decision to make—either let the $20 million Israel Bond expire and do not purchase any more, or continue to support genocide and go down in history as a yet another white supremacist politician who stood in the way of humanity and stood in the way of our liberation.”

As of Saturday, November 7, Frerichs’ office has not released a statement confirming renewal of the $20 million bond. The next expiration date of an Israel Bond held by the State of Illinois is February 1, 2027. Follow @illinoisdivestnetwork on social media for updates on the campaign, sign the petition to divest Illinois from Israel, and/or endorse the campaign as an organization.

#ChicagoIL #Illinois #Chicago #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Denver, CO – On November 7, dozens of protesters gathered on the corner of 14th and Pennsylvania in downtown Denver to protest outside Colorado’s Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) building.

Activists and workers gathered here to demand that PERA divest from the genocide in Gaza, as well as halt investments in ICE contractors – investments that are not democratically decided by the public workers, but rather by a Board of Trustees interested only in what will make money for the fund, regardless of the human cost.

The action was called by the grassroots community group Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA), who seeks to raise awareness in the community and among public workers about PERA’s unethical investments.

The campaign led by DAWA includes demands that PERA divest from the top 100 military contractors, companies on the BDS list, Israel Bonds, and ICE contractors, which, totally, account for around 5% of total investments.

According to Nels Pine, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, PERA employees, who number over 700,000, are demanding that the investments more accurately reflect their values. Pine stated, “The irony that the almost 200,000 teachers under PERA or receiving PERA benefits are currently funded by investments into companies that help facilitate drone strikes on children in Gaza. Teachers don’t want that.”

The action MC, Josh Fort, rallied the crowd with chants such as “PERA, PERA, you can’t hide! You invest in genocide!” and “The workers say no to war, U.S. boots off foreign shores.” The energy was high for hours as participants chanted and penned demands in chalk on the sidewalks in front of the building.

Several speakers from the community, including active and retired public workers, had the opportunity to speak and express their outrage at PERA’s complicity in war, genocide, and ICE terror.

Buteo Anderson, a retired public school teacher, talked about his experience, recounting that he was “alarmed and horrified,” to learn about PERA’s investments, and went on to say, “It’s not going to break the bank for PERA to divest from these horrible companies.”

Andrew Marquetalia, a member of DAWA, stated, “Many people have had their funds invested in PERA for years or even decades through their job, and never knew that some of those funds were invested in Palantir, BAE systems, and Israel bonds.”

Marquetalia continued, “When it comes to making investments that align with the values of the workers it serves, PERA has repeatedly let Colorado workers down.”

According to DAWA members, the group has plans to continue the fight for PERA investments until significant divestment happens.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement

Washington, DC – On Saturday, November 7, the Washington, DC District of The Freedom Road Socialist Organization hosted FRSO Central Committee member, Meredith Aby, to discuss U.S. imperialism in Korea. Aby recently returned from a trip to Korea in the Jaju Solidarity Delegation, organized by Nodutdol, a Korea solidarity activist group.

Aby discussed the history of the Korean Peninsula, starting with the Japanese occupation. The discussion stressed that despite the official independence of Korea, the U.S. still holds control.

Examples were given of how the U.S. occupation affects the lives of the Korea citizens.

Aby described that the occupation was being met with resistance from the Korean people. Mass protests occurred because of a U.S. military vehicle running over 2 middle schoolers. In one case, the Korean people were able to get a tree marked as a national landmark to stop a base from expanding and causing mass environmental damage. The mass movement also has made pushes this year to stay out of the U.S.-Iran conflict, despite pressure from Washington.

One point of discussion that came up was that this was not the only place the U.S. has a standing occupation. Aby mentioned that there were multiple people invited from the Philippines, Guam, and other nations, as many had a similar situation of U.S. occupation, with military bases meant to encircle China.

One audience member, a member of the Anti-War Committee DMV, said in reflection of the discussion, “We must stand with people against U.S. occupation everywhere in the world, it’s not just one place and one people, it affects all of us.”

#WashingtonDC #DC #AntiWarMovement #International #Korea

Minneapolis, MN – The peace movement in Minnesota lost two fierce fighters for peace this fall: Brigid and Jane McDonald. Brigid McDonald died on October 2, 2026 and Jane McDonald died on November 1, 2026.

Brigid and Jane were part of an iconic group of four sisters who became nuns with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. The McDonald sisters were even featured in a 2019 play that premiered at the History Theater in Saint Paul titled Sisters of Peace. The play chronicled their story of leaving the farm, becoming nuns and then peace activists.

During the war on Iraq and afterwards, the sisters were consistent protesters on the Lake Street Bridge at regular Wednesday vigils and were known to sing anti-war songs at protests and events.

I was on the Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) board in the 2010s and served with Brigid. I frequently brought my young daughter with me to board meetings and Brigid was her favorite person to sit next to. They would giggle and color together through the meeting.

Before she retired, Brigid had been a first and second-grade teacher. She had a light that drew children to her. She made my daughter feel like she was welcome in the movement, and for that I will forever be grateful.

