Cleveland, OH – Anti-war activists took to Market Square in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, January 4, at noon to denounce U.S. imperialism and aggression towards Iran following the murder of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by the Trump regime.

Chanting slogans of “1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want your racist war! 5, 6, 7, 8, stop the killings, stop the hate!” and “We are people, we want peace! U.S. out of Middle East!” around 100 protesters rallied as prepared speeches were given by representatives from the Workers World Party, Cleveland State University's Middle East and Northern Africa student group, Peace Action Cleveland, and others, as well as several individuals who volunteered to give their own impromptu speeches.

“We are here, along with the people all over the county who have come out today, people all over the world who are demonstrating solidarity with the people of Iraq, the people of Iran, the people of Syria, Palestine, Yemen, people all over the world who are under attack by U.S. imperialism, of which Trump is just the current leader,” said Martha Grevatte of the Workers World Party.

The rally in Cleveland was part of a larger nationwide campaign of rallies, demonstrations and marches that day, which drew out tens of thousands across the country, all denouncing the continuous wars for profit and oil in the Middle East and across the globe.

#ClevelandOH #AntiwarMovement #Iran #US #MiddleEast #PeoplesStruggles #DonaldTrump

Fight Back News Service is circulating the text of a speech by a leader of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Fernando Figueroa, which was delivered shortly before the July 18 march on the RNC in Cleveland, OH.

My name is Fernando Figueroa, and I am a proud member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. I became a revolutionary in 2008 while organizing students to defeat John McCain. I honed my theory and practice as an organizer during the 2012 March on the RNC in Tampa, Florida, where we said no to Mitt Romney. Today I am a rank-and- file Teamster active in the trade union movement, and I’m standing with you all to stop Trump and the system he represents.

History has shown us that there’s only one response capable of stopping bigots and billionaires like Donald Trump. The mass political movement we’re forming today as we march on the RNC is a firm step forward for poor and oppressed people. This is true not only in the U.S., but for people all over the world. This mass movement has the 1% and all of their backwards supporters terrified – as evidenced by the police they’ve sent to welcome us to Cleveland.

The 1% that rule this country are terrified of us, and they should be. Their system of protecting the rich and powerful at the expense of working and oppressed peoples is coming to an end. The age we’re living in is like a pathetic giant, lashing out as the working class and oppressed nations of Black and Chicano people organize. We’re organizing because we believe a better world is possible, a just society where people’s needs are taken care of and capitalist greed is abolished. By uniting today to stop Trump, we are delivering a blow to the 1% and their pathetic giant.

My friends, the road ahead of us is long and treacherous. It is fraught with attempts by the enemy to frighten and discourage us, but by uniting activists and supporters from across movements, across the country and across the world, we will overcome the obstacles that lay before us, like Donald Trump.

Our mass movement is growing by leaps and bounds as we build the fight of oppressed nationalities fighting for justice and an end to police crimes. Our movement grows as we build the struggle of queer people and women, and the fight for equality and liberation. It grows when we demonstrate solidarity with people oppressed by our government in places like Colombia, the Philippines and Palestine. It grows when we struggle to protect the environment and ensure everybody receives a good education and healthcare. The working class will realize it is the most powerful force ever created, and it will rise up to smash the political parties of the 1% including the Republicans and their figurehead, Donald Trump.

Victory is ours if we choose to work for it. This year, we are going to stop Trump, and it’s up to us to bring the lessons we learn here today back to our communities and workplaces.

There’s nobody I am happier to call my comrades than all of you assembled here today. The Freedom Road Socialist Organization is proud to stand among so many veteran and rising organizers. Together we will scale the wall that tyranny, backwardness and hatred are building to keep us from political and economic power. I’ll see you on the other side.

#ClevelandOH #AntiwarMovement #CapitalismAndEconomy #InJusticeSystem #US #PeoplesStruggles #RepublicanNationalConvention #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganizationFRSO #ohio #RNC #Antifascism #Elections #RNC2016 #FernandoFigueroa

Cleveland, OH – Speaking at the July 18 anti-Trump protest at the Republican National Convention, Tracy Molm, a leader of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, told the nearly 1000 people assembled at the rally about the need to build the fight to get justice for Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh.

