Minneapolis, MN – Under the early summer sun, about 50 people came together on a busy Minneapolis bridge for a double-headed rally addressing the domestic and international sides of the struggle for liberation. A combined bannering took place for two hours, spreading the message to passersby and drivers on Washington Avenue and Interstate 35W.

The first part of the event was organized by the Wrongfully Incarcerated and Over-sentenced Family Council (WIAOFC) and marked 20 years since Cornelius “Corn” Jackson, fiancé of WIAOFC founder Alissa Washington, was unjustly incarcerated.

The second protest, organized by the MN Peace Action Coalition (MPAC), demanded an end to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Washington, stated, “We want you to ask questions. We want you to ask why a man who has spent 20 years behind bars is still fighting for justice. We want you to ask whether Minnesota’s criminal legal system truly believes in redemption. And we want you to ask why so many families are still fighting to bring their loved ones home.”

The first speaker for MPAC was Amber Mathwig from About Face Veterans Against the War, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a cook, turning a wrench, patrolling the base, or pressing the button that launches a Tomahawk into a school full of children – every single job in the military contributes to the end goal of destruction and occupation and every single service member has a right to say ‘No, I do not want to be part of this anymore.’”

Cedar Larson, representing Women Against Military Madness, stated, “Today we are protesting a number of heinous crimes being committed by our government. We’re protesting not only Trump’s continuous attacks on Gaza, in violation of a so-called ceasefire, but we’re also protesting the continuing attacks on Iran and the attempted ethnic cleansing of Lebanon. Writing this speech, I felt a pent-up rage exploding. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, you guys. I am angry. I am tired of writing speeches about something that makes me so pissed off.”

Larson concluded, “I cannot make sense of the fact that billionaires, the ruling class, see nothing more important than a profit while I, an educator who lives paycheck to paycheck and purchases classroom supplies and end-of-year gifts out of her own pocket, see nothing more important than sustaining and educating the next generation who will no doubt recognize this absurdity for what it is and will join with us to destroy it!”

Naveen Borojerdi of the MN Peace Action Coalition and the MN Anti-War Committee spoke on another tragedy that occurred closer to home; the death of AFSCME Council 5 field director Khalid Abdi, a 26-year-old union organizer who was shot and killed on May 27 in Shakopee, Minnesota while observing Eid.

“Khalid’s death is not just a coincidence,” Borojerdi said, “but rather, the symptom of a much larger problem. The normalization of mass murder that we’ve seen in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001 is what resulted in his unfortunate death. When you spend over two decades since the turn of the century slaughtering Muslims, Arabs and Persians while demonizing them through the production of propaganda films like American Sniper, Argo, and Black Hawk Down, this is what you get. Shame on this country.”

All of the speakers spoke to the critical importance of remaining visible and in the streets to oppose this criminal war.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #InjusticeSystem #PeoplesStruggles #Palestine #Iran

New Orleans, LA – On May 16, in the historic Bywater district, Freedom Road Socialist Organization hosted a comprehensive panel on Iran and the current Iran War started by U.S. and Zionist aggression. The panel also covered how this war relates to the current and historical student movement.

The panel included four activists from the local anti-war movement and student movements. All spoke on why this war is an act of aggression from U.S. imperialists and its loyal Zionist lapdog, Israel, in occupied Palestine.

Piece by piece, the panel destroyed the genocidal propaganda put out by Western media, which are hostile to anti-imperialist resistance anywhere, especially when the resistance is effective. One speaker, Miu Sims, informed the audience that this mass resistance existed in the Vietnam War student movements, as well as today on campuses. Student activists today must be unrelenting in the face of the powerful, but not unbeatable, opponent: U.S. imperialism.

The panel went on to dispel the lie that this war is being fought to “help” the women of Iran. They reminded the audience that this war benefits only the American elites, as no average American benefits from the destruction of Iranian infrastructure and the slaughter of schoolgirls.

Furthermore, the panel clarified that this war is about Iran’s role in the region’s Axis of Resistance, defending oppressed nations from constant imperialist attacks.

Charlie Schully, another member of the panel, stressed that it is important to support victory to all oppressed nations fighting against the tentacles of imperialism. Schully and the other panelist went on to say that true anti-imperialists want Iran to win decisively, as a blow to imperialism in West Asia is a blow against imperialists everywhere.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Iran

While the United States produces more diesel fuel than it consumes, the difference is exported. With prices of diesel fuel much higher in many countries, this can pull up the prices of diesel fuel here in the United States.

The price of diesel has not had much of an impact on consumer prices, which rose almost 1% in March over February and 3.3% from a year earlier. But many businesses use diesel fuel for their trucks, farm equipment and construction equipment. Big corporations have begun to increase their prices to try to offset this. For example, the fuel surcharge for UPS rose to 27%, up from 21% before the war started.

