Minneapolis, MN – On April 21, around 100 protesters rallied at the busy intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, holding signs that read, “No Muslim ban ever,” “No U.S. bombing Syria,” and “Stop the war on Muslims at home and abroad.” The rally was organized by the Minnesota Anti-War Committee and the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) to send a message of support to the Muslim community in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Muslim ban.

Protesters rallied for an hour and half and then held the busy intersection in an act of defiance. No arrests were made.

At the rally there was a wide variety of speakers including Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of MN CAIR, Misty Rowan of the Anti-War Committee, civil liberties and immigrant advocates, and leaders from the Japanese American and Dakota communities.

Mike Madden, a longtime member of Veterans for Peace, who was arrested in January 2017 for holding a sign that said, “Muslims welcome”, also spoke to the crowd. He is facing a charge of criminal trespass at a critical public service facility and if he is found guilty he could face up to a year in prison and a $3000 fine. His trial was supposed to start on April 23 but he announced at the protest that it has been delayed until June 4. Rally organizers asked the crowd to be ready to support Madden in June and pack the courtroom to show support for him and the right to protest.

On April 23, the MN Anti-War Committee and CAIR will co-host a forum at 7 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis so that community members will be well informed about the significance of the case and how the Muslim ban affects the large Somali community in Minnesota.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PeoplesStruggles #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement #Syria #MuslimBan

Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition (MPAC) organized a news conference on the afternoon of April 14 to speak out against the U.S. bombing of Syria the evening before.

The news conference also announced plans for a Minneapolis protest being held Sunday, April 15 as part of the national spring anti-war actions.

Kristin Dooley, Director of Women Against Military Madness said, “U.S. military attacks are not intended to help people, or to resolve the internal conflicts of small nations in a humanitarian manner. U.S. intervention only serves the interests of the U.S. elite, who care nothing of Syrian people or the people of the Middle East.

Dooley continued, “The U.S. government has carried out an endless series of wars and intervention for years in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere. This new escalation will only lead to more dead, injured and displaced.”

Meredith Aby, a member of the Anti-War Committee said, “Yesterday the U.S. launched 112 tomahawk missiles at Syria, at a cost of $1.87 million each, which is $224 million total. We demand money for human needs like repairing Flint’s water pipes, like rebuilding American schools, like making health care available to everyone – instead of war.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement #Syria

Minneapolis, MN – Wayne Wittman, age 86, a longtime activist in the labor and peace movements in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, died Feb. 23. Wayne suffered a heart attack while on a bus coming home from a labor meeting where he introduced a resolution that was passed. His wife Joan said, “He died doing what he loved to do.”

Steve McKeown, a close friend and a fellow member of Veterans for Peace Chapter 27, said, “I have never known anyone to wear so many hats and he did them all justice.” Wayne worked with Veterans for Peace, his church, labor unions, the Democratic Party, School of the America’s Watch and many coalitions including the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition (MPAC) and the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers.

Wayne’s activism was inspired by the life of Oscar Romero and his belief that the best way to world peace is when countries respect each other’s territorial integrity. Wayne wrote, “Every day I have a goal to find an effort to promote what I value and Veterans for Peace (VFP) gives me a unique vehicle through which I can join with others to promote a better life for everyone.”

Wayne served as a corpsman in the Navy from 1948-51 on a ship off of Korea. His anti-war activism began during the Vietnam War when he realized that his government was intervening in the internal affairs of another country. He joined Veterans for Peace and it became a political home for him for the rest of his life. Joining VFP was a turning point for him.

In the 1980s, appalled by the U.S. arming, paying and supplying the Contras in Nicaragua and the death squads in El Salvador, Wayne reinvigorated his anti-war work. He traveled to the region many times as an election observer and did civil disobedience at Fort Benning in Georgia to protest the training of Latin America soldiers in torture at the School of the Americas. U.S. foreign policy in Latin America remained an interest of Wayne’s for the rest of his life.

Wayne played a critical role in the Twin Cities anti-war movement after Sept. 11, 2001, organizing against the U.S. ‘War on Terror.’ One pivotal role he played was in connecting the anti-war movement with the labor movement. Wayne was the VFP representative to the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition, was a frequent speaker at the coalition rallies and marches and coordinated coalition outreach to the labor movement.