Odeh, an icon in the Palestinian community, is facing jail and deportation on a trumped-up immigration charge.

Molm also read the following statement from Odeh, “I wish I could be with you today, because you are doing the most important thing that you could possibly do – protesting Trump, the Republican Party and their racist agenda of banning Muslims, criminalizing Mexicans and other immigrants and attacking the Movement for Black Lives. We want better for this country and for the world. You and everyone like you are the ones who will make change, who will defeat Trump and who will win all our fights for justice.”

#ClevelandOH #PeoplesStruggles #PoliticalPrisoners #TracyMolm #CSFR #RasmeaOdeh #PoliticalRepression

Cleveland, OH – More than 1000 people rallied with the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC on the opening day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland on July 18.

Speakers and activists representing more than 40 groups from the immigrant rights, labor, anti-war, student and Muslim civil rights movements gathered in downtown Cleveland for a rally lasting longer than one hour. Activists from more than 20 cities were represented at the rally. Many of the activists and speakers had organized local protests in their home cities against the racist and xenophobic Trump/Republican Party agenda in the days leading up to the convention.

Local community members in Cleveland joined the protesters for the rally and march toward the convention center.

Tom Burke of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC stated, “Today was a great day. We took our message to stop Trump right down to as close to the convention center as anyone will get. The Republicans, including the delegation from Texas who walked out of their hotel to see a thousand people taking a stand against the racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks engineered by the Republicans and their presidential nominee, Donald Trump, were shocked to see throngs of protesters in the streets speaking out against Trump and the Republican Party’s agenda of fear and racist hate.”

#ClevelandOH #SDS #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganizationFRSO #RNC #DonaldTrump #DumpTrump #RNC2016 #Republican

Cleveland, OH – Organizers from the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC hit the streets of downtown Cleveland, July, 15, taking out the word about the national protest set for the opening day of the Republican National Convention.

Unfurling a large anti-Trump banner in Mall A, located on Saint Clair Avenue and Mall Drive, activists leafleted passersbys and gave many interviews to the media that is covering the upcoming convention.

Mick Kelly, of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC states, “We let the people of Cleveland know that Mall A is the place and 12:00 noon is the time to rally against the bigot Trump and the Republican agenda.”

Danya Zituni of National Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), who is in Cleveland to build for the protest said, “SDS has hosted ‘Dump Trump’ protests on campuses across the country. Trump has been a major rallying point for white supremacists, and we believe everyone should join this protest against him.”

The activists then moved to Cleveland Public Square where many people said they looked forward to the protest and posed for photos in front of the banner.

Also present in the Square were members of the immigrant rights activists from the Faith, Life, and Hope Mission, who, under the leadership of Father Jose Landaverde, were concluding a 26-day march from Chicago to Cleveland to show opposition to Trump and supporting legalization for all. They are planning on joining the July 18 march on the RNC.

#ClevelandOH #Elections #US #PeoplesStruggles #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNC #Antiracism #Antifascism #DumpTrump

The demonstration will start at 12 noon, July 18, in Mall A, located at Mall Drive and St. Clair Ave in downtown Cleveland. Marchers will proceed to Cleveland Public Square and will then, marching on streets and sidewalks, head to the vicinity of the Republican National Convention.

Today’s agreement came at a meeting with City officials, where Coalition organizers were appealing a City decision to deny permits for the July 18 protest at the RNC. When the understanding was reached, organizers of the ‘Stop Trump’ protest withdrew their appeal.

Tom Burke, of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC states, “We have every right to protest at the RNC. The City has been dragging its feet and we are looking forward to using Mall A in downtown Cleveland as a place to rally. We will take our message to Trump and the Republicans.”

Mick Kelly, also of the Coalition, stated, “We are grateful to all the people who called Mayor Jackson and put pressure on the City government. The whole world is going to see that we reject the bigot Trump and his attacks on immigrants and Muslims.”

