News and Views from the People's Struggle
New Orleans, LA – On February 7, New Orleanian activists held a banner drop over a busy Interstate 10. The massive banner read “End U.S. aid to Israel”.
The organizations involved were Students for Democratic Society chapters from Loyola, Tulane and the University of New Orleans, along with New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP).
Minneapolis, MN – The Minneapolis city council voted, February 8, to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of their ceasefire resolution.
Palestinians and Palestine solidarity activists are celebrating the victory across the country. They are excited that Minneapolis is joining cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Detroit in calling for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Palestine.
Sana Wazwaz, a leader with American Muslims for Palestine-MN, explains the significance of the vote, “Our victory signals a radical shift in what is considered acceptable criticism of Israel. We are the first city in the U.S. to pass a resolution to call for a complete end to U.S. aid to Israel; a measure that was once ‘too radical’ is now becoming normalized. Minneapolis has broken that barrier, and we believe that our city will set the precedent for cities across the U.S. to continue pushing that boundary, for language to become more and more progressive. To override Mayor Frey's veto is to send the message that principles win over politics – that Minneapolis stuck to their strong language, and didn't back down despite pressure to conform to ceasefire resolution norms.”
Meredith Aby, an activist with the Anti-War Committee, explains the next steps for the Free Palestine Coalition: “We have started attending Saint Paul city council meetings and pressuring them to join Minneapolis in calling for a ceasefire and an end to the U.S. support for genocide in Palestine. We want to keep this momentum growing so that we can end U.S. aid to Israel.”
#MinneapolisMN #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #CityCouncil #Ceasefire #MNAWC #AMPMN
St. Paul, MN – 200 people packed the Saint Paul city council meeting on February 7 to send a message to the city council that the residents of Saint Paul want them to take a stand against genocide.
Their signs stressed the importance of Saint Paul having a ceasefire resolution. The signs read, “Take a stand against genocide” and “Palestine is a local issue!” All of the signs also demanded, “Pass a ceasefire resolution now!”
St. Paul, MN – On August 23, over a dozen protesters gathered on the bottom floor of the Minnesota State Capitol building to demand that Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota State Board of Investments (SBI) divest all state funds from companies which profit from Israeli apartheid. Governor Walz and SBI members were greeted at the entrance of the meeting room with signs decrying Israeli apartheid and a large banner in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Milwaukee, WI – On July 26, the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) joined with members of the Milwaukee chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace to protest outside of U.S. Representative Gwen Moore’s district office downtown. A week before, Representative Moore and 194 of her Democrat colleagues sided with House Republicans to pass a resolution of blind support for the state of Israel.
By Anti-War Work Team of Freedom Road Socialist Organization
Saint Paul, MN – On July 7, 80 protesters gathered on the Marshall Avenue/Lake Street Bridge to demand the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) divest taxpayer money from Israeli bonds and companies.
Oak Lawn, IL – Over 130 protesters shut down the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Commission meeting on July 5 in response to the killing of Murod Kurdi and the beating of Hadi Abuatelah. “We need to clean out the Oak Lawn Police from top to bottom. That's why we're demanding an independent investigation into the Oak Lawn Police Department,” declared Mohamed Sunkari, a leader of the Arab American Action Network (AAAN).
Santa Ana, CA – In commemoration of Nakba 75 – 75 years of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation and apartheid – the U.S. Palestinian Community Network and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organized a U.S. Nakba Day 75 tour in six cities around the U.S.
St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) meets quarterly to review investment reports and to hear from the public. Normally the meetings start around 10 a.m., but on May 25 the SBI started their meeting over three hours late. The Executive Board, which includes Governor Tim Walz, Secretary of State Steve Simon, Attorney General Keith Ellison and State Auditor Julie Blaha, heard testimony concerning taconite mining leases until after 1 p.m.