But smaller businesses, like independent truckers, are often not able to do this. This means that their margins and income are cut, or they drive less, again cutting their revenue. Small farmers are also feeling the squeeze, not only with diesel prices, but prices of fertilizer are also up.

These higher costs will trickle up to consumers. While there was scant evidence of this in March, some price increases are likely in April and even more after that. While a big part of Trump’s election campaign in 2024 was him saying he was going to fight inflation, his tariff increases that began on so-called “Liberation Day” in April 2025, and then the war on Iran, have already pushed the Consumer Price Index to the highest rate since Trump took office.

#SanJoseCA #CA #CapitalismAndEconomy #Inflation #Iran

Washington, DC – On Saturday, April 18, about 20 protesters gathered outside the Customs and Border Patrol headquarters to protest the ICE detainment of Yousof Azizi, a PhD student and outspoken anti-war activist.

On Monday, April 13, Azizi was on his way home from dropping off his two children at school when ICE agents kidnapped him. Since then, he has been transferred first to a detention facility in Louisiana, then again to Arizona, against his will. Azizi has also been denied access to his lawyer, and allowed limited contact with his wife.

“This is a clear case of political repression,” said a member of the Anti-War Committee DMV (AWC-DMV), “this is what happened to Mahmoud Khalil, and it's the same thing now. That's why we have to come out and fight for each other, day after day!”

The rally opened up with chants such as “We want justice, you say how, free Yousof Azizi now!” and “Brick by brick, wall by wall! Free the prisoners, free them all!” After chants, several speakers took the floor, including Yousof’s brother Tohid Azizi, who flew in from Massachusetts for the event.

“It’s really a tough time in our family,” said Tohid Azizi, “Our parents are in Tehran under attack and still worry about Yousof’s situation. He has two kids, so you can imagine how hard it’s been for the family.”

Protesters then marched towards the White House. Initially, the group began their march along the sidewalk. But feeling the energy from the crowd, the lead organizers took advantage of a blocked road and made a decision to take the streets. MPD officers began to block the streets and attempted to talk to the organizers, but the protesters outmaneuvered them, chanting “No justice, no peace! No justice, we take the streets!”

This energy carried the group to the White House, where they were steadfast in holding the intersection in front of the park and blocking traffic in all directions. A small group of Iranian monarchist protesters were present at the White House when the group arrived and made attempts to stifle the protesters; but they were shouted down by people chanting for Yousof’s freedom.

“When they come for one of us they come for all of us,” said Merawi Gerima, speaking for the Freedom Road Socialist Organization DC, “we will stand ten toes down for Yousof and for all political prisoners, all immigrants kidnapped by ICE, all affected by police violence; because we know these struggles are connected, and our unity is our strength!”

After the protest ended, several of the Iranian monarchists came over to where the protesters were sitting and began hurling insults. But the group stood their ground together, forming a militant wall of community members and activists that shouted down the agitators until they were pulled away by MPD. This was rounded out with victorious chants of “Marg bar Shah!,” translating from Farsi to “Death to the Shah,” an anti-monarchist slogan from the 1979 Iranian revolution.

To learn more about Yousof’s case and the next steps in the fight, follow Anti-War Committee DMV on Instagram @antiwar.dmv and visit yousofazizi.com.

#WashingtonDC #AntiWarMovement #Iran

Portland, OR – On April 15, 20 Portlanders gathered at Senator Ron Wyden’s office to denounce the ever-increasing money the U.S. spends on war and genocide. The protest was organized by Portland for Palestine (P4P) and was also attended by members of CodePink.

Ron Wyden has a three-decade long history of voting in favor of sending Israel billions of dollars per year, even after Israel began its heightened genocide in Gaza. Speakers at the rally demanded that he refuse to vote for aid to Israel and budget increases for the Department of War, which is requesting a colossal $1.5 trillion for 2027.

“We could end homelessness permanently for $2.4 billion a year. We send Israel $3.8 billion a year,” said Judas Graves, a member of P4P, “For $35 billion a year, we could have universal pre-K. We have spent $50 billion since March 1 bombing Iran!”

“We are funding a genocide and a pointless, endless war. Not because it makes us safe, but because it makes a few people rich. Spending taxpayer money on war-for-profit has been the American way for a long time. This policy is voted on by both Democrats and Republicans, no matter who is president,” explained Kacey DeSantis of P4P.

After the rally, the crowd marched towards Blumenauer Bridge, chanting slogans such as “Money for homes and education, not for bombs and devastation!” and “No war with Iran!” After making it to the bridge, which crosses over Interstate 84, the crowd put up several banners reading “No tax $ for war” and “No war on Iran,” which received many supportive honks from the cars below.

As the U.S. war on Iran enters its seventh week, the working class is increasingly feeling the economic strain of a war.