Wayne Wittman spoke at many city-wide rallies during the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan representing the MN State AFL-CIO. At one event in 2011 representing the AFL-CIO Wayne said, “Working people need to speak out for an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Billions of dollars are going to war while millions are unemployed and millions more are losing their homes. We got taken in after the events of 9/11 to support an endless series of wars and military interventions around the world. We need to speak out now against the war. Peace is an issue for all working people. We need funds for housing, health care and human needs, not war.”

Marie Braun, served with Wayne in MPAC and said, “Wayne Witmann was a gentle man with an unfailing commitment to peace and justice; he was an inspiration to all of us who knew and worked with him.”

Alan Dale also participated in MPAC with Wayne and states, “Wayne could always be counted to help with many of the tasks that go with building an anti-war action, getting leaflets out, getting groups to endorse and help publicize and action, making signs, speaking at rallies. He was willing to do whatever was needed to help build an action.”

Wayne was a member of the Machinists District 22 retirees union and he used his membership in both his union and VFP to make connections between these two groups and movements. Cherrene Horazuk, president of AFSCME 3800 recalled, “Wayne was a consistent peace activist and was always attempting to reach out to new people. He often would raise resolutions in labor bodies to oppose U.S. wars and to endorse anti-war protests. He was able to get many of these resolutions passed and they always helped to get out the word about peace actions in the labor movement.” In 1992 his effort resulted in a resolution opposing the impending Iraq war representing 15,000 workers.

In 2014, Wayne was awarded the Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award at the Veterans for Peace national convention. In nominating him for the award his fellow chapter members stated, “Over his five decades of service and leadership with VFP, there are few, if any, examples where his wisdom, willingness and indefatigable energy have not played a crucial role in our chapter’s efforts.”

Wayne was the embodiment of ‘walk the talk.’ He was consistent, tireless, principled, eloquent, gentle and encouraging. Wayne Wittman, Presente!

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Labor #Remembrances #PeoplesStruggles #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement

Minneapolis, MN – Dear Gaza, an open air concert and block party drew hundreds of people here, , Sept. 26, and raised $20,000 in medical relief for Gaza.

As local Palestinian activist, Anti-War Committee member, and artist Karmel Sabri put it, “With a population of 1.8 million people, the Gaza Strip has endured three wars since 2007 and faces an ongoing blockade imposed by Israel. Palestinians living in Gaza, while resilient in the face of tremendous hardship, suffer from ongoing trauma, injuries, disabilities and increased cancer rates due to Israel’s use of chemical weapons. Medical aid such as medicines for chronic conditions, hospital equipment, wheelchairs, over-the-counter drugs and health care supplies are direly needed. This is where Dear Gaza comes in. With this event, we have a chance to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

Funds raised will be donated to the leading organization American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) that works to improve the lives of Palestinian refugees and poor families in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

Bill Corcoran, president of ANERA, says, “We're excited that the community in Minneapolis has chosen to partner with ANERA to provide much-needed medicine and relief supplies to Palestinians. Our distribution network of clinics, hospitals and charitable organizations in Gaza ensures that these supplies will reach the communities that are most in need.”

The event educated people about the conditions in Gaza with the mock apartheid wall detailing the 504 names of the children killed in Gaza in 2014 and with calls for solidarity from the stage.

As the performance art and hip hop took the energy to another level, with dancing in the streets, people came pouring out of the neighborhood demanding to know what was happening, and how they could help. Chants led from the stage gave cry to a good place to start, “Free, free, Palestine.”

Sponsoring organizations and businesses included Sabri Properties, Mizna, Anti-War Committee, ANERA, Women Against Military Madness, Leaning Tower of Pizza, Minnesota Peace Action Coalition, Pangea World Theater, Desoplex, Middle East Peace Now, and Manal Deeb. Endorsing organizations included Students for Justice in Palestine, U.S. Palestinian Community Network-Minnesota Chapter, Students for a Democratic Society at UMN, Macalester Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights, and the Welfare Rights Committee.

#Minneapolis #MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #PeoplesStruggles #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement

Minneapolis, MN – 40 protesters gathered to mark International Human Rights Day at the corner of Franklin and Nicollet Avenues, Dec. 7. After a few rounds of chanting, the rally opened with a speech by Sabry Wazwaz, who spoke about the Palestinian struggle for liberation, the right of return and basic human rights. He noted that Israel is an enemy of peace and human rights, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. aid.

