UPS workers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and many rank-and-file Teamsters have been sounding the alarm, saying that automation will reduce staffing, degrade workplace safety and eliminate union jobs. As Teamsters leave UPS, in many cases the company is not expected to replace staff as they depart the company.

Glen Reed works inside the Lonestar and said, “Work that was once done by people has been directly replaced with automation. Inside workers are being forced to return to trailers, which routinely run [around] 20°F hotter than the outside temperature. This in turn has pushed some workers to quit, especially those of an older age group.”

Older workers, in particular, have been pushed to quit rather than endure the increased heat and strain. The company’s actions amount to a quiet long-term staffing reduction designed to hide job cuts behind attrition.

Workers at the Lonestar hub have reported that construction workers have been arc welding in or near active work areas without safety screens and that this has resulted in hub workers being directly exposed to bright flashes, flying sparks and noxious fumes. It has also been reported that at least one driver of an “irreg” (irregular package) cart had sparks fly into his eyes while passing by one of the areas where automation work was being performed, causing the worker to quit his job over the incident. Other workers have reported headaches that they say are from fumes due to welding in the enclosed warehouse. There have also been reports of congestion in walkways creating dangerous work conditions. Against the backdrop of this automation work, the Hub has continued to run with workers working their shifts loading, unloading and sorting packages in the same space with the construction work.

Despite the major impact on working conditions, UPS rolled out its automation plan with little to no consultation with the Teamsters union. UPS plans to automate through AI-driven refurbishment of buildings particularly ones designated as “automated hubs.”

UPS Lonestar is an automated hub. At UPS, administrators and specialists do a range of tasks to keep things running smoothly. Dispatchers and operations specialists, who help move shipments through the belts and yards, are among the most common positions. In automated hubs where UPS is shifting more of its volume, specialists are particularly crucial to maintaining advanced sorting and AI technologies. One thing is clear: without the workers, UPS's AI rollout falls apart.

James Dylan, another inside worker, said, “The rollout has been abrupt, with a clear priority of speed and production over worker safety.” This demonstrates a clear lack of respect on the part of UPS for the people who do the work to make UPS run.

Despite UPS moving fast to reshape its workforce around automation, workers will need to be just as organized and determined to defend jobs, ensure safety and protect the gains won through struggle.

The fight against automation-driven job cuts is not just about new machines—it’s about power. And workers at the Lone Star hub are making one thing clear, when the company attacks jobs and safety, Teamsters should fight back.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #Labor #Teamsters #Automation #UPS

Arlington, TX – On February 26 students gathered to demand an end to deportations and for the protection of immigrants. The event brought attention to ICE presence around the UTA campus. The protest was hosted by UTA Progressive Student Union with support from National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression – Dallas and Austin SDS, each of whom brought out a speaker. The rally also received wide support from the student body.

The message of the organizers was clear as chants of “No ICE in our state” and “Immigrants are welcome here” rang out across the library plaza. The students proved that power was in their hands, and they were going to use it to fight. Despite attempts by several cowardly administrators to shut down the rally, the students stood strong and admin slithered away.

Luca Reyes, the president of Austin SDS, drove over four hours to speak at this event. Reyes stated, “Not just as activists but as human beings we have the duty to say that no human being is illegal on stolen land.”

Speeches were also made by a member from the UT Arlington PSU and Justin Bent from NAARPR Dallas who each shared Luca’s message and energy.

Student organizers vow to fight until UTA administration recognizes the rights of its students on campus and provides sanctuary for all.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights

Arlington, TX— Teamsters of the shop floor committee at the UPS hub in Arlington conducted an anti-harassment workshop, February 2, to highlight the protections afforded to workers under article 37 of the UPS national contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The workshop was led and primarily attended by rank-and-file members, with participants including stewards and union staff.

Article 37 contains the rights won by UPS Teamsters that protect workers from harassment; but workers are often unaware of their rights protecting them from such harassment or often do not realize the mistreatment they are enduring from management constitutes harassment at all.

What constitutes harassment under article 37? Harassment is “over-supervision, coercion, intimidation, or retaliation taken against workers in performance of their duties or enforcement of their rights.”

It is important to remember that it is more effective to file a grievance on article 37 in conjunction with other articles, for example article 52 (suspension), article 36 (discrimination), 21 (attempting to prevent union protected activities), and article 18 (safety).

