_ Calls on U of MN to honor boycott of Israel, drop the charges against protesters_
Minneapolis, MN – Responding to a campaign of condemnations from University of Minnesota officialdom, the Anti-War Committee (AWC) issued a statement Nov. 10 standing by the actions of protesters at last week’s Law School lecture by Moshe Halbertal, who they call a “war crimes apologist.” Criticisms were hurled at the group after protesters denied Halbertal a platform by interrupting his presentation some two dozen times, with facts about Israeli atrocities, Halbertal’s public record in defense of IDF actions and demands that the university honor the international boycott of Israel.
Minneapolis, MN – Over 50 supporters of Palestine shut down a Nov. 3 lecture by Hebrew University professor Moshe Halbertal, a co-author of the Israeli military code of ethics, entitled “Protecting Civilians: Moral Challenges of Asymmetric Warfare.” Organized by the MN Anti-War Committee and endorsed by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP UMN), the protesters prevented Halbertal from presenting his defense of IDF conduct in last summer’s Gaza War. Three of the protesters were arrested, as police tried to maintain what they called “decorum.”
Milwaukee. WI – About 50 students from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee rallied in solidarity with Palestine, Oct. 28. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized the rally in response to the increase in violence by Israeli occupation forces in which over 50 Palestinians have been killed just this month.
Minneapolis, MN – A coalition of Twin Cities area peace groups gathered Oct. 31 for an emergency protest against the sending of U.S. Special Forces troops to Syria. The announcement of the sending of these troops was made Oct. 30. The troop deployment represents an escalation of aggression by the U.S. in Syria and Iraq.
Miami, FL – Dozens of students in Miami converged on the campus of Florida International University, Oct. 23, to protest against Leonel Fernandez, ex-President of the Dominican Republic. Fernandez presided over the constitutional change producing the outrageous “TC 168-13” ruling. This high court ruling strips thousands of Dominicans of their nationality, affecting mostly people of Haitian descent.
Cincinnati, OH – Supporters of Rasmea Odeh could be heard chanting from blocks away in downtown Cincinnati, Oct. 14. Bus riders on their way to morning shifts crossed the street to take leaflets, while curious business people were drawn to watch the protesters chant, “Justice for Rasmea! Justice for Rasmea!” and “DOJ, let’s be clear, Rasmea is welcome here!”
Salt Lake City, UT – Members of the Utah Anti-War Committee will gather outside Salt Lake City's downtown courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7:00 p.m. to demand justice for Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh.
Columbia Heights, MN – On Oct. 9, 75 people gathered on Central Avenue here to protest the killing of four Palestinian youth, Huthaifa Sulaiman (18), Fadi Alloun (19), Abdul-Rahman Shadi Mustafa (13) and Mohannad Shafiq al-Halabi (19), by Israeli occupation forces on Oct. 4 and 5.
St. Paul, MN – On Oct. 7 about 100 activists from local peace groups held a special protest vigil on the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge between Minneapolis and Saint Paul under the demand, “say no to endless war!” to mark 14 years of endless U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Protesters held signs reading, “14 Years too many” and “Zero troops in Afghanistan” while receiving supportive honks from cars passing by.
Chicago, IL – Chicago supporters of Rasmea Odeh, a nationally known leader of the Palestinian community, are organizing in a big way to get people to her Oct. 14 appeal hearing in Cincinnati, Ohio. Odeh’s attorneys are set to challenge her unjust conviction on bogus immigration charges in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Jacksonville, FL – About 25 people gathered in front of the Florida Times Union Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 5 to protest the visit of Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel. Barak is a war criminal responsible for the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
Minneapolis, MN – Dear Gaza, an open air concert and block party drew hundreds of people here, , Sept. 26, and raised $20,000 in medical relief for Gaza.
Chicago, IL – When the people of Ferguson rose up last August, an act of international solidarity took place that the world is still talking about. Less than one week after the killing of Mike Brown, Palestinian activists resisting the Israeli war on Gaza tweeted advice on dealing with tear gas to Black protesters in the suburb of Saint Louis.
Tucson, AZ – Members of the Tucson Anti-War Committee are preparing for an historic action in Colorado to demand the release of Colombian revolutionary Simon Trinidad. Trinidad, a member of the FARC, is in solitary confinement at a federal Supermax prison infamously known as the “Guantanamo of the Rockies.”
San José, CA – On Sept. 10, supporters of Rasmea Odeh held signs and passed out hundreds of flyers in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. main library here. The event was organized by the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression and endorsed by BAYAN USA, Justice for Palestinians, and Anakbayan Silicon Valley.
Houston, TX – Activists organized a number of activities to show solidarity with Rasmea Odeh, the unjustly convicted Palestinian activist. On Sept. 8, an information session was held, in which her case was discussed, with a turnout of over 20 people.
