Garland, TX – Over two dozen people gathered on Saturday, September 13, for a town hall meeting for the DFW Anti-War Committee's “Stop the Bombs” campaign to shut down the Repkon munitions factory.

The town hall builds off numerous community events and film screenings in Garland designed to drum up interest in the campaign and educate residents about the facility. Held in a Garland place of worship, the town hall started with a brief presentation detailing the research uncovered by the Anti-War Committee.

The Repkon facility in Garland is responsible for producing the bomb bodies of the MK-80 series bomb, which Al Jazeera reports are the primary bombs dropped on Gaza. They form a crucial point in the ongoing U.S.-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians since October 7, 2023. The facility also produces the BLU-109 “bunker buster” bombs, which destroy entire neighborhoods in Gaza. Additionally, the facility has racked up multiple environmental and OSHA violations in its decades-long history, threatening the working-class neighborhoods surrounding it.

After the presentation, the room broke into discussion groups to facilitate community input on the campaign's continued development. Many community members brainstormed ways the plant's tooling could be repurposed to help the community. “There's so much more you could be doing with a factory that size that does not involve killing children,” Len Roberts, a Garland resident, said.

“People care about Palestine but don't know how to help or get plugged in,” noted Rose W. “Going up to people in places where there is a large group with flyers and how to help is important.”

Ties were made to other organizations and power wells that the community could use to build pipelines to increasingly strengthen the campaign’s pressure on Repkon. Andrea Vallardes, a labor organizer, said, “I want to engage and use the power of unionized workers, such as workers at Lockheed Martin, by organizing family-friendly events combining refugees, immigrants and others to build labor power fighting for Palestinian liberation and freedom from imperialism worldwide.”

“I'm curious about the danger of emissions the plant is releasing into the neighborhood that we haven't measured,” another Garland local, Chase Grossman, commented. “Outside of the bombs that they make, they are endangering their community and their workers every day.”

Further discussions covered where to apply pressure locally, and different ways to engage the local community and build people power. Specific strategies and tactics, including reaching out to local faith and environmental organizations while stressing the local dangers the facility poses, came up. The small groups then elected a member to report back a summary of their discussion to the rest of the attendees.

“At first, when I heard about this campaign I was a bit skeptical,” said Camille Kaplan. “I didn't think it was possible to win. But now I actually think there is a chance to make it difficult for Repkon to continue business as normal.”

The next event in the Stop the Bombs campaign is a rally and vigil on October 10, in front of the Repkon facility, to mark of two years of the genocide in Gaza.

#GarlandTX #TX #AntiWarMovement #DACA

Minneapolis, MN – On the morning of December 20, after weeks of continued pressure, activists occupied Senator Klobuchar's office with the goal of meeting with the senator directly to demand she introduce the American Dream and Promise Act in the Senate. The mobilization came less than two weeks after a militant street protest in front of Klobuchar's office that ended with a promise to “be back.”

The action began with members and supporters of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) entering the building that houses Klobuchar’s office demanding to meet with the senator’s staff. The senator's top local aides led participants to an office conference room for a formal meeting. Activists called once more for Klobuchar to introduce the American Dream and Promise Act, which passed the House 21 months ago and must be introduced in her Senate committee. The bill would permanently legalize over 3 million Dreamers and TPS recipients who currently have no other pathway to citizenship – and who are on the verge of losing their status at the hands of the Supreme Court.

Activists expressed anger and frustration over the senator's inaction for immigrant rights during such a crucial time. They demanded to meet with Klobuchar directly, and stated they would not leave the office until Klobuchar herself spoke with them, staging a sit-in.

During this time, other members and supporters began to arrive and were forcefully pushed from the door of the building by building staff and were denied entry. They were told that Klobuchar’s office instructed them to not allow anyone inside. Even a member of the press was initially kept out, finally negotiating his way in.

When it was clear to the senator's aides that the activists would not leave, they got Klobuchar to agree to speak directly with two MIRAC representatives. On a conference call from D.C., activists explained their demand directly to Klobuchar – introduce the American Dream and Promise Act immediately so it can be voted on in the Senate. Klobuchar verbally agreed to immediately bring this demand to Senators Schumer and Durbin to begin to take real action.

The sit-in concluded with a message from members on the ground to their supporters via social media livestream that their demand had been met – that Klobuchar herself spoke with them and agreed to take real steps to introduce the bill. MIRAC ended the mobilization for the day, but reminded supporters that we must continue the pressure and keep contacting Klobuchar and all our senators because the fight to defend DACA is not over. We must continue the fight for legalization for all now!

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #SenatorAmyKlobuchar #DACA #MinnesotaImmigrantRightsActionCommitteeMIRAC

Dallas, TX – On November 6, protesters gathered at Dealey Plaza to demand the continuation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a U.S. immigration measure that protects from deporation immigrants who came here as children, and which is now threatened by the right-wing Supreme Court. The protest was called by La Frontera Nos Cruzó.

