New York, NY – On October 27, former student activists from the City College of New York (CCNY) will seek justice in a lawsuit dating back to a series of incidents in 1998. A jury in the courtroom of Federal Judge Thomas Griesa will decide if former CCNY President Yolanda Moses acted illegally in nullifying the results of a student government election that a slate of student activists had won.
Asheville, NC – When members of the University of North Carolina – Asheville Students for a Democratic Society (UNC-Asheville SDS) heard that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was coming to hold one of her lynch mob style rallies in Asheville, there was no question of organizing a protest. Workers, students and members of the Asheville community assembled outside of the Civic Center downtown. On Oct. 26, there was an outpouring of over 300 protesters who confronted Palin and her rally of supporters.
On February 15, millions of the people of the world stood up against the imperial might of the United States government, to say no to war with Iraq. In the largest day of protest ever, the people’s movements have done what so many governments have been unable to do – scare the U.S. war machine. People in over 2,000 cities worldwide came out. Over a quarter of a million people in the U.S. alone stood up against the war.
New York, NY – Over 100 students are occupying the 65 5th Avenue building of the New School. The occupation began Wednesday, Dec. 17 and has the broad support of faculty and staff at the university. The New School in Exile, as the building occupation is called, is organized by the Radical Student Union (RSU), a coalition of Students for a Democratic Society, Student Environmental Action Coalition and United for Peace and Justice at New School.
- On March 25, over 250 protesters gathered at the Federal Office Building in downtown Minneapolis at 7 a.m. for the Anti-War Committee’s rally against the war on Iraq. Protesters then marched through downtown streets to the federal courts building. As they approached the Federal Building, activists peeled off from the march to cover entrances, preventing people and cars from entering the building. While the outside entrances were blocked, activists who were masquerading as visitors did a die-in, blocking the metal detectors inside the building. The march continued to the front plaza, where a legal rally was held in solidarity with the demonstrators doing civil disobedience and with the people of Iraq. 67 protesters were arrested. Police held some for 12 hours.
Bloomington, MN – More than 500 striking flight mechanics and their supporters rallied near the airport here, Sept. 17 to demand a fair contract from Northwest Airlines. In addition to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) strikers, the rally drew from a cross-section of the local labor movement.
Chicago IL – En una decisión sorprendiente, integrantes del local número 743 del Sindicato de Camioneros (Teamsters) votaron a favor de una planilla de delegados de tendencia democrática de la base a la convención de su sindicato, rechazando a otra planilla dominada por funcionarios y por títeres del presidente nacional de la unión Jimmy Hoffa Jr. La convención internacional del sindicato establece las posiciones políticas del organismo y nomina los candidatos para la presidencia internacional y la Junta Ejecutiva del mismo.
Chicago, IL – Por el factor del viento parecía dos grados bajo cero en Chicago cuándo los trabajadores empezaron su piqueteo el 6 de diciembre. Tras 45 minutos de marchar en las nubes de nieve, supieron que habían enviado un mensaje fuerte. “Estamos luchando para salvar a nuestros trabajos” gritó Shirley McIntosh, levantando la voz para ser escuchada en el viento.
Chicago, IL — The wind chill was 2 degrees below zero when University of Illinois at Chicago (U.I.C.) workers started picketing on Dec. 6. After 45 minutes of marching in the blowing snow, they knew they had sent a strong message. “We're fighting for our jobs!” said Shirley McIntosh, shouting to be heard over the snowstorm.
Minneapolis, MN — En Junio, casi 1.500 trabajadores de 9 hoteles en Minneapolis, Minnesota fueron en huelga. Los trabajadores son organizado en el sindicato HERE 17, muchos de ellos son inmigrantes; se hablan mas de 17 idiomas. Los dueños de los hoteles ganan milliones de dólares, mientras los trabajadores seguir viviendo en pobreza con pocos beneficios. Los trabajadores lucharon por salarios mejores, beneficios de salud y la dignidad en su trabajos. La huelga, apoyado por 94% de los trabajadores, duró 13 dias y recibió atención naciónal. Los trabajadores de varios nacionalidades construyeron unidad en la lucha, y ganaron el apoyo de otros trabajadores y de la comunidad. Al fin, los trabajadores ganaron salarios mejores, beneficios de salud para sus familias, y mas dignidad.