About 40 organizations are backing the large protest organized the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC that will take place on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention. The protest will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda. Stand Against Racist, Anti-immigrant and Anti-Muslim Attacks. We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”

#ClevelandOH #CoalitionToStopTrumpAndMarchOnTheRNC #RNC2016

The appeal meeting, which will be attended by Director Michael McGrath, Department of Public Safety-Safety Administration, is scheduled for 11 a.m., July 11, at City Hall.

Mick Kelly, of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on RNC states, “A major march against Trump will take place in a little more than a week, and we hope that City is going to come through with the permits. We have a right to rally and protest at the RNC July 18. It’s time for the city to come to terms with that.”

On July 1, the City rejected the permit applications. The City was notified of the appeal July 5.

Tom Burke, also of the Coalition states, “Trade unionists, immigrant rights activists, students are others are coming to Cleveland July 18 to say ‘no’ to the Republicans’ agenda of racist attacks, greed, and austerity. The Republicans have had plenty of time to organize their event. We need permits on Monday so we have a least a week to organize rally and march.”

About 40 organizations are backing the large protest organized the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC that will take place on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention. The protest will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda. Stand against Racist, Anti-immigrant and Anti-Muslim Attacks. We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”

#ClevelandOH #CoalitionToStopTrumpAndMarchOnTheRNC #RNC2016

Emergency Call-in Day to demand permits for ‘Stop Trump’ march at RNC

Monday, July 11 at 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Call Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson at 216-664-3990

Call Mike McGrath at 216-664-2200, Department of Public Safety

The City of Cleveland has rejected the permit applications from the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC for a rally and march on the opening day of the Republican National Convention.

Sample message:

“Hello, my name is __________, calling from ____________. I am calling to ask Mayor Jackson to issue the permits for the Monday, July 18, 12 Noon rally at Cleveland Public Square and the March on the RNC to follow it.

“I am one of millions taking a stand against the racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim agenda of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. We want our permits now, so we can have a family-friendly event that sends a clear message to the Republicans. We want peace, equality and justice!

“We want our permits now!”

Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC at www.protestRNC2016.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/574059672757617/

Contact the Coalition at StopTrumpMarchOnTheRNC@gmail.com

#ClevelandOH #CoalitionToStopTrumpAndMarchOnTheRNC #RNC2016

Burke states, “People are coming from around the U.S. to protest Trump, the RNC and their racist, reactionary agenda. It is the time for the City of Cleveland to stop putting up roadblocks to this protest, and grant decent permits that allow for a rally and a march to site of the RNC.”

Mick Kelly, a spokesperson for the Coalition states, “This protest is going to happen. We want permits, but we are prepared to rally and march without them. We have no intention of wandering around unheard and unseen on the bridge to nowhere.”

The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC is planning a rally at Cleveland Public Square, followed by a march down Ontario Street to the Quicken Loans Arena – the site of the RNC.

About 40 organizations are backing the large protest organized the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC that will take place on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention. The protest will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda. Stand Against Racist, Anti-immigrant and Anti-Muslim Attacks. We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”

#ClevelandOH #DumpTrump #RNC2016

Cleveland, OH – Organizers of the major ‘Stop Trump’ protest, set for July 18, the opening day of the Republican National Convention, received word from City officials July 1 that the applications for a rally and march had been rejected.

Tom Burke, of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC stated, “We put in for permits more than a month ago, and worked with City staff to make sure they had all the information they needed, now less than three weeks out from the first day of the RNC, we are told that our permits are denied. This is unacceptable. We have a right to protest Trump and his reactionary agenda in the streets of Cleveland.”

The communication rejecting the permit application came from Mike McGrath, head of Cleveland’s Department of Public Safety.

Mick Kelly, also with the Coalition stated, “People are coming from around the country to protest Trump’s agenda of racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks. We are serious about wanting permits, but if we do not get them, we will still march on the RNC.”

The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC is planning a July 18 noontime rally at Cleveland Public Square, followed by a march down Ontario to the arena where the RNC is meeting.

More than 40 immigrant rights, student, anti-war, labor and low-income organizations have announced their support for the protest.

The demonstration will put forward the slogans “Dump Trump. Say no to the Republican agenda. Stand against racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks. We demand peace, justice and equality.”