Protesters held signs demanding the continuation of DACA, as well as demanding that DACA recipients receive immediate legal status from the United States government.

Xavi Velasquez of La Fontera Nos Cruzó gave a speech demanding that all DACA recipients receive legalizaion and criticizing the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden for only offering false promises in exchange for votes.

“If the most powerful empire on the face of the earth can't grant DACA recipients legalization than what are the riches of the empire worth? The truth is that this administration can legalize them, and we demand it, before DACA is thrown out, legalize them,” stated Velasquez. “Biden promised to end the practice of throwing families in cages; he's yet to do that. Well we need more now, we want ICE out of our lands, and we want legalization for all,” he continued.

Daniel Sullivan, speaking for the Dallas Anti-War Committee, gave a speech detailing the United States' role in creating humanitarian crises worldwide that lead to refugees fleeing to the United States, mentioning Honduras and Haiti, where the U.S. has repeatedly interfered and occupied. “The United States has no moral right to turn its back on the people whose country they have torn up, and have consequently been forced to flee that country,” stated Sullivan.

#DallasTX #PeoplesStruggles #DACA

Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, October 21, more than 50 protesters gathered with signs, banners and sidewalk chalk outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office to demand that the U.S. Senate take action to legalize immigrants with DACA, a program which is currently under attack. The protest was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC).

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, recently passed its ten-year mark since being implemented in 2012. It is a temporary program for young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, in order to shield them from deportation and allow them to work. For 10 years, Congress has done nothing to provide permanent protection for these young immigrants as they have built lives, families and careers in the U.S. The DACA program – and the lives of almost 800,000 young people – has been in limbo for the past ten years, and now, even this limbo status is in danger.

Earlier this month, The Fifth District Court sided with anti-immigrant Judge Andrew Hanen and maintained that the DACA program partially ended, a decision Judge Hanen ordered a year ago. The court sent the decision back to Judge Hanen for a final decision, in order to allow him to review the federal government’s updated DACA regulations that were recently implemented by President Biden. Whatever Hanen decides, the fate of DACA is expected to end up going to the Supreme Court. Right now, only Congress can permanently protect DACA recipients.

The American Dream and Promise Act is a bill that will permanently legalize people with DACA status as well as people with a couple other temporary immigration statuses. The bill passed the House of Representatives in March 2021, and President Biden has expressed his support for it. But a year and a half after the House passed the bill, it still sits languishing in the Senate.

A group of about 20 of the protesters went into Senator Klobuchar’s office. They read and then delivered a letter to one of the senator’s aides expressing the urgency for Congress to act before the end of this congressional session. There is urgency because right-wing judges seem intent on ending DACA and throwing hundreds of thousands of people into undocumented status. And many analysts predict that the Republicans will take control of either the U.S. House or Senate or both in the midterm elections on November 8. If that happens, the possibility of Congressional action to legalize people with DACA becomes much smaller, given the extreme anti-immigrant politics that dominate the Republican Party.

In this context, demonstrators demanded that Senator Klobuchar take the lead in getting the Senate to pass the American Dream and Promise Act or similar legislation before the end of the year.

#MinneapolisMN #immigrantRights #DACA

New Orleans, LA – Dozens of protesters rallied at the statue of Benito Juarez on August 27 to demand hurricane relief funds for all immigrants, regardless of legal status. The rally also came in response to national call to action by the Legalization for All Network to defend DACA against legal attacks and to commemorate the Chicano Moratorium.

The rally was planned to coincide with the anniversaries of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ida, which both made landfall in Louisiana on August 29. Although it was largely the labor of immigrant workers that rebuilt New Orleans after both disasters, many immigrants face legal barriers to disaster relief funds.

Sebastian Miscenich of New Orleans Immigrant Rights Action said, “migrant workers rebuild this town time and time again after hurricanes, so immigrants need to become a priority for city government. People deserve access to funds to rebuild their homes and support themselves and their families regardless of legal status.”

Members of New Orleans Immigrant Rights Action circulated a petition at the rally demanding that the city of New Orleans establish an immigrants’ fund in the city budget. The fund would provide for disaster relief for all immigrants regardless of status, comprehensive legal defense for immigrants facing deportation proceedings, and full translation equality for city resources.

Speakers also brought attention to the threat that the Supreme Court poses to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows undocumented people who arrived to the United States as children to work and live in the country legally.

Miscenich said, “the unelected, right-wing Supreme Court wants to overturn DACA. This would not only strip people who have committed no crime of their legal status but leave the government with a list of who they are and where they live.”

Antonia Mar of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke in commemoration of the Chicano Moratorium, saying “the Chicano Moratorium demanded an end to the imperialist war in Vietnam and an end to discrimination against Chicanos. We’re here showing that the struggle for self-determination and dignity continues!”

