Minneapolis, MN – Around two dozen students, journalists and community members gathered outside the Humphrey School of Public Affairs for June 15 press conference addressing the FBI harassment of SDS organizer Gillian Rath, regarding her activism surrounding abortion rights, including the SDS campaign in opposition to government-funded and predatory “crisis pregnancy centers.”

The FBI called Rath several times last week. This FBI harassment of a student organizer is especially troubling given the FBI’s long history of infiltrating and disrupting organizations in student movements stretching back to the 1960s, when student activism took off in response to the Vietnam War and Civil Rights movement. The FBI’s harassment of Rath represents a larger pattern of state repression of progressive activism – further demonstrated by the bogus arrest and brutalization of the Tampa 5.

Local organizer Jess Sundin, speaking as a member of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, made an important point about the FBI harassment and right-wing politics: “Republicans in DC have been calling for the FBI to criminalize this organizing. These are political decisions, and we are here to say no more.” Sundin also drew a connection between the repression faced by student activists like Gillian Rath and the Tampa 5 and her own experience with state repression. Thirteen years ago, the FBI raided the homes of anti-war activists across the country and attempted to bring up bogus charges against them. Just as that unjust attack on the freedom of speech was resisted then, the same attacks are being resisted now.

Sundin stressed that activists should never talk to the FBI.

Ashley Taylor-Gouge spoke on behalf of the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC), expanding on their campaign against predatory crisis pregnancy centers, which are backed by the forces of the religious right and, until recently, received funding from the Minnesota state government. This recent defunding is a major victory won by MNAAC and organizers working to defend abortion rights. Taylor-Gouge stated, “Every time that people rise up to fight back against injustice, we should expect the state to respond with attempts to silence us.”

Rath spoke about her experience with FBI harassment. She drew connections between what has happened to her and the situation of the Tampa 5 in Florida: “This is a direct attack on social movements.”

These instances of state repression of organizers show that the ruling class recognizes the threat that the people’s movements have to their stranglehold on power, and is using every tool at their disposal, from FBI harassment to political arrests in an attempt to suppress the people.

But Rath states, “They see that we will not back down and we will not stand for political repression by the state. Because when they threaten us with arrests, like happened recently here with the UMPD, charges with felonies, or have the FBI harass us, we will just persist and come back stronger.”

#MinneapolisMN #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression #AbortionRights

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression condemns the May 31 arrest of three organizers with the Atlanta Solidarity Fund (ASF). The arrest of the three organizers, who are being called the ASF 3, represents an increase in state repression against the Stop Cop City movement. The ASF has played a pivotal role in jail support and the bailing out of arrested Stop Cop City activists.

On the morning of May 31, the Atlanta Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted a militarized SWAT raid and executed a search warrant on the three activists. The state is alleging trumped up charges of “money laundering” and “charity fraud.” These arrests are meant to further criminalize any form of dissent against the building of Cop City.

The ASF was started in 2017 and was instrumental in supporting and defending protestors arrested during the 2020 George Floyd uprisings and Stop Cop City movement. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp released a statement following the arrest of the ASF 3 referring to them as “criminals who facilitated and encouraged domestic terrorism.”

The only crime the ASF 3 are guilty of is defending the people from violent state repression that is meant to silence any form of dissent against Cop City. If found guilty of these trumped up charges a dangerous precedent will be set for those organizing against political repression in the future.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is urging all supporters to stand in solidarity with the ASF 3 and demand the charges be dropped now.

#AtlantaGA #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression

Atlanta, GA – Hundreds gathered in the Atlanta Forest over the March 5-6 weekend to demand justice for Manny “Tortuguita” Paez, and that the Atlanta forest be saved,and Cop City not be built. The events over the weekend included a two-day music festival and a protest inside the Atlanta Forest. Georgia law enforcement agencies ended the music festival early by arresting and charging 22 attendants with domestic terrorism charges.

The music festival and protest were part of a week of action against the proposed Cop City development. Saturday featured local musical acts such as rapper Zach Fox and hardcore band Symbiote. The music festival continued the next day with a protest in the forest. During the protest individuals allegedly overran a police security outpost and set pieces of police and construction equipment on fire.

In response, multiple Georgia law enforcement agencies raided the music festival and began arresting people indiscriminately. Of the over 30 that were arrested, 22 are currently being charged with state-level domestic terrorism charges.

“The Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR) stands in solidarity with the Cop City protesters against these bogus terrorism charges,” said Tom Burke of the CSFR. “The Atlanta police murdered environmental activist Manny Paez last month and then lied about it. The cops are terrorizing people in Atlanta and then lying every time they open their mouths.”

Activists are not letting the state repression deter them and are continuing to organize to defend the Atlanta Forest and to stop Cop City.

#AtlantaGA #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #Tortuguita #CopCity

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression condemns the violent state repression against anti-Cop City activists. On January 18 Georgia State Patrol murdered Stop Cop City activist and Atlanta Forest defender Manuel Paez, also known as “Tortuguita.” On January 21, six Stop Cop City activists were charged with domestic terrorism after a protest in downtown Atlanta. We stand in solidarity with the activists and against the escalation in repression by the state of Georgia.

