Fort Lauderdale, FL – On Sunday, April 15, about 25 members of the South Florida activist community joined together outside of the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale to protest the latest U.S. attacks on Syria. The event was in reaction to the attack Friday night by U.S. and its accomplices, in which they illegally bombed three government-controlled sites in and around heavily populated areas in Syria.

Protesters held several “Hands off Syria!” signs and a large hand-painted banner that read, “Stop the endless war! U.S out of the Middle East!” As cars drove by along the busy downtown roads, the spirited group of protesters chanted slogans such as, “Hey, hey Donald J, how many bombs did you drop today?”

After about one hour of chanting and sign-waving, the group formed a circle to hear the organizers of the event speak about why protesting these endless wars is imperative.

Lifetime anti-war activist Ray del Papa, of Pax Christi, addressed the crowd by reminding them of the lies told by the media and the politicians in the months leading up to the Iraq War. He warned that the U.S. is playing a world-ending game against Russia in Syria, and that the stakes are high.

Conor Munro, an organizer with People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), also addressed the crowd, stating, “We know it’s not going to be Trump junior or senators’ sons that are going to fight and die in war against the people of Syria. It’s the 99% that will have to fight, and all to line the pockets of the big corporations.”

Munro continued, “While Donald Trump was out bombing Syria, we could have used that money to fix the poisoned water in Flint, or give health care to all Americans, or to provide free college for millions of students. And don’t let the news media fool you into thinking this is a humanitarian war. Do we really think that Donald Trump is a humanitarian?”

To show the hypocrisy in American ‘humanitarian intervention,’ Munro mentioned the desperate humanitarian crisis in Yemen caused by Saudi Arabia, the slaughter of dozens of Palestinians in recent weeks by Israel, and the millions of Iraqis killed in the U.S. ‘War on Terror,’ all acts committed by or assisted by the U.S.

#FortLauderdaleFL #AntiwarMovement #Syria #POWIR #PeoplesOppositionToWarImperialismAndRacism

Fort Lauderdale, FL- On Feb. 3, 30 members of the South Florida community gathered outside of the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale to protest the illegal and unjust imprisonment of 16-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi. The protest, which was called, “Free Ahed and ALL Child Prisoners,” focused not only on young Ms. Tamimi but also the 300-plus other child prisoners being held in Israeli occupation jails.

At the protest, activists held signs that read, “Free all children from occupation,” and “Stand up for Ahed and all of Palestine.” As they congregated along the sidewalk along the busy intersection at Broward Boulevard and SE 3rd street, the group shouted chants such as, “Jail Bibi, free Tamimi!” and “IDF, what do you say? How many kids you kill today?”

After about an hour of chanting and sign-waving, the group gathered to hear speeches from various organizations. Donna Nevel, a lead organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace, was one of those who addressed the crowd.

“We stand firmly with the Palestinian people and join them in their calls for justice, to live in their homes and on their land without constant violence and abuse at the hands of the Israeli government,” Nevel said. “We stand with Ahed Tamimi and her family and the people of her village, Nabi Saleh, who are courageously resisting injustice!”

Thousands of Palestinians remain in Israeli occupation prisons under phony charges or without having been formally charged with any crimes. In these prisons, they are often subjected to harsh conditions, threats against their families, and torture. It is in these same prisons that the Israeli Defense Forces lock up young Palestinian children for throwing rocks at armored tanks, attending protests, or simply being related to politically active people.

Young Palestinians standing up against the Israeli government and its soldiers are forming a new threat to the Israeli establishment. They are deciding to fight back against the U.S. insistence that Palestinians accept a fate doled out to them by imperialist U.S. and apartheid Israel. Ahed Tamimi is a symbol of the new resistance, born and raised under occupation, violence and war; refusing to accept anything but a totally free Palestine.

As the chants died down in Fort Lauderdale, the protesters reaffirmed their commitment to do their part as activists in the U.S, to combat U.S foreign policy that does harm to children and all others in Palestine and in countries throughout the world.

The protest was organized by a coalition of various groups including POWIR, Al-Awda South Florida, Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida, National Lawyers Guild Miami and Friends of Sabeel South Florida.

#FortLauderdaleFL #Palestine #POWIR #AhedTamimi #MiddleEast

POWIR [People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism] unequivocally stands in solidarity with 16 year old Palestinian youth activist Ahhed Tamimi and all other Palestinian child prisoners illegally detained in Israeli prisons.

Ahed has been targeted by the Israeli state for her family’s long standing anti-colonial activism that opposes the Israeli occupation and the continued annexation of their village lands by Israeli settlements. On January 1, Ahed was indicted with 12 charges for activism, including assault of an IDF soldier and incitement based on social media posts. This punishment has also been collectively extended to her mother Nariman and her cousin Muhammad Tamimi who was shot in the face with rubber bullets at an Anti-Trump action.

Since the year 2000, over 8,000 Palestinian children have been detained in Israeli jails. These children are often not allowed legal counseling or even allowed contact with their parents. Israel, using its “emergency rules,” operates under 1,500 military laws that can be arbitrarily changed. This often denies Palestinians the right for legal representation or trial, leading to indefinite detainment. Mass arrest is commonly used as a tool of collective punishment which is illegal under international law. Israel is the only country to prosecute children in military courts.

