Quad City Die Casting workers and their supporters marched and rallied here, June 11, in front of the office of Wells Fargo. They demanded that the bank restore the financing and save the 100 jobs of the Moline, Illinois company slated for closing on July 12. The Republic Window and Door workers were there in force to show support and pass on lessons learned in their battle with Bank of America . A national day of action has been called for Tuesday, June 23, where Wells Fargo will feel the pressure from all over as the campaign turns up the heat.
On June 2, United Electrical (UE) members at Quad Cities Die Casting, along with members of the community, served Wells Fargo with a notice of default on the bank’s obligations to the U.S. working people. Wells Fargo is liquidating their factory and throwing 100 people out of work after 60 years of business.
St. Paul, MN – Chanting, “Hey Pawlenty here’s the fix: Tax the rich, tax the rich,” more than 50 people rallied in front of the Governor’s Mansion here, June 30 to slam Governor Pawlenty’s plan to cut hundreds of millions from health care, education, local government aid and human services. The protest was organized by the Welfare Rights Committee and backed by the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout.
Asheville, NC – People from all over western North Carolina protested here in Pritchard Park, June 27, to demand a single payer system in which health care is provided to all people, with those able to paying their fair share.
Members of Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) demonstrated June 23 in front of the downtown Wells Fargo building after UE Workers at Quad City Die Casting in Moline, Illinois called for a national day of action to be held outside Wells Fargo banks nationwide.
Minneapolis, MN – On Thursday, June 25, friends and supporters gathered at the home of Rosemary Williams to plan for action after getting devastating news. That morning, in a conference call, Judge Lloyd Zimmerman sided with finance giant GMAC and against Ms. Williams, who has been engaged in an epic battle to save her home. Attorneys for Ms. Williams tried to appeal the judge’s earlier ruling which had denied a trial in the foreclosure related eviction. Judge Zimmerman ruled that for an appeal to take place, Rosemary Williams would have to come up with a $49,000 ‘bond’ in two days.
Newark, NJ – Community outrage has broken out in here over the May 15 police killing of Basire Farrell. Over 100 people turned out when the victim's family and the People's Organization for Progress (POP) sponsored a protest march and rally on May 23.
Meetings of the workers from the Patient Access call center at UIC Medical Center look like the waiting room of an Orthopedics clinic. Many of the workers are wearing carpal tunnel braces or their wrists show the scars of surgery.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Sudan Workers Trade Unions Federation on the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Sudanese president, Omar Hassan Al Bashir.
St. Paul, MN – Leaders of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout responded to the state budget forecast, March 3. The forecast anticipates a $4 billion deficit, despite the billions that will flow in from the federal stimulus.
“The blood of Gaza is on your hands!” was the chant that rang out in front of the Auditorium Theater here, Feb. 8. The 60 protesters called for boycotting the performance of the Israeli Batsheba Dance Company. The dance troop is touring the U.S. as goodwill ambassadors for the Zionist state. The invasion of Gaza, in which over 1300 Palestinians were killed, including over 300 children, has put the eyes of the world on Israel. Picketers also challenged the concert-goers, saying, “Don’t dance on Gaza’s graves!” The organizers, including the International Solidarity Movement and the Palestine Solidarity Group, vowed to continue and expand the “Boycott/Divest/Sanction” campaign.
Rochester, NY – Los estudiantes de la Universidad de Rochester declararon una victoria y dieron por terminada la ocupación luego de que la administración de la universidad aprobara varias de sus demandas. En el 6 de febrero, más de 75 estudiantes ocuparon el auditorio del edificio Goergen biomédica e ingeniería, como muestra de solidaridad con el pueblo palestino en Gaza. Los Estudiantes por una Sociedad Democrática (SDS) en la Universidad de Rochester organizaron la toma para aumentar la presión en la administración para que accediera a sus demandas.
On Jan. 21, the Southern California Immigration Coalition held a rally in front of the Los Angeles Federal Building to send a message to the President Obama demanding legalization for 10 million immigrants and an end to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations.
Minneapolis, MN – On January 14, a jury found a group of seven anti-war protesters not guilty of trespassing at a Minneapolis National Guard recruiting office last March. The charges stemmed from an incident that was part of a series of demonstrations organized to mark the 5th anniversary of the U.S. war in Iraq. On March 27, 2008, hundreds rallied and marched against the war on the University of Minnesota campus. That afternoon, a group of protesters organized by the Anti-War Committee attempted to enter the National Guard recruiting center located on the second floor of 825 Washington Avenue SE. After finding the doors locked and police waiting, they remained in the hallway and continued their demonstration. Police informed them that “the building owner doesn't want you here,” but they refused to leave. Sixteen people were arrested for trespassing.
Chicago, IL – Fifteen opponents of the Israeli siege on Gaza entered the Federal Building here, Jan. 16, and executed a sit-in at the offices of Senator Dick Durbin. Durbin had co-sponsored a resolution that gave the green light to Israel to continue the attack on Palestinians.
St. Paul, MN – At a press conference here, Feb. 6, Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee announced that the City of Saint Paul is spending $5000 to resolve a lawsuit that was filed by attorneys representing Mick Kelly. Kelly, an organizer for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, was arrested outside the Xcel Center June 5, 2008 while passing out leaflets at the Obama rally. He was promoting the Sept. 1 anti-war march at the Republican National Convention. Police placed him under arrest, then he was searched, put in a squad car and taken to the old police headquarters where he was cited for soliciting and peddling.
Chicago, IL – Sherri Taylor-Kennedy was insulted and angry at her employer. “When I got here I was informed that my position had been eliminated. I had 30 minutes to gather my belongings and be escorted off the premises.” She spoke out at a protest rally Feb. 10 to 200 co-workers and supporters at the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC).
The People's Organization for Progress help a protest here, Feb. 21 at Broad and Market Streets against a racist cartoon published by the New York Post. The cartoon showed two cops with smoking guns standing over a dead ape. One cop is saying, “They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”
St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota People’s Bailout legislation was introduced in the Minnesota State Senate and House, Feb. 9. Authored by Senator David J. Tomassoni (D-Chisholm), and Representative David Bly (D-Northfield) the Minnesota People’s Bailout Act is a legislative attempt to protect the interests of low-income and working Minnesotans from the worst effects of the deepening economic crisis in Minnesota and the nation.
