Minneapolis, MN – Paid informant Abdirahman Bashir continued his testimony, May 20, in packed courtroom at the Minneapolis Federal Courthouse, as the trial of three Somali youth who were entrapped by the FBI entered its ninth day. The cross examination of Bashir is expected to begin on Monday.

Minneapolis, MN – Over 500 registered nurses from Allina Hospitals across Minnesota joined together and picketed outside of Allina Corporate Headquarters on Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis, May 19. The nurses have been in a fight with Allina Health, with whom they are bargaining for a new contract.

Minneapolis, MN – About 100 people gathered in front of the Minneapolis Federal Building, May 19, to stand in solidarity with the three Somali youth who were entrapped by the FBI. They are facing up to life in prison. The crowd was made up of family and friends of the defendants, civil liberties and anti-war activists.

Minneapolis, MN – On the 13th floor of the Minneapolis Federal Courthouse, the prosecutors of the three Somali youth entrapped by the FBI paraded a host of FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force agents before jury, Tuesday, May 17, as they attempted to recover from the setbacks that attorneys for Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah, dealt them yesterday.

Solidarity with Palestine

Minneapolis, MN – About 40 people joined the Twin Cities based Anti-War Committee, May 15, for its annual remembrance of Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe” that occurred in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes.

Minneapolis, MN – Week two of the trial of three Somali youth will open May 16, with the continued testimony of Abdullahi Mohamud Yusuf. Yusuf was the first star witness for prosecutors aiming to convict three of his former friends of terrorism conspiracy charges. According to Yusuf, he planned to travel to Syria and join ISIL in 2014, but was stopped at the airport by FBI Special Agent John Thomas. Yusuf plead guilty in the case, hoping to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for his testimony against Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah. Yusuf testified to several meetings with the three, though none of them were with him the day he set out for Syria.

Minneapolis, MN – The Anti-War Committee is holding its annual remembrance of Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe” that occurred in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes. The Nakba continues today as Palestinian homes continue to be destroyed. A rally is planned at Loring Park, on Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m., followed by a march through the surrounding neighborhood.

Minneapolis, MN – After a few days of preliminary motions and jury selection, opening arguments were presented on May 11 at the trial of three young local Somali men. Many members of the Somali community and the local peace movement are attending the trial. The Minnesota Coalition to Defend the Muslim Community, which includes the Anti-War Committee, is planning to organize rallies every Thursday of the trial to support with the families of the accused and to speak out against government abuses in this case.

Minneapolis, MN – The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC applied for permits from the City of Cleveland May 10, for a major protest July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The protest will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda,” and “We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 people came to the Minneapolis Federal Courts Building to support three Muslim youth from the Somali community charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIL and to commit murder abroad. The trial began May 9, for Guled Ali Omar, 21; Abdurahman Yasin Daud, 22; and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, 22, who were entrapped by the FBI and now face possible life sentences.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee.Statement on FBI Entrapment of Muslim Youth, State Repression against the Somali Community, and the Countering Violent Extremism Program

Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds of people marched April 29 in Minneapolis to commemorate International Workers Day and continue the struggle for immigrant and workers’ rights. The annual march started at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue and marched two miles to Hennepin County Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. The march was initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and was endorsed by more than 40 unions, immigrant rights and social justice organizations, including both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federations.

“Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda”

Minneapolis, MN – The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC announced today, May 1, plans for a major protest In Cleveland, Ohio, on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC).

March will oppose Trump's agenda; put forward working people’s agenda

Minneapolis, MN – On Friday April 29, at 4:30 p.m., immigrant rights activists, union members, students and others will gather at the intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis to march downtown for immigrant and workers’ rights. They will unite to denounce the racism, xenophobia, immigrant bashing and attacks on worker’s rights that are typified by Donald Trump and other politicians who share his views. In contrast, they will march for a working people’s agenda that unites workers of all races, nationalities, genders and backgrounds to fight for economic and social justice.

Minneapolis musical legend, Black movement supporter, gender-bending pioneer

“His songs were musical arguments to live free.” -Boots Riley

Minneapolis, MN – Donald Trump’s ascendance to international political notoriety has sent shockwaves through the Western world’s political powers. Trump’s rejection of the establishment’s norms of behavior and of what he terms “political correctness” is unbalancing bourgeoisie democratic values. On the international scene, Trump is recognized as a simple schoolyard bully who teases and assaults those who have any semblance of creative or individual thought. In Trump’s vision for America you better kneel before the god of ‘businessman’ bravado, hyper-patriotism, bigotry, and triumphalism or you’re not worthy of access to the playground.

Minneapolis, MN – Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia will go on strike at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13 if an agreement is not reached by then. The Verizon strike will be by far the largest work stoppage in the country in recent years.

Minneapolis, MN – On April 9, 30 people braved a cold spring day to protest U.S. aid to Israel on the 68th anniversary of the Deir Yassin massacre. Protesters held a banner saying “End aid to Israel! Free free Palestine!” and signs at the intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenues and then marched to the Deir Yassin memorial on the Greenway in Minneapolis. The protest was organized by the Minnesota Anti-War Committee.

Minneapolis, MN – University of Minnesota officials are investigating a suspected outbreak of the norovirus in Minneapolis campus residential halls, according to workers there. Boynton Heath Services, the medical provider for students at the University of Minnesota, provided a notice to students yesterday that warned of “reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, in students at Frontier Hall,” a dormitory on campus.

Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) hosted a successful fundraising party on April 2 to build up for this year's International Workers Day march in Minneapolis. More than 60 people came together at 4200 Cedar for Mexican food, musical and dance performances, games and a raffle. It was announced that the party raised over $1000 toward the costs of the march.