The proposed Public Safety Training Center, or Cop City as it’s being called by activists, would be an $80 million state-of-the-art police training facility built in the Atlanta Forest. Cop City would allow police officers from around the state of Georgia to come and train in new innovative ways to oppress and brutalize the people. Additionally, the building of Cop City would have catastrophic effects for the environment as the Atlanta Forest is one of the few remaining urban forests in the country.

Paez was murdered by Georgia State Patrol for the crime of defending the Atlanta Forest. Paez had been occupying the forest to prevent the building of Cop City. In the evening of January 18, Georgia State Patrol murdered Paez in cold blood. It’s still not clear what happened that night and accounts of what happened contradict one another but what we do know is clear: the extra-judicial killing of Paez is meant to further repress the movement to stop Cop City.

On January 21, six protesters were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism, with four of the protesters being denied bond and the remaining two having their bonds set to over $350,000. This represents even further repression of the Stop Cop City movement by the state of Georgia.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges all supporters to participate in local events demanding that Cop City not be built, and in defense of the Atlanta Forest. Supporters should also attend events to remember Paez and demand the charges against the six activists be dropped.

Justice for Tortuguita!

Stop Cop City!

Defend the Atlanta Forest!

#UnitedStates #PoliceBrutality #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression

Brooklyn, NY – Around 20 organizers and community members gathered at noon on August 5 for a press conference, organized by The December 12th Movement, to denounce the FBI raids on African Socialist Party.

The press conference included powerful speakers from December 12, Black is Back, Struggle La Lucha, the Panthers, and a few openly socialist elected officials.

Collin Poirot, a member of the New York Community Action Project, spoke on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild. They said, “By targeting people who have built relationships with progressive forces in other countries, the U.S. government intends to intimidate those in the U.S. who would stand up and fight back against U.S. wars abroad and offer solidarity to resistance movements.”

Poirot continued “The U.S. government intends to isolate the domestic struggle and prevent activists from developing a truly internationalist understanding of oppression and imperialism.”

The speeches all spoke of resolute solidarity with the raided activists and opposition to repression.

#NewYorkNY #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

On the morning of Friday, July 29th, the FBI conducted raids at multiple locations, including the Uhuru House in St. Petersburg, Florida, the private residence of Omali Yeshitela in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as the Uhuru Solidarity Center, also in St. Louis. The FBI employed flashbang grenades and handcuffed Yeshitela and his wife while the house was raided. The FBI says that the raids are connected to the federal indictment of a Russian man, Aleksandr Ionov, alleging that he has been working to spread “Russian propaganda” in the United States.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression and the National Alliance Against Racist and Pollical Repression unequivocally condemn these raids. We oppose all efforts by the U.S. government to target activists in any progressive movement in this country. We call for an end to investigations, political harassment, and threats against activists and our movements.

The DOJ is alleging that those raided collaborated with a “Russian asset” to spread “Russian propaganda.” At a time when the US is engaged in an imperialist proxy war with Russia in the Ukraine, these raids have all the makings of a witch hunt. All progressive people should oppose any attempt by the FBI and police to attack people's movements and organizations. We must always be vigilant about defending our democratic rights to organize and speak out against injustice – including communicating with activists in other countries and building international solidarity. It should also be said this repression come in the context of upsurge of struggle in the Black community.

The National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression are committed to pushing back against this repression and we stand in solidarity with those under attack.

We know from experience how importance resistance to repression is. On September 24, 2010 the FBI raided seven homes of anti-war activists and the office of the Twin Cities Anti-War committee. Twenty-three activists were subpoenaed to a Chicago-based grand jury that claimed to be investigating “material support for terrorism.” As time went on, the FBI continued their attack on anti-war and international solidarity activists by targeting important veterans of the movement who worked with the Anti-war 23, including Chicano activist Carlos Montes in Los Angeles and Palestinian organizer Rasmea Odeh in Chicago. A national defense campaign defeated most of these attacks.

All those active in the movements for peace and justice should use this moment as a reminder to never speak with agents of the federal government prying into your activism or the activism of others. “I have nothing to say, please speak with my lawyer,” are all that need to be said. If you are being taken into custody, all you are required by law to do is confirm your name and tell them that you would like to speak with your lawyer. If federal or local agents show up at your home or organizing office, do not let them in without a warrant, and if they have a warrant, inspect the details of the warrant closely – if any detail is incorrect, such as the spelling of a name or address, point out the error and do not permit entry onto the premises.

Don’t talk to the FBI!

Stop FBI repression!

#UnitedStates #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression #NationalAllianceAgainstRacistAndPoliticalRepressionNAARPR

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression denounces the State of Israel criminalizing six Palestinian human rights and mass organizations, falsely labeling them terrorist. This desperate move by Israeli officials is provocative and dangerous. It criminalizes political speech and the right to organize people who already live under occupation. An occupation funded by the U.S. government, and backed politically by the Biden administration. President Biden should speak out against mislabeling and criminalizing Palestinian people. Biden should curb Antony Blinken.

U.S. government repression is the reason why the CSFR. The Antiwar 23 were raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and subpoenaed to a grand jury in 2010, when Joe Biden was Vice-President. The Antiwar 23 resisted the attack and continue in solidarity with Palestine.

The CSFR next campaigned to defend Chicano leader Carlos Montes in Los Angeles, and then Palestinian women’s icon Rasmea Odeh in Chicago and Detroit, as they faced political repression. Whether the attacks are launched by the FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Force, or Homeland Security, we are there to stand against racist and political repression.