We stand against this practice and the larger colonization of Palestinian lands that has been ongoing for decades. We support all those, young and old, who resist Israeli occupation. We denounce the charges against Ahed and the criminalization of young freedom fighters, while violent while IDF soldiers are given free range to abuse Palestinians with no consequences.

In Solidarity,

People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism

“My daughter is just 16 years old. In another world, in your world, her life would look completely different. In our world, Ahed is a representative of a new generation of our people, of young freedom fighters. This generation has to wage its struggle on two fronts. On the one hand, they have the duty, of course, to keep on challenging and fighting the Israeli colonialism into which they were born, until the day it collapses. On the other hand, they have to boldly face the political stagnation and degeneration that has spread among us. They have to become the living artery that will revive our revolution and bring it back from the death entailed in a growing culture of passivity that has arisen from decades of political inactivity.” Bassem Tamimi, Ahed Tamimi's father.

#FtLauderdaleFl #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #PeoplesStruggles #Florida #POWIR #AhedTamimi #PeoplesOppositionToWarAndImperialism #MiddleEast

Miami, FL – Over 4000 people took to the streets of Miami Friday night, Nov. 11 to protest the presidential election and President-elect Donald Trump. Like the dozens of major protests that have erupted across the country, this impromptu emergency call to action was issued one day after the election results were announced and immediately spread like wildfire over social media.

The massive march was a denunciation of the racist, anti-women and xenophobic rhetoric and policies put forth by Donald Trump and his campaign, as well as a condemnation of both major political parties’ corrupt practices and collusion with the 1%.

The protest began outside of Bayfront Amphitheater in Biscayne Bay, at the heart of downtown Miami. Even before the scheduled start-time, hundreds of people began gathering at the meetup location, carrying signs that read, “Not my president,” and “The DNC gave us Trump.” By 7 p.m., the numbers had swelled, chants grew louder and louder, and the group left the park and took to Biscayne Boulevard chanting, “The people, united, will never be divided!”

The massive group, led by a banner that read “Dump Trump! No hate In FL!” took over downtown Miami and halted all traffic going in and out of downtown. Cars honked in support, many drivers joining in the chants with their windows lowered. After an hour of marching north on Biscayne Blvd, the group abandoned their original route and took to the MacArthur Causeway, hopping the barriers to stop traffic from both directions.

As protesters marched down the highway for a mile, more and more people joined in. After leaving the Causeway, protesters marched back to Biscayne Bay only to retake another one of Miami’s busiest highways, Interstate 95. Once on the highway, they chanted “Muslim lives matter!” and “We reject the president elect!”

The group marched for miles from 6 to 10 p.m., never backing down, never stopping to rest. The protesters were diverse in gender, age and nationality. People marched for LGBTQ rights, climate change, peace, women’s rights and against racist discrimination. They marched against hate, fear and bigotry.

An attack on the march came from the balcony of a Miami condo building near the I-95 exit to Biscayne Boulevard, from which spiteful onlookers opposed to the march threw several glass bottles down at the protesters from several stories up. The bottles shattered on the street below; a woman and an eleven-year-old girl arm was struck and bruised, causing her to fall to the ground in tears. The height from which the bottle was thrown could have done much more serious damage.

The protest in Miami was one of three major protests held throughout South Florida over the weekend. More protests are planned for the coming days and weeks in South Florida to denounce Donald Trump. Plans are also in the making to converge on the nation’s capital on inauguration day.

#MiamiFl #US #PeoplesStruggles #Florida #POWIR #Elections #Elections2016

Miami, FL – About 30 anti-war activists in South Florida gathered together, Aug. 18, to hear Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin speak about her new book, Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S-Saudi Connection. Miami was Benjamin’s first stop on a tour meant to increase awareness and create more dialogue around the ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Kingdom of the Unjust, largely centers around the human rights abuses and war crimes committed by the Saudi government, and how the U.S. supports, utilizes, and defends those actions. Benjamin spoke about the millions of dollars’ worth of weapons the U.S. sells to Saudi Arabia each year, their mutual interests in the Middle East, as well as their involvement in American politics.

Her book and the tour itself could not have come at a more opportune time. Over the last five years, the Saudis have not only exported weapons and money to terrorist groups throughout the Middle East fighting in Syria, Iraq and Libya. These Saudi-backed groups have created violence and chaos throughout the region which has killed hundreds of thousands.

Benjamin talked of the current waves of illegal bombing raids the Saudi government is conducting against the people of Yemen. These strikes have targeted schools, hospitals and heavily populated neighborhoods, killing thousands of civilians. Yet despite these horrific war crimes, the U.S. continues to support their regime.

Several progressive groups came together to discuss these topics with Benjamin, including the Green Party of Miami and People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR). The audience was able to ask questions and give input during the event.

“In her lucid presentation, Medea dismantled false dominant paradigms about the U.S.'s interests in the Middle East,” said Carlos Valnera of POWIR.

