Chicago, IL – Immigrant rights leaders here were arrested while blockading the doors of the building that houses the federal immigration court in the Chicago Loop, May 15. Occupy Chicago gathered with immigrant rights leaders and youth to protest the sharp increase in deportations. Speakers began the rally around noon, when suddenly the crowd doubled in size with the arrival of marchers from Centro Sin Fronteras and other immigrant rights groups. The Reverend Jose Landaverde and Mexican-American community leader Emma Lozano were both arrested after sitting in and blocking the entrance demanding justice.
Los Angeles, CA – Over 100 supporters rallied in front of the Los Angeles Superior Court May 15 to demand, “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes.” The supporters included MECHA students, union members, teachers, vendors and community members, as well as activists from the anti-war movement.
Chicago, IL – More than 125 people gathered here for a candlelight vigil in support of over 2,000 Palestinian political prisoners currently on hunger strike in Israeli jails.
Salt Lake City, UT – FBI agents are harassing anti-war and anti-NATO organizers as the big protest against the U.S.-led NATO military alliance approaches on Sunday, May 20, in Chicago. On May 11, Gregory Lucero’s mother awoke him in their family home, saying, “The FBI is here and would like to speak to you.” Lucero came downstairs to find three FBI agents, two white men and a white woman, who wanted to ask him questions about the upcoming protest against NATO.
Los Angeles, CA – On April 26, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli ordered the trial of longtime Chicano and immigrant rights activist Carlos Montes. The trial will start on May 15. Shortly after this trial date was set, a massive campaign began around the country to demand L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley to drop all charges against Carlos Montes.
Chicago, IL – The Coalition Against NATO/G8 War And Poverty Agenda (CANG8), which is spearheading the massive march on the NATO summit May 20, has announced the speakers and cultural performers who will be on stage during the protest.
Speakers call for stepped up efforts to support Carlos Montes
Chicago, IL – On May 6 over 100 people attended a panel at the Labor Notes conference called Solidarity Forever: The Labor Movement, Political Repression and the Fight for Civil Liberties. The panel focused on the repression against Carlos Montes and the Anti-War 23 and explained why it’s important for the labor movement to take a stand against political repression.
Fond Du Lac, WI – Dozens of Wisconsin Occupy groups gathered here for a day of actions and discussions during the first state-wide General Assembly (GA) of Occupy Wisconsin. The assembly was held over the May 5 weekend in the occupied Veteran's Memorial Park. Two demonstrations were held to draw connections between the banks, police, jails and the military recruitment center in downtown Fond Du Lac. Protesters held a die-in in front of the military recruitment center, holding signs that demanded “No war on Iran,” and “U.S. out of Afghanistan.”
Los Angeles, CA – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has created a great new video on the life of Carlos Montes, and the fight to beat back the attempt to jail him.
