News and Views from the People's Struggle
Albert Lea, MN — On Dec. 20, Mayo Albert Lea Hospital blocked 79 SEIU Healthcare MN hospital workers from returning to work after they went out on a one-day strike the day before. The members went on strike because they have been without a contract for over a year.
 meeting. KIPP charter school meets defeat at Dec. 14 Boyle Heights Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) meeting.
(Fight Back! News / Staff)”)
Los Angeles, CA — A packed house is unusual for the Boyle Heights Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC), but on Dec. 14, over 50 people filled the room. The PLUC meeting was asked by KIPP Promesa Charter School architects and developers for a statement of support from the PLUC as well as a preview of a new Community Plan with a rezoning proposal. Boyle Heights is already occupied by two charter schools which co-locate at 2nd Street Elementary and Breed Elementary.
Minneapolis, MN – Over 150 people marched on International Human Rights day, Dec. 10, in south Minneapolis demanding an end to Trump’s wars and his administration’s attacks on immigrants. The Anti-War Committee and the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee co-sponsored the community march, which started at Powderhorn Park.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Frontfor the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Milwaukee, WI — As the critical month of December rolled in, the United Parcel Service mandated nationally new work rules for package delivery drivers, increasing the workweek to 70 hours for the duration of the holiday, or peak, season.
New York, NY – In the aftermath of multiple allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and rape against Hollywood executive and producer Harvey Weinstein, a social media hashtag campaign #MeToo emerged. The hashtag was created by African-American activist Tarana Burke ten years ago, and gained traction again amidst the Weinstein allegations. With this campaign, victims of sexual assault told their stories of sexual abuse and harassment to shed a light on the frequency of sexual violence in the U.S. and globally. French women created their own hashtag “#BalanceTonPorc” or “Expose Your Pig.” Since Weinstein, numerous other celebrities have been outed as sexual assailants and predators.
New York, NY – In the aftermath of multiple allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and rape against Hollywood executive and producer Harvey Weinstein, a social media hashtag campaign #MeToo emerged. The hashtag was created by African-American activist Tarana Burke ten years ago, and gained traction again amidst the Weinstein allegations. With this campaign, victims of sexual assault told their stories of sexual abuse and harassment to shed a light on the frequency of sexual violence in the U.S. and globally. French women created their own hashtag “#BalanceTonPorc” or “Expose Your Pig.” Since Weinstein, numerous other celebrities have been outed as sexual assailants and predators.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Nov. 23 statement from Luis G. Jalandoni, Senior Adviser, Negotiating Panel, National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Jacksonville, FL — On Nov. 20, University of North Florida (UNF) students took a stand against white supremacy, the KKK and neo-Nazis on their campus. Students came out at 8:30 a.m. on a cold Florida morning to demand that administration takes a stance against white supremacy on the UNF campus. The event was put on by UNF Students for a Democratic Society (UNF SDS) and others. Approximately 120 progressive student, alumni, faculty and community members gathered in front of Hicks Hall and marched to Alumni Hall where a conduct hearing for a neo-Nazi was being held.
Por: Redacción
Tallahassee, FL – On Nov. 7, members of the Tallahassee community gathered for an event at the Plant Community Arts Center to celebrate the October Revolution, which took place exactly 100 years earlier on Nov. 7, 1917.
The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) has been organizing against police crimes for decades. Since 2012, they’ve led a five-year campaign for community control of the police. They have also organized several protests against Donald Trump since he was elected. Fight Back! interviewed Frank Chapman, Field Organizer of the Alliance, about the situation in the U.S., after Charlottesville, Virginia was the scene of the racist ‘Unite the Right’ rally and assault on counter-protesters.
New York, NY – New Yorkers across the state face a vote on Nov. 7 on whether or not to have a Constitutional Convention, a process which occurs every 20 years. The last time a vote occurred for a so-called “Con Con” was in 1997. In the current political climate, unions and workers fear that all protections that were won in past Constitutional Conventions, most of which were gained during the New Deal, could be peeled away due to the intervention of lobbyists and financing from corporate influences.
Teamsters, AFSCME demand raises and respect
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Minneapolis, MN — About 40 members of AFSCME Local 3800, Teamsters Local 320, and their supporters rallied in front of the admiration building, Morril Hall, Oct. 31 and then marched into the office of University of Minnesota’s President Kahler. Protesting workers then delivered petitions signed by thousands of employees and supporters that read in part, “The university is a wealthy institution with plenty of money, that is in the midst of a $4 billion fundraising campaign. We reject the notion of two universities, one for the haves and the other for the have-nots. We want raises and respect for all university workers.”
Minnesota says no war threats on Korea
Jacksonville, FL – On Oct. 21, the family of Keegan Roberts as well as members of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee gathered at the site of where Keegan was killed by racist Michael Centanni IV, to demand justice.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Despite strong criticisms from the Puerto Rican Teachers Federation, Puerto Rico's Education Secretary Julia Keleher is moving forward with plans to start to reopen public schools Oct. 24. More than a month after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, public schools have not yet repented since many are still damaged. Much of Puerto Rico is still without electricity and water. According to the Puerto Rican Teachers Federation (FMPR), some schools being forced to open are not adequately prepared, while others that could be opened are not slated to open under Keleher’s plan.
San Juan, Puerto Rico — On Oct. 20, one month after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the secretary of AFSCME Local 3800, Brad Sigal, was in San Juan to bring a donation of money and medicines to the Puerto Rican Teachers Federation (FMPR, the union's initials in Spanish).
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Gainesville, FL — Over 1000 University of Florida students and other activists from around the state gathered at the University of Florida here, Oct 19, to protest a speech by white supremacist Richard Spencer. In the runup to the event, UF president Fuchs dismissed demands that Spencer's event be canceled – in light of his white supremacist view. Fuchs argued that the best response to fascists is to ignore them. Florida governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency, allowing the police to better prepare to repress anti-Nazi protesters.