The U.S. often imports the repressive measures Israel uses to violate rights here in the U.S. With this latest round of political repression by Israel, we see a truly international solidarity that can push them back and create more support for the Palestinian people in their struggle.

Adding to the huge number of important organizations around the world, the CSFR stands with the six targeted organizations: Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Group, Association Al-Haq, Defense for Children International Palestine, Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Agriculture Work Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees.

The six groups offer vital services to Palestinians as well as exposing Israel's human rights violations. Several are providing evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) of Israel's war crimes and human rights abuses, certainly one of the reasons for this latest Israeli crackdown.

Israel’s mislabeling tactics are a part of its ongoing attempts to silence and destroy Palestinian organizations and voices so important in the struggle for Palestinian liberation. CSFR calls upon the Biden administration to condemn this repressive measure and to end U.S. aid to Israel.

The six prominent Palestinian human rights and civil society groups subject to the decree are as follows:

Defense for Children International – Palestine

-- Investigates, documents, and exposes human rights violations against Palestinian children in Israeli military detention, who routinely undergo physical abuse and are frequently denied adequate access to a lawyer or their family.

-- DCIP is the only Palestinian human rights organization specifically focused on children’s rights.

-- Provides legal services to children targeted by the Israeli occupation and its military court system.

-- Holds both Israeli and Palestinian authorities accountable to universal human rights principles.

Al-Haq

-- Al-Haq is the leading Palestinian human rights organization pushing for accountability for Israeli crimes in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

-- Documents human rights violations in Palestine irrespective of the identity of the perpetrator.

-- Prepares reports, studies, and papers to share with the international community.

-- Works with Palestinian organizations and the government to ensure that Palestinian law and policies abide by international human rights standards.

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Organization

-- Tracks detailed data on Israel’s mass incarceration of Palestinian children, political prisoners and those imprisoned without charge or trial.

-- Tracks and raises awareness on conditions inside Israeli prisons that violate human rights.

-- Works to end torture of Palestinian prisoners; offers free legal aid to political prisoners, and educations the public on prisoners’ rights.

Bisan Center for Research and Development-- Serves as a community resource for research and development models for a besieged Palestinian society under Israel’s illegal military occupation.

-- Works with low-income Palestinians to push for their socioeconomic rights.

-- Develops community youth programs.

-- Works to end violence against women through social campaigns, empowering grassroots groups, research, and media.

The Union of Agricultural Work Committees

-- Promotes the rights of Palestinian farmers facing threats of land theft and violence under Israeli occupation.

-- Promotes sustainable farming practices and works to achieve food security in Palestine.

-- Pushes for sovereignty over natural resources as the threat of climate change increases.

The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees -- Works to empower Palestinian women through promoting participation and representation in civil society institutions.

-- Pushes against gender discrimination and encourages women to achieve economic independence.

-- Educates young women about their rights.

-- Provides psychological and legal support to women in need.

#UnitedStates #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #MiddleEast #PeoplesStruggles #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #FreePalestine

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

On the heels of its defeat in Afghanistan, the United States government has made it clear it is now once again setting its sights on anti-war activists in the United States. Their latest target is Joe Lombardo, a leader of the country's largest anti-imperialist coalition.

Joe Lombardo is 73 years old and has been an organizer in the anti-war movement for decades. He is a cofounder and lead organizer for Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, a local anti-war group based near Albany, New York. Lombardo also serves on the administrative committee for the country’s largest and most active coalition of anti-intervention organizations, the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC).

UNAC and its member organizations are consistent in their unequivocal and vocal opposition to all forms of U.S. imperialism, from criminal sanctions and embargos to illegal coups and military interventions.

As one of the coalitions’ main leaders, Joe has helped to coordinate conferences, mass mobilizations and webinars around the issues of peace and justice at home and abroad for UNAC. In his long time as an activist, Joe has travelled to countries throughout the world as an ambassador for peace and human rights.

This week, federal agents once again made their move against the anti-war movement. Out of the blue, they called Joe’s ex-wife for questioning. The FBI agents pressed her to answer questions over the phone and to meet in person discuss Joe’s past activities and travels. They specifically asked about Joe’s 2019 trip to Venezuela, which he took as part of a U.S. Peace Delegation.

The feds rely on the fact that the average person is caught off guard and gets very nervous when federal agents come knocking with demands for information. Luckily, Joe Lombardo’s ex-wife knew to reach out to him and to a movement lawyer and made the correct decision not to meet or speak with the FBI about Joe.

All those active in the movements for peace and justice should use this moment as a reminder to never speak with agents of the federal government prying into your political activism or the activism of others. “I have nothing to say, please speak with my lawyer,” are all that need to be said. Activists should also take the time to educate friends and family members on this subject as well. Although not necessary, having the name of a movement or civil liberties lawyer on hand could help people feel less nervous in such a situation.

All this begs the question: why is the federal government once again going after anti-war activists? The powers that be, Democrat or Republican, feel threatened by the influence and power of our people’s movements and will use any opportunity to try to criminalize, silence or destroy them. An attack on one is certainly an attack on all. Solidarity is always the order of the day.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR) stands in unwavering support of our brother in the movement, Joe Lombardo. We oppose all efforts by the U.S. government to target activists in any progressive movement in this country. We call for an end to investigations, political harassment and threats against activists and our movements.

