Conference unites over 100 activists from across the South
Chapel Hill, NC – Over 100 activists from across the South gathered at the University of North Carolina School of Law Feb. 19 for a conference against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists. The conference was one of four regional conferences organized by the national Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR). Activists came from as far as Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia.
Oakland, CA – A crowd of 150 West Coast anti-war leaders and international solidarity activists met here, Feb. 12, at the Humanist Hall to help build a movement against the current wave of political repression emanating from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office in Chicago.
Chicago, IL – Fight Back News Service urges our readers to check out the following videos from the Feb. 12 midwest conference against the FBI and Grand Jury repression that was held in Chicago. The conference and benefit brought together about 200 activists from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri.
Chapel Hill, NC – A conference to address the recent FBI raids on anti-war and international solidarity activists’ homes and offices will take place Feb. 19 from 9:45 am until 5:00 pm at the UNC Law School on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided for a suggested $5 donation. Childcare will be available free of charge.
Kalamazoo, MI – FBI agents continue to harass anti-war and international solidarity activists, this time in Michigan. On Feb 3., longtime Michigan peace activist Dave Staiger received a phone call from the FBI. Special agent Karlie Wood asked to interview Dave in person. Staiger told the agent, “My policy is to contact a lawyer if the FBI or police want to talk to me.” The agent said, “Contacting a lawyer is not necessary,” and that Staiger was not in any trouble. Special Agent Wood then stated that she wanted to talk about matters relating to the Grand Jury subpoenas and FBI investigation in Minneapolis and Chicago.
Kalamazoo, MI – Twelve anti-war activists, including a city council member, protested outside the U.S. Federal Building here, Jan. 25. The protest, organized by the newly-formed Kalamazoo Coalition Against Repression, was a part of the national day of actions against government repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement adopted by the General Executive Board of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. In part the statement deals with a 2009 incident at Rock Island, Illinois. The FBI attempted to disrupt the struggle that was being waged by workers at Quad City Die Casting, by slandering trade unionists who were mobilizing support for their effort.
St. Paul, MN – As the 2011 Minnesota state legislative session came to order on Jan. 4, the Welfare Rights Committee and the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout chanted on the front steps of the capitol, “Hey politicians, here's the fix! Tax the rich!” This year, the right-wing Republicans have control of the Minnesota State House and Senate. They have vowed not to raise taxes on the wealthy and will make cuts to balance the budget.
Here we will take the occasion of the end of the year to look back at some of the most important stories of the past year on the Fight Back! website. It has definitely been a year full of struggle and conflict – and Fight Back! News has been there on the front lines with on-the-spot reporting and timely analysis.
St Paul, MN – Protesters will assemble at the Minnesota State Capitol Building, at 12 noon, Jan. 4 to say no to attacks on programs that serve poor and working people. Organized by the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, the action will coincide with the opening of the Minnesota State legislature.
Chicago, IL – The 19th annual People’s Thanksgiving, a fundraiser for Fight Back! newspaper, was held here Dec. 4. It was the largest ever, with over 200 in attendance, and raised an incredible $7000 for the defense of the 17 Midwest anti-war and solidarity activists under attack by the FBI.
Newark, NJ – A People’s Hearing against Foreclosure and Homelessness took place here, Oct. 26. Many people, many issues and many ideas were heard. Sponsors included the People’s Organization for Progress (POP), the National Organization for Women-NJ and the Newark Teachers’ Association (NTA). A People’s Bailout Program emerged as a concrete and realistic vehicle of people’s struggle.
Washington DC – Over 175,000 people rallied here on Oct. 2 to demand jobs and income, the right to higher education, to defend civil rights and protest racism, and to oppose right-wing politics. The NAACP, SEIU, and AFL-CIO were among the main sponsors of the rally. Thousands of NAACP chapters, union locals, and progressive organizations all over the country worked together to mobilize the huge turnout for the demonstration, stressing the need for workers to unite.
Citatorios de Corte, Cateos y Visitas del FBI se Realizan en Varias Ciudades De los Estados Unidos de América
Denunciamos al Buro de Investigaciones Federales, FBI. Por el hostigamiento a los activistas del movimiento Anti-Guerra y de Solidaridad en varios estados a través de país.
Fight Back! News Service is circulating the following video from The UpTake, which reports on a community meeting in Minneapolis in response to the FBI raids on antiwar activists across the country Sep. 24, 2010. Over 200 people gathered at the meeting.
Chicago, IL – The energy was high at Whittier Elementary’s la casita, as the parents and their children prepared for another vigilant night to protect their field house from demolition, Sept. 20. Sign-in sheets covered the front tables with ‘on-guard’ schedules and long lists of names and contact information from educators, community members, members of the Chicago Teachers’ Union and other supporters. Sept. 20, began the seventh day of the occupation of the field house at this school in Pilsen, a Chicano/Mexicano neighborhood on Chicago’s west side.
Fight Back News is circulating the following call from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice to join the massive protest set for Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C.
Minneapolis, MN – As the candidates for governor were preparing to debate inside the Pantages Theater here Sept. 15, about 30 members of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, including folks from the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee and the Welfare Rights Committee were on the street out front.
The Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) denounces the planned burning of the Qur’an by a racist and reactionary church in Gainesville, Florida. We are outraged. Our organization is united with others, determined to stop this evil act with all the means available. We promise to do all in our power to shut down the Qur’an-burning by Terry Jones and his Dove Church.
Interview with Justin Wooten of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)
Gainesville, FL – Fight Back! interviewed Justin Wooten from the Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society about the upcoming protest against the burning of the Qur’an in Gainesville, Florida on Sept. 11.