I know I wasn’t the only mom that feels this way. Thistle Parker-Hartog, who has kids around the same age as mine, and I were recently remembering Brigid. She told me that at any protest she brought her boys to, Brigid always went out of her way to make them feel welcome as well.

When I asked my daughter Audrey what she most fondly remembers about Brigid, she said, “I remember how Brigid would respond to people flipping us off from their cars while we were at protests. She would say that they were making half of a peace sign and that they were ‘almost there’. She approached every person and situation with this same type of positivity.”

My favorite memory of Brigid is from a flotilla protest we participated in on Lake Minnetonka during the war on Iraq. We wanted to protest then-Vice President Dick Cheney’s fundraiser, but knew that the Secret Service would block access to the house. Roger Cuthbertson organized two boats to protest the war and blast chants at the fundraiser from the lake.

Brigid was one of the ten people I spent that day with. She kept our spirits up by chanting, singing, dancing and even playing music. My favorite memory was the time she asked one of the Secret Service agents harassing us from their boat if his mother knew what he did for a living, and wasn’t he ashamed of himself for protecting a war criminal like Dick Cheney?

A month after Brigid died, so did her sister Jane, the last of the peace sisters to pass away.

Sarah Martin, a long-time board member of WAMM, recently reflected about Jane. “Jane was at the heart and soul of our movements,” said Martin. “She totally empathized with the pain of poverty, oppression and war, and was unique in her ability to express these feelings and thoughts eloquently and passionately.”

Kim DeFranco, who organized with the Welfare Rights Committee in the 1990s, reflected, “Both Brigid and Jane will be remembered as social‑justice Catholic nuns and as women whose faith moved them to stand with the people. The McDonald sisters were steadfast allies to those fighting for economic and social justice; they were a powerful presence in every struggle. In the 1990s, the Welfare Rights Committee, a group of low‑income women organizing for economic justice, was honored to have the McDonald sisters at our side. They joined our protests, standing at the doors of the Minnesota Senate and House, chanting, lobbying, and refusing to let lawmakers ignore the lives of poor and working‑class families. Their legacy is one of courage, solidarity, and love for the people.”

Recently, my wife and I were surprised to realize that we have younger members on the WAMM board who had never met Brigid or Jane. That helped remind us that they had been struggling with their health for some time. They weren’t able to be on the streets for Palestine during the recent upsurge of protests, but I know they would have been had they been able to.

As Irish Americans, they were feisty and always stood against U.S. imperialism. I think it’s important to recognize the inspiration that Brigid and Jane McDonald were, and to continue their optimistic vision for the future as we continue to organize against U.S. wars.

Meredith Aby is the executive director of Women Against Military Madness, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #Opinion #Commentary #Remembrances #AntiWarMovement #WAMM

New York, NY – On November 3, activists rallied outside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn to demand the release of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. The monthly picket outside the MDC has been going on every month since the illegal kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores on January 3.

Participants chanted, “Free the prisoners, free them all, free Maduro from these walls!” and “What’s the call? Free them all!” Signs read “Immediate medical care for Cilia Flores” and “Hands off Venezuela.” The rally ended in a short march along the length of the prison, since inmates can hear the chanting.

Organizations present at the rally included Brooklyn Against War, Workers World Party, Colectivo Bravo Pueblo, Black Alliance for Peace, and more.

Despite the new indictment, the demands of protesters remain the same. Briony Smith, a member of Brooklyn Against War and Anti-War Action Network, stated, “The case against Maduro is crumbling. The charges will not stand in court, members of the prosecution are resigning, and the judge has died. But this case will not be won by an act of God, but by our steadfast and unwavering solidarity. We will continue to fight and put pressure on the U.S. government and demand no to U.S. intervention! Hands off Venezuela! Free Maduro, Free Flores!”

On October 28, Alvin Hellerstein, the judge assigned to Flores and Maduro, died. Only 20 days before, he had denied a motion to grant Cilia Flores house arrest due to her life-threatening health condition.

A new judge, Analisa Torres, has been assigned to the case. Case assignments are said to be random. However, Torres has clear ties to Venezuela and, like Judge Hellerstein, likely has an agenda to push before hearing arguments from Flores and Maduro.

On December 17, Cilia and Maduro are set to appear at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for a pretrial hearing. Speakers emphasized the importance of court support both inside and outside the federal courthouse at the upcoming court date.

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

Pittsburgh PA – On Monday, November 2, anti-war organizers protested the visit of a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer to a local community center.

The Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center (JCC) hosted the latest installment in its “Israel engagement series,” a series of dialogues moderated by Yisrael Klitsner, a former member of AIPAC and Diaspora Affairs Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. After October 7, 2023, Klitsner moved from Pittsburgh to Israel to rejoin the IDF unit he served in two decades ago.

The event was the fourth discussion out of six planned and focused on the recent Israeli elections. Despite advertising “a diversity of views,” none of the speakers present represented a pro-Palestinian or anti-Zionist perspective.