Although the temperature dipped below zero, spirits ran high as the group set off for a march along busy Nicollet Avenue. Passersby gladly took flyers, cars honked and protesters raised chants of, “Human rights are under attack! What do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Stop the wars, feed the poor, human rights for all!” The protest called for an end to U.S. militarism and warfare from Afghanistan, throughout the Middle East and to Colombia; demanded money for human needs not for war and called for an end to political repression.

The march ended at The Nicollet coffee shop, where Anti-War Committee member and poet Misty Rowan opened a program for a crowded room of protesters and regular café-goers. Speakers included Anh Pham, of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, who called for support for Palestinian Rasmea Odeh; Angel Buechner, Welfare Rights Committee; Steve McKeown, Veterans for Peace, chapter 27 and Eden Yosief, an SEIU member recently returned from a labor solidarity delegation to Colombia. To close the program, two fourth graders, Leila and Cocoa, along with Steph Taylor of University of Minnesota Students for a Democratic Society, sang the civil rights movement song, Get on Board, inviting all present to join them.

“International Human Rights Day is a day when people across the globe mark the struggle for equal rights and freedom. Just days after his passing, we are here today to honor Nelson Mandela, and build the struggle to end U.S. militarism,” said Meredith Aby-Keirstead, for the Anti-War Committee, which organized the action. She continued, “Nelson Mandela's life represented the struggles for freedom, dignity, equality and peace in South Africa and around the world. His stands against Israeli apartheid and against the U.S. war on Iraq serve as inspiration to the anti-war movement. “

The protest was endorsed by Mayday Books, the MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee, MN Peace Action Coalition, Students for a Democratic Society-U of MN, the Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, the Welfare Rights Committee and Women Against Military Madness.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement #Minnesota #antiimperialism #Intervention #USWars #MN

Minneapolis, MN – To mark 12 years since the start of the U.S. war in Afghanistan, 50 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war protest on Oct. 5.

The protest was called by the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition (MPAC). MPAC organized the protest under the call of “Say no to war! U.S. troops and drones out of Afghanistan now; no U.S. military intervention in Syria; stop government spying and attacks on civil liberties; people need housing and jobs, not war.”

The protest took place along the sidewalks of the very busy Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street intersection. A large number of people driving by honked their car horns and waved in support of the anti-war message. One participant said the majority of the cars passing had people honking, waving or showing some sign of support.

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “The U.S. has been at war continuously for 12 years: Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, the drone wars in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia. Now the Obama administration is proposing yet another military intervention, this time in Syria. At the same time, plans are being made to leave thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan for years to come. The Oct. 5 protest marks 12 years of war with a call for an end to U.S. wars and interventions.”

Meredith Aby-Keirstead , a member of the Anti-War Committee spoke at the demonstration. She said, “President Obama keeps promising to the American people that the war in Afghanistan is winding down...with Afghanistan making an agreement that would continue a strong U.S. presence but also gives them immunity for their war crimes – including for drone attacks and night raids. Does that sound like an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan? No.”

The Oct. 5 Minneapolis protest was endorsed by AFSCME Local 3800, Anti-War Committee, Coalition for Palestinian Rights, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Communities United Against Police Brutality, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Libertarian Party, Mayday Books, Military Families Speak Out (MN chapter), Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers, Minnesota Cuba Committee, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition, Pakistan Trade Union Defense Campaign, Peace and Justice Committee of Sacred Heart Catholic Church (St. Paul), Socialist Action, St. Paul Eastside Neighbors for Peace, Students for a Democratic Society, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans For Peace (Chapter 27), Welfare Rights Committee, Women Against Military Madness and the Workers International League.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Afghanistan #PeoplesStruggles #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement #AfghanistanWar #Anniversary

Minneapolis, MN – On Sept. 19, activists with the Minnesota Coalition for Palestinian Rights will return to the downtown Minneapolis Target store, urging shoppers not to buy products from SodaStream. This will follow a successful Aug. 15 mobilization, where 30 people held signs, chanted and passed out informational flyers to hundreds of pedestrians.

