In the face of a growing Iraqi resistance movement, the plans of the Bush administration to consolidate the occupation of Iraq are crumbling. The Pentagon acknowledges that attacks on the occupation forces are growing in scale and intensity. U.S. attempts to gain more military and financial support, within and outside of the United Nations, have by and large failed. So have efforts to create a viable Iraqi puppet government. The Governing Council, made up of U.S. appointees, has little legitimacy in the eyes of the Iraqi people or in the region as a whole.

The continued strength of the Iraqi resistance has created a growing crisis for the occupiers.

Insurgents are continuing to mount attacks across Iraq, targeting oil pipelines, military installations and U.S. troops, along with American-trained Iraqi police and guardsmen. As of late February more that 1500 U.S. troops died. Ten times that number were wounded. Reports indicate more than 100,000 Iraqis have died since the invasion.

Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, kidnapped in Iraq, was shot at by U.S. soldiers on Mar. 4, right after her release. In a reaction, Sgrena said that her kidnappers had warned her that, “The Americans could intervene, for they don’t want you to return.” According to her husband, the attack was deliberate, because she knew too much.

On June 30 hundreds gathered in Minneapolis to oppose the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

The following is a special editorial from Fight Back! that's being distributed as a leaflet among the evacuees in Houston, Texas.

Demand Relief, Action and Justice Now!

Statement by Freedom Road Socialist Organization

In the spring of 2006 millions of Latino and other immigrants rallied against the Sensenbrenner bill, HR4437, that would have criminalized the undocumented. This movement called for legal residency for the undocumented and opposed the Bush administration’s call for a guest worker program.

May 1st, International Workers Day, is a day of struggle. Around the world, working people will march against imperialist war, to defend the rights of immigrants and to fight to protect their jobs and communities. Here in the United States, May Day has been reborn as millions of Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans, as well as other immigrants and their supporters, have poured into the streets to demand legalization, and an end to raids, deportations and militarization of the border.

May Day is a day to stand up and fight back. Millions will take to the streets – from Los Angeles to Mexico City, to Manila, to Moscow and points in between – placing demands on the rich and powerful and to look forward to a day without exploitation or oppression.