Denver, CO – On November 28, Colorado residents protested Joe Biden’s visit to Denver. The protest condemned the president’s support of the Israeli government's genocide of Palestinians and demanded an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Even though we face a severe housing crisis and limited funding for schooling, infrastructure, and no affordable healthcare, Biden continues to pledge billions of dollars to the apartheid state of Israel.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) arrived on the scene after holding a vigil on their campus hours before, commemorating those who gave their lives for the liberation of Palestine. Tom Chaney, a member of SDS, stated, “We don’t have to stand idly and watch children die. As long as Lockheed Martin is on our campus, we have a reason to fight. As long as there are representatives in our government that are supporting this genocide, we can fight.”

“The best thing we can do in the United States is end U.S. aid to Israel. More than $13 million per day. More than $14 billion!” said Paul Nelson, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Nelson also mentioned, “There is a lot more that needs to be done, if you’re not in an organization, join one and fight for the people because we can’t do this alone!”

Despite the last-minute call for a protest, within ten minutes over 250 people responded and took to the streets. Protesters were met with a wall of police carrying assault rifles and riot shields, along with armored trucks and several police cars blocking the way. The activists stood strong and ended the night with chants led by members of SDS.

The protest was called by the Colorado Palestine Coalition, which includes the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Students for a Democratic Society, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and many other groups.

#DenverCO #SDS #FreePalestine #JoeBiden #ColoradoPalestineCoalition

Minneapolis, MN – On January 23, protesters marched in freezing temperatures to bring attention to the Biden administration’s inhumane immigration policies. The march, organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), took place in a neighborhood with many immigrant families and received significant support from onlookers as protesters chanted about closing the camps, abolishing ICE, and supporting legalization for all. The protesters demanded that Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress take immediate action to reverse all Trump-era anti-immigrant policies and act on their campaign promises to support immigrant families.

January 20 marked one year since Joe Biden became president, promising to reverse Trump's numerous extreme anti-immigrant policies. However, many of those same policies that provoked righteous outrage under Trump remain in place under Biden. This continues a tradition of Democrats making grand promises to improve the material conditions of immigrant and working-class families during election years, but once in office they backtrack and instead continue to harm those communities.

“It’s time to hold leaders accountable for their actions and promises. Immigrants and families in this country are beyond disappointed in the false promises of President Biden and his administration. Biden and the Democrats need to follow through on the promises they’ve made for decades to treat immigrants humanely and allow for legalization for all. This is not a game. Lack of action impacts the daily lives of immigrant families nationwide. We must look after each other and remember that the fight isn’t over,” said Sarah Silva, an organizer with MIRAC.

The Biden administration has continued inhumane treatment of migrants. They have continued mass deportations – nearly 1.9 million people were deported during his first year. They’ve expanded detention – over 22,000 immigrants are being detained in facilities throughout the U.S., a more than 50% increase from when Biden took office. Further, over 1000 children continue to be separated from their families. Biden has also continued construction on the southern border wall and has renewed the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, continuing the U.S.’s approach to those seeking asylum.

Another organizer with MIRAC, Diana Hernandez said, “Biden is not our savior. Nor is he our friend. He is a privileged player. He is also a man who is too afraid to lose the power he has gained and will not risk it to help those who voted for him based on a platform he has shown no signs of seeing through. We witness it not just with immigration but with voting rights, indigenous rights, police accountability and climate justice. Trump may not be president. But until Biden acts any differently, we cannot believe nor act as if things will get better for us all.”

It’s clear that Biden and Congress are failing immigrant communities. It is imperative that the struggle for immigrant rights continue, and that affected communities put increased pressure on those in power by taking to the streets.

#MinneapolisMN #ImmigrantRights #ICE #ChicanoLatino #MIRAc #JoeBiden

Freedom Road Socialist Organization condemns in the strongest possible terms the February 25 attack launched by the Biden administration on Syria. There is nothing that can justify this cowardly move and it will be opposed by all who stand for peace with justice.

President Biden has been telling the world “America is back.” We can now see exactly what he means. The empire of the dollar wants to control the land, labor and resources of others, and is more than willing to use military means to do so.