“When we talk about Israel elections, it's not just taxes and social services on their ballot,” said Dot Bodwell, one of the protest organizers. “Both major parties are discussing in the media how best to escalate genocide against the people of Palestine. No matter who wins, the Israeli occupation forces will continue to massacre civilians and run them out of their homes. The people of Pittsburgh want no part in this genocide, and do not welcome the perpetrators of this genocide into our community.”

The protest was organized by the International Solidarity Committee of Pittsburgh (ISCPIT), and featured speakers from Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). Gathering around 40 participants, the crowd was twice the size of any other action which ISCPIT, a newly-formed group, has yet organized.

Marigold Cameron, who organizes with ISCPIT and FRSO stated, “For years, this neighborhood and the JCC especially have been seen by organizers here as a bastion of Zionism which is we cannot hope to confront, to the point that when we were talking with other groups about this demonstration some people were telling us that it's too dangerous and we should stay away. And now that we're here, we see that we are safe and fine, whereas the Zionists are indignant because they have to see Palestinian flags outside their genocidal dialogue. And I think that this really shows the importance of pushing past what some people tell you are the acceptable limits on anti-war organizing.”

In December, Klitsner plans on returning to the JCC, to moderate a discussion titled “The Wild West: What should Israel do with the West Bank,” whilst ISCPIT organizers are already discussing how they might double turnout for the next protest.

#PittsburghPA #PA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #Iran

Amherst, MA – On Thursday, October 29, the River Valley Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) hosted FRSO Central Committee Member Chrisley Carpio at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for a reportback discussing her recent visit to South Korea as part of the Jaju Solidarity Delegation in August.

The delegation was organized by Nodutdol, with activists traveling from the U.S., Guam, Hawaii and the Philippines. They represented groups including FRSO, the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) and many others.

Carpio presented to nearly a dozen attendees, telling the crowd, “In the United States, people often refer to the Korean War as the ‘forgotten war’, But in Korea, they call it ‘the war that never ended’.”

Carpio and others on the delegation visited multiple sites of U.S. military atrocities, including Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base in the world, as well as the mass grave of Sannae Gollyeongol – the “longest grave in the world” and Camp Casey, a military base known for its camp town where women were sex trafficked for American soldiers. Carpio explained to the room that the camp town sex trade is still operational, but now employs Filipino women instead of Koreans.

During her time in the country, Carpio met with organizers from the student movement, women’s movement, and other civic society organizations, like local anti-war groups as well as farmers and trade unions. She explained to the attendees the culture of anti-imperialist organizing in the southern part of the peninsula and how activists are fighting for justice for those killed by U.S. soldiers and displaced by the occupation while they organize against the military presence altogether. She also discussed the current organizing Korean by activists protesting the possibility of South Korean troops being asked to assist the U.S. in aggression against Iran and in the Strait of Hormuz.

The event ended with a question and answer session. One attendee asked if the delegates faced political repression during their visit, Carpio responded, “What we were doing was high profile enough that they didn’t enforce those rules, but if you are an author locally who writes something sympathetic to North Korea, you are likely to do prison time.”

Carpio continued, “But we did a lot of our organizing in private churches and in restaurants that were reserved for the day. We were followed by spies and policemen and they knew we were coming and knew about the protests, but I think it was a calculated decision to not make a big incident by arresting us.”

When asked what reunification would look like, after explaining the desire for reunification across the peninsula from Korean activists, Carpio said, “There is not reunification without socialism, even if there is a debate about what reunification will mean.”

#AmherstMA #MA #International #Korea #AntiWarMovement #AWAN #Nodutdol

Salt Lake City, UT – On Friday, October 30, anti-war protesters gathered in front of the doors of the Clark Planetarium in downtown Salt Lake City. The protest targeted the planetarium’s partnership with weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman, demanding that Northrop Grumman’s naming rights over the planetarium’s IMAX theater be ended.

Northrop Grumman makes aircraft used by the U.S. and Israeli militaries in many documented war crimes across Palestine, the Middle East and Latin America, including the F-35I jet and the Blackhawk Helicopter.

The Clark Planetarium is a Salt Lake County operated educational facility. It planned a “Fun Science Friday” event for Utah’s children before Halloween. Northrop Grumman was expected to participate. However, due to the community protest, Northrop Grumman pulled out of the event.

Despite biting cold and constant rain, over 30 protesters led chants of “Northrop Grumman, not for children!” and “Northrop Grumman murders children!” in front of the planetarium. Demonstrators held signs reading “NG out of the planetarium!” and distributed leaflets to families entering the building.

“The community is fed up and no longer willing to be complicit in the violence perpetrated by the military industrial complex,” said Amber Grace, a member of the Utah Anti-War Committee.

“Northrop Grumman tried to send volunteers to the planetarium to groom children into trusting the military-industrial complex.”

Grace continued. “Northrop Grumman routinely disguises itself with a façade of science education to hide what they really are: war profiteers!”

Grace helped lead the protest despite being transphobically attacked by College Republicans days before and now facing false two misdemeanor charges. Speakers urged attendees to call Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill and demand he drop these charges.

