News and Views from the People's Struggle
Tucson, AZ – Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, students, trade unionists, elders, youth and community members in both Phoenix and Tucson have organized protests to stand with Palestine in its struggle for liberation from U.S.-funded Israeli occupation.
Dallas, TX – For the second straight weekend, thousands of Palestine supporters filled the streets of Dallas, October 22, to demand an end to the siege and occupation of Gaza. A small boy in the back of a truck led the marchers in chants of “Israel, Israel, what do you say? How many kids have you killed today?” and “Joe Biden, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” Smoke bombs billowed over the crowd in Palestinian colors of red, green and black. A sea of Palestinian flags stretched for blocks.
Milwaukee, WI – Upwards of 4000 people marched in support of Palestine and to call for an end to the genocide against Gaza, October 22, doubling the number of people in attendance at the large march just a week before.
Led by a tow truck decorated in Palestinian flags and a 30-foot banner reading “Love live the popular Palestinian resistance,” the passionate crowd marched through downtown Milwaukee, chanting, “Free free Palestine!” “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” and “Gaza Gaza don’t you cry, we will never let you die!”
Skokie, IL – On October 22, the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression mobilized nearly 500 to counter-protest a racist Zionist rally that was held in “solidarity” with Israel.
Minneapolis, MN – On October 22, 5000 people rallied at Loring Park to demand an end to Israel’s bombing of Gaza. Organizers said the goal of the protest was to show the level of support in the Twin Cities for Palestinians in Gaza who are struggling to stay alive after the Israeli government cut off electricity and water to the 2 million people in the Gaza Strip.
Salt Lake City, UT – On October 21, hundreds of protesters gathered at the steps of the University of Utah’s administrative offices in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. Speakers condemned the University’s cooperation with Israel and called for the community to take action towards an academic boycott of Israel.
Tampa, FL – Over 1500 Palestinians and their supporters protested on the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue on October 21. Tampa Bay supporters of Palestine hosted their fourth protest in three weeks since the rise of the Palestinian resistance and Israel’s escalating attacks on Gaza. Attendees waved keffiyehs, Palestine flags, and signs at cars while chanting “Free, free Palestine!”
Chicago, IL – Over 25,000 people gathered in downtown Chicago on Saturday, October 21 in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
Dallas, TX – Around 300 people gathered at the Dallas Morning News headquarters on Thursday, October 19, to call out the media’s role in cheerleading the U.S.-backed Israeli siege on Gaza. Social media posts advertising the rally said, “End media complicity, end the siege, end U.S. aid to Israel” and connected the event to the rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian violence stoked by the media, epitomized by the brutal murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al Fayoume in his home near Chicago on October 14.
Brooklyn, NY – On Saturday, October 21, over 10,000 people gathered in Brooklyn, the heart of the Palestinian community in NYC, to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people against Israeli apartheid.
By Sarah Martin and Kim DeFranco
St. Paul, MN – On October 20, over 150 people rallied at the weekly Palestine vigil of the Women Against Military Madness’s (WAMM) Middle East Committee. The people filled each part of the intersection of the busy streets of Snelling and Summit Avenues. The bannering called for an end to the genocidal Israeli bombing of Gaza, to let Gaza live and end U.S. aid to Israel. Protesters also came to stand with Palestinians in their struggle for liberation.
Milwaukee, WI – On October 20, dozens of healthcare workers joined a press conference to condemn the unprecedented public health crisis being caused by Israel's criminal siege and bombardment of 2.3 million civilians in Gaza.
“As healthcare workers in the Milwaukee area, we are deeply disturbed by the current Israeli war on Gaza, and the large toll of civilians that have been killed and injured, particularly children,” said Dr. Hashim Zaibak, a Palestinian-American doctor from Gaza.
By Sadie Carlson and Tavyan Dorsey
Tallahassee, FL – On October 18, more than 350 community members and students protested at Cascades Park, marking the second demonstration for Palestine’s liberation in Florida’s capital city since the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on October 7.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The American and European cover and partnership in the Zionist aggression, especially after the Al-Maamadani hospital massacre, allowed this enemy to escalate the war crimes of extermination against our people, affecting more hospitals, bakeries, and shelters affiliated with UNRWA.
Our people have suffered from a clear Arab betrayal that allowed the American administration and the enemy to reach a climax in their crimes and terrorism against civilians, which would not have been possible without this Arab official weakness and decline.
Confronting this genocidal war is no less essential than confronting the dangers of displacement, and the shaky, official Arab stances are unacceptable while our people are being exterminated.
The resistance forces in the region, with their brave stance alongside the Palestinian people with all their means, what they have achieved in confronting decisive strikes against the enemy, and what the Arab masses and free people of the world do and are doing daily in support of Palestine, only confirms that standing against this aggression is a possible and achievable duty. The peoples and active forces will continue to stand by this people until they achieve victory over the brutal Zionist project.
Milwaukee, WI – On October 18, a 20-person delegation from the newly formed Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine (CJP), which represents nearly 30 different organizations across the southeastern part of the state, delivered a letter to the office of U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Moore, a Democrat, who has joined the chorus of condemnations aimed at the Palestinian resistance for their efforts at fighting against genocide and occupation.
St. Paul, MN – On October 18, more than 8000 people demonstrated on the steps of the Minnesota Capitol building to show solidarity with Palestine and to highlight the U.S. role in endorsing and funding the ongoing Israeli war on Palestine.
The protest was organized by American Muslims for Palestine – Minnesota, Students for Justice in Palestine – University of Minnesota , and the Minnesota Anti-War Committee.
Jacksonville, FL – Over 500 people took the streets, October 14, to march in support of the Palestinian liberation movement against Israeli occupation. Demonstrators held Palestinian flags and chanted “Free free, Palestine.”
While the crowd was majority Arab, people from all backgrounds and ages joined the fight. The crowd was energetic and steadfast in their demands to end the occupation. During the march, cars honked in support and displayed Palestinian flags and keffiyehs.
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 100 people gathered at the Utah State Capitol on October 15 to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. The crowd recited chants such as, “Not a nickel, not a dime! No more money for Israel’s crimes!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”
Minneapolis, MN – Over 15,000 demonstrators shut down the main arteries of Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood on Sunday, October 15, marching in solidarity with Palestine. The crowd was overwhelmingly Palestinian, joined by the city's Somali community, anti-Zionist Jews, and members of all swathes of the multinational working class.
Orlando, FL – On October 14, nearly 1000 people gathered at Lake Eola to demand an end to the violent occupation of Palestine and urge U.S. representatives to end U.S. aid to Israel.