#UnitedStates #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression #JoeLombardo

Laredo, TX – Alec Martinez refused to be questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at his home in Laredo, Texas on June 8, 2020. Martinez, like tens of thousands of Chicano youth, is active in mass marches opposing police killings and in solidarity with the George Floyd uprising in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Three FBI agents approached Alec’s home speaking in Spanish, but only identified themselves when Alec asked his relative who was outside.

A video shows the lead FBI agent handing Alec his badge saying, “There’s no problems. We just want to talk to you, concerning you know, I know you’ve been pretty busy so, but again there’s no problems.” The FBI agent waves to the other men present, “They are also with the FBI, do you have a few minutes?”

Alec replies, “I’m happy not to speak to you guys. I would like to speak to an attorney before communicating with you all.”

The lead FBI agent says, “Alright, no problem.”

The second FBI agent jumps in, “There’s no issues, I guarantee there’s no problems with you. At all! That’s fine if you don’t want to speak.”

Then third FBI agent takes his turn, “There isn’t any sort of criminal investigation. Just so you know there is no reason for you to be looking for an attorney. We are not looking at you in that sense.”

Martinez, “Well that’s great to hear. Bye-bye”

“No good can come from speaking to the FBI”

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression wants to remind friends and comrades, “No good can come from speaking to the FBI.”

Alec Martinez did the right thing by refusing to speak, instead offering to have an attorney present. The FBI agents were taken off guard because Alec Martinez was prepared for them. The FBI agents all made backhanded threats, before exiting quickly.

Don’t be intimidated. Do the right thing. Confirm your name and address, give a lawyer’s phone number, but don’t speak to the FBI. If you are caught lying to the FBI it can be a five-year prison sentence. One case was prominent in the news recently.

Trump unleashing repression

Right now, the FBI under President Trump is stepping up political repression and attempting to intimidate leaders, new and old. The FBI is the political police in a vast system of repression. That system is in crisis as millions across the U.S. stand up against police crimes and killings of African American, Chicano and other people.

The FBI exists to repress our freedom of assembly and free speech. They act as the “thought police” in a society facing the biggest rebellion since the late 1960s. Today’s FBI is more diverse, more polite, and dressed in business casual, but their business is still racist and political repression. Don’t speak to the FBI.

Click to see the video of Martinez rejecting the FBI. For more information about the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, visit https://stopfbi.org/

#LaredoTX #PoliceBrutality #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #Texas

Nine years ago, on September 24, 2010, the FBI raided and subpoenaed Midwest anti-war and international solidarity activists in a bogus attempt to discover “material support of terrorism.” The FBI’s campaign of repression ordered more than 70 FBI agents to raid seven homes and two offices of leading activists in Minneapolis and Chicago. The FBI subpoenaed those raided, and that same morning subpoenaed others in those cities as well as Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Some of those raided were longtime veterans of our movement; some were mothers, some were trade unionists, and some were members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization – but all were targeted for speaking out in solidarity with working and oppressed people, especially in Palestine and Colombia.

On the same day, the FBI also sent agents to intimidate activists in California, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

More subpoenas came in the weeks after, until a total of 23 were summoned. The government threatened to jail anyone who failed to appear before a secretive grand jury in Chicago, but that threat could not break the spirit of those who made up the Anti-War 23. After a ferocious defense campaign that saw a staggering amount of support from all over the world for the activists, none of those targeted by the FBI appeared before any grand juries and none went to prison.

A grand jury is a kangaroo court that is designed so the prosecution gets its desired outcome. Witnesses, even those being compelled to appear, are not allowed an attorney. There is an old saying that a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. Put another way, it’s a court that allows the rich and powerful to do whatever they want. We see that a grand jury will never indict on police misconduct but will attack anyone the prosecutor tells it to. Instead of giving in, the Anti-War 23 and friends spoke out about the government's attempt to intimidate them because of their ideas and activism. Their voices were heard around the world and caused many to speak out as well.

The government was upset that people were speaking out against injustices in Colombia, Palestine and in other places where people were fighting for liberation. A year later, the government raised the stakes by launching another raid on the home of famous Chicano liberation leader Carlos Montes in Los Angeles. Montes faced trumped-up charges but returned to the streets and continued to speak out and organize. The case against him was defeated.

The government then arrested an icon of the Palestinian liberation movement, Rasmea Odeh. Odeh was a veteran organizer community in Chicago. She was forced to depart the U.S. after an almost four-year legal and political struggle. Rasmea Odeh and her defense campaign put Israel on trial for its crimes and lifted up the cause of Palestinian liberation.

Evidence, including court documents, established that the raids on the Anti-War 23 and the cases of Rasmea Odeh and Carlos Montes were closely linked.

Support for all those targeted continued to grow, and the activists continued to resist and fight the repression. Concentrated repression like this was relatively rare after the 1970s, but we proved that you can fight back and win. It was the outpouring of support and the principled stand of those targeted not to appear before any grand juries that helped carry the day. Trade unions, student groups, community organizations and a broad solidarity network capable of organizing protests in over 100 cities around the world sent a clear message that we will not be intimidated.

