Fight Back News Service is circulating the following call from the Legalization for All Network and other immigrant rights groups. We urge all progressive organizations to sign on and endorse it. You can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/legalization-for-all/no-trump-wall-no-state-of-emergency/2336613779684475/

Minneapolis, MN – A sizable crowd gathered at the base of the statue of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata at South Minneapolis’s Plaza Centenario, February 2, for an event titled “Rally Against the Wall.” The demonstration was initiated by Minnesota Caravan Solidarity/Minnesota en Solidaridad con la Caravana, a coalition of international solidarity and immigrants’ rights groups in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. About 90 demonstrators chanted in support of the refugees travelling in large groups from Central American countries like Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border and condemned President Trump’s racist anti-immigrant views.

Milwaukee, WI – An emergency rally was organized by local grassroots organizations and community members from diverse backgrounds, January 10, in Milwaukee’s Red Arrow Park. The rally was part of a larger national call to action from the Legalization for All Network, as a response to President Trump’s threats of a National Emergency to fund his proposed wall. The common messages for the night were, “We stand against Trump’s wall” and “Asylum for the refugees.” The frigid Wisconsin temperatures didn’t slow the rally down as the energy increased and attendees chanted, “No hate! No fear! Refugees are welcome here!”

Tucson, AZ – Around 40 people chanting “No wall, never,” joined a protest here January 10 in response to President Trump’s bid to finance his racist border wall. Protesters’ signs reading “Refugees welcome here!” drew many honks of solidarity from traffic in front the federal building.

Los Angeles, CA – With less than a 24-hour notice, about a dozen Chicanos and Latinos gathered in Los Angeles, January 9, against Trump’s proposed wall. Chanting, “Trump! El burro! No! Al muro!” (Trump the jackass! No to the wall!) and “When I say, ‘Trump,’ you say, ‘No wall!’ Trump! No wall!” the angry protesters gathered at the busy intersection of 4th Street and Soto Street in Boyle Heights. As they walked home, Roosevelt High School students and working-class families greeted the protestors.

Los Angeles, CA – Longtime Chicano and immigrant rights leader Carlos Montes condemned President Trump’s January 8 Oval Office speech, stating, “We are opposed to Trump’s attacks on refugees at the border – and his wall. We will continue to oppose his measures, and build the movement to dump Trump.”

Minneapolis, MN – More than 60 people gathered January 8, at 7:30 a.m., for the monthly vigil outside the Whipple Federal Building in solidarity with immigrants facing immigration court and deportation there.

Minneapolis, MN – President Trump refused to honor the budget agreement made by Democrats and Republicans, demanding funding of his border wall as a part of the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a potential candidate for president in 2020, had suggested that she is willing to negotiate a deal with Trump to provide funds for a border wall. Fifty people rallied against any deal for funding a border wall at Senator Klobuchar's office on December 20. The protest was co-initiated by Minnesota Caravan Solidarity and the Anti-War Committee.

San José, CA – At 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 22, nine of 15 agencies of the federal government will shut down over President Trump’s demand for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Almost 400,000 federal workers would be furloughed, and another 400,000 so-called essential workers will have to go to work without pay. This comes to about 40% of the 2 million federal government workers. In past shutdowns, federal workers got backpay at a cost of billions of dollars to the government. But there are millions of contractors and contract workers who will probably not be paid, right in the middle of the holiday season.

Minneapolis, MN – With national attention focused on the recent death of a seven-year-old girl in Customs and Border Control custody, Senator Amy Klobuchar, a potential candidate for president in 2020, has suggested that she is willing to negotiate a deal with Trump to provide funds for a border wall. Minnesotans, immigrants and allies, will rally against any deal for funding a border wall at Senator Klobuchar's office (1200 Washington Avenue S, Minneapolis) on Thursday, December 20, at 5 p.m.

Los Angeles, CA – Community members and activists of Centro CSO held a rally and donation drive, December 1, in a busy street intersection of Boyle Heights to support of the Central American refugee caravan whose participants are currently seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Baja California.

Minneapolis, MN – Immigrant rights activists celebrated as the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously, at their final meeting of the year, December 7 to create a new Minneapolis Municipal ID.

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Thirty community activists gathered at the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale, December 2, to denounce the violent treatment of Central American refugees at the U.S. border. Protesters present demanded asylum for the refugees, the withdrawal of troops from the border and an end to U.S military involvement in the Americas.

Minneapolis, MN – As national attention has focused on the caravan of Central American refugees winding its way through Mexico towards the U.S.-Mexico border, on November 30 more than 250 immigrants and human rights activists in Minnesota rallied in support of the caravan.

Tucson, AZ – Over 100 people chanted, “Troops off the border! Defy Trump’s order!” at the Davis-Monthan Air Force base on December 1. Signs reading “Refugees welcome here!” drew many honks of solidarity from traffic passing by the base entrance where demonstrators stood outside.

Victory nears in struggle for democratic rights

Minneapolis, MN – People holding signs reading, “Municipal ID for all” and “Sanctuary now!” packed into the Minneapolis City Council Public Health, Environment and Civil Rights Committee hearing November 26. They came to give testimony and to encourage the city council to create a Minneapolis Municipal ID.

Chicago, IL – Father Jose Sigfredo Landaverde from the Mission Faith, Life and Hope is undertaking a hunger strike, as of November 30, in solidarity with the mothers of the migrant exodus. A group of refugee women in Tiajuana have launched a hunger strike to demand the end of deportations and an accelerated asylum process. The hunger strike comes a few days after a march in Tijuana ended with U.S. officials throwing tear gas at migrants who tried to cross the border.

Prepares for large rally Saturday at Air Force base

Tucson, AZ – On November 27, in response to the U.S. government’s brutal use of rubber bullets and tear gas on demonstrators in Tijuana, three actions of solidarity took place in Tucson. One was at an elementary school where a class of children chanted “Solidarity now!” in a video shared on social media. Another was coordinated by a handful of “Ragin’ Grannies” outside Tucson High holding signs that read “Refugees welcome here!” A third action took place at the University of Arizona and had a turnout of over two dozen people. Their two huge banners read “No hate, no fear! Refugees welcome here!”

San Ysidro, CA – U.S. Border Patrol agents fired tear gas and rubber bullets into Mexico in response to a march organized by refugees, including many women and children, seeking asylum. The march had remained peaceful until Mexican authorities forced the refugees marching into a canal separating San Diego and Tijuana, according to the American Friends Service Committee. It was then that Border Patrol agents fired tear gas, flash bangs and rubber bullets into the crowd. One young girl is reportedly in critical condition after being “struck with tear gas” according to the Movimiento Cosecha. The world's busiest border crossing was subsequently closed on both sides.

Minneapolis, MN – As national attention has focused on the caravan of Central American refugees winding its way through Mexico towards the U.S.-Mexico border, immigrants and their allies in Minnesota will rally in support of the caravan on Friday, November 30.