Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

Anti-War Movement

By Zhenya Aleksandrovna and Caryn Hart

A large number of protesters marching with flags and a banner.

Chicago, IL – Several hundred people mobilized in downtown Chicago, June 28 to demand the end of all U.S aid to Israel and divestment of Illinois bonds from companies complicit in the occupation of Palestine.

This weekly demonstration was organized by the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine (CJP). CJP has organized mass demonstrations almost every week for nearly two years since the current Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza began in October 2023.

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By Kacey Hicks

A group of protesters facing off with police in riot gear.

Denver, CO – On Sunday, June 29, the Colorado Palestine Coalition organized a protest in response to United States and Israeli escalations in Iran. They also called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Over 60 people came out to march and as the crowd picked up steam after a few speeches they took the streets.

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By Oliver Cheese

People in a crowd holding banners and signs.

Tallahassee, FL – On June 24, community members rallied at the Florida State Capitol to denounce the latest wave of U.S. and Israeli aggression in the Middle East. Called by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization the morning after the U.S. military launched an unprovoked attack on three Iranian nuclear sites, the protest brought together students and workers from across the city to condemn the U.S. attack and complicity with Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

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By staff

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, June 25, 100 people gathered in Milwaukee for an emergency “Hands Off Iran” action, the second led by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) this month, and the third held in the city that same week.

The event came a few days after the Trump administration bombed three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, June 21. Up to this point, the U.S. government had been funding and supporting Israel as it bombed Iran, but had not itself launched an attack. Saturday’s news caused concern among people in the U.S. that it would spark a wider war in the region.

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By Tom O'Hegarty

A group of people standing in front of a church.

Grand Rapids, MI – Spirits were high on the morning of June 26, as 42 people embarked from Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, beginning the first leg of their five-day trek to Lansing, the state capital. The March Against Genocide, organized by Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids, is a fundraising effort for the nonprofits HEAL Palestine and Playgrounds for Palestine.

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By Meredith Aby

Minneapolis protest demands hands off Iran.

Minneapolis, MN – On June 28, the Free Palestine Coalition and Minnesota Peace Action Coalition held a rally and march of over 200 people to oppose U.S. intervention in Iran and U.S. aid to Israel. The protest started in Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis after the Minneapolis People’s Pride festival ended.

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By staff

Two people standing together.

New Orleans, LA – On Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m., police reform activist Toni Jones and a small crowd of fellow organizers gathered in front of New Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court for a press conference.

Jones announced to the media that she and her lawyer are filing an appeal for two charges related to a pro-Palestine protest that occurred over a year before at Tulane University.

“Protesting is not a crime! Free, free, free Palestine!” chanted Jones. “I am not a criminal. I will be appealing this conviction in order to set the record straight: Tulane University is the criminal, Israel is the criminal, the United States government is the criminal.”

Tulane Police initially charged Jones with four misdemeanors. As a result of a prolonged political defense campaign, she was found not guilty of obstructing a public place or resisting arrest. However, she is battling against two convictions of battery and obstructing an investigation.

Solidarity speakers from Students for a Democratic Society, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police (NOCOP) spoke out in defense of Jones against Tulane University’s repression.

“Despite her arrest, she was successful at uplifting the struggle of the Palestinian people and protecting a student activist from police,” said Toni Mar, speaking on behalf of Freedom Road. Mar, an alumnus of Tulane University, also criticized the university administration. Since Tulane police targeted Jones, the administration has attempted – and failed – to repress over a dozen other student protesters.

“Tulane has shown itself to be a repeat violator of First Amendment rights, Tulane has shown itself be shamelessly invested in genocide, and Tulane has willfully bent its knee to Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion,” stated Mar.

At the end of the press conference, Jones indicated that she does not intend to let her conviction stop her from attending future protests. She stated, “We will not rest until Palestine is free. We will do our best to usher forward the liberation of Palestine, and if we are lucky, we may just as well free ourselves in the process.”

Jones’s next court appearance will be August 12 at 9 a.m. Activists will continue to update supporters on future mobilizations via NOCOP’s Instagram page, @n.o.cop.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #NOCOP #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

By staff

A group of anti-war protesters.

San Jose, CA – On Sunday, June 22, the day after the U.S. bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, about 150 people gathered at the Dr. MLK, Jr Library in downtown San Jose in protest.

Iranian flags, Palestinian flags and signs reading, “No war with Iran!” were held by protesters as they chanted, “Stop bombing Iran!” “U.S. out of the Middle East” and “U.S. out of Iran!” accompanied by many supportive car honks.

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By Grisha Glozman

Orlando rally demands, "Drop the charges against Chris Gibson."

Orlando, FL – On Sunday, June 22, 15 community members rallied behind a local student activist, Chris Gibson. Gibson had been charged by the Orlando Police Department with “battery on a police officer,” a felony they allege occurred when he participated in a pro-Palestine rally on October 7, 2024.

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By Gio Araujo

A person speaking into a microphone in front of Trump Tower in Chicago.

Chicago, IL – “Hands off Iran!” echoed loud in downtown Chicago on June 23, after U.S. bombing of Iran nuclear sites. Over 500 people rallied at Federal Plaza and marched to demand “U.S. out of Iran and the Middle East” and an end to the genocide and all U.S aid to Israel.