“It was important for Benjamin to speak in south Florida to inspire a new wave of peace and justice activists to get mobilized,” said David Gibson of Peace, Justice and Sustainability Florida. “She supported current activists who continue to work for positive change and informed us on the coming struggles so we can organize a powerful and effective response to the abuses of those currently in power.”

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #Florida #POWIR #MedeaBenjamin

North Miami, FL- About 50 activists and members of the North Miami community gathered at the North Miami Police Department, July 25, to protest the recent shooting Charles Kinsey. Protesters held signs that read, “Fire and jail all (wannabe) killer cops,” and “All lives will matter when Black lives do.” The protest included an hour long sit-in inside the police station, where they demanded answers for the attack on Charles Kinsey.

Kinsey is a Black behavioral healthcare worker who was shot twice in the leg by police officer Jonathon Aledda. He got shot while attempting to assist a nonverbal autistic man, Arnaldo Rios, who was a client at the group home where Kinsey works.

At the time Kinsey was shot, he was lying on the ground with his hands up, explaining to the officers that he was a healthcare worker and that the young autistic man sitting on the ground next to him only had a toy truck, not a gun. When Kinsey asked why the cop shot him, Aledda answered, “I don’t know.” This prompted protesters to chant “’I don’t know’ is not enough!” outside of the police station.

To add insult to injury, after shooting Kinsey, cops proceeded to put him in handcuffs rather than call an ambulance. And in a disgraceful attempt to defend officer Aledda, the Police Benevolent Association explained that Aledda was trying to shoot Rios, the 26-year-old autistic man, but missed.

Once they all squeezed inside the police station, protesters demanded complaint forms, so that each person there could file an official complaint against Aledda. The police told the activists that they do not have official complaint forms or an official mechanism for filing their complaints, so police tore out pieces of paper from a notepad and handed them out.

Activists felt slighted by this action, knowing that complaints on random pieces of paper would not be taken seriously. So they used the papers to also write up speeches that they later delivered, explaining why they were there and why communities across the nation must keep fighting for justice.

Many of the protesters at the sit-in were teachers, who explained that police brutality is an issue that affects their students on a daily basis and that they feel they must speak out against. Some even spoke about how teachers are trained and certified in interacting with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities and mental disabilities. One teacher in attendance asked, “Why aren’t these police officers trained to deal with mental breakdowns and people with disabilities the way we are? Why was their first instinct to shoot? Can you guarantee us that our autistic children will not be victims of police brutality?”

This was the second protest at the North Miami Police station for Charles Kinsey, and activists vowed to continue fighting until the police officer is fired and put on trial.

#NorthMiamiFl #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #POWIR #SouthFlorida #CharlesKinsey

Cassia Laham of People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) in Fort Lauderdale states, “The South Florida anti-war and pro-Palestine communities have been mobilizing for Rasmea ever since her case first went to trial. We understand the importance of keeping this amazing Palestinian hero out of jail. She survived the unlivable horrors in occupied Palestine at the hands of Israeli soldiers, and, instead of coming to the U.S. and forgetting her homeland, Rasmea began organizing in the streets of Chicago for immigrant rights, women's justice and against police brutality. She is a relentless warrior and we have supported her through this witch-hunt against her and we will continue to do so in Cincinnati at her trial.”

Laham continued, “If one 67-year-old woman can survive occupation and torture at the hands of Israeli military, come to the U.S. and continue organizing for justice even after her imprisonment, then surely the pro-Palestine community can mobilize in her defense!”

A rally will take place in front of the Federal Courthouse at 8:00 a.m., Oct. 14, and supporters will attend the hearing.

#FtLauderdale #FL #Palestine #PoliticalPrisoners #Florida #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression #POWIR #RasmeaOdeh #SouthFlorida

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Over 100 people held a vigil, rally and march the evening of June 23, in a community response to the Charleston massacre of nine African American churchgoers.

The organizers’ statement read, “The South Florida community unites with communities throughout the country in remembering the victims of this attack.” After the vigil there was a “rally against national oppression and racist violence in the U.S.”

The vigil and rally began in front of the African American Research Library in the Sistrunk neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, a predominantly African American community. Protesters gathered chanting, “When Black and brown bodies are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” Their signs read, “Black lives matter,” and “Stand up against white supremacy and racism.”

It then turned into a two-mile march as protesters took to the streets. They chanted loudly as they marched down Sistrunk Boulevard. People from the neighborhood joined the chanting and several joined the march. Halfway through, protesters energetically took over an intersection at NW 6th Street and NW 9th Avenue for several minutes, blocking traffic and shouting, “If we don’t get it, shut it down! Shut it down!”

The attack on the AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina was committed by a white supremacist hoping to start a race war against African Americans. The AME Church was specifically chosen for its historic importance to the African American people and because it was the target for Klan violence in the past. The white killer’s goal was to intimidate, but instead the result is a strengthening of the African American people’s resolve to end their oppression. Rather than give into fear and racist violence, people throughout the country are joining African Americans and rising up in unity to stand against racism and oppression. The South Florida protest was a part of that fight back.

Didier Ortiz, one of the organizers of the South Florida march, spoke to the crowd. “Together we have the power to end racial violence,” he said, “It starts with solidarity and ends in liberation!”