Nova Morra, another member of UAWC, said, “We must bring pressure to the Salt Lake County Council to end the Clark Planetarium’s partnership with Northrop Grumman, who make F-35 jets used by the Israeli military on kids in tents in Gaza.”

Due to the effectiveness of the protest, the Salt Lake City police were called, and told attendees they could not use amplified sound. The protest persisted regardless, with chants of “County Council, you can’t hide! You’re supporting genocide!” growing louder.

Mustafa Khader of the 71% Coalition, a local pro-Palestine group, said, “President Eisenhower had warned us of the military industry complex long ago. He knew that they will put profits before humans, including our own soldiers.”

Sebastian Miscenich of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stressed the need for anti-war activists to take the next step and become revolutionaries: “We kicked Northrop Grumman out of the planetarium today because we got organized and we fought back. That’s why I am a revolutionary. We will never get anything we are not willing to organize to take.”

Despite attempted police intimidation and inclement weather, the protesters picketed the planetarium event for the full two hours.

The protest was organized by the Picket for Palestine SLC, the Utah Anti-War Committee, the 71% Coalition, Climbers for Palestine, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#SaltLakeCityUT #UT #AntiWarMovement

St. Paul, MN — On October 28, roughly 50 activists rallied on a bridge over the Mississippi River to call for a lifting of the United States blockade on Cuba. The protest, organized by Women Against Military Madness (WAMM)’s Hands Off Latin America (HOLA) committee, coincided with the United Nations (UN) vote on the same day to end the embargo imposed by the US since 1960. The protest was a part of a National Day of Action organized by the National Network on Cuba.

Despite dark threatening skies and warnings of possible tornadoes, protesters held signs, Cuban flags, chanted and gave speeches for over an hour.

Showing resounding worldwide support for Cuba, the UN General Assembly once again overwhelmingly voted to end the US blockade. This critical vote comes at a time when the total oil embargo imposed by Trump in January 2026 is drastically undermining critical infrastructure and severely restricting access to necessities such as healthcare, food and water.

Cuba, which is notable for its robust healthcare system and advances in medical technology, now faces blackouts that can last 20 hours or longer, causing hospitals to struggle to keep lifesaving equipment operational.

Grace Gamble, a member of HOLA, told the crowd, “This vote was just a symbolic gesture and holds no actual authority over U.S. foreign policy. So, despite the majority of the world voting to end the blockade, it will remain until the U.S. Congress votes to end it.”

“We call on all nations, and all people here in the U.S. and around the world to stand in solidarity, fight for liberation and vote against U.S. intervention in Cuba,” added Gamble.

Nadiyah Salawdeh is co-chair of U.S. Palestinian Community Network’s Minnesota chapter, who recently traveled to Cuba. Salawdeh told the protest, “When I was in Cuba this summer, I heard several Cuban people refer to the U.S. blockade as a ‘silent Gaza.’ The U.S. blockade prevents hospitals from getting the equipment and medicine they need. Doctors and nurses are working heroically to perform miracles with no resources. Infant mortality is skyrocketing, reversing the extraordinary progress in maternal infant health that the government has made. Drinking water is making people sick. Food is getting scarcer and more expensive. Fuel is over $20 a gallon. Just like in Gaza, the U.S. blockade on Cuba is collective punishment and constitutes a war crime.” 

Salawdeh continued, “In Gaza, the Palestinian people are punished by Israel for daring to resist Israeli occupation. In Cuba, the Cuban people are punished for daring to maintain the Cuban revolution. This is not speculation. The empire has admitted this.”

Trent Fast from the MN Anti-War Committee stated, “Whether it’s Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Palestine, or Minneapolis, the Trump administration is a rogue killing machine that needs to be stopped. We need to see through the lies coming from Washington about these countries. This is why organizing and developing a concrete analysis is so important. We need to focus on the fact that U.S. attacks, sanctions, and blockades are the primary reason for these countries’ struggles. Back in 2019, a Venezuela analysis report concluded that U.S. sanctions caused 40,000 deaths in Venezuela from 2017 to 2018 during Trump's first term. For years, they've denied Venezuela the ability to import lifesaving medicines, equipment, and food.”

Fast continued, “In Cuba it's long been a similar situation. However, in recent months the stranglehold has reached a new revolting level of megalomania from the Trump administration. And we know about the U.S. attempts to devastate Iran's economy through coercive economic measures. The Iranian Rial recently sank to a new low of 2.5 million to one U.S. dollar. In Iran the cost of everyday items continues to soar, and food prices have more than doubled since last year.”

During the protest, HOLA organizers also did a banner drop from the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge over Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis, where motorists responded with many honks.

As the situation in Cuba becomes more dire, HOLA vows to ramp up the fight to end the brutal U.S. blockade. The committee’s next event is to hold a watch party for the Anti-War Action Network’s Cuba webinar on November 15 at 2 p.m. at 4200 Cedar Avenue, in Minneapolis.

#StPaulMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #Cuba #WAMM #HOLA

Chicago, IL – About 100 Chicagoans rallied at a press conference and picketed the Federal Plaza on Wednesday, October 28 to demand an end to the genocidal U.S. blockade on Cuba. Earlier that day, the U.N. General Assembly voted for the 34th time to condemn the economic embargo unilaterally imposed by the U.S. government as a violation of international law. 130 countries supported the resolution, while 17 countries – led by the U.S. and Israel – opposed.

A founding member of Cuban Americans for Cuba said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “is trying to make life unlivable in Cuba while preventing people from coming here; effectively trying to orchestrate a pressure-cooker situation to force an uprising and gain control of Cuba.”

“We won’t stand for it,” she said. “Rubio does not speak for us. Collective punishment is a war crime, and our families are not collateral.” Her words received applause and were followed by chants of “¡Cuba sí, bloqueo no!” and “ICE out!”

The rally, which was endorsed by over 25 faith, labor and social justice organizations, was organized by the Chicago Cuba Coalition and Venceremos Brigade in response to escalating aggression against Cuba and worsening conditions on the island. In January 2026, the United States government imposed a total energy blockade on Cuba, threatening any country that supplied the island with oil.

U.S. Congressman Jonthan L. Jackson, who represents the First Congressional District in Illinois, described his experience traveling to Cuba on a fact-finding mission in April. He said, “When I went into the maternity ward, I saw little babies with low birthweights who needed an incubator, but the incubators were blown out because they have power surges. I saw women in their last trimester not being able to use an elevator and not being able to have any air conditioning. I saw shortages of food.”

The congressman called for Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to be impeached, saying “what [Hegseth] is doing in the Caribbean is illegal: ‘tapping’ on boats, killing people. Those are military bombs hitting civilian boats. It’s simply wrong, and they’re doing it in our name, with our tax dollars.”

Vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, Jackson Potter, asked the crowd of protesters, “What if we funded our schools at home and fed our children here in this country instead of bombing them abroad or blockading them?”

25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who represents immigrant communities in the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, also condemned Marco Rubio for calling on Cubans to collaborate with the CIA to overthrow their government. He stated that Cubans, “don’t want to go back to the times of dictatorships like Batista – when Cubans were treated as pawns in their own country for casinos and corporations to gain.”

“We see actual terrorism and interventions throughout Latin America that are spreading terror, war, starvation, and chaos in the name of ‘democracy,’” the alderman said.

Kobi Guillory, a leader of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, closed out the press conference with the chant made famous by Black liberationist Assata Shakur, who passed away as a free woman in Cuba last year. “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” He added this important reminder to the end of the chant: “And we have a world to win!”

After the press conference, protesters picketed and chanted in front of the federal building.

Bystanders reacted by stopping to read banners, take photos, and ask questions.

Organizers called on protesters to be prepared to mobilize in the event the U.S. attacks Cuba and to join the No War on Cuba campaign. Organization can join the National Network on Cuba at their annual meeting in Portland, November 20-22 to help build an anti-imperialist Cuba-solidarity movement inside the belly of the beast. You can also see the conditions in Cuba for yourself by visiting the island with a legally licensed solidarity delegation, like the Venceremos Brigade.

“We have to tell our brothers, sisters, and siblings throughout the country what is truly going on, not only in Cuba, but throughout Latin America and the American continent,” said Alderman Sigcho-Lopez.

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Cuba #NoWarOnCuba #CubaBlockade

Des Moines, WA – On October 28, eight members of Seattle Against War (SAW) disrupted Adam Smith's Taste of the ninth campaign event to call out what they see as the gap between his words and actions. The group confronted Smith over his support for U.S. military aid to Israel and the war in Iran.

“Adam Smith, you should be ashamed of yourself! You’ve spent your entire career avoiding your constituents who are sick and tired of your war profiteering,” yelled Jordan Phillips, who bravely stood up and started the disruption while Smith was speaking.

Outside the venue, other members of SAW protested Smith with chants and banners calling him a warmonger. The group grew bigger as members inside the venue got kicked out, for disrupting the event.

They demanded an end to the war in Iran, an arms embargo on Israel, and investigations into U.S. and Israeli war crimes. They also highlighted the long history of U.S. intervention in Iran and the ongoing devastation faced by Palestinians. SAW members argued that Smith cannot claim to oppose these humanitarian crises while continuing to support policies that enable them.

As a powerful member of the House Armed Services Committee, Smith has the ability to push for change, and SAW is demanding that he use it.

“As the war in Iran continues to be waged, we will not forget the ongoing genocide in Palestine and siege of Lebanon. Israel is continuing its illegal expansion into Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria. Since the beginning of the genocide in Palestine, The Lancet estimates that over 100,000 Palestinians have been martyred by the Israeli occupation. Israel has destroyed over 90% of buildings in Gaza, systematically starved the population, destroyed any remaining public services, leading to a widespread rise in disease and disenfranchisement, and has crashed Gaza’s economy. Adam Smith, you are complicit!” says another disruptor, Kelson Knabble.