#ClevelandOH #RepublicanNationalConvention #CoalitionToStopTrumpAndMarchOnTheRNC #RNC2016

Fight Back News Service is urging all of our readers to participate in the July 6 call-in day demanding permits for the rally and march at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland, Ohio. On July 1 the city of Cleveland contacted the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC and said that permits for the July 18 rally in Cleveland Public Square would not be granted.

Call in day to City of Cleveland Demand permits to Stop Trump and March on the RNC

Wednesday, July 6 at 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Call Cleveland Mayor Jackson at 216-664-3990

Call Mike McGrath at 216-664-2200, Department of Public Safety

Say: “Hello, my name is __________, calling from ____________. I am calling to ask Mayor Jackson to issue the permits for the Monday, July 18, 12 Noon rally at Cleveland Public Square and the March on the RNC to follow it. “I am one of millions taking a stand against the racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim agenda of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. We want our permits now, so we can have a family-friendly event that sends a clear message to the Republicans. We want peace, equality and justice! “We want our permits now!”

Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC at www.protestRNC2016.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/272948203057050/

Contact the Coalition at StopTrumpMarchOnTheRNC@gmail.com

#ClevelandOH #RepublicanNationalConvention #CoalitionToStopTrumpAndMarchOnTheRNC #RNC2016

Tom Burke, spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC states, “The city needs to stop being stubborn and give us decent permits that allow people who are coming from around the U.S. to march on the RNC.”

Mick Kelly, also a Coalition spokesperson, states, “We plan on holding the kind of protest that people can bring their families to, and we want permits. We are serious about exercising our right to protest the Republican agenda of racism and reaction. If we do not get the permits we need, we still plan on going to the Quicken Loans Arena – the site of the RNC.”

The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC is planning a July 18 noon time rally at Cleveland Public Square, followed by a march down Ontario to the arena where the RNC is meeting.

Before the press conference, activists promoting protests at the RNC crashed the reopening of Cleveland Square Park, a major civic event featuring Mayor Jackson and many other city officials. Activist held a banner denouncing Trump, and passed out leaflets promoting the protests at the RNC.

Many of the organizations backing the protest have organized large demonstrations at Trump campaign appearances across the U.S. More than 40 immigrant rights, student, anti-war, labor and low-income organizations have announced their support for the protest.

The demonstration will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda. Stand Against Racist, Anti-immigrant and Anti-Muslim Attacks. We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”

#ClevelandOH #RepublicanNationalConvention #DonaldTrump #RNC2016

Cleveland, OH – Organizers of the main protests set for the Republican National Convention met today, June 23, with Cleveland city officials, including high-level representatives of the mayor’s office, public safety and others, to press their demand for permits to march on the Republican National Convention. The meeting followed a ruling in federal court this morning which undercut the city’s attempt to curtail the right to protest at the RNC.

Mick Kelly, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC stated, “Thousands of people are coming to Cleveland July 18 to protest against Trump and his reactionary agenda. At today’s meeting with the city, they once again refused to come across with the permits and we let them know we are prepared to go ahead no matter what.”

Tom Burke, also of the Coalition, stated, “We made it clear to the city that we want permits for a family-friendly rally that starts at 12:00 noon in Public Square Park. We also made it clear that if need be, we will negotiate our march route to the site of the RNC with police on the opening day of the convention if that is what needs to be done.”

Also attending the meeting was Larry Bresler of Organize! Ohio and Bryan Hambley of Stand Together Against Trump (STAT), who are also leading large protests at the RNC.

City officials agreed that another meeting with  protest leaders will take place next week.

#ClevelandOH #2016Elections #DumpTrump #ProtestTheRNC #RNC2016

Tom Burke, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC states, “Organizations are contacting us every day, telling us that want to join this march, and to let the world know that we will stand up to racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks.”

Over the past week, chapters of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Pennsylvania’s West Chester University; the University of MN; Houston, TX; Tampa Bay, FL and Tallahassee, FL have announced their support for the protest.

The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which is leading the fight for community control of Chicago’s police has also decided to back the march on the RNC.

Other groups backing the protest include the Welfare Rights Committee, MN Anti-War Committee, Anti-war Committee Chicago, L.U.P.E – Tucson, AZ, Los Angeles’s Centro CSO, Legalzation for All Network, and the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC).

