Interview with Frank Chapman, executive director of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression Fight Back!: The Democratic Party has announced that their convention will be held in Chicago, August 19 through 22, 2024. The National Alliance was part of the March on the Democratic National Convention Coalition in Milwaukee in 2020. Will you march again at the Chicago convention?

Frank Chapman: I think it is absolutely necessary for us to march again, given what has happened from 2020 until now. The crisis in democracy at this point is deeper and broader, involving everything from the continued struggle that we've been waging around community control of the police, and while nothing's been done about the George Floyd bill in Congress.

With the attack on abortion rights, there has been a great leap backwards in the rights of women; there are also attacks on the LGBTQ community. There has been no progress in Washington in the rights of immigrants. There is also a renewed struggle for the rights of workers to organize and to strike to change the deplorable working conditions under which they work. This includes a the drive for new unionization both at Starbucks and Amazon. Biden betrayed the railroad workers unions in their demands for safe working conditions.

All of these issues have matured and gotten deeper, and so we have to address those issues with the people's agenda.

The Alliance, if you don't mind me mentioning this, is a defense organization. It is our duty and our responsibility to defend the democratic rights of the people. And when we say defend the democratic rights of the people, what are we talking about? We are specifically talking about defending the democratic rights of the people to organize, protest and bring about the systemic changes necessary to better their lives.

Fight Back!: What about the demands of the peace movement?

Chapman: Of course! It's directly related to racist and political repression. Why do I say that? What happened to Biden’s great Build Back Better legislation? What happened to the great renewal we were supposed to have after the COVID epidemic?

It's been gobbled up by the war in Ukraine, which is a proxy war that our country is waging with Russia. So, we see something that we've seen before. We saw it with the Vietnam War. We saw it with these police-like interventions in other countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. The military budget deprives us of the means of making the social reforms that are necessary to improve the life of the people in our country. And so, we have to be opposed to that.

Also, the military feeds the repression in our cities with regard to the police because they feed the police weapons, including tanks, sniper equipment, and all kinds of things,

We have to be opposed to the war because first and foremost, what war does, as Dr. King pointed out years ago, it takes the ability of the government to address much needed social reforms in this country. It puts guns before bread and butter.

Fight Back!: Any final thoughts that you want to share with the readers?

Chapman: Yes. Some people are going to say, why protest the Democratic Party? Shouldn't you just protest the Republican Party? That's who the real enemy is.

And what we're going to say in response to that is that, as a movement, we have an unalienable democratic right to make demands of whoever is in power, whether it's a Democratic Party or the Republican Party. And in this era in which we talk about the billionaire class and all of that, I think they're both in service to the billionaire class. So, hell yeah, we're going to make demands of them.

#ChicagoIL #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #Elections

Minneapolis, MN – On August 20, activists held banners from five bridges along Interstate 35W to highlight the role the U.S. plays in endorsing and funding the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The protest took place during the Democratic National Convention to draw attention to the need for the Democratic Party to break with the apartheid state of Israel.

Drivers saw banners on the 35th, 36th, 38th and 40th Street bridges on I-35W in South Minneapolis and on a bridge in Lakeville over I-35. The protest was initiated by the MN Anti-War Committee. Many groups signed on and helped make banners and organized their members to protest on bridges, including American Muslims for Palestine (AMP-MN), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel, and Women Against Military Madness.

During the DNC, Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, has gone out of his way to pledge his support for Israel, denouncing the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and attack leaders in the BDS movement like Linda Sarsour.

The news website Mondoweiss reported this week that Daniel Shapiro, President Obama’s former ambassador to Israel, is a member of the platform committee and blocked language about cutting or even conditioning aid to Israel over human rights violations, and about the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Every night during the DNC proceedings, Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza, the world’s largest open air prison, and the Biden campaign was silent on these atrocities.

Andrew Josefchak, a new member of the Anti-War Committee, explained the significance of the action during the DNC, saying, “Right now we’re seeing a sea change in the opinions of the Democratic party’s base when it comes to Palestine. Here in Minnesota, Representative Ilhan Omar recently defeated a very well-financed opponent despite the political establishment, and much of the media, attempting to portray her as an anti-Semite for having said that U.S. support for Israel has to end. Additionally, Representative Betty McCollum just introduced the Israeli Annexation Non-Recognition Act, saying, ‘I reject Israeli annexation. And I will work to ensure the U.S. does not...legitimize any plan to annex Palestinian lands.’ We’re holding this event to show the growing momentum in the movement to end U.S. aid to Israel. Now more than ever people are demanding money for human needs, not for war.”