Bilingual interpretation and banners were provided by Unión Migrante, an immigrant workers group in New Orleans. The rally overcame technical issues with the sound system, amplifying the speakers with the people’s mic. Protesters chanted “Disaster relief, it can’t wait! The next hurricane is too late!” and held signs reading “Disaster relief regardless of status now!” and “Defend DACA!”

#NewOrleansLA #PeoplesStruggles #hurricane #DACA #NOIRA

Minneapolis, MN – On Sunday, August 28, dozens of protesters gathered with signs, noisemakers and flyers across the street from Target Field in downtown Minneapolis. The demonstration was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and is also part of a national call to action for DACA by the Legalization for All Network, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of the historic Chicano Moratorium in Los Angeles, California.

Protesters gathered in support of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, marking ten years since the program was implemented in 2012.

DACA is a temporary program for young immigrants – the Dreamers – brought to the U.S. as children, that acts to shield young immigrants from deportation and allow them to work. In the ten years since the program was implemented, Congress has done nothing to provide permanent protection for these young immigrants. The DACA program, and the lives of almost 800,000 young people, is still in limbo.

President Biden finally took action to codify the program, but this will still not ensure the program is protected. It is likely that an upcoming decision before the Supreme Court will end the program forever. Demonstrators handed out flyers on all street corners by one of the stadium’s entrances with information about DACA and phone numbers to call their senators to demand that they pass the American Dream and Promise Act, a bill that would permanently legalize people with DACA, TPS and DED. The bill passed the House in March 2021, but after a year and a half, it still sits in the Senate.

The action kicked off with the chant: “D-A-C-A, immigrants are here to stay!” Demonstrators held a banner that read: “10 years of DACA = 10 years of waiting, MIRAC demands citizenship now!” The crowd waved signs, shook noisemakers and cheered as Miguel Hernandez, a member of MIRAC, took the mic.

“Every two years people with DACA have to go through the process of applying again, and not knowing whether they can stay here,” Hernandez said, “this is unjustifiable.” He reminded the crowd of the limbo that DACA recipients continue to live in, giving a brief overview of the program and where it stands ten years after being implemented. Before passing back the mic, he introduced the Bikers Riding Against Police Brutality (BRAPB) who showed up in support, revving their bike engines to add to the noise making and chanting.

Rebecca Chang of Minnesota 8, a local organization that fights to end detention and deportation in Southeast Asian communities, spoke next, explaining to the crowd how “DACA and Southeast Asian deportation are all part of the same system. It’s all part of the government that seeks to surveil and control people for migrating.” She reminded the crowd that migration “is something that people and other animals have done forever on this planet, but with colonialism and imperialism, the West has exacerbated migration through extracting profits” from the Global South, creating conditions that cause forced migration.

Though many Twins fans took the flyers that were handed to them, some passed by apathetically. William Martinez, another speaker from MIRAC, addressed these Twins fans, reminding them of a former Latino Twins player and coach, stating, “You have these people who say: ‘Oh I love Tony Oliva, Tony Oliva was the best!’ but when we ask you to take a paper and say that immigrants are welcome here, you turn your back. So you know what? You are a shame.” Later on, a crowd of Twins fans who took the flyers raised their fists and cheered in support as they walked by the demonstrators chanting “Say it loud! Say it clear! Immigrants are welcome here!”

The protest was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and was part of a national call to action by the Legalization for All Network.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #MIRAc #DACA

San José, CA – “No ban! No wall! Legalization for all!” was heard at San José City Hall as about 20 people showed up on Saturday, August 27, to protest the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court repealing DACA, which would affect nearly a million undocumented immigrants and their families in the United States.

The protest coincided with the 52nd anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium and came in response to a call from the Legalization for All (L4A) Network. The connection between the struggles of undocumented immigrants, especially from Mexico and other Latin American nations, and the Chicano nation, or Aztlan, and their self-determination was highlighted. The L4A Network brings together activists and organizations fighting for legalization and full equality for undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

A member of the L4A Network stated that “Legalization for All is fighting for national change, like the American Dream and Promise Act, which if passed, will permanently legalize people with DACA, as well as immigrants with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. We will also continue advocating for legislation to cover the other millions of individuals.”

The speaker went on to urge action, stating “The Legalization for All Network stands with DACA recipients and the immigrant community at large. We demand the Supreme Court protect DACA. We demand legalization for all. We demand full equality for all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. If you or your organization agree, I invite you to join the network. We will continue the momentum of immigrant rights movements, past and present because when the masses unite and fight back, we will win.”

Isaiah Jimenez also spoke, representing the Communist Party USA, and advocated for DACA to be codified. He also spoke of his personal connection to the issue, “My dad is literally a politician in this building. He came here as an undocumented immigrant. He didn’t become a citizen until 2008, when he was 32 years old. And realizing that he could’ve been deported at any time is just one of the many reasons why I, and anyone with a conscience and a brain, and a heart, will stand for immigrants and stand for DREAMers, and stand to see DACA become codified into law. And we won’t stop until that is accomplished.”

