Chicago, IL – There are 212 candidates for the 50 seats in the February 19, 2019 Chicago city council elections. Of this total, 38 came out to a December 20 forum in support of an elected civilian police accountability council (CPAC). It’s unusual for so many candidates to be together in one room unless they’re seeking the support of a powerful union or political organization. But this wasn’t an endorsement session. The candidates came to join the movement establish community control over the Chicago Police Department.

Chicago, IL – Chicago teachers Union (CTU) teachers and paraprofessionals in the Acero/UNO charter network have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract that will dramatically improve teaching and learning conditions in the charter network’s 15 campuses across Chicago. The wins were achieved after a historic five-day strike that saw hundreds of union educators and paraprofessionals take to the streets to demand a fair contract, joined by parents, students and allies calling for change at schools run by Acero. Growing numbers of elected officials joined in the call for a decent contract and accountability from charter executives.

Chicago, IL – International Revolutionary Day convened at noon, at Ground Zero, as it does every year on December 4 here in Chicago. The Black Panther Party Cubs refer to 2337 W. Monroe as Ground Zero and say the Black community's 9/11 occurred here 1969 – with the government assassination of Illinois Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton, Sr. and Peoria Chapter Defense Captain Mark Clark.

Chicago, IL – In the months since President Nicolás Maduro’s re-election, the Venezuelan bourgeoisie – more politically and socially isolated than at any point in their history – has launched into a vicious struggle against the working class, which is rising to a position of revolutionary potential not yet seen.

Chicago, IL – The 500 striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) members at 15 UNO/Acero charter schools won a major victory in the early morning of December 9, when a tentative agreement was reached.

Chicago, IL – UNO/Acero teachers and paraprofessionals continue to strike at 15 schools, December 7. Since Tuesday, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) educators at UNO/Acero schools have held the picket lines and protested for more classroom resources, smaller class sizes, sanctuary protections for their immigrant students and fair wages—particularly for low-wage paraprofessionals.

Chicago, IL – Closing arguments in the trial related to Laquan McDonald’s murder finished on Thursday, December 6. On trial are retired Chicago Police Detective Joseph Walsh, the lead detective on the case; retired Officer David March, who was on the scene with Officer Van Dyke; and suspended Officer Thomas Gaffney, who had a prior encounter with McDonald the night of his murder. Charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and misconduct, the officers are accused of providing false statements to protect Van Dyke and cover up the murder.

Chicago, IL – Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff at 15 charter schools run by the UNO/Acero charter network are striking for a third day, December 6, and extending picket times to two shifts at each school.

Chicago, IL – Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff at 15 charter schools run by the Acero charter network (formerly known as UNO) are in the second day of their historic strike.

Chicago, IL – “We see students. They see dollars!” chanted the 30 strikers, parents and students in front of the Paz school in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, December 4. More than 500 teachers and other professionals, members of the Chicago Teachers Union–Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff, are on strike this morning in the UNO/ACERO charter school network. CTU is again leading the way in the first strike in the country against a charter operator.

Chicago, IL – A room of 150 trade unionists and activists from the Black, Arab, Filipino and Latino communities cheered, chanted and sang at the 27th People’s Thanksgiving in Chicago, December 1. Sponsored by Freedom Road Socialist Organization, raising funds for the newspaper Fight Back!, the theme of the event was, “Ending Rahm’s Racist Agenda, Fighting for the People’s Agenda.” Awards were given to groups that represented important movements challenging the mayor and his buddies in the 1%.

Chicago, IL – Father Jose Sigfredo Landaverde from the Mission Faith, Life and Hope is undertaking a hunger strike, as of November 30, in solidarity with the mothers of the migrant exodus. A group of refugee women in Tiajuana have launched a hunger strike to demand the end of deportations and an accelerated asylum process. The hunger strike comes a few days after a march in Tijuana ended with U.S. officials throwing tear gas at migrants who tried to cross the border.

The following was written in response to the Dave Schneider’s commentary, “A socialist look at the Florida 2018 midterm results.” View part one of the article here. View part two here.

Chicago, IL – Negotiations ended with a tentative five-year agreement, November 16, for the over 10,000 Chicago-area UPS workers represented by Teamsters 705. Ballots, including contract changes, will be sent out shortly for members to review and vote.

Chicago, IL – “The charter schools are working educators to the bone, yet still not adequately staffing our classrooms. This isn’t fair to the students or the teachers, and we’re not going to take it,” states Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Charter Division Chairman Chris Baehrend.

Thomas “Blood” McCreary is a veteran of the Black liberation movement of the 1960s and 70s, having been a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), then the Black Panther Party (BPP), and then the Black Liberation Army. Today he continues to press for release of the former Panthers who are still in prison, many for 45 years. He also advocates for the dropping of the cases against the Panthers abroad, including Assata Shakur.

Chicago, IL – Rank-and-file Teamster militants attended the 43rd annual Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) convention in Chicago November 2 through 4. TDU is a reform movement founded in 1980 with the goal of improving the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and making it a union that fights for the members.

_Local 705 Freight drivers vote down proposed contract _

Chicago, IL – Negotiations are set to resume Monday, November 12, between Teamsters Local 705 and UPS over a tentative five-year contract for over 10,000 UPS workers in the Chicago area.

Chicago, IL – On November 1, John Bolton gave perhaps the sharpest anti-communist speech by a U.S. National Security Advisor since the end of the Cold War. While celebrating the election of far-right thug Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil as a “positive sign” for South America, he condemned Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua as “the Troika of Tyranny… the genesis of a sordid cradle of communism in the Western Hemisphere.” He declared that all peoples of Latin America should “look to the north, look to our flag” and that soon “the Troika will crumble, the people will triumph, and the righteous flame of freedom will burn brightly again in this hemisphere.”

Chicago, IL – The Teamsters Local 705 negotiating committee informed UPS, October 31, that the contract extension covering over 10,000 UPS workers will be over in 30 days. Both sides will likely continue to meet before that date.