A group activity was conducted to help each participant hone their skills in writing grievances to enforce their rights in fighting harassment, with participants sharing strategies for how to make their grievances most effective.

The militant rank-and-file unionists that led the meeting plan to continue to conduct workshops informing workers of their rights and how to enforce them, with a workshop planned to cover the rights afforded workers to protect them from the heat in the coming months.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #Labor #Teamsters #UPS

Arlington, TX – On Friday, January 31, student organizers at Sam Houston High School staged an 11 a.m. walkout in response to demands from ICE for the school to release student documentation status. High school students Joselin Ibarra and Ximena Basilio had previously called a mass protest in Dallas which gathered over 2000 people.

Community members arriving at the event were met with a large police presence from both the high school and Arlington PD. Despite this, the walkout protest gained over 40 people at its height, featuring speakers from Sam Houston High, La Frontera Nos Cruzo (FNC), NAARPR Dallas, and Progressive Student Union at Arlington.

Just days before the walkout, though after the walkout was called, the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) School Board voted that they would not comply with ICE’s demands to release their students’ immigration records, demonstrating the strength of organization within the student and immigrant communities in Arlington.

#ArlingtonTX #ImmigrantRights #FNC #NAARPRDallas #ProgressiveStudentUnionatArlington

Arlington, TX – Student organizers carried out an anti-Trump banner drop and mass recruiting event at a club fair hosted on UTA campus, January 22.

Members of the Progressive Student Union at UT Arlington arrived early at a club fair to secure a table which we are often denied. Admin and university staff do everything in their power to block student outreach. Many organizers came out and dedicated a large part of their day to flyering and tabling around the event. This effort attracted a large number of students to the cause, which was shown in the meeting the organization had later that night.

The action which generated the most attention was the noon time anti-Republican banner drop. Over the main section of the fair, two organizers held a banner reading “Fight the racist reactionary Republican agenda.” As soon as the banner was up, administrators tried to shut it down, citing non-existence policies that they couldn't back up. Organizers held fast, demanding proof of the policies. Soon admin fled, unable to back up their claims.

The drop also generated attention from students, many of whom came up to talk with organizers about what they would do during the upcoming Trump administration. As said by a PSU member, “We're here to fight to maintain the piecemeal liberties our school gives us, and to push our cowardly administration to expand those rights in the face of Republican attacks, because if their behavior under previous legislation is anything to go by, they sure as hell won't stand up for us on their own.”

Students were overall receptive to this message and the organization received several signups from the banner drop alone.

It is more important now than ever that we have an organized front of students who can fight against the Trump administration's backward policies. The Progressive Student Union will continue to host actions which push back against administration, unite the student body, and show that no matter how much resistance they face, they will continue to fight.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #StudentMovement #PSU #Trump

At noon, the march began at the library with around 40 people, who then snaked their way through campus until they reached the administration building.

Inside the administration building eight students waited with bags of imitation blood for the main march to reach them. Once they did, the students poured the blood on themselves and laid on the floor in a representation of death and genocide. When the bottom floor was fully occupied, the students began chanting loud enough for everyone in the building to hear.

One student leader who went to the upper levels saw how many of those working had come out of their offices and were unable to ignore the volume of our demands. The students spent over an hour in the building, chanting their demands and making themselves heard. Afterward, the march continued, along with those who participated in the die-in, back to the library where the demands were reiterated one more time.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #PSU

E.H. Hereford’s legacy is that of Confederate sympathy and bigotry. He is credited for establishing the UTA’s “rebel” theme, prominent from 1951 to 1970. Through the efforts of student activists like Fahim Minkah, the Confederate theme was dropped, though Hereford’s bust still stands in the University Center. Robbed of its Confederate history, the statue’s placard echoes empty platitudes about how great of a man Hereford was, ignoring the legacy he built off of romanticizing a state that’s very purpose was the preservation of slavery.

Initially, the Progressive Student Union attempted to pursue the statue’s removal through the student government. Time and time again, however, they were stonewalled. Senators who claimed to represent the student body repeatedly shot down the creation of a referendum which would allow students to vote on the removal of the bust. There was outcry from the student body as tensions ran high in the student government chambers.

Realizing that student government was a waste of energy, PSU decided to bring the struggle all the way to the top, scheduling a meeting with the university’s president, though not without any pushback. Meetings were delayed and students grew frustrated. This energy coalesced in a rally and subsequent sit-in at the president’s office on March 22 of this year. A month later, a meeting between the president and the organization got the gears moving for the removal of the bust. Nearly nine months later, PSU's plan to have the statue removed was approved.

