News and Views from the People's Struggle
Los Ángeles, CA – En una rueda de prensa realizada el 5 de julio, bajo el canto de “Justicia para Edwin Rodríguez”, la familia y abogados presentaron una demanda contra el Condado de Los Ángeles y los vice-alguaciles del Departamento de Sheriffs, Andrew Alatorre y Sandy Galdámez, por el asesinato del joven padre de 24 años.
Minneapolis, MN – Today at Noon NAACP head Nekima Levy-Pounds and hundreds of people held a press conference in front of the Minnesota Governors mansion to protest the police murder of Philando Castile on July 6, 2016. The aftermath of the shooting and death of Philando Castile was livestreamed by his partner Diamond Reynolds. Philando Castile had been driving while black when he was pulled over for a broken tail light. When asked by the officer for his license and registration he informed the man that he was a concealed carry permit holder and had a gun on his person. This is in compliance with Minnesota law and the procedures permit holders are instructed to use. The officer opened fire upon hearing that he had a gun, shooting him 3-5 times in the arm. Officers held Ms. Reynolds and her daughter in the car at gunpoint while Philando Castile bled to death in front of them. The livestream broadcast brought people to the scene who protested the murder throughout the night, eventually occupying the street in front of the MN Governors mansion. Philando Castile is remembered as a kind man who gave out extra graham crackers to the kids at J.J Hill school in St. Paul where he was a lunchroom supervisor. He was a 15 year member of Teamsters Local 320. This is at least the second police murder of an African American man this week
#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #MN #BlackLivesMatter #PhilandoCastile
Houston, TX – Over 80 protesters gathered at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak, July 1, to stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine. Many were from the local Arab and Middle Eastern community. The protest caught a lot of attention.
Meredith Aby-Keirstead, of Fight Back! interviews James Jordan, with the Alliance For Global Justice in Tucson, Arizona. Jordan recently returned from the Accompaniment Delegation to Support Colombia’s Peace Process. Fight Back!: Want do Colombian activists say about the prospects for peace?
Washington D.C. – El anuncio realizado por la Suprema Corte el 23 de junio, destruyó la esperanza de más de 5 millones de padres y madres indocumentadas. El voto de la Suprema Corte quedó dividido en un empate de 4-4, lo que significa que no pudo ser revocada la decisión tomada por el tribunal de primera instancia, que impedía la implementación de los programas DAPA (Acción Diferida para Responsabilidad de los Padres) y la expansión de DACA (Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia).
Las Vegas, Nev. – Teamster President James P. Hoffa has decided to spend millions of dollars in union members’ dues money to showcase himself at the International convention which opened June 27 in Las Vegas. Hoffa demands that delegates wear red vests to show loyalty to his presidency as he seeks another five-year term in office.
Minneapolis, MN – AFSCME 3800 members – clerical workers at the University of Minnesota – joined nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) on the picket lines June24 to show their solidarity.
Chicago, IL – About 1000 protesters converged on Chicago City Hall, June 22. The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) was there to demand an elected, civilian police accountability council (CPAC). The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) raised their demand for progressive revenue to fund the public schools, but also supported the demand for community control of the police. The CPAC rally also included Black Lives Matter, the Pilsen Alliance, U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), and AnakBayan, the Filipino patriotic youth organization.
Minneapolis, MN – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) were on picket lines in force today, June, 20, as more than 4800 nurses began the second day of their seven-day unfair labor practices strike at five Allina Hospitals. A key issue is Allina’s demand that nurses take a big hit on health care benefits.
Tampa, FL – Twenty Tampa student and community activists gathered for a barbecue on June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth. Hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), attendees discussed topics such as African American history, the Black Lives Matter movement, socialism and African American liberation in the Black Belt South.
Houston, TX – On June 17 over 200 activists and community leaders protested Donald Trump in River Oaks, a wealthy area. Trump was holding a campaign fundraiser at the home of the right-wing lawyer Tony Buzbee. Supporters who attended the fundraiser paid $5000 dollars to have their photo taken with Trump, and as much as $250,000 to spend an evening with the Republican nominee.
6 arrested at protest demanding greater access to university
Minneapolis, MN – On June 10, around 20 students, faculty and community members shut down the University Of Minnesota board of regents summer budgetary meeting. The action was in protest of tuition hikes and the failure of the university to address the needs of marginalized and working-class students.
Tampa, FL – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression – Tampa (CSFR-Tampa) held a rally attended by 15 activists and community members here, June 13, at the corner of 56th and Fowler Avenue, to stand with Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh.
Detroit, MI – Over 100 supporters of Rasmea Odeh chanted her name in excitement as she emerged from the Federal Court Building in downtown Detroit on June 13. The crowd could see on Odeh’s face that she had good news. Slightly embarrassed by all the attention,she eventually waved for supporters to cross the street and join her for a press conference.
Tampa activists plan to rally here in support of long-time Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh, on Monday, June 13, 5:30 p.m. at 56th and Fowler Avenue. The rally coincides with Odeh’s same-day court appearance in Detroit, Michigan, where she is challenging a trumped-up immigration charge.
New York, NY – 45 activists and community organizers gathered at 19 W 44 th Street, the office of G4S Security Solutions, June 10, to stand in support for Rasmea Odeh, a Palestinian American leader who is facing jail and deportation on a trumped-up immigration charge. G4S provides security services to Israeli prisons, where countless Palestinians prisoners have been held without due process, persecuted and tortured.
San Jose, CA – On June 10, members and supporters of the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression (SBCAPR), passed out flyers and held signs in support of Rasmea Odeh, whose case is being returned to the lower court for a hearing in Detroit on Monday, June 13. The action was in front of the City of San Jose and San Jose State University Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. They joined supporters of the Friday Peace Vigil who hold a regular anti-war protest every Friday at the MLK library.
#SanJoseCA #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #politicalRepression #InjusticeSystem #RasmeaOdeh
Houston, TX – On June 17, Donald Trump will be holding a fundraiser in Houston to raise money for his campaign of racism, hatred and fear. The event will be held at the home of Tony Buzbee, a notoriously right wing lawyer who represented criminals like Rick Perry, the former governor of Texas. Buzbee's home is located in River Oaks, the most bourgeois neighborhood in town that houses the richest capitalists of Houston. Trump is charging $5000 for people to have their photo taken with him, and over $250,000 to spend an evening with him.
Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) announced June 8 that it had delivered the legally required ten-day notice for a strike at Twin Cites metro area Allina hospitals. About 5000 nurses at Abbott Northwestern, Phillips Eye Institute, Mercy, United and Unity hospitals could walk off their jobs June 19 for a seven-day strike if there is no progress toward a contract settlement.
New York, NY – Supporters of Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh will be rallying here, June 10, 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., at G4S Secure Solutions (19 W 44th St.), to demand justice in her case. Odeh, an icon in the Palestinian community, was convicted on a politically-motivated immigration charge in 2014, and sentenced to 18 months in prison and deportation.