Sold at Minnesota-based Target stores, SodaStream is a company that manufactures home carbonation systems at a plant in the largest Israeli Jewish settlement on the West Bank. The construction of hundreds of settlements in the West Bank has been condemned by numerous human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, for violating international law and Palestinian human rights.

“We met with a positive response from the hundreds of people walking on Nicollet Mall at rush hour,” said Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee. “Minnesotans don’t support a company that makes its profits from stolen Palestinian land and the system of Israeli apartheid.”

The Minnesota campaign opened a few months ago with a letter initiated by Jewish Voices for Peace, which called on Target to discontinue sales of SodaStream products because the company is in violation of international law and in violation of Target’s ethical standards and Social Compliance Program.

This is effort is part of an international campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. A truly global movement against Israeli Apartheid is rapidly emerging.

#Minneapolis #MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Occupation #Palestine #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement #Apartheid #SodaStream #AntiIsraeliApartheid #JusticeForPalestine #MiddleEast

Minneapolis, MN – At an Aug. 9 press conference in front of Minneapolis City Hall, leaders of the Twin Cities peace and justice movement announced the route for the massive anti-war march that will take place if the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is held in that city. Activists had the march permits in hand, ready to be presented to city officials.

Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee stated, “We want city government to grant us permits for an anti-war march on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention. We are against the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq and we are going to put out that message in a big way at the DNC.”

“I’m here today to say that if the Democrats choose Minneapolis for their 2012 convention, MIRAc will mobilize again to protest. Why? We must protest, because the unjust wars abroad in Afghanistan and Iraq continue. And we must protest because the unjust war against immigrants here at home continues,” said Brad Sigal of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc).

Many of the organizations that organized the massive anti-war protests at the Republican National Convention in 2008 are joining this effort, including the Anti-War Committee, Women Against Military Madness, the Welfare Rights Committee and others.

Sarah Martin of Women Against Military Madness said, “The cost for the U.S. is well known. Over 1000 soldiers dead; each troop costs $1 million per year and the total cost to date is over $300 billion. As of today, Minneapolis taxpayers have paid $450 million for this war. Money used to destroy homes in Afghanistan could have kept Minneapolis residents out of foreclosure.”

Protest organizers plan on a march the opening day of the DNC that would start in Loring Park, proceed to the Metrodome – the proposed site of the DNC – and would then proceed to Elliot Park.

“We are not going to put up with the city of Minneapolis dragging its feet on granting us permits for a march at the DNC. We went through that with the 2008 RNC march permits in Saint Paul, and we will not accept something like that a second time. Under the slogan ‘Money for human needs, not for war,’ we will take thousands of protesters to the Metrodome if the DNC is held here,” states Deb Konechne of the Welfare Rights Committee.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement #AntiWarCommittee #DemocraticNationalConvention #DNC

St Paul, MN – New Year’s Eve, an evening typically shared and celebrated with our loved ones was overshadowed this year as the death toll of U.S. soldiers serving in the Iraq war reached 3000. About 300 protesters gathered in Minneapolis at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge that spans the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul on the evening of Jan.1. It was one of 300 other organized events across the country.

The protesters braved the cold winter night holding candles and signs to send a message that troops need to be brought home now. Signs read, “Not one more death – not one more dollar,” and called for an end to the U.S war. Many at the bridge shared New Year’s greetings, most expressed hope that the New Year would bring change to Iraq and an end to the occupation.

A statement issued by organizers says, in part, “How many U.S. soldiers and Iraqis must lose their lives before our government finally admits that the war was wrong and it is time to bring the troops home? On this New Year’s weekend, we will mourn the loss of Iraqi and U.S. lives and rededicate ourselves to working for an end to the war in 2007.”

Organizer Mike Perkins from Military Families Against the War said, “It’s New Year’s Day – we should be spending it with our families not worrying about how another family has lost someone they love.” The sentiment of the people on the bridge was shared as hundreds of cars honked as they drove past those standing on the bridge.

Local organizations sponsoring the vigil included the Anti-War Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign-Focus on Iraq, Women Against Military Madness, Iraq Peace Action Coalition, Military Families Speak Out and others.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #MikePerkins #MilitaryFamiliesSpeakOut #USDeathTollInIraq #MinneapolisAntiwarMovement