As a whole, the enemy's attack was defeated and ongoing attempts to silence our movements continue to be held back. Our movements remain vigilant and understand that these attacks are not over, and our solidarity with one another grows stronger everyday.

Activists from all over, including many who directly faced the raids nine years ago, are planning to attend an important conference this fall. On November 22-24, they will attend a conference to refound the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression in Chicago. The NAARPR is an important organization that has led many critical struggles over the past 46 years, including struggles similar to the defense of the Anti-War 23 and their friends. Important organizers like Angela Davis and Frank Chapman will be there to help lead the conference. Activists from around the United States will plan ways to build the fight against police crimes, for community control of the police, to build the fight for the wrongfully incarcerated, and to support those who resist state repression like the Anti-War 23. Everyone who wants to stand up for justice and build these fights should register online at https://conference.naarpr.org/ and attend the NAARPR conference in Chicago.

The battle for justice is far from over, and this event is a step on the road towards liberation.

#ChicagoIL #FBI #Repression #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #AntiWar23 #PoliticalRepression

New York, NY – Over 1000 people gathered at Herald Square on Sunday, April 15, to rally against U.S. wars abroad and at home. The event was part of a national call for Spring Action, where anti-war groups came together to speak out against Trump’s attacks, as well as U.S. imperialism. The protest itself happened just days after Trump launched more missiles at Syria.

The speakers included veterans, students, labor activists and national liberation groups. Each gave their own perspective on why everyone should oppose U.S. wars. Many spoke to the amount of money spent on war, as opposed to social programs, and the importance of standing with people living in countries targeted by the U.S.

Michela Martinazzi from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression NYC stated “Whether you’re doing anti-gentrification work, whether you’re doing immigration work, whether you’re standing up for Palestine or the Philippines or Colombia, you are dealing blows to U.S. imperialism and they know that.”

After speakers fired up the crowd at Herald Square, the crowd marched to Trump Tower. Protest chants included “Hands off Syria!” “From Palestine, to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machine!”

The protest was organized by the United National Antiwar Coalition and many others.

#NewYorkNY #AntiwarMovement #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #UNAC

New York, NY – Organizers gathered at the International Action Center, Jan. 16, for a panel called “After J20: Fighting Back Against Political Repression.” The panel was organized by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression – NYC (CSFR) as part of the #DaysOfRage. The #DaysOfRage is building towards a final rally on Jan. 20, which is the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of Trump.

The purpose of the panel was to bring up cases of political repression during the Trump era, and how organizers fought back for victories.

The panel was emceed by Michela Martinazzi, an organizer with the CSFR, who began the event by explaining why the event was important in this time. Martinazzi stated, “Because what is political repression? It’s when the state attacks people who are actively organizing to dismantle a system – it’s targeting based on one’s political beliefs and actions. It takes on a different character than other state attacks, such as attacks on gender or race, and therefore must be organized around differently.”

The first speaker was Leilani Dowell from the Worker’s World Party. Dowell gave an excellent and in-depth overview of the case of the Durham Fighters – a group of activists who tore down a Confederate statue back in August 2017. These organizers initially were facing felony charges but, as Dowell explained, through organizing their charges were dropped to misdemeanors. Dowell finished by saying, “Since that statue came down in August, we coined that phrase ‘do it like Durham,’ which is a statement we can get behind. It’s an understanding of militant struggle and never ceasing organizing despite what the racist state put against them. We have to incorporate that in our bodies, souls, and organizing until we tear down the rotten system.”

The next speaker was Christian Valencia, one of the 200 J20 defendants arrested during the Jan. 20, 2017 inauguration protests. Valencia explained the details leading up to the mass arrest of and blanket felony charging of the 200 people.

Talking about the J20 case, Valencia stated, “It’s been difficult because many people have dismissed the J20 defendants as a bunch of people causing trouble and wrecking stuff. And not getting that it’s actually very important, regardless of the politics involved, because that was the first clash between the real resistance, and not the coopted Democrats’ resistance, and the Trump administration.” Valencia then finished by saying, “We can’t really be [engaged] in sectarianism right now because we’re all in the same boat. We’re all fighting against this regime. They don’t care what our ideological differences are. They just care that we’re against them.”

The panel was finished with Jessica Schwartz, an organizer with CSFR, who elucidated on different cases of political repression and the different tactics that were used to win those respective cases. She brought up the cases of the Anti-War 23, Carlos Montes, Rasmea Odeh, the Jax5, and the Holy Land 5. Schwartz stated, “As activists, we must organize campaigns that target laws and institutions that seek to repress us into complacency. As we’ve seen from history, with programs like COINTELPRO, the enemy is always watching and ready to wreck our movements from the inside. However, it is up to us to remain strong and fight back, never cowering in the face of the enemy.”

The panel ended with a brief Q and A and the chant, “When activists are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!”

The final action for the #DaysOfRage is this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Grand Central Station. All the groups who organized for the week of action will be attending and protesting Trump, his administration and the evils of capitalism.

#NewYorkNY #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #PoliticalPrisoners #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #RasmeaOdeh #Antifascism #NYC #J20 #DurhamFighters

New York, NY – On the evening of Dec. 10, approximately 70 activists gathered at the Philippine Consulate on 5th Avenue to protest the regime of President Duterte and to demand an end to its state-sanctioned mass killings.