#PortlandOR #OR #TaxDay #Iran #AntiWarMovement #AntiWarActionNetwork

San Francisco, CA – El miércoles 8 de abril, cientos de residentes del Área de la Bahía se reunieron en la estación de BART de la calle Powell para protestar contra Trump por las amenazas que él hizo el 7 de abril, de que “una civilización entera morirá esta noche” si Irán no reabría el estrecho de Ormuz.

Irán cerró el estrecho tras los incesantes bombardeos de Estados Unidos e Israel contra escuelas, hospitales, universidades, centros de investigación médica y zonas residenciales. Según la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja, estos ataques han matado al menos a 1,900 personas y herido a más de 20,000 en Irán.

Los manifestantes coreaban “No a la guerra contra Irán” y “Fuera EE.UU. del Medio Oriente”.

La protesta ocurre mientras los bombardeos estadounidenses-israelíes en Irán han contribuido a un aumento en el costo de vida. En algunas partes del país, el precio de un tanque lleno de gasolina ha llegado a los $120. En el Área de la Bahía de San Francisco, el precio promedio de la gasolina ha alcanzado los $6 por galón en la mayoría de los condados, y una gasolinera en Menlo Park llegó a cobrar hasta $7.69 por un galón de gasolina regular.

El 8 de abril, Irán obtuvo una victoria histórica al obligar a Trump a aceptar un plan de diez puntos como base para futuras negociaciones con Teherán. El plan buscaba garantizar un alto el fuego de dos semanas, detener los ataques de EE.UU. e Israel contra Irán, Líbano, Palestina y todo el Medio Oriente, y poner fin a las décadas de sanciones estadounidenses que han afectado la calidad de vida de los iraníes, a cambio de reabrir el estrecho de Ormuz. Sin embargo, horas después, Israel rompió el acuerdo de alto el fuego con bombardeos contra vecindarios y otras zonas civiles en Beirut y en todo Líbano, matando al menos a 254 personas e hiriendo a más de 1,165.

En respuesta a estos ataques de Israel, que recibe el 70% de sus armas a través de ayuda estadounidense, Irán volvió a cerrar el estrecho de Ormuz.

El cierre del estrecho debido a los ataques de EE.UU. e Israel muy probablemente afectará otros aspectos de la vida cotidiana más allá del combustible, incluidos precios más altos en alimentos, fertilizantes, la fabricación de microchips y otros productos de alta tecnología, como señaló el profesor de economía Masao Suzuki en su artículo “Precios crecientes de gasolina provocan aumento de inflación en marzo” (Rising gasoline prices lead inflation surge in March).

“Estamos cansados de las guerras interminables. La gente está en las calles, el BART está siendo desmantelado y los alimentos cuestan más cada día. Irán nunca nos ha hecho daño. Pero Wall Street y D.C. nos siguen dañando todos los días. Necesitamos un sistema mejor, uno que ponga a la gente a cargo en lugar de estos multimillonarios belicistas”, dijo Brandon Cavins de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad.

El creciente número de protestas refleja la creciente frustración entre estadounidenses ante otro conflicto iniciado por Trump en el Medio Oriente. El Pentágono ha solicitado más de $200 mil millones adicionales para continuar los ataques contra Irán – la mayor parte de ese dinero terminaría en los bolsillos de los fabricantes de armas o quedaría sin justificar, como se ha visto en las ocho auditorías anteriores que el Pentágono ha reprobado.

Mientras tanto, las necesidades y servicios esenciales enfrentan recortes o falta de financiamiento. Por ejemplo, el BART planea cerrar entre 10 a 15 estaciones y reducir un 63% de sus servicios, lo que incluye tiempos de espera más largos de hasta 30 minutos (en lugar de los 10 a 20 minutos actuales), horarios reducidos (cerrando a las 9 p.m. en lugar de la medianoche), aumento en las tarifas de estacionamiento y el despido de entre 600 a 1,200 trabajadores, debido a un déficit presupuestario de $376 millones causado por la reducción del financiamiento federal.

#SanFranciscoCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Iran #Lebanon #Palestine

Minneapolis – On April 2, protesters gathered in Chute Square, a small park located at the busy intersection of University and Central Avenues Northeast Minneapolis. Commuters honked in solidarity at the sight of Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese flags. The action, called by the Twin Cities-based Free Palestine Coalition, highlighted Israel’s renewed invasion of Lebanon amid the broader war surrounding U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran that began on February 28.

“Trump thinks he can bomb his way out of the global economic upheaval he started, because he hasn’t yet realized that he’s bombed his way into U.S. hegemony’s unraveling in the region,” said Lina Jebara, speaking on behalf of coalition member U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN). “Iran is redefining the status quo and leading the struggle against U.S. imperialism, along with the resistance fronts nestled in every nook and cranny in the Middle East, in their homela