Activists were cheered on by honks, raised fists and waves while they waved Palestinian flags and held banners that read “Free Palestine,” “End aid to Israel” and “Free, free Palestine. This wall will fall.”

The MN Anti-War Committee’s next Palestine solidarity action will be to mark the anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila Massacre and also to draw attention to the situation in Lebanon. It will be another banner drop, from the Loring Park footbridge over I-94 at 5 p.m. on September 17.

On September 16-18, 1982, pro-Israel militiamen associated with the Lebanese Phalanges (Kataeb Party) murdered over 1000 Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. The massacre was carried out at the orders of the invading Israeli Defense Forces, which had besieged the neighborhood before the attacks.

This past August 4, a massive explosion in Beirut, reportedly caused by ignition of an impounded shipment of ammonium nitrate, killed at least 180 and destroyed important Lebanese national infrastructure. Lebanon’s economy and pandemic response already had been struggling under U.S. sanctions, imposed in June as punishment for the growing effectiveness of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah against Israeli intrusions. On August 12, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was preparing even more sanctions on Lebanon.

#MinneapolisMN #Palestine #Protest #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #MNAntiWarCommittee #IsraeliOccupationOfPalestine #MiddleEast

Milwaukee, WI—The Coalition to March on the Democratic National Convention met with officials from the city of Milwaukee on May 21 to discuss the coalition’s permit and plan to protest. The goals of the coalition are to defeat President Trump and to advance a progressive people’s agenda, thus building stronger movements to challenge the Democratic Party. Lawyers for the Wisconsin ACLU arranged the meeting and led the discussions.

The meeting with the city of Milwaukee confirmed that the COVID-19 health crisis is causing most in the Democratic Party to consider alternatives to an indoor convention with thousands present. This will greatly limit the Democratic National Convention (DNC) delegate turnout in Milwaukee, but a protest will still happen.

“The coalition still plans to gather and march, with masks and safe distancing, outside whatever forum or corporate office the DNC uses in Milwaukee on the first day, August 17,” co-chair Ryan Hamann said after the meeting.

Tracy Schwerdtfeger, who applied for the march permit a year ago, said, “We have been trying to meet with the city for a long time. What we want is a family-friendly march that goes within sight and sound of the DNC, so they see us and hear our demands. We finally approached the ACLU about filing a lawsuit for our permit and finally we are getting somewhere.”

Hamann emphasized, “Trump is responsible for people dying all across this country, and it is difficult to see him winning in November. However, the massive economic downturn is making it plain to see that Wall Street bankers and corporate elites dominate the Democratic Party too. We see Democratic governors and mayors, just like Republicans, are busy proposing cutbacks for workers and poor people while Congress approves trillions in bailouts for big business and banks.”

The coalition represented by the ACLU plans to meet with the city of Milwaukee as the situation develops. The city says new ordinances are planned to deal with protesters.

#MilwaukeeWI #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #CapitalismAndEconomy #StudentMovement #InJusticeSystem #Labor #OppressedNationalities #US #PeoplesStruggles #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #Elections #MarchOnTheDNC #DonaldTrump #CoalitionToMarchOnTheDNC

“We are predicting even more people will protest outside the Democratic National Convention, given the health crisis. There is a complete failure of leadership in this country, and the Trump administration’s response is criminal. I don’t know how they can so generously bail out Wall Street as they watch people die by the thousands,” said Ryan Hamann, spokesperson for the Coalition.

Hamann continued, “The coronavirus crisis makes the Coalition’s nine progressive demands even more immediate. For example, we need ‘Medicare for All’ instead of profiteering for the few on Wall Street. We need a nationwide moratorium on rents and mortgages because millions are out of work, and millions more are working part time.”

One of the Coalition’s nine demands, “Fight to expand union and worker’s rights,” is especially pertinent as we are seeing a rise in workplace protests. At hospitals there are sign-holding protests for personal protective equipment (PPE), especially in states hit hard by the coronavirus. Similar actions are taking place at some union warehouses like UPS, but also at unorganized Amazon warehouses, and Amazon-owned businesses like Whole Foods.

