Atlanta, GA – On August 3, a coalition of local activists and community members gathered at Georgia State Convocation Center to protest a high-profile rally for former President Donald Trump and Republican Senator JD Vance.

The demonstration, organized by the Atlanta Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America, was called in response to the extreme right-wing agenda promoted by Trump, Vance and the Republican Party as a whole.

The protesters gathered directly outside the venue, facing off the thousands of MAGA supporters from around the Southeast, as evidenced by the number of people with wearing LSU and Alabama caps, who were unable to secure a spot inside. Police looked on as tensions escalated. Numerous Trump supporters physically confronted activists without consequence, shoving and throwing empty beer cans.

With signs reading “From Atlanta to Palestine, occupation is a crime” and ‘End U.S. aid to Israel,’ activists put special emphasis on opposing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people committed by Israel and the United States. Throughout the event, chants drew attention to Trump’s hateful, genocidal rhetoric towards Palestine and warmongering in the Middle East.

Protesters also voiced their disapproval of Trump’s record on mass incarceration, and his attacks on immigrant, LGBTQ and reproductive rights.

When the red-faced MAGA crowd tried to drown out protestors with rabidly jingoistic chants of “USA! USA,” the protesters countered with “Free free Palestine!”

Inside the center, Trump and Vance welcomed Georgia’s Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Jones’ appearance drew criticism from the protest crowd for his participation as one of the 16 illegitimate GOP electors who falsified documents during the unsuccessful plot to declare Trump the 2020 presidential winner.

Proud conspiracy theorist Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Congressman Mike Collins – who recently lauded a video of white Ole Miss students terrorizing a Black woman – and former Trump White House Political Director and Congressional-hopeful Brian Jack filled out the five-hour speaking list.

“We’re out here because Trump, Vance, and all these genocide-supporters are not welcome in our city,” said Erica Schneider, a spokesperson for the Atlanta Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

As the march to November and the 2024 presidential election continues, the swing-state of Georgia is likely to be a well-trodden pit stop for both the Republicans and the Democrats. Local activists in Atlanta plan to continue organizing protests and demonstrations to confront both parties and raise a people’s agenda.

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Behind the shutdown is Trump’s attempt to use the 800,000 undocumented youth who signed up for the DACA program, which allowed them to work and drive, as hostages to get his wall on the Mexican border; ending the diversity visa that brings in many African immigrants, and limiting legal immigration.

Funding for the federal government actually ran out last Oct. 1, and temporary spending agreements pushed the deadline back. Even if no spending bill is passed by Friday night, most of the federal government: Social Security, Medicare, and the military will continue to operate. Mail will be delivered and air traffic controllers will continue work at airports.

However, many civilian federal workers would be furloughed without pay starting Monday. As the shutdown continues, national parks could close, government and military contractors would not be paid, and many so-called ‘non-essential’ services would be suspended.

A much bigger financial hurdle for the federal government comes in late March or early April. The federal debt ceiling will stop the government from continuing to borrow and spend, unless there is an agreement to increase the debt limit. Given the large budget deficit, not being able to borrow would mean immediate cuts to Social Security, Medicare or military spending, as there is not enough other spending to cut.

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Cleveland, OH – More than 1000 people rallied with the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC on the opening day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland on July 18.

Speakers and activists representing more than 40 groups from the immigrant rights, labor, anti-war, student and Muslim civil rights movements gathered in downtown Cleveland for a rally lasting longer than one hour. Activists from more than 20 cities were represented at the rally. Many of the activists and speakers had organized local protests in their home cities against the racist and xenophobic Trump/Republican Party agenda in the days leading up to the convention.

Local community members in Cleveland joined the protesters for the rally and march toward the convention center.

Tom Burke of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC stated, “Today was a great day. We took our message to stop Trump right down to as close to the convention center as anyone will get. The Republicans, including the delegation from Texas who walked out of their hotel to see a thousand people taking a stand against the racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks engineered by the Republicans and their presidential nominee, Donald Trump, were shocked to see throngs of protesters in the streets speaking out against Trump and the Republican Party’s agenda of fear and racist hate.”

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