Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

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By Zunyana Crier

A protest with people holding signs.

New Orleans, LA – On Thursday, December 12 at noon, the Johnston family held a press conference demanding #JusticeforJrue in front of Orleans Parish Criminal Court. Jaime Johnston, along with her partner and both of her parents, are fighting felony kidnapping charges for trying to keep Jaime’s five-year-old son, Jrue Kenner, safe from sexual abuse. New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police and New Orleans United Front helped to organize the event.

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By Serena Sojic-Borne

A police officer arresting a protester.

New Orleans, LA – About 25 people filled the benches at Municipal Court, December 12, to witness proceedings against two protesters from the Tulane-Loyola University Gaza encampment, which took place this past spring. These Palestine solidarity activists faced misdemeanors for trespassing and resisting arrest. The court dismissed both charges without trial for one of them, Brenna Byrne, because the Tulane University Police Department (TUPD) witness didn’t show up.

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By Naomi Retherford

Quest Riggs speaks to crowd at New Orleans vigil.  | Staff/Fight Back! News

New Orleans, LA – On November 20, over 70 trans community members, their loved ones and friends gathered at Hunter’s Field park in the city’s seventh ward, for the 9th annual Trans March of Resilience, hosted by longtime Black trans organizers in The House of Tulip.

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By staff

Speakers demand drop the charges against pro-Palestine protesters in front of New Orleans Municipal Court.  | Staff/Fight Back! News

New Orleans, LA – Protesters gathered twice at New Orleans Municipal Court during the week of November 18, as six activists who were arrested during the student-led Popular University for Gaza encampment attended their first days of trial.

They all face misdemeanor charges, ranging from trespassing to battery on an officer. The activists were all arrested by Tulane University Police Department in the first hours of the Encampment, which was held for two nights in April and May this year.

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By staff

Students stand outside of the Administrative Annex at University of New Orleans holding signs opposing parking fees.  | Staff/Fight Back! News

New Orleans, LA – On November 15, students from the University of New Orleans gathered outside of the Administrative Annex to protest the school’s sudden decision to charge students for an entire semester’s worth of parking decals, with only three weeks of the semester left in the year.

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By Silas Gillett

Protesters take the street against Trump.  | Kristi Dayemo/Fight Back! News

New Orleans, LA – On Wednesday, November 6, a broad coalition of New Orleans organizations made good on their promise to “Keep it in the streets – no matter who wins.” As the post-work rush hour began, roughly 100 people packed Lafayette Square Park to let the city know that, despite the election results, “Estamos en la lucha!” or “We are in the fight!”

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By staff

Nurses picket outside University Medical Center in New Orleans.  | Toni Duplechain-Jones/Fight Back! News

New Orleans, LA – On October 25, nurses at University Medical Center gathered on the corner of Canal and Galvez Streets for a one-day strike to demand safe staffing ratios, workplace safety protections, higher pay and improved benefits.

The strike began at 7 a.m. on Friday, when nurses joined the picket line outside the hospital. They were joined by dozens of community members, chanting loudly and proudly as they marched. Chants included “What do we want? A contract! When do we want it? Now!” Some signs read “If nurses are outside, there’s something wrong inside.”

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By Antonia Mar

Toni Jones gives a presentation for NOCOP on why New Orleans Police need more oversight, not less.  | Staff/Fight Back! News

New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, October 19, about 25 people turned out to a public meeting hosted by New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police (NOCOP). The meeting primarily served as a teach-in and comment drive to involve residents in fighting back against the New Orleans Police Department’s (NOPD) attempt to exit the oversight of a federal consent decree.

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By Lev Deane

Panel discussion on the Tulane and Loyola University encampments for Gaza.  Left to right, emcee Ryan Spalt, panelists Juleea Berthelot, Rory MacDonald, and Carson Cruse.  | Staff/Fight Back! News

Baton Rouge, LA – On October 9, Louisiana State University’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a panel on the Tulane and Loyola University encampments for Gaza as part of their October 7 Week of Rage. LSU SDS invited members of Tulane and Loyola SDS and a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) from New Orleans. They highlighted their wins and explored lessons learned from planning and implementing the encampment.

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By Ryan Spalt

Students hold pro Palestine rally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  | Staff/Fight Back! News

Baton Rouge, LA – On October 7, 30 Louisiana State University students rallied outside of their student union to resist after one year of Israel's ongoing, lethal siege on Gaza. Students were rallying to not only honor the martyrs of Palestine but to draw attention to the ways the university has worked to financially support and legitimize Israel. They also protested the Israeli and U.S.-backed escalation, which is expanding the war to Lebanon and other parts of the Middle-East.

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