Hamann says, “It is beyond belief that essential workers cannot get protective gear at work right now! Workers also deserve hazard pay for putting their lives at risk while saving others. In our state, Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, is doing so little to enforce the meaning of ‘essential businesses’; that it is undermining protective stay-at-home orders.”

Hamann sums up, “On a global scale, we need to end U.S. sanctions that harm people in other countries. We could actually work together and help one another fight the virus and save lives. The whole world is going to remember China for sending masks and ventilators, Cuba for sending doctors, and the U.S. for sending U.S. Navy warships to the coast of Venezuela. Unbelievable!”

Organizers are planning to start with dozens of speakers at a 10 a.m. rally on Monday, August 17, and then to march within sight and sound of the DNC at the Fiserv Forum. The Coalition to March on the DNC is still demanding a permit from democrat Mayor Tom Barrett, who is stubbornly refusing. The Coalition intends to file a lawsuit against Mayor Barrett and the city of Milwaukee to win their right to a permit.

#MilwaukeeWI #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #StudentMovement #InJusticeSystem #Labor #OppressedNationalities #WomensMovement #US #Healthcare #PeoplesStruggles #EnvironmentalJustice #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #Elections #MarchOnTheDNC #COVID19

New York, NY – Organizers with the Milwaukee-based Coalition to March on the DNC are attending the national conference of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), to build support for a major protest at the Democratic National Convention in July.

The Coalition to March on the DNC is a broad coalition of left and progressive forces who plan to bring popular demands to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, slated to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The march will be held on the opening morning of the convention, Monday, July 13.

“All eyes will be on Milwaukee when the people’s movements protest outside the DNC as it takes place at the Fiserv Forum, July 13 through July 16, 2020. The Coalition calls on all progressive, left, democratic and socialist organizations to join us in unity,” said Omar Flores, spokesperson for the Coalition.

UNAC is celebrating its 10th anniversary as the leading U.S. anti-war coalition, with its fifth national conference taking place February 21-23. Representatives from nearly 60 organizations from across the country attended Friday’s opening panel, titled “Opposing Imperialist Wars,” which featured Bahman Azad of the U.S. Peace Council, Bernadette Ellorin of Filipina-American organization BAYAN-USA, and Camilo Mejia, a Nicaraguan-American who became a prisoner of conscience for refusing U.S. military deployment during the Iraq War. The panel was moderated by longtime anti-war and labor activist Joe Lombardo.

The Coalition to March on the DNC has already received dozens of endorsements from groups across the country, many of which are planning to travel to Milwaukee for the protest.

#NewYorkNY #AntiwarMovement #US #PeoplesStruggles #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #Elections #UnitedNationalAntiwarCoalitionUNAC #CoalitionToMarchOnTheDNC

Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of January 27, organizers for the Coalition to March on the DNC held a press conference outside City Hall to announce their intention to sue the city if their permit to rally and march is not delivered. Despite having reserved the rotunda inside the building, the press conference was forced to be held outside.

This was the result of a city council representative not booking the room for that evening, even after all proper procedures were followed by the Coalition. This is further proof that the City of Milwaukee is trying to silence the freedoms of speech and assembly of the people.

During the press conference, Ryan Hamann, spokesperson for the Coalition, described the plans to sue if the city remained silent on the issue of permits. The Milwaukee Police Department has met with the Secret Service for the past six months to discuss security parameters for the DNC.

The city’s current plans encompass a large portion of the western segment of downtown Milwaukee, according to a recent announcement. These plans were announced over a week ago, with the claim that permit applications would begin to be addressed. No update has been given to the Coalition on their application, however.

“Mayor Barrett and his administration want a certain image presented of Milwaukee when the DNC comes to town in July,” Hamann said about the lack of response by the city administration. “They don't want protests; they don't want demonstrations. They want to pretend that Milwaukee is a city without problems.”

The ball is now in the court of the city government and Mayor Tom Barrett. So far, his office remains silent on the subject, while continuing its multi-million dollar efforts to roll out the red carpet for the DNC and its corporate backers. The Coalition will continue forward with a lawsuit if the city continues to deny the constitutional rights of its citizens. They are consulting with a number of civil rights attorneys. This most recent slight will only serve to bolster their case.