“We’d been fighting for the removal of the statue for a while, and we’re proud to say that we have confirmation,” states a PSU member.

#ArlingtonTX #StudentMovement #PSU

Arlington, TX – On November 8, almost a dozen University of Texas at Arlington students gathered in the mall in front of the University Center to protest the Israeli bombing of Jabalia Camp, one of the largest refugee camps in Gaza.

Organizers of the action were denied a request for amplified sound, a request that was sent in accordance with university norms, five days in advance. The university likewise deployed six university police officers and administrators, who surrounding the group. Participants were warned beforehand that they would be watched, and that they would have to change locations if asked.

Protesters persisted, raising their voices to give speeches condemning the U.S. government’s provision of arms and funding to the Israeli regime. Participants’ chants included “From Palestine to México, border walls have got to go!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

One participant highlighted the readiness with which university President Jennifer Evans Cowley had publicly extended her support for Ukraine and its people following the outbreak of its war with Russia last year. On the scene, when asked by a student organizer if she stands in support of Palestinians in their ongoing resistance to occupation and genocide, she said that it was not in her capacity as a “public official” to offer her opinion.

#ArlingtonTX #Palestine #StudentMovement

Arlington, TX – On Wednesday, October 25, the Progressive Student Union at University of Texas, Arlington hosted Laura Rodriguez on her tour across the South and Southwest, to raise awareness about the repression she and the other members of the Tampa 5 are facing.

Rodriguez explained the context of what led up to the protest on March 6, and the level of state violence police enacted on them that day. In response, the audience of 25 students chanted together condemning the police for their actions. Rodriguez said they would continue to resist the political repression in Florida, stating, “We have nothing to lose, but a world to gain.”

Rodriguez expressed solidarity with the Palestinians resistance to the genocidal Israeli regime, “When they are being attacked, we must double down on standing up for them.”

Texas is another area of the South currently facing legislative attacks of many DEI initiatives on campuses all across the state, including at UTA. The speech resonated with the entire audience and powerful sounds of camaraderie echoed throughout the room.

#ArlingtonTX #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5 #StudentMovement

Arlington TX - On Wednesday, October 18, the Progressive Student Union (PSU) organized two rallies on the campus of University of Texas Arlington.

At noon, PSU and other members of the community gathered in front of the University Center to speak out against Senate Bill 17 which prohibits the presence of offices around diversity equity and inclusion initiatives and other practices to limit discrimination and lack of representation. The chant “Defend, diversity! Defend, diversity!” could be heard from the megaphones, and the energy gathered was used to march onto the University Hall where the second rally around support for Palestine was held at 1 p.m.

This rally was originally planned to take place within a room where a local political science professor, known for downplaying the oppression of Palestinians and the Israeli regime, was leading a Q&A event around the “Israel-Hamas conflict.” The crowd was prohibited by campus police to enter the room on the grounds of overcrowding, despite many students walking out of the event in disgust, so it was decided to hold the rally right outside of the building. The crowd grew to a peak of 200 as speeches and chants calling out the genocidal war crimes of the Israeli government and the need for Palestinian liberation were expressed by all who gathered. 

The rally went on from 1 to 1:30 p.m., at which point PSU members led a march onto the front of the Central Library where a list of demands of the UTA administration was delivered to the crowd by several members of the organization. The high energy and solidarity of the crowd would carry this rally to its end an hour later in front of the Central Library.

#ArlingtonTX #StudentMovement #FreePalestine #UTA #Diversity #AffirmativeAction

Arlington TX – On October 4, the Progressive Student Union (PSU) at University of Texas-Arlington hosted the longtime Chicano activist and co-founder of the Brown Berets, Carlos Montes. He arrived the day before as part of his speaking tour across Texas. Montes spoke to local organizers and activists about the Chicano national movement and how to build mass struggle.

A member of the Community Service Organization in Los Angeles, he is a wealth of knowledge with great experience. Montes covered how student activism can change an oppressive school system, much like the movie Walk Out, based on Chicano youth activism in Los Angeles.

He also explained how anti-war actions and solidarity with movements throughout Latin America and the Caribbean can change conditions both here at home and for oppressed people overseas. As a lifelong fighter for Chicano liberation in California where he currently resides, his speaking tour is strengthening the movements and passing on a legacy of struggle.