The rally was held on International Human Rights Day, a time to remember and reinforce the need for democracy and human rights, and to highlight the crimes against the people of the Philippines under the Duterte’s rule.

Since Rodrigo Duterte took power there has been a wave of human rights abuses. It began with the Drug Wars, which Duterte claimed was a way to cleanse the Philippines of crimes, but instead were used to murder over 13,000 civilians. Second, Duterte has reinstated martial law in Mindanao, hurting indigenous people. Most recently, Duterte forces have murdered militant fighters for democracy and named the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as a terrorist organization.

The escalation of human rights abuses against people supporting the National Democratic movement began shortly after President Donald Trump’s visit.

The rally aimed to stand in solidarity with those fighting the Philippines, remember the struggles of those who died at the hands of repression, and wage forward in the fight for liberation. The event was organized by Bayan USA and was attended by members of a multitude of different organizations such as: Migrante, Gabriella NY, Anakbayan NY and NJ, NYC Students for Justice in Palestine, Committee to Stop FBI Repression – NY, and the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoners Solidarity Network.

In between speeches, the chants rang out from the people, including “No justice, no peace! No more war in the Philippines,” and “U.S. imperialist, number one terrorist!”

Organizers used a projector to shine slogans onto the walls of the consulate with phrases such as, “Fight against the fascist U.S.-Duterte regime” throughout the night’s event.

Mike Legaspi, from Bayan USA, closed the rally saying, “Rodrigo Duterte, like all the other puppet presidents, will be relegated to the garbage bin of history. It's been a little of a year since he's been president and when he came in, people of the Philippines were so optimistic. A lot of people who organize for the National Democratic movement were also optimistic because they thought he would bring an end to the decades long civil war through peace talks. He did initially open up peace talks with the National Democratic movement of the Philippines and the CPP, but he has recently cancelled these peace talks. Now Duterte and his military supporters have deemed the CPP as terrorist. But Duterte has gone beyond this and said that the legal democratic mass movement is also terrorist. That means that he's looking for terrorists when all he has to do is look in the mirror.”

#NewYorkNY #Philippines #CommunistPartyOfThePhilippines #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #StudentsForJusticeInPalestine #SamidounPalestinianPrisonerSolidarityNetwork #RodrigoDuterte #Migrante #GabriellaNY #Anakyaban #Asia

New York, NY – Around 150 people gathered in Herald Square, Oct. 7, to protest war at home and abroad on the 16th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan.

50 groups signed on to the call to action to oppose U.S. imperialism.

Bayan USA spoke about how the U.S. wars affects the Philippines under the rule of Duterte. SPARC (Serve the People – Awaken Revolutionary Consciousness) spoke about how imperialism is closely connected to gentrification at home and displacement of working class and oppressed people. Worker’s World Party spoke about the need to support nations, such as Venezuela and Korea, targeted by the U.S.

Michela Martinazzi from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression spoke on the need to defend anti-war activists when they’re targeted, stating, “The government targets activists and organizers because they want to shut down the movement. They want to shut us down. But I can say that we won’t get shut down. We won’t stop defending our political warriors.”

Juyeon Rhee from the Nodutdol for Korean Community Development spoke about the need of a united Korea, “If there will be a war, it won't be new to us. We've been under war for the last 70 years. The U.S. shouldn’t decide for us, and they should let us decide how we go about our affairs for a united Korea.” She ended her speech with the chant, “End the Korean War! Peace treaty now!”

The rally ended with powerful words from one the three emcees, Nerdeen Kiswani from New York City Students for Justice in Palestine who urged all the attendees to not let this event be the only thing they do, but to join an organization and join the movement.

#NewYorkNY #AntiwarMovement #Afghanistan #BAYAN #WorkersWorld #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression

New York, NY – Over 47 groups have signed on to the Oct. 7 day of action against U.S. imperialism. People will converge at on Saturday October 7, in New York City’s Herald Square, 34th Street, at 1 p.m.

The day is important because it marks the 16th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Since then, the U.S. has continued a relentless campaign of war and genocide in every country it invades, from Iraq to Libya. The U.S. government claims it does this for humanitarian purposes, but the death toll says otherwise.

The organizers of the rally have agreed upon simple, yet straightforward demands for the day. These include U.S. out of everywhere; stop the attacks on migrants, refugees and Muslims; No war, no sanctions; and the right to self-determination.

Organizers ask all to come out and join them in resisting war and racism, at home and abroad this Saturday.

To find out more, go to the Facebook Event.

#NewYorkNewYork #AntiwarMovement #Afghanistan #PeoplesStruggles #PuertoRico #Iraq #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression

The raids and grand jury investigation were designed for three purposes.

First, as an act of repression against the antiwar movement. The homes and office targeted in the raid were those of organizers of the anti-war march on the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 2008.

That objective backfired instead, as the anti-war movement was revived by the defense campaign of the 23 grand jury resisters, and later by the case of Carlos Montes. We defeated the threats to compel us to testify or face prison time for contempt; then we won a victory in court for Carlos. Many of the targeted activists went on to help lead the largest anti-war march during the Obama years, protesting the NATO summit in Chicago in 2012.