The march ended at the Mount Hermon AME Church, where protesters gathered for a vigil to remember the nine victims of the Charleston massacre. They held moments of silence for all victims of racist hate. People also held candles and listened to speeches from community organizers and religious leaders.

“Let's call this what it is: the massacre in Charleston was a terrorist attack,” said St. James Valsin, an organizer of the event. “And long before ISIS or Al-Qaeda ever existed Black and brown people in America – Black, brown, and poor people all over this world – have felt the sting of American terror in the form of imperialism and capitalism. The institutionalized racism and sexism that we are fighting against are all byproducts of the American dream.”

The protest was organized by local community organizations including People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), Broward Dream Defenders, and Broward Green Party. Protesters say that they will march again and again until they “finally get the freedom and justice we all deserve.”

#FortLauderdaleFL #AfricanAmerican #Antiracism #POWIR #CharlestonMassacre

According to anti-war activist Pamela Maldonado, a lead organizer with People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), all members of the South Florida pro-Palestine and pro-justice community should attend. “We want the dedicated South Florida community to keep up the support for this incredible fighter for justice. They will have the opportunity to ask Michael Deutsch and Rasmea Odeh questions and find out what else we, her supporters, can do to support her appeal and to keep Rasmea free.”

Odeh is a 68-year-old Palestinian American leader who is facing 18 months in prison followed by deportation. Odeh was born in occupied Palestine and, like many Palestinians, organized to oppose Israeli injustices against her people. Because of her activism, Odeh was jailed and tortured in an Israeli prison for ten years before moving to the U.S. While here, she has helped lead the Arab American Action Network in the Chicago community for over two decades.

Two years ago, however, she was arrested part of a wave of political arrests and grand jury subpoenas against people’s movements in the U.S. They arrested her on charges of immigration fraud and then proceeded to put on a sham trail where Odeh was denied her best defense and found guilty.

As Odeh and her legal team work on her appeal, it is up to her supporters to continue to keep this case alive in public discourse, to continue to publicly support this courageous woman and to take action on her behalf.

“We have seen what people power has been able to accomplish in her trial – the shortened sentence and the popular support she now has—and so we know our work on the ground is important,” Maldonado said. “We know victory takes people coming together and taking a stand against injustice!”

Face Book on the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1597604233812127/

#FortLauderdaleFL #PoliticalRepression #POWIR #RasmeaOdeh #MichaelDeutsch

Doral, FL- In spite of pouring rain, nearly 70 people took to the streets near Miami, Jan. 11 demanding the immediate closure of the U.S. prisons at Guantanamo Bay. The march took place on the 13th anniversary since the prison doors at Guantanamo Bay Detention center first opened. Protesters marched for over a mile on the busy streets of South Florida’s industrial district until they arrived at the gates of U.S. Southern Command, the headquarters and control center for Guantanamo Bay.

“For 13 years the U.S. has kept Guantanamo open, wrongly imprisoned innocent people and tortured them, all under the pretense of fighting terrorism,” said Conor Munro, a lead organizer with POWIR, an anti-war group that helped organize the protest. “It’s time the U.S. shut down the entire military base at Guantanamo and give the land back to the Cuban people.”

“The U.S. erases the reality of torture by punishing victims of torture, like Palestinian American women’s leader Rasmea Odeh in Chicago!” explained Holly Kent-Payne, with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. Rasmea Odeh, tortured and raped by the Israeli military 40 years ago, is facing sentencing in a Detroit court after an unfair trial.

Kent-Payne continued, “The same is true for the prisoners at Guantanamo, whose existence as prisoners of war is officially denied by the U.S. government. Meanwhile the real perpetrators of war and torture in Washington D.C. are let off the hook.”

The demonstration began at the corner of NW 36th Street and NW 87th Avenue, where community members gathered with signs reading, “End the torture,” and “Close down the torture prison now!” People also wore art displays by internationally-renowned protest artist Huong that read “No to torture,” and “Shut it down.” The colorfully painted wooden signs brought the Miami art scene to the streets. Passing drivers honked enthusiastically in support of the protesters and a few passersby grabbed signs and joined in the rally. After 30 minutes of sign-waving, the crowd took to the streets shouting, “Close Gitmo now!”

City of Doral Police were out in force, as well as federal security agents who followed the protesters from start to finish in black cars with tinted windows, taking pictures. What was meant to intimidate protesters only emboldened them, as they faced the police and security officials’ cars with their signs.

After 40 minutes of marching and chanting, the demonstrators finally converged at their target – the U.S. Southern Command. The secluded command center, where the U.S. military and intelligence agencies make plans and give directions, is home to the joint operations in charge of the prisons and military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Once they arrived, protesters got to hear speeches by prominent leaders in the national and local anti-war movements.

“Spend money on jobs and education, not for torture and occupation,” said Jonathan Waring, a member of the University of Florida Students for a Democratic Society.

Protesters called on the U.S. government to address seven specific demands, including the immediate closure of the prisons, ending all torture of prisoners and repatriating all innocent prisoners and their families upon release.

“Change will finally come and the U.S. will shut down this house of torture,” said Dave Gibson from War vs Human Needs.