The campus event was exceptionally well received, as the 40 attendees actively discussed for two hours with Montes. Many questions were posed, suggestions for courses of action were exchanged, and mutual learning and consolidation pervaded the room.

After the event the attendees and Carlos Montes all convened outside of the University Hall where it was held. They continued the conversations amongst each other before heading for a dinner at a local Lebanese restaurant. Carlos openly thanked PSU for their efforts in putting the event together and concluded the gathering with a resounding call for and continued efforts towards liberation for all oppressed nationalities.

#ArlingtonTX #ChicanoLatino #PSU #ImmigrantRights

An hour after the banners were put up, campus police took down them down and put them in the trash, on the grounds that they were protecting state property. This is a blatant attack on the freedom of expression. PSU members will continue to exercise their rights on campus.

E.H Hereford was the former dean of UTA from 1949 to 1958 and was largely responsible for the pro-Confederate culture present on the campus at the time, as well as attempting to delay integration after Brown v. Board of Education was passed for as long as he was legally allowed to. This is a man that the UTA administration honors with a statue and a building named after him, while at the same time touting the racial diversity of the student body as a selling point to donors as well as incoming students. This hypocritical contradiction is one that PSU members have called to attention in the campaign to get Hereford’s name and statue removed from the University Center.

More than 1500 students have expressed the desire to remove Hereford’s statue, and with this growing support the students will not stop until their demands have been satisfied.

#ArlingtonTX #Antiracism #ProgressiveStudentUnion

Arlington, TX – On August 9, members of the Progressive Student Union (PSU) held a banner drop in solidarity with the Tampa 5. Five members of the Tampa Bay SDS were wrongfully arrested, brutalized, and sexually harassed by campus police for protesting to keep diversity, equity and inclusion programs alive at their university.

PSU's protest was attended by 20 students attended this from both PSU and SDS MB High School, taking place on the campus’ south bridge over the busy traffic of Cooper Street. The banner read, “Protesting is not a crime, justice for the Tampa 5.”

In between chanting, the students gave speeches regarding the similarities between Florida’s restrictive education bans and the way that Texas is following in that path. With the passing of SB 17 and other similar bills from the most recent Texas legislative session, the battle is underway to ensure that public education isn't tampered with. The speeches also showcased the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in college and how they are necessary for student success.

Students at UTA say, “Protesting against racist legislation is not a crime.”

#ArlingtonTX #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5

Arlington, TX – In the evening hours of Thursday, April 27, Jennifer Rose Miller unexpectedly departed this world at the age of 30. Her friends, family and comrades are devastated by the news, knowing her to be incomparably kind, loving and unwavering in her commitment both to the struggle and to little Xavier, her beaming soon-to-be-seven-year-old son who she leaves behind. The center of her life was her son, her pride and joy. She often had to arrange childcare for him to allow her to lead marches. She is also survived by her younger brother, parents and many other family members who loved her so much. Jennifer's life was cut far too short, but it was a full and a poignant one.

Jennifer was born January 5, 1993 on the other side of the world in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to an American father and an Eritrean mother. Perhaps because of this, she had a keen sense of world affairs and a strong commitment to anti-imperialism. She was raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area of Texas, where she was a faithful member of the Orthodox church and held deep roots in the African American and Eritrean communities of Texas. She studied sociology and received her degree with the class of 2017 from the University of North Texas and has been a resolute and courageous activist ever since.

Jennifer had a sharp intellect and was a powerful writer, but she shone most as a speaker. Her charisma and force of personality allowed her to work any crowd and to lead even the largest protests, even as others attempted to divert things. Jennifer was creative and joyful and even a bit mischievous, with a laugh so warm and infectious. She also had a beautiful voice, even recording a few demo tracks with different artists. She was a central part of building up the Dallas branch of the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression throughout its earliest years, and she participated in the refounding of NAARPR as a national organization in 2019. Jennifer had been a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and more recently she worked for the Texas Organizing Project up until her far too early passing.

Those who knew Jennifer casually may remember her most for her fierceness, but those who worked closely with her know that that fierceness sprang from a deep kindness. Jennifer was always there for friends or comrades who were struggling, always ready with a kind and sympathetic word, and always ready to listen without judgment. That kindness extended to a profound sense of protectiveness over the people who marched behind her.