Second, while our solidarity with the struggle in Colombia was the thing that first got the attention of the undercover cop who infiltrated the Twin Cities based Anti-War Committee in 2008, the U.S. Attorney leading the investigation subsequently became focused on the growing movement in support of Palestinian rights. That repression continues today with the increasingly desperate efforts by Zionists, politicians, the FBI and university administrators to attack the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement that targets Israel for its crimes against the Palestinian people. But the movement in support of Palestine continues to grow.

The most powerful show of support for Palestine has been the movement that embraced Rasmea Odeh as she resisted the racist attack that resulted in her deportation last week. We miss her terribly, and even though the cabal within the Department of Justice was successful in taking her from her home in Chicago, the courage and steadfastness she taught us helped the forces in the U.S. supporting Palestinian liberation make a great advance over the four years since she was arrested.

Of course, Rasmea’s case itself grew from the unconstitutional case against the Anti-war 23. When Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas failed to get any of the 23 to testify to his grand jury, the Joint Terrorism Task Force first went after Carlos, and then Rasmea.

Last night, Hatem Abudayyeh and I spoke with Chicago Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa after he was honored at the dinner of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. We thanked him for having the courage of his convictions by refusing to renounce his pro-Palestinian views, a decision that caused him to lose his position as candidate for lieutenant governor in Illinois, as the running mate of Daniel Biss, who dropped him from the ticket. This is one more example that solidarity with Palestine is taking hold in the hearts of people from all nationalities here.

Finally, the raids were an attack on Freedom Road Socialist Organization. We know that we were singled out among the forces in the anti-war movement because we were becoming more effective as an organization. I’m here to report that our effectiveness continues to grow. To see evidence of that, you need only read the stories of struggle across the country that are posted every day at FightBackNews.org - most of which involve members of our organization.

On this morning, I salute my fellow grand jury resisters.

Stop FBI Repression! From Syria to Colombia to the Philippines, End U.S. Wars! From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free!

#ChicagoIL #FBI #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #AntiWar23 #PoliticalRepression

Detroit, MI – Palestinian American icon Rasmea Odeh made her final court appearance in Detroit on August 17. Odeh knew the sentence before she arrived. The defense and prosecution agreed to a sentence of removal from the U.S., and Judge Gerswhin Drain approved. Odeh was looking forward to making her public statement before the court.

Defense attorney Michael Deutsch spoke first, explaining how beloved and respected Rasmea Odeh is in Chicago, and all the good work with Palestinian immigrant women and their families. Deutsch explained, “This case should never have been brought.”

Then U.S. prosecutor Jonathan Tukel responded by talking about terrorism charges and that she was found guilty of fraud, but failing to mention Odeh’s successful appeal.

Finally Odeh was invited to speak. 150 Rasmea Odeh supporters who came to rally in pouring rain packed the courtroom and nearly filled the overflow room where they watched on large video monitors. Odeh addressed Judge Drain, saying her remarks were not directed at him personally, and she appreciated being allowed to tell her story.

In an effort to give context to why she was on trial, Odeh began to explain how her family, village, and people were forced at gunpoint from their homes and land, with many being shot and murdered by Zionists. “They turned us into a stranger in our own country. They pushed us into refugee camps in Palestine and other Arab countries.”

Judge Drain interrupted, saying the case is about false statements on applications, not about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Not missing a beat, Odeh replied by looking over at prosecutor Tukel and saying, “I am not a terrorist. My people are not terrorists. I want to prove that we are not terrorists.”

She added, “The U.S. must be held responsible for their support and financing of Israeli crimes.”

Drain interrupts again, backhandedly threatening Odeh with contempt of court, and repeating what he said, but adding “I don’t want to hear any more about this Israel-Paki...Palestine.”

There were three interruptions by Judge Drain, but when Odeh finished, the overflow room clapped and cheered for her.

Odeh now must report to ICE and work out a plan with them. Fight Back! will follow and report on this as details are revealed. Odeh will spend no time in jail, Judge Drain released her bond, and she loses her citizenship prior to being deported.

As 150 people rallied outside the Detroit court, Rasmea Odeh spoke in Arabic, saying, “I am angry the judge did not let me tell my story. This is not a case about lying on a form. It is a case of being Palestinian and our work in the community. It is political.”

She finished saying, “The U.S. is a partner in the crimes of Israel. We will continue to struggle for our cause! We will liberate our Palestine!”

#DetroitMI #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #Palestine #WomensMovement #PeoplesStruggles #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #politicalRepression #RasmeaOdeh #MiddleEast

Cambridge, MA – Forty people, Harvard Law students and Boston anti-war activists, heard Tom Burke speak at Harvard Law School on April 20. Burke, a spokesperson for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, spoke on the topic of “Building the movement against Trump’s agenda and opposing political repression.”

Burke said, “We need to build our movements at a national level to stop Trump’s attacks. The airport protests opposing the Muslim ban are a good example of how we can win victories. The airport protests, like the one in Chicago, showed the people have a lot power. In NYC when the cab drivers acted in solidarity by not driving fares to JFK airport, it showed how labor can shut things down and make a difference.”

