News and Views from the People's Struggle
Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, October 4, more than 130 people rallied at Catalano Square in response to the illegal actions of Israel against the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israel seized 42 civilian vessels with medical and food aid and kidnapped over 450 volunteers in international waters.
Charleston, SC – On October 4, the Elbit Out of South Carolina coalition joined an International Day of Action and hosted a rally outside of the Elbit Systems’ factory in Ladson, South Carolina. Organizers demanded an end to the genocide in Gaza and the tax breaks Elbit receives.
Chicago, IL – On October 2, 60 protesters disrupted Union Station to take a militant stand against the U.S./Israeli genocide of Palestinians. Momentum was high after the illegal kidnappings of 497 activists of the Global Sumud Freedom Flotilla from 44 countries. This is the first time since 2009 that a boat has made it into Palestinian waters and broken Israel’s siege of Gaza.
The emergency action was led by Students for Justice in Palestine-Chicago (SJP Chicago) and successfully disrupted traffic as well as people trying to leave and enter the Amtrak station.
By Izzy McCabe and Nolan Good
Seattle, WA – On October 2, Seattleites took to the streets in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, protesting the humanitarian aid fleet’s illegal interception by Israel the previous day. Nearly 100 activists packed into over 40 cars to form a motor caravan and cruised through some of the busiest streets in downtown Seattle during rush hour, disrupting traffic and unloading afterwards at a rally. The action was timed to coincide with other national and global efforts, like that of the Italian Unione Sindicale di Base (UDB), which enacted a general strike across Italy.
Jacksonville, FL – In the week of the Palestinian martyr and poet Refaat Alareer’s birthday, the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network came together with over 50 community members for a weekend of fostering connections, flying kites in solidarity, and honoring the martyrs of Palestine.
St. Paul, MN – On October 2, about 15 protesters held a bannering in support of Palestine on the Snelling Avenue bridge over Interstate 94.
The action was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) of Women Against Military Madness.
Portland, OR – On Friday, September 2, Portlanders rallied calling for the arrest of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. The protest took place at the intersection in front of Powell’s Bookstore on 1005 W Burnside Street, one of the busiest intersections in the city. This demonstration was organized by Portland for Palestine (P4P) responding to a call to action by the Anti War Action Network (AWAN).
Grand Rapids, MI – On September 20, pro-Palestine protesters confronted Hillary Scholten outside of the Kent County Democratic Party headquarters during a pro-union fundraising event.
Chicago, IL- On Monday, September 22, over 60 Illinois activists and the Illinois Divest From Genocide Network, which is made up of over 50 organizations, protested at the rescheduled Illinois State Board of Investment (ISBI) meeting to oppose the board and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerich’s continued investment in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
St. Paul, MN– On September 26, over 100 people gathered to join Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) and the Minnesota Anti-War Committee (AWC) in protest against Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations in New York City.
Detroit, MI – On the evening of September 26, the Detroit Anti-War Committee and other organizations gathered at Grand Circus Park to protest Netanyahu’s address at the United Nations and to show Detroit stands with Palestine.
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) organized a banner drop on September 26 as part of the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) National Week of Action. This call was an opportunity to mobilize anti-war and anti-imperialist organizations around the country in defiance of Netanyahu being welcomed onto the world stage at the United Nations General Assembly.
Tacoma, WA – On September 22, community members gathered around the Federal Courthouse in solidarity with the 50-vessel lotilla heading to Gaza to deliver aid. The rally, a coalition effort of Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization stood together to call for an end to the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
New York City, NY – On September 26, thousands of people rallied at Times Square and then marched to the United Nations to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was addressing the UN General Assembly.
Tucson, AZ – The Tucson Anti War Committee (TAWC) organized a rally on September 24 as part of the Anti-War Action Network National Week of Action. The call was to mobilize while war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu attended the United Nations General Assembly.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 23, a webinar was held by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) to educate about the motive behind the recent attacks that Donald Trump has unleashed against Venezuela.
New Orleans, LA – On September 21, around 70 people rallied and marched in response to recent attacks on the Gaza strip and also in support of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Demands included “Hands off Gaza City!” “Hands off Mahmoud Khalil!” and “Arrest Netanyahu!”
Madison, WI – As part of a Global Weekend of Action called by the BDS Movement, a contingent of about 40 peace activists led by World Beyond War-UW, including the newly formed Students for a Democratic Society-UW Madison chapter, community members and religious organizations, followed by Madison Area DSA, made the cause of Palestine impossible to ignore at the city's 48th annual Willy Street Fair, September 21.
As is tradition for the second day of the festival, a parade kicked off from the 900 block of Williamson Street, set to march about six blocks through the historic Williamson-Marquette neighborhood. Front and center, behind the sponsors, the beloved “Bubblemobile” coughed large clumps of bubbles into the air and immediately the chanting began.
In a typically light-hearted and proudly “weird” environment like the Willy Street Fair, chants of “From the river to the sea,” and “Stand up, fight back” echoed between the homes and small businesses. Ensuring that no fair-goer forget that while their funnel cakes fry, children are dying in Palestine. Not only from starvation, but from weapons provided by the U.S. government.
Later in the day, as part of the same BDS Movement call to action, World Beyond War-UW led a significantly longer walk, with 20 or so people carrying signs and banners around the entirety of Lake Monona, a 12-mile journey, to continue bringing attention to American complicity in Israel's crimes.
#MadisonWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #BDS #StudentMovement #SDS
Chicago IL – On Friday afternoon, September 19, over 50 people gathered outside the Illinois State Board of Investment (ISBI) office in downtown Chicago to hold a press conference to declare a small victory. The ISBI quarterly meeting was abruptly cancelled just two days before, proving that Illinois State Treasurer (and ISBI Vice Chair) Michael Frerichs and the rest of the board are feeling the organized pressure from the Illinois Divest from Genocide Network.
On Saturday, September 13, over 100 protesters with the Coalition for Justice in Palestine shut down one of Chicago’s busiest streets to demand an end to the genocide and famine in Gaza and for an arms embargo on Israel.