News and Views from the People's Struggle
Fight Back News Service is circulating the text of a speech by a leader of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Fernando Figueroa, which was delivered shortly before the July 18 march on the RNC in Cleveland, OH.
Cleveland, OH – Speaking at the July 18 anti-Trump protest at the Republican National Convention, Tracy Molm, a leader of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, told the nearly 1000 people assembled at the rally about the need to build the fight to get justice for Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh.
![Enter a descriptive sentence about the photo here.](https://i.snap.as/ACAY2qHs.jpg "Enter a descriptive sentence about the photo here. Juan Mendez - Jose \\"Peruzzi\\" Mendez's father, addressing Chief Beck. \(FightBack!News/Staff\)")
Los Angeles, CA – Facing intense pressure from the community, the Police Commission and Chief Beck fled a June 21 ‘community’ meeting.’ They could not take the heat and left out the back doors.
Washington DC – Since 7 a.m. this morning, July 20, around 50 activists with Black Youth Project 100 in Washington D.C., Black Lives Matter DMV Chapter, along with other organizations have shut down the national headquarters of the Fraternal Order of Police. The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest police union in the U.S.
Iosbaker is part of a human rights delegation in the Philippines from July 16-25.
Cleveland, OH – Organizers from the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC hit the streets of downtown Cleveland, July, 15, taking out the word about the national protest set for the opening day of the Republican National Convention.
Al parecer, el candidato para la presidencia elegido por el Partido Republicano, será el intolerante multi-millonario Donald Trump. En muchos sentidos, Trump representa todo lo que está mal con este país. Es un incansable promotor de ataques racistas contra inmigrantes y musulmanes, al igual que un misógino que defiende la opresión de la mujer. Al mismo tiempo es un predicador de la avaricia disfrazado como aliado de los trabajadores. Es un populista de derecha que solo posee una característica positiva, y es que, a menos que ocurra un cambio inesperado, es un candidato inelegible.
Olinka Green speaks
Fight Back! interviewed Olinka Green, a Dallas area activist who has been very prominent in the Black Lives Matter movement, but who is also known for Palestine solidarity work, support for the struggle of trans people, anti-war work, and activism on many other issues that are important to progressives. We sat down with her to hear what she had to say about recent events in Dallas.
Milwaukee, WI – Over 400 people showed up to Milwaukee’s Red Arrow Park at 4 p.m., July 11 in response to the recent murders of Black men by police. Organized and led by the Coalition for Justice, protesters marched through the streets of downtown Milwaukee. They paused at various locations to send a clear message to Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and the city: “Black lives matter!”
Jacksonville, FL – Over 500 people marched through downtown Jacksonville on July 10 demanding an end to racist police crimes. Local organizers affiliated with the #BlackLivesMatter movement called the protest in response to the recent murders of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Minnesota.
Los Ángeles, CA – En una rueda de prensa realizada el 5 de julio, bajo el canto de “Justicia para Edwin Rodríguez”, la familia y abogados presentaron una demanda contra el Condado de Los Ángeles y los vice-alguaciles del Departamento de Sheriffs, Andrew Alatorre y Sandy Galdámez, por el asesinato del joven padre de 24 años.
Minneapolis, MN – Today at Noon NAACP head Nekima Levy-Pounds and hundreds of people held a press conference in front of the Minnesota Governors mansion to protest the police murder of Philando Castile on July 6, 2016. The aftermath of the shooting and death of Philando Castile was livestreamed by his partner Diamond Reynolds. Philando Castile had been driving while black when he was pulled over for a broken tail light. When asked by the officer for his license and registration he informed the man that he was a concealed carry permit holder and had a gun on his person. This is in compliance with Minnesota law and the procedures permit holders are instructed to use. The officer opened fire upon hearing that he had a gun, shooting him 3-5 times in the arm. Officers held Ms. Reynolds and her daughter in the car at gunpoint while Philando Castile bled to death in front of them. The livestream broadcast brought people to the scene who protested the murder throughout the night, eventually occupying the street in front of the MN Governors mansion. Philando Castile is remembered as a kind man who gave out extra graham crackers to the kids at J.J Hill school in St. Paul where he was a lunchroom supervisor. He was a 15 year member of Teamsters Local 320. This is at least the second police murder of an African American man this week
#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #MN #BlackLivesMatter #PhilandoCastile
Houston, TX – Over 80 protesters gathered at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak, July 1, to stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine. Many were from the local Arab and Middle Eastern community. The protest caught a lot of attention.
Meredith Aby-Keirstead, of Fight Back! interviews James Jordan, with the Alliance For Global Justice in Tucson, Arizona. Jordan recently returned from the Accompaniment Delegation to Support Colombia’s Peace Process. Fight Back!: Want do Colombian activists say about the prospects for peace?
Washington D.C. – El anuncio realizado por la Suprema Corte el 23 de junio, destruyó la esperanza de más de 5 millones de padres y madres indocumentadas. El voto de la Suprema Corte quedó dividido en un empate de 4-4, lo que significa que no pudo ser revocada la decisión tomada por el tribunal de primera instancia, que impedía la implementación de los programas DAPA (Acción Diferida para Responsabilidad de los Padres) y la expansión de DACA (Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia).
Las Vegas, Nev. – Teamster President James P. Hoffa has decided to spend millions of dollars in union members’ dues money to showcase himself at the International convention which opened June 27 in Las Vegas. Hoffa demands that delegates wear red vests to show loyalty to his presidency as he seeks another five-year term in office.
Minneapolis, MN – AFSCME 3800 members – clerical workers at the University of Minnesota – joined nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) on the picket lines June24 to show their solidarity.
Chicago, IL – About 1000 protesters converged on Chicago City Hall, June 22. The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) was there to demand an elected, civilian police accountability council (CPAC). The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) raised their demand for progressive revenue to fund the public schools, but also supported the demand for community control of the police. The CPAC rally also included Black Lives Matter, the Pilsen Alliance, U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), and AnakBayan, the Filipino patriotic youth organization.
Minneapolis, MN – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) were on picket lines in force today, June, 20, as more than 4800 nurses began the second day of their seven-day unfair labor practices strike at five Allina Hospitals. A key issue is Allina’s demand that nurses take a big hit on health care benefits.
Tampa, FL – Twenty Tampa student and community activists gathered for a barbecue on June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth. Hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), attendees discussed topics such as African American history, the Black Lives Matter movement, socialism and African American liberation in the Black Belt South.