“As Seattle Against War, we demand you put a stop to the war in Iran. We demand that you use your power to put a stop to the genocide in Palestine. We demand an end to your war profiteering – more than half a million dollars from AIPAC, by the way. If you aren't doing everything in your power to meet these demands, then you are failing humanity, and Adam Smith you are failing,” stated Mira Hemaidan.

#DesMoinesWA #SeattleWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #AdamSmith #Palestine

New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, October 24, the New Orleans Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) hosted a “U.S. Out of Korea” event with around 20 attendees. Speaker Meredith Aby discussed U.S. imperialism in Korea and her recent trip to the southern part of the peninsula as a part of the Jaju Solidarity Delegation. Aby is a Central Committee member of the FRSO and a seasoned anti-war activist who founded the Minnesota Anti-War Committee in 1998, and a steering committee member of the Anti-War Action Network.

The Jaju Solidarity Delegation was organized by Nodutdol, a Korean diaspora activist group. The delegation included international activists from the U.S., the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii. Participants joined demonstrations against U.S. occupation in Korea this past August. Aby reported on their visits to several U.S. military bases in the Republic of Korea (ROK), where they learned about the history and breadth of U.S. occupation in the country. She learned from local Korean activists about their various struggles for independence.

“What Americans refer to as the ‘forgotten war’ is called the ‘war that never ended’ by Koreans,” said Aby, while discussing the history of occupation.

Shortly after Korea gained its independence from imperialist Japan, the U.S. swooped in and divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel, splitting the country, and separating families. The U.S. also enacted various laws which disallow ROK residents to visit the northern part of their country and forced dispossession of their lands for U.S. military base expansion. There are currently 80 U.S. military bases (or U.S.-controlled Korean bases) spread across the country.

Aby’s presentation focused on the consistent pattern of dispossession, physical and sexual violence, and environmental degradation caused by the U.S. presence and control over Korea. She also highlighted the various instances of communities, villages, political and workers’ groups rising up against the occupation. On August 15, the delegation joined tens of thousands of Koreans in the streets of Seoul on Korea’s national liberation day. The people demanded peace, sovereignty, reunification with the northern part of the peninsula and an end to U.S. occupation.

Aby also relayed that, shortly after the Jaju Delegation’s visit, the ROK government resisted pressure from the U.S. to send South Korean troops and other military assets to the Strait of Hormuz and Iran. When the public became aware of Trump’s demand, demonstrations and mass protests erupted in the streets. ROK President Lee Jae Myung refused Trump and suggested that what Korea needs is operational control over its own military – something that has never been said by an ROK leader. This defiance is a clear sign that the U.S. is a declining imperialist power.

The event ended with questions and comments from the attendees. “I’m inspired by the Koreans who continue to demand their freedom from the still-growing number of U.S. military bases and influence in their government. I believe that every American has a duty to support their cause,” said Augusta Elebash from New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #International #Korea #AntiWarMovement #NOSHIP #AWAN

On Tuesday, October 27th, University of Utah student Amber Grace was the victim of a transphobic attack by the Utah College Republicans. She was accosted by College Republican members after speaking out against the transphobic rhetoric they were pushing at their table. After she left the table, she was followed and harassed with transphobic attacks and recorded without her consent. Even though the College Republicans began this harassment, Amber is now facing misdemeanor charges of assault and property damage for resisting transphobia. Amber is a dedicated member of the Salt Lake community as an anti-war activist, and she did nothing wrong by speaking against hateful Republican rhetoric.

The UAWC calls on Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill to refuse the charges on Amber Grace! Speaking out against transphobia is not a crime.

Call and email Salt Lake DA Sim Gill and demand he refuse the charges:

DistrictAtty@saltlakecounty.gov

385-468-7600

“My name is ____. I am calling to demand that you refuse the charges on Amber Grace. Amber did nothing wrong by speaking out against a transphobic attack.”

The UAWC also calls on University of Utah president Taylor Randall to finally listen to his students and to ban the College Republicans from harassing marginalized students on campus.

#SaltLakeCityUT #UT #LGBTQ #AntiWarMovement #UAWC #Feature

Washington D.C. – On Friday, October 23, activists disrupted comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s show at the Anthem theater. Activists loudly criticized Seinfeld for his support of the Israel’s genocide in Palestine, yelling, “74,000 Palestinians have been killed” and “You support genocide!”

Seinfeld responded to disruptions with misogynistic comments, calling disruptors “sweetheart” and asking, “Are you married?” Community members responded by saying this was consistent with record of dating minors.

Seinfeld has long been a vocal supporter of Israel, despite community outrage. When approached after a New York Knicks game, Seinfeld was heard laughing and saying Palestine “doesn't exist.” Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica, donated to organizations enacting violent “counter-measures” against student encampments at UCLA.

The DC protest comes after a disruption at Seinfeld’s Chicago show this past month, where activists also criticized Seinfeld for his support of the ongoing genocide. Seinfeld responded to the activists by saying, “I’m a racist, it’s a genocide, I’m into it.”

