Green Bay, WI – On April 18, nearly 100 members of the Green Bay and surrounding communities gathered for a rally to show solidarity and support with each other in the face of racism and police crimes. Leading the event was Justice for Jonathon, who seeks justice for Jonathon Tubby, an Oneida man who was murdered in 2018 by Green Bay police officer Erik O’Bryan while Tubby was handcuffed on the ground in the station sally port, pepper sprayed, and restrained by a police dog.
Appleton, WI – On April 16, the Appleton Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Sunrise Appleton, the Student Liberation Front and a grouping of international students kicked off their Fight for $15 campaign at Lawrence University. Many international students have been discussing the idea of a potential raise of the minimum wage at Lawrence University. Currently, the average student worker makes $7.25 an hour and for many students on-campus jobs are their only avenue of income.
Minneapolis, MN – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Black Student Union held a protest on the University of Minnesota campus, April 17, to demand justice for Daunte Wright, to call for community control of the campus police (UMPD), and to speak out against the recent deployment of the UMPD to brutalize protesters in Brooklyn Center. About 1000 students were in attendance, marking the largest on-campus demonstration in recent history. Speakers included students and community members who have experienced brutality at the hands of the National Guard this week while out in the streets demanding justice for Daunte Wright.
Minneapolis, MN – Freedom Road Socialist Organization’s (FRSO) Spring Fundraising drive hit another milestone April 18, as $35,000 has been raised and more is pledged.
Milwaukee, WI – Members of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) have been canvassing over the past month in the Arlington Heights neighborhood in an effort to change the name of Lindbergh Park to Lucille Berrien Park. From the start, the campaign has shown large support from the community. The residents of this neighborhood have displayed attachment to the park as many families have spent their entire lives in the area.
St. Paul, MN – Over 200 people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds, April 17, to demand climate justice from the Walz and Biden governments. The event was organized by the Climate Justice Committee of Minnesota.
Tallahassee, FL – On April 17, around 50 people from the Tallahassee community gathered at the Florida State University’s HCB Building to commemorate the eight victims from the recent Atlanta shooting and speak out on Asian American oppression.
Stillwater, MN – On April 17, a caravan of 200 protesters descended on the Twin Cities suburb of Stillwater to protest in front of Pete Orput’s home. Orput is the Washington County Attorney who decided what charges to bring on Officer Kim Potter, who killed Daunte Wright on April 11.
Minneapolis, MN – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Black Student Union held a protest on the University of Minnesota campus, April 17, to demand justice for Daunte Wright, to call for community control of the campus police (UMPD), and to speak out against the recent deployment of the UMPD to brutalize protesters in Brooklyn Center. About 1000 students were in attendance, marking the largest on-campus demonstration in recent history. Speakers included students and community members who have experienced brutality at the hands of the National Guard this week while out in the streets demanding justice for Daunte Wright.
Chicago, IL – More than 5000 people took to the streets, April 16, in response to the police murder of Adam Toledo. As demonstrators approached the home of Mayor Lightfoot, Chicago police formed a line in the street. More protests are expected, and support for community control of the police is growing.
Minneapolis, MN – A coalition of 20-plus Twin Cities organizations plan to protest on Monday, April 19 at 5 p.m. outside the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis, with a call for justice for George Floyd and conviction of Derek Chauvin. April 19 is when closing arguments and as jury deliberations begin.
Tallahassee, FL – On April 10, the Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC) held a rally at the Leon County Courthouse as part of a statewide day of action coordinated by organizations from the Florida Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression. Activists rallied to call on the Florida Senate to reject HB1/SB484, a repressive bill designed to limit protest and dissent in Florida. Dozens of activists showed up to hear organizers with TCAC, the Dream Defenders, and More Than A Name speak about how the need for continued struggle in the face of state repression.
Brooklyn Center, MN – As of April 15, there have been five days and nights of protests, vigils, press conferences, city council scrambling, firings and resignations – as well as outright battles between protesters and the law enforcement bodies from around the state that converged here after the killing of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.
St. Paul, MN – On April 14, union members from many unions across the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area heard reports that the National Guard was using the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation (SPRLF) building as a staging area to carry out their repression campaign against protesters calling for justice for Daunte Wright.
I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of my friend and legal counsel William Ramsey Clark who passed away last April 9, 2021. I have the highest regard for him as a champion of human rights, a staunch defender of the people’s right to national and social liberation, a fierce advocate of just peace and a resolute opponent to the imperialist policies and wars of aggression of the US.
I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of my friend and legal counsel William Ramsey Clark who passed away last April 9, 2021. I have the highest regard for him as a champion of human rights, a staunch defender of the people’s right to national and social liberation, a fierce advocate of just peace and a resolute opponent to the imperialist policies and wars of aggression of the US.
Chicago, IL – Over the weekend of April 11, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) was in bargaining with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) over the reopening of high schools in Chicago. The areas of disagreement revolve around accommodations for vulnerable teachers, scheduling to keep staff and students safe, remote work, and access to vaccines for students and family.
On March 30 voting ended for Amazon workers who were hoping to join the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU) at the Bessemer Alabama Distribution Center. While the mail-in vote ended on March 30, the vote count took over a week to complete, and included hundreds of challenged ballots, mostly from Amazon challenging the vote. In the end, the union lost the vote by more than a two-to-one margin, with 738 workers voting to unionize and 1798 voting not to.
