News and Views from the People's Struggle
Grand Rapids, MI – On September 20, pro-Palestine protesters confronted Hillary Scholten outside of the Kent County Democratic Party headquarters during a pro-union fundraising event.
Chicago, IL- On Monday, September 22, over 60 Illinois activists and the Illinois Divest From Genocide Network, which is made up of over 50 organizations, protested at the rescheduled Illinois State Board of Investment (ISBI) meeting to oppose the board and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerich’s continued investment in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
Detroit, MI – On the evening of September 26, the Detroit Anti-War Committee and other organizations gathered at Grand Circus Park to protest Netanyahu’s address at the United Nations and to show Detroit stands with Palestine.
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) organized a banner drop on September 26 as part of the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) National Week of Action. This call was an opportunity to mobilize anti-war and anti-imperialist organizations around the country in defiance of Netanyahu being welcomed onto the world stage at the United Nations General Assembly.
Tacoma, WA – On September 22, community members gathered around the Federal Courthouse in solidarity with the 50-vessel lotilla heading to Gaza to deliver aid. The rally, a coalition effort of Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization stood together to call for an end to the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
Tucson, AZ – The Tucson Anti War Committee (TAWC) organized a rally on September 24 as part of the Anti-War Action Network National Week of Action. The call was to mobilize while war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu attended the United Nations General Assembly.
New Orleans, LA – On September 21, around 70 people rallied and marched in response to recent attacks on the Gaza strip and also in support of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Demands included “Hands off Gaza City!” “Hands off Mahmoud Khalil!” and “Arrest Netanyahu!”
Madison, WI – As part of a Global Weekend of Action called by the BDS Movement, a contingent of about 40 peace activists led by World Beyond War-UW, including the newly formed Students for a Democratic Society-UW Madison chapter, community members and religious organizations, followed by Madison Area DSA, made the cause of Palestine impossible to ignore at the city's 48th annual Willy Street Fair, September 21.
As is tradition for the second day of the festival, a parade kicked off from the 900 block of Williamson Street, set to march about six blocks through the historic Williamson-Marquette neighborhood. Front and center, behind the sponsors, the beloved “Bubblemobile” coughed large clumps of bubbles into the air and immediately the chanting began.
In a typically light-hearted and proudly “weird” environment like the Willy Street Fair, chants of “From the river to the sea,” and “Stand up, fight back” echoed between the homes and small businesses. Ensuring that no fair-goer forget that while their funnel cakes fry, children are dying in Palestine. Not only from starvation, but from weapons provided by the U.S. government.
Later in the day, as part of the same BDS Movement call to action, World Beyond War-UW led a significantly longer walk, with 20 or so people carrying signs and banners around the entirety of Lake Monona, a 12-mile journey, to continue bringing attention to American complicity in Israel's crimes.
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