Chicago, IL – On Tuesday, April 14 students gathered in the UIC Latino Cultural Center to watch and discuss the film The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (2003). The film was directed by Kim Bartley and Donnacha O'Briain and details the events of the US attempt to coup Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in April of 2002.

Chicago, IL – On Wednesday April 22, a crowd of about 50 people gathered in an emergency rally in front of the Chicago Philippines Consulate. They were protesting both the mistreatment and deportation of Kuya J., a Filipino immigrant, and the annual joint military exercises taking place in the Philippines, known as the Balikatan exercises.

Havana, Cuba – Monday, April 27 marked the first day of the annual May Day Brigade in Cuba. Around 300 international delegates, with more expected in the coming days, officially began their visit to a conference of leading Cuban scientists.

The opening of the conference proudly celebrated Cuba's scientific achievements along with their struggles. For example, Cuba's healthcare system was able to immediately organize during the COVID-19 pandemic to create five vaccine candidates, three of which were successful at combating the virus but were inaccessible for use in the U.S. or Europe due to the U.S. blockade. While successful in medical developments, Cuba cannot access materials for vaccines, despite the ability to afford them, due to the U.S. blockade.

On April 26, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) condemned the Marcos Jr. regime for “committing war crimes against the Filipino people” referring to the recent massacre of 19 individuals in Toboso, Negros Occidental. It also said that continued U.S. military support in the form of Foreign Military Financing and the Balikatan exercises are emboldening the Marcos Jr. regime to commit more war crimes.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Anti-War Action Network.

The Anti-War Action Network strongly condemns the brutal massacre of 19 individuals by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19th. We extend our deepest solidarity with the communities impacted by these killings and land displacements, including the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – US for the tragic loss of a beloved organizer, Lyle Prijoles. 

Porto, Portugal – On the 52nd anniversary of Portugal’s 1974 Carnation Revolution, thousands of people marched on April 25 to pay homage to those who fought against the country’s 40-year right-wing dictatorship and to vow to continue the struggle for fundamental change in Portugal. The march began outside the location of the Portuguese secret police’s prison during the dictatorship.

Freedom Road Socialist Organization condemns the Italian authorities for the raids on the homes of members of CARC (Committees of Support for Resistance – for Communism) Party. It is an attack on the democratic rights of Italian revolutionaries, who we stand in solidarity with.

Fight Back News Service is circulating following statement from Maoche Legislador, Spokesperson, Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command) of the New People's Army.

79th IB narrative is a desperate piece of fiction

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army (AGC-NPA), alongside the revolutionary forces of Negros Island, offers its highest tribute to the martyrs of Barangay Salamanca, Toboso. Their names are now etched into the long history of the struggle for land and justice on this island. While the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) attempts to bury their identities under a mountain of black propaganda, the Negrosanon people will remember them as they were: patriots and revolutionaries who understood the plight of the marginalized and chose to defend the peasantry even at the cost of their lives.

New York, NY – Filipino community organizations and their allies rallied outside of the Philippine Consulate in New York City, April 20, to call for an end to U.S. military involvement in the Philippines.

The protest marks the beginning of the month-long Balikatan joint military exercises between the United States, the Philippines, Japan, Canada, France and New Zealand. The organizers included the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Malaya Movement, and BAYAN. Speakers also included members of Anakbayan as well as Filipino residents whose families are still living in the country.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from BAYAN USA.

Filipinos overseas are heartbroken after witnessing the news of the 303rd Infantry Brigade led-attack on April 19 of 19 individuals and forcibly displaced more than 653 residents from 168 households in peasant communities in Toboso, Negros Occidental. Among the 19 killed, the families, friends and fellow organizers have confirmed Alyssa Alano and RJ Ledesma were amongst them.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The Communist Party of the Philippines strongly condemns the US military for using civilian vessels and facilities to move and preposition its military vehicles and equipment in Cagayan de Oro, and the subsequent transfer of those vehicles from the city in northern Mindanao to Subic Bay in Zambales using commercial ro-ro ships.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Compatriots – National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Compatriots-NDFP, the revolutionary organization of Filipinos overseas, condemns the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for spewing lies in an attempt to slander the revolutionary movement, cover-up the realities of Philippine society and deter overseas Filipinos from joining the people’s struggle.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Friends of Socialist China U.S. committee.

Increasingly countries are able to resist U.S. imperialism’s most violent, unpredictable attacks and overwhelming firepower by sharing simple technology, resisting U.S. sanctions and increasing trade with each other.

Caracas, Venezuela – In a meeting chaired by Francisco Torrealba, past president of the Venezuela Transport Workers Union, and current deputy of the National Assembly, international trade unionists heard updates from Venezuelan leaders.

New York, NY – On March 26, around 100 people gathered at 8 a.m. across the street from the Southern District of New York courthouse in solidarity with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, March 22, activists from around the DMV [DC, Maryland and Virginia area] embraced the unseasonable 85-degree F spring heat and gathered in front of the State Department with signs that read “No U.S. war on Venezuela” and “Freedom for Maduro now.”

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) strongly condemns the Marcos regime and its military and police forces for the unlawful arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant for Cordillera Gabriel Kennedy Bangibang and nine others last March 11. They were forcibly taken in simultaneous raids in Tarlac City and Quezon City, and maliciously tagged as members of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.

Lisbon, Portugal – In a spirited rally March 6, the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) kicked off a series of events around the country to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the party’s founding. The rally highlighted the party’s accomplishments throughout its history as well as the party’s role in today’s ongoing struggles.

Chicago, IL – On Wednesday, February 25, a coalition of organizations fighting for human rights and democracy in the Philippines rallied outside of the Philippine Consulate to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ousting of Marcos Sr. and the People Power Revolution, to confront continued corruption in the Philippines, and to hold the Philippine Consulate accountable for its neglect of Filipino migrants.

The United States and Israel are waging a war on Iran. It is a war that is unjust and unprovoked. There have been widespread civilian casualties in Tehran and other cities, including reports of 85 schoolchildren dead in Minab.