Milwaukee, WI – Just after noon on November 20, over 120 people gathered at Red Arrow Park downtown to condemn the “innocent on all charges” verdict in the trial of vigilante murderer Kyle Rittenhouse. The protest was called for and organized by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, UW-Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society, and the Wisconsin district of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. All three groups had a presence on the ground in Kenosha last summer in the midst of the uprising.
Chicago, IL – A front banner read, “Stop white supremacy” as people hit the street in Chicago’s Loop on November 20 to condemn the injustice in the court in Kenosha, Wisconsin the day before. A jury complying with the instructions by a racist judge sent the message that white racists and police can kill with impunity while African Americans and other oppressed nationalities can be killed, tortured and jailed without justification.
FRSO strongly condemns the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse on all charges. This verdict is another example of how the police and courts work hand in hand with racist vigilantes to kill and injure African Americans, other oppressed nationalities, and all who try to fight to end police crimes.
Tampa, FL – The Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBAC) is celebrating the delay of plans by the Tampa City Council to build a new Tampa Police Department Headquarters in the majority-Black community of East Tampa.
Miami, FL – Protesters gathered outside the Miami Federal Courthouse in on Monday, November 15 to protest the U.S. government’s illegal kidnapping and imprisonment of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab. Saab is being held in a federal detention center in Miami.
Minneapolis, MN – On November 15, over 50 people gathered in North Minneapolis to honor the six-year struggle for justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed in 2015 by the Minneapolis Police Department. After Clark’s murder, the community came together and held an 18-day occupation at the Minneapolis 4th Precinct police station; the action was dubbed the #4thPrecinctShutdown. The Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J) combined different circles of organizations and communities in the initial fight for “no grand jury,” releasing any footage, and an independent investigation.
Milwaukee, WI – On the afternoon of November 6, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) held a rally at Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee. This rally was in protest of the current county budget proposal, which the County Board of Supervisors will vote on the morning of November 8. The current proposal would increase the already bloated budget of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) by 6%. MAARPR’s canvassing efforts over the past six months have revealed that working-class Black and brown people in Milwaukee do not want this budgetary increase.
Minneapolis, MN – On election day, November 2, voters in Minneapolis rejected a much-publicized and heavily-financed ballot initiative about policing, 56% to 44%. On the ballot, it was called “Question 2.”
Tallahassee, FL – On November 2, Ben Grant, a member of the Tallahassee 19 and the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, was put on trial for his involvement in a protest against the officers responsible for the murder of Tony Mcdade, Wilbon Woodard and Mychael Johnson. After a trial that went from early morning to late afternoon, it took the jury no more than 20 consecutive minutes to find Ben Grant not guilty of battery on an officer and guilty of resisting arrest.
