Minneapolis, MN – NBC news is reporting today, Aug. 27, that they have learned from government insiders that a attack on Syria could start “as early as Thursday.”

Washington, DC – Secretary of State John Kerry gave a speech on Aug. 26 that gives strong indications that the U.S. is preparing military attacks on Syria. Kerry stated that the government of Syria should be held responsible for the alleged use of chemical weapons near Damascus last week. The government of Syria is working with UN inspectors to determine what happened in the outskirts of Damascus.

Protest planned for Aug. 28

Minneapolis, MN – Peace activists in the Twin Cities are speaking out in opposition to military strikes against Syria.

Chicago anti-war leader says U.S. government lies to justify wars

Chicago, IL – Iran’s Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri issued a blunt warning to Washington, Aug. 25, in response to U.S. moves to escalate its war on Syria.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – 20 supporters of whistleblower Private First Class Bradley Manning gathered on the evening of Aug. 21 at the Federal Building in downtown here for an emergency protest. They demanded a presidential pardon for the 25-year old whistleblower.

According to a report from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), “An official spokesman at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that the cooperation agreement between Syria and the international committee for investigating the use of weapons of mass destruction in some areas in Syria didn't please the terrorists and the countries supporting them, which is why they came up with new false allegations that the Armed Forces used toxic gas in the Damascus Countryside.”

Los Angeles, CA – Local community activists and the Committee for Community Control of Police held a rally press conference here, August 18, to demand that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder file charges against George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin. The rally also raised the slogan of self-determination for the Black nation in the South and marked the 50-year anniversary of the historic civil rights march on Washington D.C. Speakers denounced the continued oppression of Blacks and Chicanos as evidenced of the ongoing killings and beatings by the police and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Barry Jonas prosecuting men for their efforts in 2008 and 2009

Chicago, IL – Federal charges were unsealed against two Chicago men, Aug. 6, for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwe. The charges claim that Ben Israel and Greg Turner assisted Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and others in an effort to lift the unjust economic sanctions. The government claims that Israel and Tuner were promised payment for their lobbying and consulting work in 2008 and 2009.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from BAYAN-USA. BAYAN-USA is an alliance of 18 progressive Filipino organizations in the U.S. representing youth, students, women, workers, artists, and human rights advocates.

Plans for regional anti-drone protest in Chicago

Minneapolis, MN – Meredith Aby of the Twin Cities-based Anti-War Committee condemned the escalating wave of U.S. drone strikes in Yemen, stating, “There have been eight drone attacks in the past two weeks in Yemen which have killed more than 30 people. The U.S. is waging an undeclared war in Yemen and increasing the anger at the U.S. for its use of drones on civilians. It is particularly insulting to our sisters and brothers in the Muslim world that this escalation of drone strikes has corresponded with the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid. The president claims these drone strikes make us safer, when in fact they do the opposite. The people of Yemen see these attacks for what they are – acts of imperialism.”