The cold reality is that the U.S. is the aggressor in the Middle East, and Washington is trampling on the right of the people of the region to determine their own destiny. Iran, Syria, the Palestinian resistance and the progressive forces of Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon have built a powerful camp of resistance to imperialism and its Israeli allies. This move by the Biden administration indicates a sharpening of the contradictions and more conflict in the not so distant future.

The people and government of Syria have a proud history of standing up against imperialism and Zionism. Western imperialism, with the help of the Israelis, did everything in their power to destroy the country. Syria beat them, and it seems that the Biden administration has a problem with that.

In the months ahead progressive and anti-war forces have our work cut out for us. The U.S. needs to get all troops out of the Middle East. Every last one of them. Sanctions on Iran and Syria should be dropped. The U.S. needs to stop calling those who fight for freedom in Palestine, Iraq, Yemen and other countries ‘terrorists.’

End the attacks on Syria! U.S. out of the Middle East! End the sanctions on Iran and Syria!

#UnitedStates #AntiwarMovement #MiddleEast #PeoplesStruggles #Syria #JoeBiden

Milwaukee, WI – Despite bitter cold, on February 16 protesters demanding a people’s agenda gathered outside the Pabst Theater where President Joe Biden was hosting his first event outside Washington, DC since being inaugurated.

In total, more than 100 people were present, with that number dwindling as the cold crept in. Closer to 40 stuck it out until the end, listening to all the speakers from the organizations that came together to sponsor the planned event.

“It’s so important for us to be out here tonight, standing in solidarity with one another to call for a people’s agenda. United front organizing and keeping it in the streets is how we will win all of our demands,” said Piper Hogan, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the emcee of the event.

Speakers from the different groups touched on each of the five main demands that served as the basis for the event, which were: 1) Relief for the people; 2) End police crimes and white supremacy; 3) Defend indigenous sovereignty and protect the earth; 4) End the wars and no more sanctions; and 5) Legalization for all and abolish I.C.E.

“We’re not going to pretend like this election has solved all our problems. I’m tired of hearing that we need to be patient with this administration. The oppressive systems that are screwing people over haven’t taken a break, so why should we?” said Alan Chavoya of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

Chavoya continued, “Biden rejects calls to defund the police because he has always been a pro-cop, ‘tough on crime’ politician who has built his career drafting racist policies that have and continue to screw over Black and brown working-class people. We know that Biden does not want cities like Milwaukee to have community control of the police. Through CPAC. Through community control, the people decide if, when, and how to use the police. With community control, the people don’t have to depend on corrupt DAs to convict cops. Through community control, the people determine the funding of the police.”

“The future of these demands will not come about unless we are willing to fight for it because the future belongs to those who are willing to fight for it. We’re not going to wait for the Biden administration to act in accordance with the people’s needs,” said Chavoya. “Only the people united can bring about such a future in which the people have CPAC, in which the families of Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson, Antonio Gonzales, Joel Acevedo, and too many others get the justice they deserve!”

Other groups and people that spoke included a representative from the Burmese community of Milwaukee, FRSO, PSL, Our Wisconsin Revolution, the Milwaukee End the Wars Coalition, The People’s Revolution, Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society, and the Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba.

Art Heitzer, with the Cuba Coalition, read a statement from two Milwaukee residents currently at Cuba’s Latin American School of Medicine to close his remarks.

“Cuba’s mission has always been and continues to be to save lives, to create health infrastructure, to share its knowledge and human resources internationally – especially in times of need – and to make the world a better place,” the statement read. “Milwaukee and the U.S. at large would immensely benefit from Cuba’s innovative medical and public health knowledge, and Cuba would benefit from Wisconsin’s agricultural surpluses. There is no better time than now to come together as an international community to share knowledge and resources and save lives!”

The event included a pitch for attendees to tune in to FRSO’s International Women’s Day program online on March 6 at 5 p.m. Central Time. It closed with the crowd chanting in honor of Fred Hampton: “I am – a revolutionary!”

#MilwaukeeWI #MilwaukeeAllianceAgainstRacistAndPoliticalRepression #JoeBiden

Milwaukee, WI – President Joe Biden will be traveling to the Pabst Theater in downtown Milwaukee at 7 p.m. on the evening of February 16 for a CNN Town Hall. The trip will mark one of the new president’s first times away from Washington, D.C. While Biden is speaking to an invite-only crowd inside the confines of the Pabst, a coalition of various organizations in the city will be rallying across the street outside city hall.