Protests took place simultaneously in several locations throughout the country, including Washington, D.C. and California. The march in Miami was organized by a coalition of anti-war and pro-justice groups, including: POWIR, War vs Human Needs, National Lawyers Guild, Green Party of Broward County and Students for Justice in Palestine.

#DoralFL #AntiwarMovement #GuantanamoBay #PoliticalPrisoners #PoliticalRepression #POWIR

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Over 250 people gathered at the Federal Courthouse here, Aug. 2 to protest U.S. support for Israeli terrorism in Gaza. As the bombs continued to drop on the people of Gaza, people of South Florida joined together to stand in solidarity with Palestine and demand an end to U.S. aid to Israel. This was the third major rally for Palestine in South Florida in three weeks.

The rally began in the evening, with protesters chanting “Free, free Palestine!” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, this racist war has got to go!” Palestinian flags waved high above the gathering and signs called for peace with justice for Palestine. Cars honked in approval and passersby joined in the gathering.

In the past two weeks, national leaders and people of the world have risen up to denounce Israeli war crimes in Gaza and to support Palestine. Since the Israeli Operation Protective Edge began over a month ago, more than 1700 Palestinians have been killed. Gaza has no electricity, entire towns are leveled, the hospitals there are overwhelmed, bodies are decaying in the streets, and no place – including shelters – is safe from Israeli aggression.

About an hour after the protest started, the chants came to an end. The crowd became somber and quiet as the protesters formed a large circle at the front of the courthouse for a memorial to the victims in Gaza. People were asked to come into the center one by one to read aloud about 1000 names of innocent men, women and children murdered by Israeli missiles and bombs.

Emotions ran high as the names and ages of the fallen were read by people of all ages, races and religions. Pain, sadness and anger overtook many who approached the megaphone in the center of the circle. It was soon evident entire families were wiped out by Israel, and that many of the people killed by Israel in the past month were children. The youngest victim memorialized at the rally was four months old.

As names of innocent victims were read to a silent crowd, a group of about 15 counter-protesters waving American and Israeli flags across the street began shouting. Their disrespect for the dead was obvious as they chanted, “Go Israel!” and “Go home terrorists!” in between names.

After the names were read, however, the voices of the few counter-protesters were drowned out by the roar of 250 people chanting, “We. Are. We are all Palestine! We. Are. We are all Palestine!” Protesters say they will continue to organize until there is justice for Palestine.

The protest was organized by Al-Awda South Florida, People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Green Party of Broward County.

#FortLauderdaleFL #AntiwarMovement #Gaza #Palestine #AlAwda #POWIR #StudentsForJusticeInPalestine #MiddleEast

Fort Lauderdale, FL – 400 people protested outside the U.S. Federal Courthouse here to demand an end to the Israeli massacre in Gaza. The large demonstration called for the U.S. to end all military aid to Israel. Also, protesters denounced biased U.S. corporate news reporting about the Israeli war on Palestine.

In this latest offensive against the people of Gaza, Israel has killed over 400 Palestinians in their homes and neighborhoods. Israeli shelling is now leveling entire villages. There is no time between explosions for families to even mourn their dead. Meanwhile, President Obama continues to reiterate the U.S. unwavering support for Israel.

In Fort Lauderdale, the hundreds of protestors who gathered expressed their anger and frustration toward the U.S. and Israeli governments continued war against the people of Palestine. Protesters waved large Palestinian flags and held signs reading, “Free Palestine now,” “One state is the only solution,” and “Stop using my tax dollars to fund Israeli terror.” Cars driving by honked in solidarity with the crowd.

“We are here to demand one thing: Free Palestine!” Anas Amireh, lead organizer with Al-Awada South Florida, told the crowd. “In this country, we are seeing cuts to education, cuts to social and public services, entire cities like Detroit going bankrupt, and yet this government continues to use over $3 billion of our taxes every year to fund Israeli occupation and war crimes against the Palestinian people!”

Protesters chanted, “Netanyahu, shame on you, kids are dying ‘cause of you!” Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is vowing to continue the assault on Palestine. A majority of those in attendance were Palestinians, many of whom have family living in Gaza. Emotions ran high as the crowd chanted, “Gaza, Gaza, don’t you cry, Palestine will never die!”

“Let's continue to organize against a for-profit economic and political system that banks on continued war and terror in Palestine and everywhere!” Cassia Laham, an organizer with POWIR, said. “Let's organize against any and all U.S. intervention in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Let's organize against political repression of activists, especially in the Arab communities, by the U.S. government. That is how we can help put an end to what is happening all the way in Palestine!”

The large crowd dispersed after two hours, vowing to continue to organize and protest until the bombs stop dropping on Gaza and Palestine is free. The event was organized by a coalition of local progressive groups including Al-Awda (Palestinian Right to Return Coalition), POWIR (People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

#FortLauderdaleFL #ForthLauderdaleFL #Palestine #POWIR #FtLauderdale #MiddleEast

Miami, FL – Over two dozen activists gathered at the Torch of Friendship in downtown here, June 21, to rally against U.S. intervention in Iraq. As the news comes out that the Obama administration is considering military action in Iraq, south Florida anti-war activists sent a message that the people of this country are opposed to endless war.