A member of Silicon Valley Unemployed Committee stated that he didn’t seem hopeful of the Supreme Court ruling on DACA and how it would affect many people’s futures. “First of all, if DACA is repealed, there will be mass unemployment within the undocumented community.” He connected that issue to Silicon Valley Unemployed Committee’s current campaign to win access to unemployment benefits for undocumented immigrants in California by having the California Legislature pass AB-2847. This bill would establish an Excluded Workers Pilot Program to provide weekly monetary assistance to unemployed workers who are not eligible for state or federal unemployment insurance benefits due to their immigration status. Silicon Valley Unemployed Committee was formed in early 2021 to fight for expanded unemployment benefits for unemployed people at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike Paradela of Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke about how the Supreme Court, and both the Democrat and Republican parties have failed to protect working people. Paradela stated, “Like Roe v. Wade, the Democrats could have codified DACA, but they did not. The Democrats are always conveniently one or two votes shy from a majority, supposedly, to pass any progressive policy. Yet, they always have a majority when it comes to increasing our policing, or our already over-inflated military budget. Their priorities are clear: death and destruction abroad, and nothing at home.”

Paradela also called for self-determination for Aztlan, or the Chicano nation, stating, “Chicanos and Latinos are the majority here, they should be the ones to determine the destiny of this land, not the U.S. imperialists. It will be the Chicano community and the Latino community that rescues the children from this heartless system. It will be the Chicano and Latino community that will save DACA. It will be the Chicano community that frees Aztlan.”

#SanJoseCA #PeoplesStruggles #LegalizationForAllNetwork #DACA

Minneapolis, MN – Over 50 immigrant rights protesters held a ‘noise demo’ June 8 outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office to demand she take action to protect those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status.

The action was organized by the Minnesota Immigrants Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) to demand that the U.S. Senate pass the American Dream and Promise Act, a bill which would permanently legalize people with DACA, TPS, and DED.

The bill passed in the U.S. House in March and is currently sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety. It will need to pass both the subcommittee, and then the committee, before going on to the full Senate for a vote. Senator Klobuchar sits on both committees.

The protesters held signs reading, “Honk for DACA and TPS,” and “Amy Klobuchar, act on DACA.” People cheered, blew noisemakers, and chanted “Pass the bill,” as many cars and buses honked in support.

The event’s main speaker described her experience as a TPS recipient and demanded legalization for all, asserting that no one should need to be traumatized to be granted U.S. citizenship. After the protest, signs were left outside the building. Passing cars continued to honk in response to the signs, even after the protesters dispersed.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #SenatorAmyKlobuchar #DACA #TPS

Minneapolis, MN – Around 100 people marched through downtown Minneapolis, October 14, from Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office to the Hennepin County Jail. The march was part of an ongoing campaign by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) demanding legalization for all immigrants including those eligible for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protected Status), and DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) status. More than a million immigrants that hold these statuses are in increasing danger of deportation because of recent court rulings that open the door to the Trump administration carrying out mass deportations.

The march was kicked off with a rally outside the senator’s office with calls for the U.S. Senate to take immediate action on the Dream and Promise Act, which would accomplish the goal of legalization for all with DACA, TPS and DED. The bill has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives but is awaiting action in the Senate.

The march moved down Washington Avenue as chants of “Education, not deportation,” and “Whose streets? Our streets!” rang through the city. As people gathered in the windows and balconies of their homes to see the action, the chant leaders invited spectators to join in the fight and the march. The marchers turned on Fourth Avenue toward the Hennepin County Jail and stopped outside to tell the stories of immigrants harmed by the system.

The protesters’ demands also included the decriminalization of immigrants; immediate availability for all family reunification visas; immediate availability for all U Visas; elimination of the “10-Year Bar” for departing U.S. and the “Permanent Bars” for re-entry and for false claim to citizenship; elimination of all criminal charges for unauthorized entry; complete end to the policy of “Prevention through Deterrence,” and defunding ICE.

The march ended with a recognition that we occupy Native land and that no human is illegal. Organizers said we should expect to see further actions organized by MIRAC in the fight for legalization for all with DACA, TPS and DED status.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #immigrantRights #MIRAc #DACA

Saint Paul, MN – Hundreds marched through the West Side of Saint Paul from Castillo Park to Senator Tina Smith’s office on August 29 demanding the Senate take immediate action towards legalization for all residents. The march was part of an ongoing campaign by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) demanding legalization for all immigrants eligible for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protective Status), and DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) status.

The Dream and Promise Act, which would accomplish that goal, has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. For the bill to advance, the Senate also needs to pass it. Aside from legalization for those eligible for DACA, TPS and DED status, the protesters’ demands included the decriminalization of immigrants; immediate availability for all family reunification visas; immediate availability for all U Visas; elimination of the ‘10 Year Bar’ for departing U.S. and the ‘Permanent Bars’ for re-entry and for false claim to citizenship; elimination of all criminal charges for unauthorized entry; a complete end to the policy of ‘Prevention through Deterrence’; and defunding ICE.

