Minneapolis, MN – Donald Trump’s ascendance to international political notoriety has sent shockwaves through the Western world’s political powers. Trump’s rejection of the establishment’s norms of behavior and of what he terms “political correctness” is unbalancing bourgeoisie democratic values. On the international scene, Trump is recognized as a simple schoolyard bully who teases and assaults those who have any semblance of creative or individual thought. In Trump’s vision for America you better kneel before the god of ‘businessman’ bravado, hyper-patriotism, bigotry, and triumphalism or you’re not worthy of access to the playground.
Minneapolis, MN – Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia will go on strike at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13 if an agreement is not reached by then. The Verizon strike will be by far the largest work stoppage in the country in recent years.
Minneapolis, MN – On April 9, 30 people braved a cold spring day to protest U.S. aid to Israel on the 68th anniversary of the Deir Yassin massacre. Protesters held a banner saying “End aid to Israel! Free free Palestine!” and signs at the intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenues and then marched to the Deir Yassin memorial on the Greenway in Minneapolis. The protest was organized by the Minnesota Anti-War Committee.
Minneapolis, MN – University of Minnesota officials are investigating a suspected outbreak of the norovirus in Minneapolis campus residential halls, according to workers there. Boynton Heath Services, the medical provider for students at the University of Minnesota, provided a notice to students yesterday that warned of “reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, in students at Frontier Hall,” a dormitory on campus.
Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) hosted a successful fundraising party on April 2 to build up for this year's International Workers Day march in Minneapolis. More than 60 people came together at 4200 Cedar for Mexican food, musical and dance performances, games and a raffle. It was announced that the party raised over $1000 toward the costs of the march.
Minneapolis, MN – All eyes were on Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman today, March 30, as he announced “criminal charges are not warranted” against police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze for the shooting death of Jamar Clark. The room and the hallway outside were packed with Clark’s family members and their supporters, who immediately denounced his decision and called for the community to take to the streets and keep up the fight for justice.
Minneapolis, MN – More than four months after Minneapolis police shot Jamar Clark, the county prosecutor is expected to announce on Wednesday, March 30 whether he will prosecute the Minneapolis police officers that shot and killed him. However Freeman decides to handle the case, the community plans to respond with protests calling not only for indictment, but prosecution of officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze to the full extent of the law.
Minneapolis, MN – About 300 people rallied in front of the Hennepin County government building, March 26, demanding that County Attorney Mike Freeman bring charges against the Minneapolis police officers who murdered Jamar Clark. Clark was killed by officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze on Nov. 15, 2015.
Minneapolis, MN – Community leaders spoke out in united opposition, March 25, to Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau’s remarks about protests that are calling for justice for Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old African American man who was killed by police in November. Tensions are high as the community waits for Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to announce whether or not he will charge the officers for Clark’s murder.
Minneapolis, MN – Organizers the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar will hold several local actions to win justice prosecution of the police who killed Jamar Clark in November, and they are asking supporters from across the country to lend their voices in the effort, with a national call-in day set for Thursday, March 24.
Minneapolis, MN – An important victory came today, March 16, in the fight for justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed by Minneapolis police in November. For months, the family and community have been fighting for prosecution of those police, and saying no to the grand jury that Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman had said he would use to bring charges in the case. Today, Freeman announced that he has decided not to send this case to the grand jury, and to end the use of grand juries in police shootings in the county.
Minneapolis, MN – Allen “Lance” Scarsella appeared in court here, March 15, charged with first degree assault, second degree riot, and five counts of second degree assault with a firearm resulting in substantial bodily harm, for his part in the November shooting of five people protesting the police killing of Jamar Clark. Scarsella faces a maximum sentence of 55 years.
Minneapolis, MN – Students from the University of Minnesota gathered for the Student State of the University, March 10. The Student State of the University has been an annual response to the administration’s State of the University. The administration delivered its State of the University one week earlier. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) called for a Student’s State of the University as in an effort to juxtaposition the concerns of students with those of its administration.
Minneapolis, MN – Community members are turning up the heat here as prosecutor Mike Freeman drags his feet, insisting he will throw the police killing of Jamar Clark to a grand jury. Last week, March 8, members of Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar Clark brought the issue to the open forum section of the county commissioners meeting. Several spoke up to demand no grand jury.
Minneapolis, MN – In the aftermath of the dramatic 5000-person protest that caused Trump to cancel his March 11 campaign appearance on the campus of the University of Illinois, Steff Yorek, the political secretary of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, urged progressive activists around the U.S. to follow Chicago’s example.
Minneapolis, MN – A coalition of Minneapolis and Saint Paul area groups will hold an anti-war protest to mark 13 years since the 2003 start of the U.S. war in Iraq.
Minneapolis, MN – For the fourth week in a row, Friday, March 4 brought a crowd of protesters to the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, demanding justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed by Minneapolis police in November. Once again, Freeman was out of the office. This week, protesters came armed with a letter from Jamar’s parents, James and Wilma Clark. The open letter was directed to Freeman, as well as Governor Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Chief of Police Janeé Harteau, and was also shared with the media.
Minneapolis, MN – Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University in Minnesota, in conjunction with over 30 UMN student organizations and faculty, is calling on Minnesota Student Association to pass a resolution urging the UMN to divest from corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid.
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.”