The demonstration was called by the Anti-War Committee Chicago (AWC) and the United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN).

Hands off Iran!

”No war on Iran! Let us be clear, this is not about nuclear weapons. We’ve seen this before. What we are witnessing is not an attempt of global security, but a ruthless punishment of Iran for its refusal to bow down to U.S. imperialism and its unwavering opposition to Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation. This campaign of aggression must end now!” said Luna Ebrahim of USPCN.

Caeli Kean of AWC reinforced solidarity with Iran and other Arab resistance against U.S. aggression, saying, “They want to blame Iran for its internationally recognized right to defend itself from U.S. and Israeli aggression. They want to blame Palestine for its international right to resist oppression and occupation. They want to blame Yemen for its international right to intervene and prevent genocide. They want to blame everyone stopping this violence. It is crystal clear that U.S. imperialism is the source of all of this violence!”

Early during the demonstration, Husam Marajda of USPCN had announced to the crowd the ceasefire announced by Donald Trump agreed upon by Iran, Israel and the U.S. Marajda stated, “That’s a good thing. We don’t want war. And we want an end to U.S. and Israeli aggression in the region immediately.”

Marajda emphasized the power of the people in the United States in pushing the government to keep its hands off Iran, he stated, “Let’s be clear, the reason why this war did not escalate was because the people here in the United States rejected it. They opposed it and mobilized against it, here in Chicago and all over the country.”

Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupations!

After the rally at Federal Plaza, protesters flooded into the streets of downtown Chicago, taking Michigan Avenue and ending at Trump Tower. Chants demanded an end to the U.S. military in the Middle East and the Philippines, and an end to oppressive walls and surveillance, from Palestine to Mexico.

The attention of bystanders was captured by Husam Marajda, who stated, “They are sending and spending billions of dollars on weapons to bomb other countries and we say, that ain’t right! “

“Marajda continued, We want money to go to disenfranchised communities. We wanna fund our schools, our infrastructure, our healthcare. We wanna get money to communities long impacted by colonialism and by racism. We wanna invest in the people, not in the destruction of other countries.”

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Iran #Palestine #USPCN #AWCChicago

By staff

A marching group of protesters holding signs, flags and banners.

Grand Rapids, MI – While the Grand Rapids Pride committee was pausing festivities for the afternoon due to nearly triple-digit temperatures on Sunday, June 22, over 100 community members marched with cold compresses and face misting water bottles through the Festival to nearby Rosa Parks Circle, demanding “No war with Iran.”

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By staff

Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday, June 15, more than 50 community members gathered at Red Arrow Park for an emergency “Hands Off Iran” rally, led by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC).

The event began with a community member proudly playing her violin before transitioning to speeches from several organizations, including the U.S. Palestinian Community Network – Milwaukee Chapter, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression (MAARPR), Milwaukee 4 Yemen, and Peace Action.

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By staff

New York, NY – On Sunday, June 22, hundreds of people gathered in the heart of Times Square to protest the U.S. attacking three Iranian nuclear sites the previous evening. The energy at the demonstration was electric despite the unbearable heat of an incoming heatwave.

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By Alexandra Westberry

A man speaking into a megaphone at a protest

Chicago, IL – Over 100 protesters flooded the offices of the Illinois State Board of Investments (ISBI), June 20, in a militant action demanding Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs divest over $100 million worth of bonds from Israel.

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By Caeli Kean

Chicago, IL – Only a few hours before the public learned of the U.S. military’s attack on Iran’s three nuclear sites, hundreds took to the streets in Chicago, June 21, with the Coalition for Justice in Palestine (CJP) to demand hands off Iran. The protest was one of the Coalition’s recurring downtown protests, demanding an end to the ongoing U.S.– backed Israeli genocide of Palestine.

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By Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad

Los recientes ataques con misiles de Israel contra Irán han matado a más de 200 iraníes en una semana. Irán se ha defendido legítimamente, como lo haría cualquier nación soberana, y ha contraatacado con precisión, lanzando misiles a través del “colador de hierro” de Israel.

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By Philip Nguyen

A crowd of people waving Iranian, Yemeni, and Palestinian flags.

San Jose, CA – On Tuesday, June 17, around 200 people gathered at the steps of Dr. MLK, Jr Library to protest Israel’s “pre-emptive” strikes on Iran.

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By Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad

Hace 50 años, en el 30 de abril, las puertas del Palacio Presidencial en Saigón fueron destrozadas por un tanque—un tanque manejado por un luchador por un Vietnam unificado e independiente. La bandera del régimen títere respaldado por Estados Unidos cayó, y en su lugar se alzó la bandera del Frente de Liberación Nacional.

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By Gianna Escareno and Gio Araujo

Students demand divestment from fossil fuels and the genocide in Palestine.

Chicago, IL – On Monday, June 16, more than 30 students and allies rallied in front of the Sheraton Grand Hotel where the University of Illinois System was hosting “The Sustainability and Research Innovation Congress.” The students demand divestment from fossil fuels and the genocide in Palestine. This was the first time the congress had been held in the United States.

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By staff

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

In April 2025, San Jose anti-war activist Alex Dillard was subjected to the execution of a federal search warrant. FBI agents raided his home and seized his personal electronic devices, seeking evidence of alleged ties to Russia and implying that he may have been acting as a foreign agent.

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