The march was kicked off by speakers proclaiming the need for the law to catch up with our values that no human being is illegal, and that capitalism cannot both profit off our bodies while negating our existence. As the march moved through the long-standing Chicano and Latino neighborhood on the west side of Saint Paul, scores of community members and businesses showed their support. Upon reaching Senator Smith’s office, the group stopped to engage in a chalk art demonstration and to hear from some of the cosponsoring organizations as well as DACA, TPS, and DED recipients.

One DACA recipient spoke about the difficulty and cost of registering every year under new policies Trump imposed to try to make things as difficult as possible for DACA recipients, and how we need immediate legalization.

Another DACA recipient who recently won release from detention spoke of his harrowing experience being jailed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for a year. A speaker from the Council on American Islamic Relations reminded people that both Republicans and Democrats have failed immigrant and refugee communities, and that it’s people in the streets that have forced change regardless of which party holds power. As an example, he noted that it was actually a Republican who ensured the recent legislation that passed giving Liberians with DED status a path toward citizenship after Liberians in Minnesota and around the country organized and fought for legalization for 20 years.

A member of Los Brown Berets-Minnesota spoke about our need to maintain continuous pressure on our elected officials to continue the fight. The chalk art that was done on the ground outside the building housing Senator Smith’s office said “Legalization for all” in large letters.

Upon arriving back at the starting point of Castillo Park, the marchers gathered in a large circle to state the certainty of further actions pressuring Minnesota’s senators to take the lead in passing a clean Dream Act and meeting the community’s demands. The event closed with organizers stating we should expect to see further actions organized by MIRAC in the fight for legalization for all with DACA, TPS and DED status.

#SaintPaulMN #PeoplesStruggles #MIRAc #DACA

Minneapolis, MN – With the Supreme Court set to rule on their future, almost 1000 immigrant youth and their supporters marched on June 12 to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that shields 800,000 young immigrants from deportation.

Organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), the march started outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office on Washington Avenue and marched to the Hennepin County Jail in downtown Minneapolis.

The march was very spirited, and speakers and chants made repeated connections between the fight against deportation and the fight of Black, Latino and native communities against police terror and the racist criminal justice system. They repeatedly called out the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in separating immigrant families and the role of the police and prisons in separating Black, Latinx and native families.

Speakers at the protest included Sumaya Aden, whose brother Isak was killed by police in Eagan last year, as well as Ashley Quiñones, whose husband Brian was killed by police in Richfield. Native Lives Matter member Gabriel Black Elk, who also had a family member murdered by police, spoke about how police killings are inflicted on Native peoples, and the struggle of Native Americans for justice.

Loretta Van Pelt of Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar spoke about the struggle for community control of the police in Minneapolis. While in front of Amy Klobuchar’s office, Myon Burrell’s father pointed out how his son has been unjustly imprisoned for well over a decade because Klobuchar, when she was Hennepin County prosecutor, refused to listen to evidence or families and relentlessly pushed to lock up Myon, a teenager at the time, so that she could advance her political career. Protests around Myon’s case hobbled Amy Klobuchar’s presidential campaign in its final weeks.

Several young DACA recipients spoke as well, including a Liberian woman who was snared by ICE in the criminal justice system despite her DACA status. These speakers’ stories exemplified the living links between communities’ struggles for justice. This march made clear that the level of unity between communities impacted by different branches of the racist criminal justice system is growing, and organizers won’t stop until ICE, the police and jails stop separating families.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #DACA

Arlington, TX – The University of Texas at Arlington’s Progressive Student Union (PSU) held a rally for DACA recipients, November 14. The group, led by PSU President Mark Napieralski, delivered a list of ten demands to the administration, marching across the campus chanting, “No protection, no peace,” “Stand up, fight back,” “Black and brown immigrants matter,” and “Defend DACA.”

PSU delivered their demands to President Karbhari’s office, though he was available to receive them personally. Regardless, the office received the demands and promised to deliver them to Karbhari.

PSU’s demands included more representation for African Americans. Chicano/Latinos, Native Americans, and other oppressed nationalities in the school’s faculty, as well as a ‘DREAM Center’ on campus for immigrants. The organization believes that these groups are underrepresented at UTA. In addition, they requested more jobs on campus for students, DACA recipients or otherwise, as they believe it is important for all students to have more financial opportunities in order to combat the rising price of tuition at UTA.

The PSU also demanded that the school hire an immigration lawyer in order to ensure legal protection for immigrants, and that UTA should also allocate additional funds for scholarships that would go to students of color and undocumented immigrants who attend the school.

