Fight Back News Service is circulating the following April 17 statement from the Twin Cities based Anti-War Committee.

_ Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)_

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine denounces the U.S. imperialist aggression on Syria. This attack aims to pre-empt any serious international or impartial investigation into the events in Khan Sheikhun and instead acts to liquidate Syrian sovereignty and support the most reactionary, violent forces, exposing the falsity of the Trump administration’s claims that it wants to “fight terrorism.”

Minneapolis, MN – 75 people protested in front of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Interstate 35W in Minneapolis to denounce Trump’s increasing attacks on Syria, Iraq, and the threats against North Korea. The protest came days after the Trump administration launched air strikes against Syrian military air base.

Williams denying any links

Jacksonville, FL – On Friday, April 7, a Peace for Syria demonstration was brutally disrupted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) in downtown Jacksonville. Community members and activists have wondered about a connection between Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and Gary Snow, the right-wing counter protester seen in several videos harassing and assaulting the five activists, now known as the Jax5, who were beaten and arrested by JSO despite committing no crime. Gary Snow was not interfered with in any way and was filmed sitting on a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office car after the event.

Milwaukee, WI – 40 demonstrators marched through downtown Milwaukee, April 9, in opposition to Trump’s missile attack against Syria.

Tampa, FL – On the morning of April 7, President Trump ordered the U.S. military to attack Syria, firing over 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syrian government targets near Homs, Syria’s third largest city. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that only 23 of 59 missiles struck intended targets, with the majority assaulting nearby villages. Syrian media sources are reporting at least nine civilians died in the attack, including four children.

Jacksonville, FL – Five protesters were finally released on bail from Jacksonville jail on Saturday evening, April 8. The protesters were arrested and several were beaten at a “No War in Syria” rally held on April 7, where police allowed a right-wing provocateur with a Trump flag to enter the protest and physically assault speakers and organizers of the rally.

Fort Lauderdale, FL- After the U.S. fired 59 missiles at a Syrian airbase, activists in South Florida came together, April 8, to oppose all U.S. military intervention in that country. A diverse group of 50 activists, from young children to Vietnam War veterans, met outside of the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale with one simple message, “U.S. hands off Syria!”

Tampa, FL – Around 15 activists and community members gathered to oppose U.S. intervention and aggression against Syria. The protest was in response to the launching of 59 Tomahawk missiles on Shayrat Airbase as ordered by Donald Trump. This attack is the first time the U.S. has directly attacked the Syrian Arab Republic, but is not the first time the U.S. has attempted to overthrow the Syrian government.

Minneapolis, MN – In response to the recent U.S. air strikes against Syrian military targets by the Trump administration, over 200 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war protest on Saturday, April 8.

Houston, TX – Houston activists held two major actions in Houston to protest Trump's illegal war against Syria, April 7.

Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Anti-War Committee plans to show that Salt Lake City won’t stand by idly while Trump pours gasoline onto the burning conflict in Syria. They’re calling for a protest Sunday afternoon, April 9, to denounce Trump’s missile attack, which has been callously disguised as a humanitarian response to the use of chemical weapons.

Tucson, AZ – Immediately following President Trump’s order to unleash 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Syria, the Tucson Anti War Committee called an emergency rally for April 8. Joined by around 30 Tucsonans, the protest demanded: “Hands off Syria!” and “U.S. out of the Middle East!”

New York, NY – Hundreds of protesters gathered at Union Square, April 7, to protest the bombing of Syria. On Thursday, April 6, President Trump launched 59 Tomahawk Missiles into Syria that killed nine people, including four children.

Lufkin, TX – Members of the April Sixth Anti-War Coalition (ASAC) held a ‘Hands Off Syria’ demonstration, April 8, in front of the Ward R. Burke Federal Courthouse in downtown Lufkin. The anti-war activists gathered around the courthouse with signs that read “Hands off Syria,” and “No to war.” They chanted, “What do we want? Hands off Syria!!” and “No justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East!”

At least 4 arrested, 1 hospitalized

Jacksonville, FL – Police launched a vicious attack on a “No war with Syria” rally in Jacksonville’s Hemming Park, this evening, April 7. Eyewitness say at least four have been arrested, and that one protester was beaten so severely that he has been hospitalized.

Minneapolis, MN – An Anti-war Bannering to “Say no to U.S. war in Syria – no escalation of the endless wars,’ is set for Saturday, April 8, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street, in Minneapolis. The action is being organized by the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition.

Meredith Aby-Keirstead of the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee blasted Trump’s attack on Syria, April 6, stating, “We denounce U.S. missile attacks on Syria. The U.S. should not increase its intervention in Syria. More bombing will not bring back the victims of this recent chemical weapons use. This escalation risks a broader regional war. Israel is considering invading and Russia could respond too. The U.S. is pouring gasoline on this conflict. The anti-war movement needs to respond in full force by demanding an end to U.S. attacks and get its troops out of Syria.” Aby-Keirstead added, “We can't just protest the Muslim ban. We need to protest how our government creates more refugees.”

People's impeachment of pro-U.S. Park government in the south

Washington DC – On March 22, the U.S. military conducted the largest-ever military exercise with south Korea's armed forces, preparing for an invasion and military strike on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). These war games amassed 300,000 South Korean troops and 17,000 U.S. troops on the 38th parallel, which has formally divided Korea into 'north' and 'south' since 1945. U.S. stealth bombers and South Korean fighter jets simulated bombing Pyongyang, the capitol of the DPRK, along with other sites in anticipation of “a crisis situation” in the Korean Peninsula, according to U.S. Navy commanders.

_Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). _

The General Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine concluded its regular meeting, named in honor of the two martyrs, Omar Nayef Zayed and Ferial Nasrallah. The session evaluated the overall current developments on the Palestinian, Arab, regional and international levels, discussing at length and in depth the various matters on its agenda. The meeting coincided with the heroic confrontation waged by the revolutionary intellectual martyr, Basil al-Araj, against the fores of the Zionist enemy. His struggle stood as a confirmation that the flame of the uprising burns and will remain constant, bringing forth yet more revolutionaries to continue the path of the martyrs and the revolutionaries who have filled the ranks of the Palestinian national liberation struggle since the first confrontation of the Zionist invasion of Palestine.