“While we’re all glad to see Trump out of the White House, none of the problems that existed during his four years are resolved. In fact, Biden has already done some backsliding on campaign promises,” said Ryan Hamann, a leader with Wisconsin Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Hamann continued, “The only way to advance our demands is by staying organized, building unity with those who share common goals, and continuing to fight in our communities, at our workplaces, and on our campuses. When we organize and fight back, we win!”

The demands put forward for the demonstration are: 1) Relief for the people; 2) End police crimes and white supremacy; 3) Defend indigenous sovereignty and protect the earth; 4) End the wars and no more sanctions; and 5) Legalization for all and abolish ICE. Each of these points encompasses many particulars which will be covered by the list of speakers for the event.

Many organizations agreed to come together on short notice to provide a welcoming party for the new president. The demonstration marks the second time this year where a handful of these groups has come together for a protest. A January action served to denounce the white supremacist flash mob at the capitol, the demand COVID relief, and an end to police crimes. As crises continue to grip the U.S., collective actions in cities across the country will only grow in importance.

#MilwaukeeWI #JoeBiden

Overall, the group condemned U.S. interventions abroad under Trump’s leadership, and affirmed the need for change. But panelists agreed that the anti-war movement would need to push back against a Biden administration for similar reasons.

“Trump has done a lot of posturing as anti-war, and sadly some people have fallen for it in a big way,” explained Drake Myers. “Most Americans oppose war, so the snake oil salesman says he's anti-war and people want to believe it. Other times, when he wants to appeal to his base, he plays up xenophobia and supports torture.”

Myers continued, “The Biden campaign is putting out ads where he’s saying that he'll support the troops, and how more national security officials and generals support him than Trump. These are not good endorsements. These are a signal of Biden cozying up to the exact wrong people there in Washington.”

Panelists agreed that none of their remarks should be considered endorsements for a particular candidate. Topics ranged from Venezuela to Palestine to Trump’s new Cold War with China.

“Biden believes we should be supporting the Venezuelan people while continuing the sanctions – something that makes zero sense,” Tracy Molm explained. “The sanctions are what are causing hardship in Venezuela.”

Molm was part of a delegation to Venezuela in 2019 where she witnessed the failed April 30 coup led by U.S.-supported political operative Juan Guaido. Despite Biden’s stance, she said, “Biden has some better positions domestically and I think it would create a better atmosphere for us to be able to continue to fight for Venezuela. But we must continue to stand up, no matter who’s in charge.”

Meredith Aby-Keirstead saw grounds for hope in the growing criticisms of U.S. aid to Israel in political discourse. “We need to be ready to continue our protests in the streets for a free Palestine regardless of who is elected in November. The Anti-War Committee is ready to do so and we hope you are too,” she said.

Autumn Lake highlighted Trump’s vilification of China, which continued the Obama-Biden administration’s Pivot to Asia military buildup in the region.

“The Trump administration’s framing of the COVID-19 crisis as the fault of China has directly caused the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans,” Lake said. “With this in mind, it becomes clear that the Trump administration doesn’t have human rights in mind when it escalates conflict with China.”

South High student Zach Moore spoke for the newly formed Climate Justice Committee (CJC). Moore connected impending climate disaster with the U.S. military’s greenhouse gas emissions and record of environmental destruction. “Biden wants to speak of a U.S.-led effort against climate change when he won’t even discuss the military’s leading effort in causing climate change,” he said.

“In the end we know that yes, we must defeat Trump. But we cannot give into illusions about who Biden is or what he will do,” Moore continued. “We cannot just demand small action decades in the future. We must demand climate justice now!”

Both the Anti-War Committee and the Climate Justice Committee plan to join a large demonstration set to take place on November 4, the day after the election. That event is part of a nationwide call by the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression for protests to enact a people’s mandate for change in policing, the pandemic response, and the economic system. The Minneapolis event will start at 6 p.m. at May Day Plaza in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #AntiWarCommittee #DonaldTrump #JoeBiden

President Trump is a right-wing reactionary and dangerous fool to boot. He promotes an agenda of racism, inequality and discrimination. He puts kids in cages and then laughs about it. From Palestine to the Philippines he has shown himself to be an enemy of the peoples of the world, including those of us who live in the United States. Trump’s talk about “America First” is chauvinist trash, a banner under which to enrich the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. The trash needs to be taken out, as soon as possible, and this November at the latest.