“DACA has been in place since Obama’s presidency, and the fact that the Trump administration is trying to take that away from them is something we are strongly against,” said Napieralski.

Financial aid for immigrants is also an important policy position for PSU, leading them to conclude that UTA should spend more time promoting TASFA, the Texas Application for State Financial Aid, as it is the primary method through which immigrants receive financial aid. TASFA allows foreign students living in Texas to apply for financial aid as a Texas resident.

Ebonee Richards Taylor, a PSU member, weighed in on TASFA, “Immigrant students deserve financial aid just as much as any other student, so promoting TASFA is essential,” she said.

Local news outlets, such as Channel 4 and the Star Telegram recorded the march.

After the protest, PSU members went to their weekly meeting, where they hosted special guest Tom Burke, who talked to them about the state of Venezuela, socialism and American influence in South America. Burke is a national leader of Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#ArlingtonTX #StudentMovement #PeoplesStruggles #DACA #ProgressiveStudentUnion

Los Angeles, CA – Hundreds of students from Garfield High School in East LA have walked out of their classrooms to defend DACA. The students are taking the metro train to downtown Los Angeles where participants will rally. A group of youth gathered in downtown as early as 6 a.m.

Today, November 12, the Supreme Court has started to hear oral arguments to determine whether Trump’s lawsuit against DACA will be upheld or not. DACA will affect over 100,000 youth in the state of California.

#LosAngelesCA #PeoplesStruggles #DACA

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following call from the Legalization for All Network and other immigrant rights groups. We urge all progressive organizations to sign on and endorse it. You can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/legalization-for-all/no-trump-wall-no-state-of-emergency/2336613779684475/

On the campaign trail, candidate Trump said that Mexico would pay for his wall. President Trump could not get funding for his wall on the U.S./Mexico border even when his Republican Party controlled the House, the Senate and the White House. Then he shut down parts of the Federal Government for over a month. Almost four hundred thousand Federal workers were put out of their jobs and more were made to work without pay. In addition, workers for government contractors are not getting back pay. To get the funding for his racist wall, Trump is taking it a step further by threatening to declare a State of Emergency. With already thousands of U.S. troops mobilized to the border, a State of Emergency would heighten the tension of armed troops and border agents who already unleashed tear gas on refugees. We say No Trump Wall, No State of Emergency!

The only crisis at the border is the one Trump is creating. Thousands of refugee and immigrant children have been held in camps at the border, and some are dying in detention. Central American refugees, many if not most women and children, are fleeing violence so bad that even the U.S. State Department has advised U.S. tourists not to go there! We support asylum for the Central American refugees!

During his partial government shutdown, Trump had offered a temporary extension on DACA (Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) in exchange for billions of dollars for the wall. But Trump’s attempt to end DACA is already tied up in courts. What the Dreamers and TPS refugees need is legalization, not temporary extensions!

First he launched an attack against Mexicans, calling them, “Rapists, criminals, drug-dealers, and bad hombres,” then on Muslims, with his travel ban. Trump is a bigot who has demonized and dehumanized refugees, a racist who has referred to Central American and African countries as “shitholes.” Now it is Central Americans and back to Mexicans who are his main target. He claims that immigrants and refugees are coming to take jobs, but Trump was the one who took jobs away from workers in the United States!

We ask you and your organizations to sign on to this statement to oppose Trump’s Wall and protest any attempt by him to declare a State of Emergency.

NO TRUMP WALL, NO STATE OF EMERGENCY!

RELEASE THE DETAINEES, ASYLUM FOR THE REFUGEES!

LEGALIZE THE DREAMERS!

#UnitedStates #AntiwarMovement #AntiRacism #Immigration #DACA #Antifascism #Trump

March 5 marks the date that President Trump promised a DACA legislation piece would be introduced. There is still no sign that Congress is working on passing a DACA replacement legislation. Gerardo, a YPRC member stated, “We demand that Trump and Congress pass immigration legislation. We demand that the president and politicians stop using our families as pawns for their political gains. The fight will continue because our families can no longer wait for relief.”

YPRC will continue to organize and fight for immigrants in Milwaukee. YPRC demands for legalization for all, which would be the only policy that would leave no immigrant with an undocumented status.

#MilwaukeeWI #Immigrants #DACA #Trump

Denver, CO – More than 50 people gathered in Denver’s Civic Center Park, Feb. 7, and marched to U.S. Senator Michael Bennett’s office. The protesters are frustrated over his lack of action to defend DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“We are here to hold Senator Bennett accountable for failing our communities,” said a leader of the Colorado People’s Alliance.

Another speaker shared a story about her mother being deported, “That’s why I’m here, for my mom and all the other families that are being torn apart.”

In front of the rally, an activist called Senator Bennett on the phone and challenged his empty promises to defend DACA. The crowd then let the senator know their views with loud chants of “Dream Act now!” and “Keep Dreamers, deport Trump!”

