Bail posted, still calling for everyone to “Support CeCe!”

Minneapolis, MN – On the evening of June 4, Leslie Feinberg, a renowned transgender activist and author of Stone Butch Blues and Trans Liberation, was arrested for showing solidarity with Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald.

Hundreds take to street in protest

Minneapolis, MN – Leslie Feinberg was arrested the evening of June 4, amidst hundreds of Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald supporters protesting outside of the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility.

Minneapolis, MN – On June 2 more than 50 people gathered at the American Indian OIC center for a town hall meeting on civil liberties under the theme of Fight for your Right to Dissent. The event was co-sponsored by the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression and the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms (NCPCF).

Minneapolis, MN – A group of supporters gathered at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Lake Street during a sunny south Minneapolis rush hour May 15, in support of Carlos Montes, on the first scheduled day of his trial.

Minneapolis, MN – This coming weekend, Minnesotans will fill two buses headed for Chicago to participate in an anti-war march and rally outside the NATO summit meeting on Sunday, May 20.

Minneapolis, MN – “All 1500 people marching for immigrant rights here, May 1, heard about the case of Carlos Montes,” stated Jess Sundin of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 1500 people marched on Lake Street for immigrant and workers rights here on May 1, International Workers Day. Organized by the May 1st Coalition and initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc), the march focused on legalization for undocumented immigrants, ending deportations and support for workers and their unions. The march had the support of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), most immigrant rights groups in the city and many Latino student groups from nearby colleges and high schools.

Supporters charge that racism and transphobia in legal system continue the assault against McDonald

Minneapolis, MN – Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald accepted a plea agreement, May 2, to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the second degree in the criminal case resulting from the racist, transphobic assault that she survived last June.

Minneapolis, MN – Jury selection for Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald’s trial began May 1, amidst a national outcry. On April 30, national figures Mara Keisling, founding Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality and Leslie Feinberg, author of Stone Butch Blues, flew into Minneapolis to attend the first scheduled day of McDonald’s trial. In an open letter calling on Michael Freeman to cease prosecution of McDonald, Feinberg commented, “The right of self-defense against all forms of oppressions – the spirit of Stonewall – is at the heart of the demand to free [McDonald].” Mara Keisling echoed this sentiment, stating, “People are being killed out there, and CeCe is being punished for not being killed.”

Fight Back News Service is reprinting the speech of Mick Kelly, a leader of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, delivered at the FRSO-organized May Day celebration, April 27.

Minneapolis, MN – About 90 people gathered here, April 28, for a May Day program and dinner organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Speakers included prominent trade unionists and representatives of low-income, Occupy, student, anti-war and immigrant rights organizations.

Minneapolis, MN – Members of the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression bannered and distributed leaflets here, April 25 in support of veteran Chicano activist Carlos Montes, the day before his Los Angeles court appearance.

Minneapolis, MN – After initially refusing a meeting, Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman agreed to meet with CeCe McDonald's family and supporters April 24. Hours before the meeting, Freeman's office issued a letter to McDonald's supporters defending his decision to charge her with two counts of second degree murder.

Minneapolis, MN – On April 16, the Minnesota Anti-War Committee hosted Joe Iosbaker, one of the principle organizers of the Coalition Against NATO/G8 War & Poverty Agenda (CANG8), in the Twin Cities. CANG8 is organizing a massive protest in Chicago May 20, at the opening of the NATO Summit.

Minneapolis, MN – Supporters of Chrishaun “CeCe” McDonald delivered a petition with over 12,000 signatures and a letter signed by 35 local, state and national organizations directly to Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman’s office April 17, demanding that he drop the two second-degree murder charges levied against McDonald. Family members had earlier requested a meeting with the County Attorney Freeman, but he refused to meet with them.

Minneapolis, MN – About 100 rallied in front of City Hall here, April 9, and then occupied the office of Mayor R.T. Rybak, demanding a public meeting with the mayor in response to the April 7 police attack on occupiers. Initially, representatives of the mayor’s office threatened arrests. After about an hour of chanting and mic checks in the office reception area, Mayor Rybak agreed to an April 10 meeting.

Minneapolis, MN – Speaking to a standing room only crowd at May Day Book Store, April 7, leaders of the Twin Cities anti-war movement denounced NATO as an aggressive alliance of western imperialism and urged listeners to join them at the massive protest planned for the NATO Summit. The protest will coincide the Summit’s opening, May 20.

Minneapolis, MN – On March 29, the Million Hoodies event began here in early evening. Over 5500 people crowded the Northrop Plaza at the University of Minnesota, from all over the Twin Cities area. Excitement escalated as organizers began with chants such as, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” There were speakers from all over the Twin Cities -students, professors and community members alike. For over an hour, they spoke about the significance of the murder of Trayvon Martin.

Minneapolis, MN – Several Twin Cities anti-war organizations held an emergency protest on here, March 17, in response to the murder of 16 Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier. The protest, in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis, was organized under the call, “End the U.S. War in Afghanistan now!”