On June 16, the U.S. announced plans to deploy 275 troops to Iraq and U.S. officials announced the potential of military strikes. Military action by the U.S. destroyed the country of Iraq, killing hundreds of thousands and will not bring about peace now. The rally demanded that the U.S. not seek an intervention in Iraq, that no U.S. troops get sent overseas and that no airstrikes or drone strikes take place.

Cars honked to show support and passersby joined to listen to the speeches and chant “No justice! No peace! U.S. out of the Middle East!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for wars and occupation!” The banner that read “U.S. hands off Iraq” waved alongside signs that said “Not then, not now! U.S. out of Iraq!” and “First Bush, then Obama, different party, same drama!”

People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) organized the protest, with Occupy Miami, Progressive Democrats of America-Miami, CODEPINK Miami, Miami-Dade Green Party, Veterans for Peace Miami and SOA Watch coming together to say “Hands off Iraq!” Members of different organizations gave speeches and recounted the timeline of the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq.

Cecelia O’Brien, lead organizer for POWIR, opened the rally by narrating the history of U.S. military aggression in Iraq. President George Bush Sr. launched the first U.S. war on Iraq in 1990. Then when Clinton was in office, the U.S. used murderous sanctions and committed Operation Desert Fox, a four-day bombing campaign against Iraqi targets. Under George W. Bush, the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 and spent over $1 trillion. It appears that Obama is now following the pattern. “No matter what party has been in power for the past 20 years, we have been at war with Iraq. Is Obama truly an anti-war president? He has significantly expanded the drone campaign in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. He has not yet shut down Guantanamo Bay. And this week he sent armed troops to Iraq.”

“Many of us were here back in 2003 and protested when we invaded Iraq. During that time hundreds responded and we held weekly vigils for many years,” said Ray Del Papa, an organizer with SOA Watch who was involved with the Broward Anti-War Coalition during the years that Bush was in office.

O’Brien said, “It is urgent for the American people to take action now and not allow another war to be waged against Iraq. This protest is part of actions taking place across the country because of the potential threat of another war. The organizers of POWIR are announcing that when the U.S. strikes Iraq, we will respond with an emergency action at the Torch of Friendship the next day at 5:00 p.m.

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #Iraq #USImperialism #POWIR

Chicago, IL—With sectarian militants seizing cities and towns across northern Iraq and threatening war on Bagdad, President Obama announced on June 13, “We will not be sending US troops back into combat in Iraq, but I have asked my national security team to prepare a range of other options.” In response, antiwar leaders in the US are speaking out against US intervention and mobilizing people to protest US war moves.

Jess Sundin of the Minnesota Anti-War Committee said, “Traveling in Baghdad in the midst of the US sanctions regime back in 1998, I witnessed both the devastation caused by the first US Gulf War and sanctions, and at the same time, the resilience of the Iraqi people, who were warm, generous, and united against US intervention at that time. The sectarian conflict, plaguing Iraq today, is borne out of the US invasion and occupation of 2003. US intervention today will only serve to deepen the crisis in Iraq. The Iraqi people have never benefited from any bomb dropped on them by American pilots. They never have, and they never will.”

Sundin spoke directly to President Obama’s announcement, “The anti-war movement is taking the threats of US intervention very seriously. Here in Minneapolis, we have a plan for emergency protests if the Obama Administration carries out any bombing strikes. Now is the time to speak out – stop this war before it starts again. US hands off Iraq!”

In Chicago, where 15,000 people protested the NATO Summit in 2012, Kait McIntyre with the Antiwar Committee Chicago reflected, “As someone who came to the antiwar movement as a student in 2007 opposing the Iraq & Afghanistan wars, I find it horrific how easily the US government has forgotten the damage it caused in Iraq. When Obama says “other options”, does he mean drone attacks and air force bombings that do not differentiate their victims? We need to protest US war threats. For antiwar forces in the US, we must remember not only what our government has done but also what we, as a movement, can accomplish.”

Cassia Laham of People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) in Miami said, “The anti-war movement in the US and globally needs to organize and oppose any and all US aggression, whether it is US drone strikes, NATO air strikes, or special forces on the ground. The US already destroyed much of Iraq, killing hundreds of thousands, and does not need to do any further damage. If the US attacks, POWIR will hold an emergency action in South Florida.”

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #Iraq #AntiWarCommittee #POWIR

Miami, FL – Anti-war activists, students and Palestinian Americans gathered here to commemorate Al Nakba, which means “the catastrophe.” Al Nakba refers to the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians when they were violently forced off their land by Zionist militia groups in May 1948.

Organizers planned three days of remembering Al Nakba. The first occurred May 15, at Saint Jude Melkite Catholic Church in downtown Miami. 40 people gathered to give personal and historical presentations, share food provided by Al-Awda ( the Palestinian Right to Return Coalition) and read stories of those who experienced forced removal from their homes and land. It was very moving. As one Palestinian speaker explained, “That night I cried too, as I tried to sleep alongside thousands on the ground. Would I ever see my home again?”