“It’s great to see the people standing up to the corrupt ruling class, and the willingness of the community to get out on the streets to confront the attacks of the Trump Regime,” said Shaine Carroll-Frey of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#DenverCO #DACA #CleanDREAMAct #SenatorBennett

Minneapolis, MN – On Sunday, Jan.14, immigrant rights activists, including students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, held a protest and community outreach action on the corner of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue, a busy intersection in the heart of the Minneapolis Latino immigrant community. They demanded that Congress pass a clean Dream Act before the Jan. 19 congressional budget deadline.A clean Dream Act means permanent protection for immigrant youth with DACA status who were brought here as children, without pairing that with repressive anti-immigrant measures like the border wall, ending family-based immigration and the diversity lottery or increased raids and deportations against other immigrants like President Trump is trying to do.At the busy intersection, the protesters held signs and chanted demanding a clean Dream Act. Some signs also supported Salvadorans, Haitians and others for whom Trump has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS), exposing hundreds of thousands of families to the threat of deportation. Some of the group’s signs also made pointed reference to Trump’s recent racist statement calling El Salvador, Haiti, and African countries “shithole countries.” Many passing cars honked and signaled their agreement with the anti-Trump and pro-immigrant message.The action was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and the Interracial Student Movement (ISM), as part of a series of efforts to pressure Congress to act now to pass a clean Dream Act.After protesting outside in the bitter cold for a half hour, the group went inside a popular Latino immigrant marketplace. There, American Indian Movement (AIM) leader Clyde Bellecourt spoke to the group, expressing support for immigrant youth. Bellecourt put the struggle in the context of European colonization of the Americas and the struggle of the indigenous peoples of the Americas for unity and justice, and emphasizing the importance of young people in leading the struggle forward.Then, in a visual and participatory action, the group shared balloons with messages supporting immigrant youth written on them with people in the marketplace. The organizers called on everybody to pop their balloons at the same time to symbolize that President Trump and Congress are trying to destroy young people’s dreams. Three organizers from the group spoke to the gathered crowd, sharing information with people about the struggle of DACA youth and the need for the community to get involved in the fight for a clean Dream Act.In September 2017, President Trump abruptly announced the end of DACA. A federal court ruling has temporarily forced the administration to keep DACA alive while court cases about it are still being heard. But this is a temporary situation, not a real solution. The need for action for immigrant youth is as urgent as ever. As soon as the court cases end, every day around 122 more immigrant youth will lose their legal status and face the threat of being deported and uprooted from the only life they have ever known. Having put 800,000 immigrant youth in jeopardy of deportation by ending DACA, President Trump and anti-immigrant Republicans in Congress are now cynically using these young immigrants as bargaining chips for their anti-immigrant agenda.Democrats in Congress have given lip service in support of immigrant youth, yet enough of them voted before the new year in support of the continuing resolution to fund the congressional budget for it to pass, temporarily keeping the government open until the fast-approaching Jan. 19 deadline. With that deadline upon us, another congressional vote on the budget is here, and the Republicans can’t pass it without some Democrats’ votes. So immigrant rights activists around the country are demanding that congressional Democrats turn their lip service into action and all vote no on passing any congressional budget unless a clean Dream Act is passed, even if that means a government shutdown. That is one of the strongest kinds of leverage they have to force a clean Dream Act through despite the opposition of anti-immigrant Republicans in Congress and the administration.

#MinneapolisMN #MIRAc #Immigration #DACA

Minneapolis, MN – On Nov. 10, around 500 students from 17 local high schools and middle schools walked out of their schools and braved cold weather and bitter winds as they took to the streets to demand that Congress take immediate action to protect hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth who will be stripped of their hard fought-for legal status. They converged at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and marched over two miles to the memorial of Emiliano Zapata, symbolizing the unity of the struggles of Black and Latino students.

During the march, rhythm and energy from local danzantes kept spirits high, as protesters chanted, “Donald Trump, shame on you! Immigrants are humans too!” and “We believe that we will win!” These determined youth, commonly referred to as “Dreamers,” have repeatedly marched without fear for the past decade and forced President Obama’s hand in implementing the program known as DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

President Trump’s announcement two months ago to end DACA was a continuation of the blatantly racist attacks against immigrants since Trump took office. Over 800,000 children and young adults again face the threat of losing the only home they have ever known. Most of them were brought here as infants or small children by parents escaping the dire economic conditions or wars and violence brought about by U.S. imperialism. And once again, these youths are taking to the streets to demand justice.

The Friday, Nov. 10 walkout was organized by the Interracial Student Movement (ISM), a student group formed just three weeks ago. Angelica Bello, one of the main organizers, felt like she needed to take action. “I am affected by the system at hand and I really want to do something about it because I know my future is in jeopardy. We want a clean DREAM Act with no funding for the wall and no taking out sanctuary cities or hiring more ICE agents,” said Bello. Marchers demanded Congress pass a clean DREAM Act and demanded legalization for all, recognizing their parents were the first Dreamers. The students also called for the renewal of Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for all status holders.