Everyone knows that the pandemic has been made so much worse by the Trump administration, which has blended incompetence, opposition to science and subordination to business into a toxic brew that has taken the lives of 190,000 people. Contrast the Trump response with that of socialist China, where young people are returning to school, fewer than 5000 people have lost their lives and the pandemic is contained. Maybe, we need to start talking about the “White House virus.”

The economy is in a crisis not seen since the 1930s. Tens of millions have lost their jobs or livelihoods. Food lines are getting longer. By every measure, poverty is growing – hitting oppressed communities, African Americans, Chicanos and Latinos, Natives and Asian Americans the hardest. Workers need money and we need it now. Trump is steadfast in opposition to the $600 unemployment benefit and his executive order on assistance to the out of work is a cruel joke.

A great uprising is sweeping the U.S. and a powerful movement against police terror and racist discrimination has emerged. This country is a jailhouse for the oppressed and many want to escape. The flames that illuminated Minneapolis, Kenosha and other cities are a sign that enough is enough, and that the way things are has become intolerable. Trump has consistently greenlighted police killings. His endorsement of racist vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse, who killed two protesters in Kenosha, or his praise for the reactionary caravan that invaded downtown Portland show his vision of the future.

The upcoming election are in essence a referendum on the past four years, and we hold that it is important that everyone who can vote do so – and that you vote against Trump. The defeat of Trump and his ilk will create a more favorable context for the people’s struggle to advance.

That said, we need to proceed with our eyes open and the ability to distinguish friend from foe. The cold fact of the matter is that Biden is not a champion of working and oppressed people. He never has been and never will be. He is a tired, old corporate politician. While many are challenging police crimes and seeking community control of the police, Biden says he wants the police to have more resources. When Joe Biden says he is not a “radical socialist” he is telling the truth and he is telling us that he is not part of a real solution to the problems people in this country face.

In the U.S. today, both of the main political parties serve the rich and the powerful. For example, one of the reasons that current economic crisis is going to be so devastating is that Democrat President Bill Clinton carried out the largest single attack on the social safety net ever – his so called welfare ‘reform.’ We need something better. Something like the “radical socialism” that Joe Biden wants no part of.

No matter who wins the next election, we need to stay in the streets and fight for an agenda that reflects people's needs. And we need to keep our eye on the prize. That means advocating for and building organization to achieve revolutionary change. The kind of change that sweeps away the current ruling class from power and puts power into hands of working people.

#UnitedStates #Socialism #US #PeoplesStruggles #Elections #JoeBiden #DefeatTrump #Elections2020 #Biden

“Our main goal as a group is to defeat Donald Trump. He is the key figure in promoting racist killings of Black, Latino and indigenous people, whether by vigilantes or the police,” said Ryan Hamann, one of the co-chairs of the Coalition.

Hamann continued, “But we need to also be clear in demanding that Joe Biden and the Democrats stop these killer cops who operate in Democrat-controlled cities like right here in Milwaukee. We must continue to build the people’s movements, especially against police crimes and for community control of the police.”

The Coalition is working to unite the families of victims of killer cops, particularly in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas, to attend and speak at the event on August 20.

The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, a member organization of the Coalition, is an integral part in the fight for justice for victims of killer cops locally. They’ve led or participated in many of the actions demanding justice for “Thee Three” – Alvin Cole, Jay Anderson and Antonio Gonzales.

“What we’re hoping to do during the DNC is shine a spotlight on the fact that killer cops exist everywhere, whether it’s a big city like Milwaukee or a small town like Oshkosh. We want to bring together as many families as possible from across Wisconsin,” said Lauryn Cross, a leader with the Milwaukee Alliance.

“We want to make sure their cases get the national attention and pressure that they deserve. Cops are killing Black, Latino and indigenous people without consequence. They’re occupying our communities all across the country. We can’t breathe,” said Cross.

#MilwaukeeWI #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #Labor #OppressedNationalities #WomensMovement #LGBTQ #US #Healthcare #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #HousingStruggles #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #Elections #CoalitionToMarchOnTheDNC #2020Election #JoeBiden