Mick Kelly, also of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC states, “We expect thousands to join us for the march on the RNC. We have applied for permits, and expect to get them, but we plan on marching whether we get them or not.”

The protest will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda, Stand Against Racist, Anti-Immigrant, and Anti-Muslim Attacks,” and “We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”

Many of the organizers of this protest helped lead the mass marches that drew thousands at the 2008 RNC in Saint Paul, Minnesota and the 2012 RNC in Tampa, Florida.

#ClevelandOH #RepublicanNationalConvention #RNC #Elections #DonaldTrump #DumpTrump #CoalitionToStopTrumpAndMarchOnTheRNC

Cleveland, OH – About 700 activists came together here, for the Movement for Black Lives Convening, on the weekend of July 24 – 25. The gathering comes in the context of a growing struggle against racist discrimination and police terror.

#ClevelandOH #PoliceBrutality #AfricanAmerican #BlackLivesMatter #MovementForBlackLivesConvening #violence

Hoffa, Jr. Fails

A key topic at the convention was how do we grade Junior Hoffa as Teamster president? The answers were telling. He earned an “F” at Anheuser-Busch after disarming the workers and shutting down the unions corporate campaign. To top it off, he then rammed a sub-par contract down their throats.

At Northwest Airlines he tried the same thing, but so far, a rank and file network of activists have rebuffed his pro-management efforts. At United Parcel Service (UPS), he allowed the employer to renege on providing the fulltime jobs won in the historic strike of 1996.

Highlighted at the convention was the largest wildcat strike since the 1970s, against Iowa Beef Products (IBP), an international meat packing company. The strike in Pasco, Washington, lead by Latina/o workers, was an example of true rank and file struggle against the bosses.

In response to this upsurge, Junior Hoffa had the IBP local put into trusteeship, in fear that the old guard leadership would lose the upcoming election to the new leaders. “Our eyes have been opened, and we won't stop fighting,” said a convention participant.

“In short order, Hoffa has made it his priority to undermine rank and file power,” said another convention attendee.

The 1998 TDU-endorsed candidate for International President of the Teamsters, Tom Leedham, summed it up: “The Hoffa people do the same thing over and over again. First they talk tough...then they settle short...and finally they declare victory.” And their sellout of the workers is complete.

Leedham's own history, as a union leader who will fight all-out on behalf of workers, stands in stark contrast to Hoffa's pro-boss tactics. Because of this, TDU members view Tom Leedham as one of their own. Many at the convention were encouraging Leedham to run against Hoffa in 2001.

Vital Role of TDU

Like a magnet, TDU has drawn the best fighters from the rank and file of this important union for the past 25 years.

At the TDU convention, organizing techniques are learned and networks of union activists are formed. New strategies are hatched, debated, and implemented by workers demanding justice from their employers. TDU is always at the center of the class struggle. This convention was no different in that respect.

TDU does not just complain and run candidates. Convention workshops taught Teamsters how to organize their co-workers and fight attacks from the boss as well as the sellouts in the union. Rank and file Teamsters discussed and debated what a reform union should look like.

Showdown Ahead

The next big struggle will be at the union's International Convention, in 2001. The fight to elect reform delegates will occur in every local union of the Teamsters. “This will be an important chance to elect rank and file members instead of fat cats,” said Mike Turnure, TDU activist.

Most people at the TDU convention are convinced that Hoffa is in the process of trying to take away the Rank and File Teamster's right to vote for International Union President and Executive Board. This, no doubt, will be a major fight at the International Convention.

The International Convention will also nominate officers for International President and the Executive Board. The convention can make sweeping changes in the constitution. This could move us forward, or take away gains that have taken decades to win.

The TDU convention voted to initiate delegate campaigns with a reform platform that includes giving local unions the right to change their bylaws to allow elected business agents.

The TDU convention was successful, a rank and file gathering of nearly 500 teamster activists. Any teamster member who wants to fight for a strong and democratic union should plan on attending next year.

#ClevelandOH #News #Teamsters #TDU #HoffaJr #UPS #IowaBeefProducts