In its relentless attacks on immigrants, the Trump administration announced Nov. 6 an end to Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Nicaraguans and Sudanese immigrants, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for two decades. This decision will tear apart nearly 6400 more families, and strikes fear in the over 400,000 TPS recipients from countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Liberia and more.

The Nov. 10 student walkout proved that immigrant youth are ready to fight against Trump’s vicious attacks. Students who walked out of their schools were joined by members of community groups and unions, such as the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar, SEIU Local 26, and many more.

#MinneapolisMN #DACA #TPS #InterracialStudentMovement

Salt Lake City, UT — Over 100 people joined Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to protest Donald Trump’s repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Sept. 15, at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building downtown.

Shirley Reyes, with SDS, kicked off the rally, denouncing the repeal that puts 800,000 young people at risk of deportation. “We cannot rely on the system; it is up to all of us. We are not only here to defend DACA, but to demand legalization for all.”

Griseille Davila, a DACA recipient and SDS member, gave an impassioned call to unite as a community. Davila called on the crowd to fight for immigrant rights and to defend undocumented immigrants from incarceration and deportation.

Sara Kang, another SDSer, began to cry while addressing the crowd, saying that she was worried for her friends who may face deportation. Kang finished her speech urging those assembled to fight back against the racist attacks from the Trump administration.

Emmaly Anderson, also with SDS, called out the hypocrisy of the University of Utah which has claimed to support undocumented students. Anderson said the U of U refused to meet student demands. She also said the U of U needs to refuse to host the on-campus event for Ben Shapiro, a racist right-wing columnist who has called for completely closing the U.S.-Mexico border.

After the speeches, the crowd moved into the street and marched north to the State Capitol building. Chanting “Liberation not deportation!” and “Sí se puede!” they shut down the usually busy roads in downtown Salt Lake City. Upon reaching the Capitol, Reyes closed out the rally with an announcement of SDS’s counter-demonstration against Ben Shapiro (the event page can be found at this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1945493489064441)

Besides SDS, the Sept. 15 protest drew organizers and activists from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB), and People’s Power Assembly as well as community members and students from the University of Utah.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PeoplesStruggles #immigrantRights #Utah #Antiracism #DACA

Tucson, AZ – The decision made by Trump on Sept. 5 to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program saw numerous mass mobilizations nationwide. The people of Tucson joined the latest wave of the growing resistance to the Trump administration.

Several immigrant rights groups in Tucson came together to defend DACA. On August 29, the groups LUCHA (Living United for Change in Arizona), LUPE (Lucha Unida de Padres y Estudiantes), Scholarships-AZ, and Mariposas Sin Fronteras held a press conference on the steps of the Tucson City Hall building.

“DACA is under attack by extremist right-wing elected officials, who are talking about dismantling the DACA program within the next couple of days, or within the next couple of hours,” said Jessica Rodriguez, organizer for LUCHA and LUPE. There were several speakers at the press conference who spoke of the racist actions of the current president. That list did not have to go far back, as they included Trump’s recent pardon of Sheriff Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, and his actions after the white supremacist rally and terrorist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia. The center of the discussion, however, was on the president, and the community’s resolve to fight and defend DACA and all immigrants.

Activist Fernando Najera stated “If Mr. Trump decides to rescind DACA, the joy his base will feel would be overshadowed by the roar of the masses, our allies. We will fight, not for those who are labeled ‘good immigrants’, but for all of us, who have been forced to live in the shadows, for all of us who are faceless.”

Tuesday afternoon, Sept 5., saw over 100 high school student walk out in protest of the DACA decision and join a rally of 200 people at the University of Arizona. The overwhelming majority of these students were Chicanas and Chicanos, Mexicanos, and Latino students who have felt the attacks of this president and his reactionary base.

The next day, Sept. 6, a rally, followed by a march downtown to city hall, demanded the mayor and city council declare Tucson a sanctuary city and implement policies that protect Dreamers, their families and the undocumented community in general. The demands specified that the city police department not collaborate with Border Patrol even though the city says that is already their policy.

As the speakers and the crowd of over 600 roared in their energetic chants, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild came out flanked by two police officers. After organizers agreed to let him speak, the mayor read verbatim from a prepared statement released earlier that day. The crowd immediately burst into boos and jeers reacting to the mayor’s out-of-touch statement that did not reflect a sensitivity to the demands supported by the Dreamers and their allies. Then the chant: “Sanctuary city now!” erupted from the crowd and the mayor scurried off the stage, retreating back to his office.

“This was the most powerful protest I've ever been to,” said Santiago Molina, local activist. “This country is building a fighting spirit focused on unity and defeating white supremacy.” He added, “As sister Assata Shakur said: ‘It is our duty to win.’”

#TucsonAZ #DACA #LUPE #LUCHA