Fight Back News Service is circulating the text of a speech by a leader of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Fernando Figueroa, which was delivered shortly before the July 18 march on the RNC in Cleveland, OH.

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?

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.

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.

Minneapolis, MN – About 40 people rallied in front of the Federal Courthouse, May 26, to demand justice for the three Somali youth who are facing life in prison, having been entrapped by the FBI. Family, other members of the Somali community and anti-war activists called for the release of Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah.

New York, New York – Every year in New York, leftists gather for the Left Forum. This year, the Left Forum took place May 20-22 and included several hundred workshops on an array of topics – from Venezuela to the current electoral climate.

Washington, DC – On May 14 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared a constitutional state of emergency in that country. CNN reports indicate that there have been marches in support of the government’s push for a “state of constitutional exception and economic emergency” to last until July.

Solidarity with Palestine

Minneapolis, MN – About 40 people joined the Twin Cities based Anti-War Committee, May 15, for its annual remembrance of Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe” that occurred in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes.

Minneapolis, MN – Week two of the trial of three Somali youth will open May 16, with the continued testimony of Abdullahi Mohamud Yusuf. Yusuf was the first star witness for prosecutors aiming to convict three of his former friends of terrorism conspiracy charges. According to Yusuf, he planned to travel to Syria and join ISIL in 2014, but was stopped at the airport by FBI Special Agent John Thomas. Yusuf plead guilty in the case, hoping to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for his testimony against Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah. Yusuf testified to several meetings with the three, though none of them were with him the day he set out for Syria.

Minneapolis, MN – The Anti-War Committee is holding its annual remembrance of Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe” that occurred in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes. The Nakba continues today as Palestinian homes continue to be destroyed. A rally is planned at Loring Park, on Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m., followed by a march through the surrounding neighborhood.

Minneapolis, MN – After a few days of preliminary motions and jury selection, opening arguments were presented on May 11 at the trial of three young local Somali men. Many members of the Somali community and the local peace movement are attending the trial. The Minnesota Coalition to Defend the Muslim Community, which includes the Anti-War Committee, is planning to organize rallies every Thursday of the trial to support with the families of the accused and to speak out against government abuses in this case.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 people came to the Minneapolis Federal Courts Building to support three Muslim youth from the Somali community charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIL and to commit murder abroad. The trial began May 9, for Guled Ali Omar, 21; Abdurahman Yasin Daud, 22; and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, 22, who were entrapped by the FBI and now face possible life sentences.

Salt Lake City, UT – On May 1, 100 people gathered at the Salt Lake City and County Building to celebrate, table and rally for International Workers Day. The Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) hosted the event, joined by Students for a Democratic Society, Utah Against Police Brutality, Utah Anti-war Committee, Workers World Party, and Socialist Alternative.

Chicago, IL – 1000 people marched in Chicago, May 1, from Union Park to the Haymarket Memorial, and then into downtown Chicago to Trump Towers. The front banners read “Stop the deportations!” “Stop the hate! Stop Trump!” “Yes to DAPA/DACA!” “Yes to legalization!” and “Yes to workers’ rights!”DAPA and DACA refer to President Obama’s executive orders for deferred action – Deferred Action for Parental Accountability, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Chicago, IL – The Boeing Company held its annual stockholders meeting in Chicago, May 2. Members of the Anti-War Committee-Chicago (AWC) had submitted a resolution calling for the corporation to prepare a report detailing its arms sales to Israel.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee.Statement on FBI Entrapment of Muslim Youth, State Repression against the Somali Community, and the Countering Violent Extremism Program

“Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda”

Minneapolis, MN – The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC announced today, May 1, plans for a major protest In Cleveland, Ohio, on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC).

St Paul, MN – 30 people in the Minneapolis- Saint Paul area joined a weekly peace vigil on April 27 after organizers issued a call for people to join the event as a way to give an anti-war response to the announcement by the Obama administration that additional U.S. troops are being sent to Syria.