During the George Floyd rebellion of 2020, she was an unmistakable force, leading thousands of protesters through the streets of Dallas demanding justice for all victims of police crimes in the city and across the country. In the face of an army of tanks, dozens of vehicles, and officers in riot gear, through a barrage of tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades, Jennifer never surrendered to political repression. She led the first chants to demand the resignation of now former police chief U. Renee Hall, who ordered the attack on the protest. The resulting political pressure dramatically changed the way that Dallas police manage protests.

Jennifer was an internationalist. She often spoke in defense of the Cuban Revolution and the Pink Tide. Many who knew her knew of her support for Irish reunification. She was a valued supporter of the Filipino national democratic movement. But next to her commitment to the liberation of African Americans, the cause with which she was most connected was the liberation of Palestine. On one memorable occasion, Jennifer spoke to a crowd of thousands of Palestine supporters and pointed out that the very same brand of tear gas used by the Zionist occupiers in Palestine had been fired at her and her son on the streets of Dallas.

A close friend and fellow organizer, Kyra, remembers the immense care Jennifer displayed towards others, “As long as I knew her, nobody was below receiving that type of love from her. She had such a fiery sense of justice; you could see it often overwhelmed her. Someone like that can't help but be dedicated to the struggles to uplift all people of the world.”

Looking back on the fierce speech Jennifer delivered during an earth-shattering protest after Nakba day in 2021, Dallas organizer Rick Majumdar said, “Jennifer was a friend of the people, she was a friend of Palestine.” There is no shortage of these memories. “I saw her joy in being not only a mother but a revolutionary,” said another organizer, Sam Martinez. Reminiscing about hearing Jennifer tell the birth story of her son, Sol Márquez of Centro CSO was “having such a good time with her,” she recalls, “I completely forgot I had a plane to catch. I almost missed it, but it would’ve been worth it to lose my flight, in such good company.” Her confidence, charm, and magnetism brought so many people together.

The community of progressives and activists throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area owe a great deal to this firebrand leader. Jennifer once said, “It's bigger than just me and my son. I want to create a better world and be one of the many millions who can spark the change that needs to happen.”

Jennifer knew that no fight was worth more than the fight for the liberation of all oppressed peoples, and we mourn the heavy loss from her death. Her brothers and sisters and all comrades in the struggle remember how precious tomorrow is, and how important it is to seize the time, to live life to the fullest, and to keep fighting while we can.

Rest in power, comrade.

¡Jennifer Rose Miller, presente!

A fundraiser is being organized by her family to support her son; donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennifer-rose-miller

#ArlingtonTX #Remembrances #JenniferRoseMiller

Arlington, TX – On April 21, members of NTXStudentsForDEI and UT-Arlington’s Progressive Student Union marched through the streets of University of Texas at Arlington in protest of recent attacks on diversity equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

Before marching, Mark Napieralski, former president of PSU, gave a speech denouncing UTA’s not making a promise to protect DEI and oppressed nationality students. Napieralski also remarked on the irony of UTA boasting high rates of Black graduates, while making cuts to ethnic studies programs.

As they marched, students chanted “DEI till I D-I-E,” and “Not my UTA” among other slogans, to the beat of the whistle played by Student Body Vice President Dylan Buck, whilst handing out flyers about the attacks on DEI to onlookers. At the front of the procession was outstretched a banner that read “Stop attacks on diversity programs,” which several students took pictures and video of as they passed.

This march comes in response to the passing of bills like HB 1006, which seeks to prohibit the funding of any office of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and SB 17, which prohibits affirmative action in hiring practices and requires that staff hired through affirmative action programs be fired. These bills pose a direct threat to oppressed nationality and members of the LGBTQ community.

During the march, students confronted UTA President Jennifer Evans Cowley about her unwillingness to take action regarding attacks on DEI. Cowley was unwilling to make a statement, claiming that the bills were “too vague to have any real effect,” a claim which makes little sense in light of similar attacks in Florida with vagueness being weaponized to attack any and all diversity programs.

Ultimately, PSU and NTXStudentsForDEI were left without support from the president, with Dylan Buck stating that “DEI is one of the most important initiatives that can exist in higher education.”

#ArlingtonTX #PeoplesStruggles

Arlington, TX – On Wednesday, March 22, the Progressive Student Union rallied over 60 students and community members at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) student center to protest the pause of diversity, equity and inclusion policies on campus. The students also rallied against bills that the Texas legislature recently proposed which seek to forbid transgender athletes from competing in events with accordance to their gender identity, and ban critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion policies in higher education.