The next day, organizers posted on social media sites to defend Rasmea Odeh, an Arab American activist in Chicago being politically targeted by the U.S. government. Although Odeh is charged with immigration fraud, activists around the U.S. say she is being targeted because of her powerful activism for Palestinian liberation, especially concerning women and girls. Across the country, mobilizations are under way for her June 10 court date in Detroit. Supporters can learn more and sign the petition at www.stopfbi.net.

On May 17, Palestinian solidarity activists met again to watch the Oscar nominated documentary Five Broken Cameras. The documentary is told from the perspective of a Palestinian participating in non-violent resistance to the partition wall being built through the land. The U.S. government funds Israel with more than $3 billion per year, while Israel ignores the Obama administration calls to stop building new settlements.

Organizer Cassia Laham, from People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) said, “It is important to remember that Al Nakba is not just an historical event. It is still ongoing as illegal settlements are continuously being built on Palestinian land. The U.S. government should stop sending our tax dollars to Israeli.”

Activists discussed the current struggle of the Palestinian people, including the growing international movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. Muhammed Malik, local Palestinian American organizer and former member of Students for Justice in Palestine at Florida International University, said, “Although the mainstream media doesn’t cover it, activists are constantly winning victories. I am hopeful that we will see justice for the Palestinian people.”

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #AlNakba #POWIR #RasmeaOdeh #MiddleEast

Miami, FL- Activists in South Florida celebrated International Women’s Day here, March 8, at the Wynwood Art Walk. The anti-war group People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) organized the event, which included a spoken-word performance of speeches by women freedom fighters, past and present.

About 15 activists from anti-war, immigrant rights, and pro-Palestine organizations spoke to hundreds of passersby who stopped to listen to the inspirational and powerful speeches. Sabrina Bracero of POWIR led the event, which included readings of speeches written by Sojourner Truth, Helen Keller, Leila Khaled and Isabell Allende. Didier Ortiz of Students for Justice in Palestine read the first speech by prominent anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.

“I cannot call myself an ‘anti-war’ activist if I don’t recognize that the dots of poverty, neo-liberalism, and environmentalism must be connected,” Ortiz read. “We can’t separate one cause from the other.”

POWIR also gathered over 180 signatures for the petition to drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh. Odeh, a prominent Palestinian women’s rights activist and community leader, is being zeroed-in on by the U.S. government as part of an ongoing witch-hunt against Arab-Americans and anti-war activists. She has been charged with phony immigration charges and faces jail time and deportation for her activism and pro-Palestinian activities. The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is circulating a petition to drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh.

“We support Palestine, we support women and we support Rasmea,” said Pamela Maldonado of POWIR. “Let’s celebrate International Women’s Day by calling on the government to drop these ridiculous charges against Rasmea Odeh, a powerful and important female leader in the activist community.”

The Miami crowd proved to be extremely receptive to the message of solidarity and empowerment. Many expressed concern over the U.S. government’s continued repression of activists and immigrants from the Middle East.

#MiamiFL #InternationalWomensDay #POWIR

Miami, FL- Medea Benjamin, an anti-war activist and lead organizer with CODEPINK: Women For Peace, joined South Florida activists at a meeting, Feb. 18, to discuss the condition of the anti-war movement in the U.S. and internationally. The discussion at Florida International University was hosted by People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) and included members from War vs. Human Needs, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

Medea Benjamin spoke about her travels to American-created war zones and areas being targeted by U.S. drones. She described tragic encounters with families of those murdered by American drones in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia – including the mother of three sons who were all targeted and killed by drone strikes.

“It is horrible that there are so many innocent casualties,” she said. “But even those actually targeted by drones and labeled as 'militants' are usually young people who join organizations like Al Qaeda because they don't have much and have run out of options. Hearing their families speak about them was like hearing about young people who decide to join gangs in the U.S.”

Such personal stories about this new form of war are described in her book, Drone Warfare: Killing By Remote Control, which she distributed to people at the meeting.

“The only ones benefiting from drones are the companies make them,” Benjamin said.

Aside from drone warfare, those in attendance also discussed the current state of the anti-war movement – its ups and downs since Obama took the U.S. presidency. They also discussed the importance of continuing to organize against U.S. wars and imperialism, mentioning the big 2012 anti-NATO protest in Chicago. Activists shared stories and asked questions regarding successes and failures of their various actions over the last year.

When Medea Benjamin asked about local actions, members of POWIR shared their experiences organizing against U.S. drone attacks, the U.S. torture prison at Guantanamo Bay, Obama’s failed attempt to start a new U.S. war in Syria, and spying by the NSA. They expressed the importance of rallying in solidarity with whistleblowers as well.

“It is inspiring to know that a new, young group like POWIR exists,” Benjamin said. “We are so impressed by your group and all the work you all have done.”

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #POWIR #MedeaBenjamin

Doral, FL – Over 100 protesters rallied near U.S. Southern Command here, Jan. 11, to demand an end to the torture and abuse being carried out in Guantanamo Bay. Many of the protesters came from nearby cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and some came from as far away as California and Michigan to demand that President Obama close down Guantanamo Bay for good.