No matter the outcome, the Coalition to March on the DNC will continue its preparation for the rally and march on July 13, 2020.

Another action is being planned for the end of February that will involve city hall. The Coalition has no intention of being ignored.

“There are real issues affecting not just the people of Milwaukee, but people everywhere around this country,” Hamann said. “With the demands that comprise our points of unity, we can run Trump out of office and move towards a brighter tomorrow for all working-class and other oppressed people.”

#MilwaukeeWI #InJusticeSystem #US #PeoplesStruggles #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #PoliticalRepression #Elections #CoalitionToMarchOnTheDNC

Milwaukee, WI – An April 4 press conference, to take place at Milwaukee’s City Hall, will announce a major protest at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

“The Coalition to March on the DNC is excited to announce a rally and march on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, Monday, July 13 at 12 p.m. within sight and sound of the arena,” said Chris Antimo Perez, spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the Democratic National Convention. “All eyes will be on Milwaukee as the DNC takes place at the Fiserv Forum from July 13-16th, 2020. We call on all progressive, left, democratic and socialist organizations to join us in unity.”

Organizers of the protest have applied for a permit for a rally at Red Arrow Park (Dontre Park) and a march to the Fiserv Forum.

The organizers of this coalition have led mass marches that drew thousands to the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota; the 2012 RNC in Tampa, Florida, and the 2016 RNC in Cleveland, Ohio.

“The Coalition to March on the DNC will be a broad, national coalition of left and progressive forces, working with local Milwaukee groups and activists,” said Perez. He stated they are rallying behind demands including but not limited to: End U.S. Wars and Interventions; Money for Human Needs, Not War; Community Control of the Police; Stop Police Terror; Legalization for All; No More Deportations; Tax the Rich; Medicare for All; Climate Action Now; Fight to Expand Union and Worker Rights, and Demand Peace, Justice and Equality!

#MilwaukeeWI #US #SpecialCoverage #PeoplesStruggles #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #Elections #MarchOnTheDNC #CoalitionToMarchOnTheDemocraticNationalConvention

Charlotte, NC – Over 60 activists converged here, April 14, holding a conference at the Charlotte School of Law to discuss the upcoming week of protest at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Charlotte, a prominent center of banking, will be hosting the convention where Democratic Party elites and delegates will establish the party platform and select Barack Obama as their candidate for President of the United States. The DNC will be held Sept. 3-6.

Conference attendees traveled from all over the country to help plan the activities which are expected to include a “March on the Wall Street of the South,” among other events. So far over 50 organizations have endorsed the protests, and the number is steadily growing.

Also attending the conference were a group of activists from Florida from the Coalition to March on the RNC who are preparing to protest the Republican National Convention which will be held in Tampa, Florida, Aug. 27-30. Mutual support and goodwill was shared between the two coalitions planning the DNC and RNC protests.

The protests at the DNC are making use of the Charlotte Principles, a set of guidelines that will help the diverse and growing number of groups planning activities to work positively and powerfully together.

Conference attendee Sarah Buchner of Asheville, North Carolina, from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression said, “I believe we accomplished a lot here today. The fight for the permit to march is important and there are issues surrounding new city new ordinances and expected police repression. There is a lot of work left to do, but everyone is excited and determined.”

The city council of Charlotte recently passed a long and vague ordinance, obviously meant to curtail freedom of speech and assembly during the DNC. It allows the city manager to unilaterally declare an “extraordinary event” in a given area of the city. This will ban a startling array of objects like water bottles, backpacks, bicycle helmets and various lengths of string and wire. It will give police sweeping abilities to search and detain protesters, observers and neutral passers-by. Legal challenges are already in the works but it is expected that the ordinance will stand through the DNC.

Demands for the DNC protests include: Good jobs for all! Economic justice now – make the banks and corporations pay for their crisis! Money for education, healthcare, housing and all human needs, not for war and incarceration! Justice for immigrants and all oppressed peoples! Stop the raids and deportations!

To learn more about the Coalition to Protest at the DNC please visit: protestdnc.org To learn more about the Coalition to March on the RNC please visit: marchonthernc.com

#CharlotteNC #DemocraticNationalConventionDNC #2012RepublicanNationalConvention #RepublicanNationalConvention2012