Student speakers explained how the banning of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies hurt underrepresented communities and asked why the university has not taken action to defend policies that protect and advocate for diversity on campus.

After an hour of speeches and chanting, students marched to the administrative offices to pre-sent a list of three demands that call for, first, a statement from university President Jennifer E. Cowley’s office against proposed Texas legislation that would ban DEI policies in higher education, exclude trans women from college sports, and forbid the teaching of critical race theory; second, a plan for how the university would resist implementation of these Texas state legislature policies, including regular meetings with the PSU and other affected student groups or and university bodies; and third, action by the university to address its racist history, such as changing building names and removing memorials which honor racists.

As the students marched to the president’s office, they held banners and chanted, “Stop attacks on diversity programs” and “Diversity is not a prop, these attacks have got to stop!” The spirited march drew the attention of many students and staff present.

Students entered President Cowley’s office to present their list of demands, but were informed that the president was not there, and that they could leave a message on her phone line. President Cowley was in Austin with the university’s student government and other student representatives for a day of lobbying at the state capitol.

After several attempts to ask if the staff could contact her directly, PSU members decided to stage a sit-in in the office while calling to flood the president's phone line. Students and community members left voicemails listing their demands and grievances. During the sit-in, members were harassed by staff members. After two hours, the sit-in concluded, and all protesters slowly exited the office and left the building.

Progressive Student Union (PSU) members told Fight Back! that they felt a sense of accomplishment because they were able to get the attention of the student body and remind the administration that they serve the students. “This is just the beginning of the student movement's campaign to fight these attacks. This event demonstrates the power and resilience of PSU and other student and community organizations that are pushing for change,” said Jay Rodriguez, secretary of PSU. “It's the first of many more demonstrations that will continue to challenge far-right legislators and school administrations. The fight is going to be a long and hard one, but we at PSU are daring to struggle so that we all dare to win!”

#ArlingtonTX #DEI #diversity

The demands presented to Madden were the result of months of research, collaboration and consultation with other student organizations and community groups. They are as follows:

1. All buildings will have menstrual healthcare product dispensers, with quality menstrual healthcare products, purchased by the administration of Jennifer Evans Cowley directly, and have them properly installed prior to 2024.

2. UTA will expand menstrual product accessibility to all women's bathrooms, all gender-neutral bathrooms, and start rolling out in men's bathrooms via dispensers prior to 2024. In addition, UTA will increase, by threefold, the amount of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus.

3. The maintenance and restocking of these dispensers will be shouldered by the actual direct administration of UTA, and not mainly shouldered by the departments or volunteers directly as has been the case since fall 2021.

4. UTA will protect the rights of trans athletes on campus to be part of the teams that reflect their gender identity, and do more to make social transition easier on campus.

5. UTA will consistently secure funding and protect the DEI program and all related institutions involving diversity, e.g. student organizations, ethnic study programs, and LGBTQ+ inclusion programs, rather than cut or defund these programs in face of attacks.

The group's main objective was to secure the victory for free high quality menstrual products and to make trans and non-binary people safe on campus.

Madden agreed to the first three demands but was unable to make any promises or statements on the DEI programs currently under threat. The university is currently facing budget cuts, and the DEI programs are at risk of being reduced or eliminated.

The Progressive Student Union expressed disappointment with the administration's response but remained determined to continue their advocacy efforts. The group plans to escalate their actions and continue to mobilize support from the student body and the wider community.

In conclusion, the PSU's demands represent a crucial step in addressing the systemic inequalities and injustices that exist in higher education. The group's efforts are a testament to the power of student activism and the need for continued advocacy to create a more just and equitable society.

#ArlingtonTX #ProgressiveStudentUnion

Arlington, TX – On November 9, Dozthor Zurlent, a former adviser to Hugo Chavez, came to the University of Texas at Arlington to give a lecture to over 30 attendees on the status of the Bolivarian Revolution.

Dozthor Zurlent recounted how, despite Venezuela being termed as “rich” prior to the tenure of Hugo Chavez, the actual living conditions of the ordinary people did not reflect this. Housing was always cramped, nearly slums. The housing issue was a priority for Hugo Chavez, as it is with current President Nicholas Maduro.

Dozthor also explained how the economic war on Venezuela, the sanctions on the Bolivarian Republic, ravished the economy by making it incredibly difficult to continue to sustain the needs of the people.