The rally was organized by South Florida-based POWIR – People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism. The anti-war group formed a coalition with several groups to lead the protest, including Code Pink, Students for a Democratic Society and Veterans for Peace. The protest marked 12 years of the U.S. sending prisoners to Guantanamo Bay, a trend which started shortly after the ‘war on terror’ began.

Protesters began by assembling near a busy intersection approximately one mile from U.S. Southern Command. As people gathered, they brought signs that read “12 years too many” and “Stop the torture now! Close Guantanamo!” Protest organizers led militant chants such as, “Obama we don’t want your shame, no more torture in our name!” and “I don’t know what I’ve been told, we’ll keep marching till its closed! We are marching here to say: Obama close Guantanamo Bay!” The chants won a lot of support and honks from nearby cars. From there, protest organizers began the march to SouthCom by leading the people into the streets, even though the police denied that their permit protected the rights of the protesters to march in the streets. But the organizers were experienced and knew that the cops weren’t worth being worried about and marched into the streets anyways.

The march took up a full lane of traffic on the way to SouthCom. The lead banner read “Close Guantanamo now!” and listed the demands of the protesters. Once the march reached SouthCom, protesters dressed in the signature orange jumpsuits that prisoners at Guantanamo are forced to wear knelt down, blocking the entrance to SouthCom. The rest of the activists gathered behind the orange jumpsuits and also blocked the entrance. Speakers from Code Pink, Students for a Democratic Society, Progressive Democrats of America, Students for Justice in Palestine, POWIR, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression condemned the U.S. for keeping Guantanamo open and demanded it be closed and the prisoners released.

POWIR founder and protest organizer Cassia Laham told the crowd, “For half of my life, 12 years, Guantanamo has been allowed to exist – all as part of some warped strategy to win some ill-defined U.S.-fabricated war on terror. A war that knows no boundaries, no rules and no end. But who knows better than the U.S. what terror really means? Terror is the nearly 100,000 Iraqis who have been slaughtered by American bombs, terror is the thousands of Afghan children who have been murdered and raped and tortured… We stand here to today to say no to war, no to political repression, no to indefinite detention, no to torture and no to Guantanamo!”

#DoralFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #GuantanamoBay #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization #USSouthernCommand #antiwar #USImperialism #InjusticeSystem #CodePink #POWIR

Miami, FL- On Dec. 7, about 20 anti-war activists attended a workshop entitled, “So, You Think You Can Organize?” that was put on by People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR). The event took place at in the Graham Center at Florida International University and included presentations by organizers in POWIR, Students for a Democratic Society and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

The event was meant to equip activists with the skills needed to become effective organizers. Presentations included: “How to Make an Effective Flyer,” “How to Work the Media,” and “Organizing a Successful Campaign.”

“There are folks who believe a protest in and of itself is sufficient,” said Jared Hamil of FRSO during his presentation on organizing a campaign. “We see protests as extremely important aspects of what should otherwise be prolonged campaigns that are organized to accomplish a set goal.”

Some key points that attendees took from the presentations included:

• For any protest, make a large banner with your message clearly stated on it
• When talking to the media, speak in short sound-bites and repeat your message
• All flyers should include your group name, contact information and slogan

“Now you won’t just show up to these protests – you’re going to organize them,” said Cassia Laham, an organizer with POWIR, at the end of the event. “Let’s turn all of this newly acquired knowledge into action!”

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #POWIR

Hollywood, FL – A group of anti-war activists gathered downtown here, to mark 12 years of U.S. war and occupation in Afghanistan. At the busy intersection of Young Circle Park, protesters held signs to remind the public that the U.S. is still waging war on the people of Afghanistan. People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), a local anti-war group, organized the event.

The activists braved the rain and winds to demand an end to U.S. occupation, the immediate return of all U.S. troops and an end to wasteful spending on U.S. wars. The organizers stressed that billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on U.S. wars and occupations abroad, instead of on jobs, healthcare, and education at home.

Signs read, “12 years too long, U.S. out of Afghanistan,” “War is not the answer,” “Fund our schools, not your wars” and “Honk for peace.” As cars and buses drove by, they honked in solidarity and the passersby walking in the park made peace signs in support and engaged in discussion. The protesters sang, “All we are saying is give peace a chance,” as they waved the banner and signs.

Cassia Laham, lead organizer of POWIR, held 12 black balloons to mark the 12 terrible years endured by the Afghan people and for the lives lost in Afghanistan, including U.S. soldiers. She said in her speech, “Afghanistan and all other countries currently being occupied and dominated by the U.S. have the right to self-determination.”

Sandy Davies from Progressive Democrats of America said, “It’s much easier to start a war than to end one. There are still more than 50,000 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and the U.S. has increased the number of air strikes and continues to attack the Afghan people.”

Davies continued by stating how in 2013 alone, there have been over 2000 airstrikes in Afghanistan, which averages to about five to ten airstrikes per day.

The Obama White House more than doubled the number of drones in the air and intensified attacks in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, killing hundreds of civilians, with drone attacks on weddings, funerals and family homes.

The southern Florida protest was part of an international day of action opposing the war in Afghanistan.

#HollywoodFL #AntiwarMovement #Afghanistan #USImperialism #drones #POWIR