While the disruption was taking place inside, community members gathered in front of the Anthem to protest. “Seinfeld, a billionaire, sends money to fund Israel and the ongoing genocide,” they declared. Several onlookers stopped to show support and throw shoes at an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Anti-War Committee DMV organized the protest and will continue to push back against genocide apologists performing in D.C.

“The people of this city stand with the people of Palestine. We’re not letting Seinfeld or any other genocide supporter profit here,” said Iain McNeely, a leader in the Anti-War Committee DMV.

#WashingtonDC #DC #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #JerrySeinfeld

New Orleans, LA – On October 3 and 4, the 20th National Convention of Students for a Democratic Society was held with great success. Over 240 student and youth activists gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana to say, “Keep up the fight on campus!” and “Build a movement against Trump!” Students from around 26 chapters across the country gathered to learn from seasoned activists, exchange experiences, vote on resolutions, and elect national officers.

Despite facing repression from their universities and the Trump administration, the organizers were united and steadfast in their drive to keep fighting. As SDS’ recently re-elected president, Erin Boyle, put it, “Before SDS, I felt pessimistic about what was going on. I don’t feel that way anymore!”

With the rampant and ongoing threat of ICE terror, SDSers spoke on their campaigns for sanctuary campus policies on the panel entitled “ICE Out Now! Sanctuary Campus Now: Immigrant Rights and the Student Movement.”

On that panel, Sasmit Rahman of the University of Minnesota recalled the noise demonstrations that SDSers conducted outside of ICE agents’ hotel rooms during the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.

“There's a deep-rooted collective rage that our noise demos tapped into. You're seeing the kidnapping of immigrants all across the cities, and the kidnappers and occupiers are in the building in front of you. Trying to control that rage, actually, is not our job at all,” Rahman said.

Earlier in the day, SDSers and other activists spoke on the “Money for Education, Not for Wars and Occupation: Continuing the Tradition of Anti-war Student Activism” panel. It was there that Navya Prakash of Together United Louisiana (TUL) SDS spoke on her chapter’s strong anti-war and anti-Zionist efforts in spite of the rabidly pro-Israel administration of Tulane University.

“We don't hold these rallies every week only for solidarity, although solidarity is an important part of it. We do them, because every time they call Tulane police, every time they put up barricades around our campus, it's proof that we are making a change in our campus,” said Prakash “We can't allow them to see that the students will just take whatever they do lying down. We have to organize at these extremely reactionary places, because these institutions can be won.”

At the end of the first day, students and community members rallied in the convention center at a protest to demand the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The action was organized by New Orleans’ affiliate to the Anti-War Action Network, New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP).

On the second day of the convention, organizers voted on resolutions for National SDS and demonstrated great unity as they passed resolutions to combat gender oppression on campus, honor those martyred by racist violence and police brutality, reaffirm their commitment to defending free speech on campus, continue solidarity with the people of Palestine, demand the freedom of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and ultimately to resist attacks by the Trump administration and the ruling class wherever they may appear.

Above all, this convention demonstrated that the student movement continues to be strong and steadfast.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #SDSConvention #Venezuela #AntiWarMovement

The event took place at a community center that is part of a complex with a mile-and-a-half long perimeter, and that is run like a Zionist fortress, with ex-FBI and Mossad private security.

The coalition used multiple avenues of approach to disrupt this event. On the day before the event, the Zionist’s registration link for the event was flooded, and dozens of phone calls were made to the community center holding the event. Then an action took place at the entrance and around the compound.

”I felt outraged that this event was happening in Cleveland,” said Yaseen Shaikh of American Muslims for Palestine Cleveland, “an event that promotes the illegal sale of Palestinian land. This has no place in our city.”

The heightened security was evident. There were many checkpoints to even access the community center, let alone the event.

Dr. Shereen Naser of Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community and Moms Against Genocide said, “The Zionist and police response was exactly what I would expect in a country that has been explicitly funding and supporting a genocide and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians for over 75 years.”

Around 30 people took part in the first portion of the action. Some stood on the side of the road with banners and signs, while others marched around the four corners of the intersection at the entrance of the community center. This small group was able to slow traffic, which was already slowed by the security checkpoint, causing traffic to back up and congest the main road.

“By being part of this action, carpooling others to it, and spreading the word,” said Shaikh “I was hoping to make holding such an event a pain for the organizers, and to let them know that the racist ideology of Zionism is not welcome in Cleveland. I wanted to materially inconvenience the organizers and the attendees of the event so as to make this land sale less successful and to make them reconsider ever holding such a program again.”

As the sun to set, a group of teenage boys left the community center and took up a position across the street from the protesters. These boys hurled insults and slurs at the protesters, members of local media, and the legal observers, all while one of their mothers filmed from a distance, evidently proud of thier sons’ behavior. As this continued, the boys felt bolder and bolder, surrounding people and following them to their cars.

As this is happening, the second phase of the action was already underway. Despite the police closing the advertised rally location, and mall security attempting to close the rally point, the organizers were able to pull off a car caravan. Around 40 cars participated in this caravan, which began as people would have begun to show up for the event. This, in conjunction with the on-the-ground protest, on top of the security checkpoints, slowed traffic to a crawl. Police then closed this major commuter road.