Alex Saab, a business leader from the food producing industry, offered to assist in this regard and was given diplomatic status by the Venezuelan government – and despite this the United States illegally detained him in Cape Verde and now in Miami. Several students had questions about how they can help with easing the crisis in Venezuela and how international events, such as Gustav Petro’s victory in Colombia, will effect Venezuela.

Zurlent said that many of the great things that are happening now – such the elections of progressives in Colombia and in Brazil – could not have been possible without the Bolivarian Revolution.

Members of the Progressive Student Union, the Dallas Anti War Committee, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the Democratic Socialists of America attended the event.

All the participants gathered for a photo and later video to call for the release of Alex Saab.

#ArlingtonTX #Venezuela #PeoplesStruggles #BolivarianRevolution #AlexSaab #Americas

Arlington, TX – On November 10, at the University of Texas at Arlington, over 100 students gathered in front of College Hall shouting “Transphobes go home!” and “This is what community looks like,” showing their outrage at the platforming of the transphobic bigot Jeff Younger.  Younger had been invited to speak by Turning Point USA (TPUSA) following his primary defeat in the Texas House of Representatives race. Jeff Younger’s entire campaign was built on attempting to further criminalize trans healthcare for youth in the United States.

The Progressive Student Union (PSU) organized the rally and united with other groups from the community such as the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Young Democratic Socialists of America, the John Brown Gun Club and others.

In the days leading up to the event, the university had sent alerts to students reiterating that the university was “committed to free speech,” yet on the day of the event had erected police camera towers directly where the rally was to be held. UTA administrators showed their commitment to protecting the bigot while stripping away the rights of students speaking out against them.

While TPUSA had invited reactionaries from around the area, such as Kelly Neidert and Ali Jmal, in an attempt to intimidate those who sought to protest Yonger’s speech, the people clearly outnumbered them on the day of the rally and their feeble attempts to disrupt the rally were shouted down by  rally participants. It is abundantly clear that the support of the community lay with PSU and that TPUSA has no support in this community, having to really on shipping in out-of-towners to bolster their meager numbers.

Speakers included lawyer Dan Sullivan of FRSO and several PSU members, who went on to say we need to support the trans community when it is under attack by violent rhetoric from those who say “trans people don’t exist.” A member of GSA spoke on how UTA’s diversity talking points feel hollow when they continue to prop up and defend both transphobes and transphobic organizations like TPUSA.

The event culminated in the occupying of the space of the front door of the building and PSU President Mark Napieralski banging on the door, leading the over 100 students in chants of “Jeff Younger, go home.” The rally was a resounding success, and the hope is that the university administration will think twice before approving hate speech on our campus.

#ArlingtonTX #StudentMovement #ProgressiveStudentUnion #UniversityOfTexasArlington

Arlington, TX – On October 31, the Progressive Student Union held a silent protest at the University of Texas at Arlington's presidential open forum and Q and A with newly inducted President Jennifer Cowley. The students arrived with signs in hand and with a large banner boldly stating “E.H. Hereford was a segregationist! UTA should not honor this!” The Progressive Student Union demands UTA rename the University Center, presently named the E.H. Hereford University Center; take down Herefords bust in the same building, and rename the neighboring Woolf Hall.

The two buildings are named in honor of former university presidents who fought integration efforts of the Civil Rights Act and promoted white supremacy on campus. PSU felt that as one of the newest leaders at UTA, President Cowley needed to be directly asked about the issue.

At first, Cowley praised former President Woolf, an infamous segregationist, for integrating UTA back in 1962 – and after repeated questioning and revealing the racist nature of Woolf and Hereford she partially backtracked on the praise.

When it came down to the question of her agreeing to a binding referendum on the University Center’s name, Cowley continually refused to take any responsibility on the issue. When Justin Bent, PSU’s vice president, directly asked her if she would do her part in the process – she again refused to take any ownership on confronting the white supremacist segregationists that are currently being honored and platformed on campus.

This action was to show that while UTA may try to whitewash and ignore what has been brewing on campus, nearly 700 students have signed a petition to remove Woolf and Hereford’s names on their current buildings and move the bust from its current place. Like the saying, “The long memory is the most radical idea,” PSU is forcing UTA to grapple with its defense of white supremacists sooner rather than later.

#ArlingtonTX #ProgressiveStudentUnion #UniversityOfTexasArlington