Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement adopted by the General Executive Board of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. In part the statement deals with a 2009 incident at Rock Island, Illinois. The FBI attempted to disrupt the struggle that was being waged by workers at Quad City Die Casting, by slandering trade unionists who were mobilizing support for their effort.
San José, CA – On Jan. 25, 75 people rallied in front of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and then marched through downtown San José and by the federal building. The march and rally was organized by the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression. The rally was one of many that took place across the U.S., in response to the FBI and Grand Jury witch hunt that has been unleashed on anti-war and Palestine solitary activists.
Los Angeles, CA – Over 100 people served as jurors in a People's Tribunal at the Westwood Federal Building here, Jan. 25 as a part of the national day of actions to end grand jury proceedings against anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Chicago, IL – Speaking at a rally of 350 supporters Jan. 25, Sarah Smith explained that being subpoenaed hasn't had the effect that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wanted. The crowd cheered when she said, “I'm not backing down. In fact, I've been made stronger by the support from all of you to be become more politically active.”
Kiev, Ukraine – 35 protesters gathered at the U.S. Embassy here, Jan. 25, to oppose the repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists in the United States. The demonstration coincided with the day that nine Palestine solidarity activists were called to appear in front of the Grand Jury in Chicago, Illinois.
Milwaukee, WI – Two dozen people protested outside the Federal Building here, joining the Jan. 25 National Day of Action called by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The protests coincide with the day that Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called nine Palestine solitary activists to a grand jury that is aimed at anti-war and international solidarity organizers.
Asheville, NC – Despite freezing rain, 35 protesters gathered in front of the Asheville Federal Building here, Jan. 25, chanting, “Stop the witch hunts, stop the raids – we are here we are not afraid!” The protest was a part of the national day of action in solidarity with the nine newly subpoenaed activists who were called before a grand jury in Chicago.
Minneapolis, MN – Chanting, “From Minnesota to Palestine, solidarity is not a crime,” about 250 demonstrators gathered at the Federal Building here, Jan. 25, to protest FBI and Grand Jury repression that is being directed against anti-war and Palestine solidarity activists. Protesters were forced to jostle for standing and picketing room between high banks of ice and snow on the sidewalks and plaza.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following message by Lynne Stewart to the Jan. 25 protests against the FBI and Grand Jury witch hunt that has been unleashed on anti-war and international solidarity activists. Lynne Stewart, a heroic and long-time progressive lawyer, is serving a ten-year prison sentence in Fort Worth, Texas for allegedly helping terrorists. Her courage and determination stand as an example to all of us who are working for peace, justice and equality.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) urging students to join the Jan. 25 protests to stop the FBI and grand jury witch hunt directed against anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Chicago, IL – “Every day more cities are signing on to the call for the January 25 protests against the Grand Jury witch hunt that’s being directed against anti-war and international solidarity activists,” states Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.
Minneapolis, MN – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has issued a leaflet on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the struggle against political repression. Tom Burke, a spokesperson for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges activists to distribute the flyer at Martin Luther King Day events, stating, “Dr. King was a giant in the struggle for equality, peace and justice, and the FBI did its best to destroy him. Distributing this flyer at MLK Day events brings out an important message about the government’s continuing attempts to repress movements that are working for social justice.”
Chicago, IL – “Stop the subpoenas, stop the raids! We are here, we aren’t afraid!” On a chilly morning, Jan. 14, over 50 people gathered at the Federal Building in downtown Chicago to deliver a mock subpoena to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is in charge of the wave of FBI raids, harassment and subpoenas that began last September across the country. Since then, 23 people have been summoned to appear before a federal grand jury in Chicago and all have refused to participate in what is being called a political witch hunt.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement made by Jess Sundin, of the Twin Cities based Anti-War Committee and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, at a Jan. 12 press conference on FBI infiltration of the peace movement. Sundin is one of the original 14 activists who was issued a subpoena during the FBI raids of Sept. 24, 2010. She was also one of the principal organizers of the 30,000 strong anti-war march at the Republican National Convention in 2008.
Minneapolis, MN – At a press conference here, Jan. 12, Jess Sundin of the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee (AWC) blasted police infiltration of the anti-war and international solidarity movement, stating, “We are here today to express outrage that our democratic rights have been violated by a government operation of spying, infiltration and disruption of our anti-war movement, which was carried out over the course of at least two and half years.”