Shaikh stated, “I wanted to make the statement that our movement has no problem protesting outside the JCC [Jewish Community Center]. Zionists hold these events inside synagogues and Jewish community centers so that they can weaponize antisemitism against protesters, but we are crystal clear about what we are protesting. We want an end to genocide and ethnic cleansing in Palestine, and we love our Jewish brothers and sisters, many of whom led this protest.”

Shaikh continued, “Despite our moral clarity, we encountered backlash from counter-protesters, who hurled abuse at us, got into altercations with media and police, and threatened our safety. But our love for justice and humanity is stronger than their hatred for it.”

“I think this action helped us understand our own discipline and commitment to each other,” said Naser.

Naser continued, “We were certain before, but even more committed now, that we are on the right side of history. And what a blessing to have that clarity of purpose and to be in community with others whose values allow them to stand steady in the face of those who are morally corrupt.”

#ClevelandOH #OH #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #BDS

Orlando, FL – On October 19, over 30 people packed into Bookburn Cafe and Social in Orlando's Milk District to hear FRSO Central Committee member Chrisley Carpio give a detailed report back from her two-week solidarity trip to Korea.

The focus of the Jaju Solidarity Delegation to Korea, and of the subsequent North American speaking tour, was “U.S. out of Korea.” Participants at the event were eager to hear about the well-organized, high level of resistance by the people of Korea against U.S. military occupation.

Much of the presentation focused on the pattern of violence, exploitation, abuse and environmental degradation that the U.S. military has imposed on the people of Korea.

“Koreans are not just sitting back and allowing the U.S. to dominate their communities, their environment, and their daily lives. They are fighting back! There is an active and vibrant resistance movement that is fighting for peace, sovereignty, reunification and national liberation from the U.S.,” Carpio told the crowd.

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #International #Korea

Minneapolis, MN – On October 17, the U.S. Out of Africa committee of Women Against Military Madness held its first protest at Mayday Plaza in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. The protest was part of the International Month of Action against AFRICOM, a month of actions focused on the withdrawal of U.S. military from Africa and bringing an end to U.S. involvement in African wars. AFRICOM is the U.S. military command that focuses on for Africa.

Protesters rallied in the predominantly East African neighborhood with signs that said, “Shut down AFRICOM” and “End U.S. drone strikes.” The neighborhood gave them a friendly response with honks and waves.

Lina Jebara, a member of the US Palestinian Community Network, spoke about the connection between U.S. imperialism in Africa and Israel’s genocide in Palestine and about how the Minneapolis Honeywell plan is contributing to these atrocities.

Jebara stated, “Today, we’re seeing the oppression of African countries subject to U.S. imperialist aggression converging and aligning with the oppression faced in the Middle East. The MQ-9 Reaper drone is yet another example that proves that the tools used by U.S. imperialism are one in the same, built and honed from centuries of plundering, colonizing and occupying nations.”

Honeywell makes the engines and navigational components for the MQ-9 Reaper drones used by Israel in its genocide of Gaza and by the U.S. in Somalia and Nigeria. Honeywell produces Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), a navigational component for the MQ-9 Reaper drones, at its navigation lab and production plant in northeast Minneapolis.

Protesters demanded an end to Trump’s racist war on Somalia. Trump has escalated U.S. air war in Somalia, increasing U.S. drone strikes and civilian casualties. Donald Trump has so far bombed Somalia 215 times in his second term as president and 434 times total. President Trump has bombed Somalia more than all the other presidents combined in the 20 years that the U.S. has been at war in Somalia.

Domestically, Trump is also engaged in a racist hate campaign against Somali people, and has called Somali people “garbage,” “low-IQ”, and “bad people,” and said that Somalia was “barely a country.” Trump has repeatedly attacked the Somali community in Minneapolis, using ICE during Operation Metro Surge to target Somali neighborhoods and most recently using ICE to raid Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Washington DC house as part of the attempt to revoke her citizenship.

Speakers from Black Lives Matter Minnesota and the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice highlighted the connections between the U.S. intervention in Africa and police militarization, racist police violence, and mass incarceration here in the U.S.

Alissa Washington, the founder of the Wrongfully Incarcerated & Over-sentenced Families Council-MN, talked about the importance of international solidarity, stating, “Our experiences are different, but they compel us to stand together. We want an end to the killing and exploitation of Black people, wherever it happens. If I want people to care about my family, I have a responsibility to care about families in Palestine, in Sudan, in Congo, in Somalia, and across the whole continent of Africa.”

The U.S. Out of Africa committee is a new committee in Women Against Military Madness. The organization calls for the abolition of AFRICOM, withdrawal of U.S. bases, and an end to U.S. drone strikes in Africa. The U.S. Out of Africa committee is working alongside the Minnesota Anti-War Committee on a campaign to stop Honeywell from producing weapon components in Minneapolis.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #International #Africa #AFRICOM #WAMM #USPCN