In another example Burke said, “The Milwaukee Coalition Against Trump, MCAT, forced Trump to cancel his visit to the Harley Davidson plant in Menomonee Falls. The Harley workers contacted MCAT leaders and the stage was set for thousands of people to protest Trump’s appearance. Trump was forced to cancel, just like during the primary when 10,000 shut Trump down at the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

In terms of political repression, Burke said, “Trump’s Muslim ban is political. It targets the Middle East countries the U.S. is at war with. The seven countries the U.S. bombs, drone attacks, or sends in Special Forces to kill people, like the 8-year-old girl in Yemen who was an American citizen. No arrest or trial for her.”

He continued, “This is also why Palestinian American activist Rasmea Odeh is being targeted for deportation. This is why Simon Trinidad, the Colombian revolutionary, is in solitary confinement in the Florence Colorado Supermax prison, a casualty of the Colombian peace process. The Jacksonville Five in Florida were beat up by police for holding an anti-war rally. We are seeing more of this under Trump.”

The lunchtime lecture was hosted by Unbound: Harvard Journal of the Legal Left and the Harvard Chapter of the National Lawyer’s Guild.

#CambridgeMA #TomBurke #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression

Detroit, MI – Over 100 supporters of Rasmea Odeh chanted her name in excitement as she emerged from the Federal Court Building in downtown Detroit on June 13. The crowd could see on Odeh’s face that she had good news. Slightly embarrassed by all the attention,she eventually waved for supporters to cross the street and join her for a press conference.

Odeh then announced to the gathered reporters and Palestine solidarity activists that the discussions went well and that we were moving forward given the successful appeal. Odeh said, “We want you to continue to help build our movement across the country as we seek justice. I need you now more than ever. It is together that we can win.”

Odeh and her defense lawyers met with Judge Gershwin Drain and the U.S. prosecutors in Detroit on June 13. Outside the court, more than 100 people picketed, chanted and gave speeches for three hours.

Today’s court appearance follows Odeh’s victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6 th Circuit in Cincinnati on Oct. 14 last year. The appeal was successful, but it was not yet clear whether it would lead to a new trial.

Defense attorney Michael Deutsch announced, “There is a tentative date for a new trial on January 10 of next year.” This caused many in the crowd to smile and cheer as they realized Judge Drain was accepting the appeals court rulings.

Deutsch follow up, “The next scheduled hearing will take place on Nov. 29 and we will argue for the PTSD experts to give testimony in a new trial. The government will argue against the PTSD expert testimony being allowed.”

Rasmea Odeh is a Palestinian woman dedicated to organizing women in the Arab American and other communities in Chicago. In fact, she has won public awards for her organizing efforts. For more than two years now, she has been fighting political repression by the U.S. government. Technically she is charged with a minor immigration paper work violation, but U.S. prosecutors have blown it up into a political case.

The PTSD expert matters because Odeh was tortured, made to sign a confession, and then imprisoned by an Israeli military occupation in 1969. Judge Drain never allowed Odeh to testify, nor to even mention the Israeli military torture and its impact on her. In attempting to deny the political nature of the U.S. prosecution of Rasmea Odeh, Judge Drain left no room for a defense argument in his courtroom.

Mick Kelly of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression said, “The whole world knows about Rasmea because of our ongoing campaign. Our victories are adding up! This is a political trial carried out by an empire trying desperately to shore up an increasingly unpopular and unstable Israel. It is an injustice that charges were brought against Rasmea Odeh in the first place. So again we say, “Drop the charges now!”

#DetroitMI #Palestine #PeoplesStruggles #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #politicalRepression #CSFR #RasmeaOdeh #MI

Schwartz found another card stuck in a car window on the driveway and she says, “My brother let me know the FBI left a message on our home phone asking me to contact FBI Special Agent Fears for an interview. I have no intention of speaking to the FBI, but I did contact the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and a lawyer.”

Schwartz is a leader in the Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR)-Tampa, one of the most active local groups in the country. Schwartz travels to the court dates of Palestinian icon Rasmea Odeh in other cities, and leads local solidarity rallies. She recently spoke about Rasmea Odeh to 70 people at a protest in Miami to close Guantanamo prison.

The U.S. government is targeting 68-year-old Rasmea Odeh because of her lifelong support for Palestine. After living and organizing in Chicago for 20 years, Odeh is awaiting an appeal decision. Odeh’s case is also linked directly to the Anti-war 23.

The FBI raided 23 anti-war and international solidarity activists in September of 2010. The subpoenas to a grand jury in Chicago claimed to be investigating “material support for terrorism” in Colombia and Palestine. The Anti-war 23 refused to appear at the witch hunt, and a new movement against political repression was born with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

In the course of the 2010 FBI raids, the FBI lost a file that contained, among other things, interrogation questions for members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). The file became public and it revealed the FBI’s political agenda. Young activists like Schwartz joined the FRSO despite the repression.

Political repression is not a new phenomenon in Tampa either. Tampa is where Professor Sami Al-Arian went on hunger strike against one of the first cases of political repression under the Bush administration. FBI and Homeland Security harassment of Muslims, Arab Americans and anti-war activists is particularly notorious in Tampa, with police bragging about it following the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Schwartz underscored, “Nothing good can come out of talking to the FBI. They are the political police. They are not going to help you or our movements for peace and justice. Their job is to serve and protect the rich and powerful. So don’t talk to them, just say, ‘No thanks.’ Then hang up, close the door, or walk away.”

#TampaFl #PeoplesStruggles #FBI #FederalBureauOfInvestigationFBI #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #Florida #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #JessicaSchwartz