Chicago, IL – 1000 people rallied and marched here March 19 to mark the eighth anniversary of the war in Iraq. A large contingent was organized by the Committee Against Political Repression (CAPR), which included many of the 23 persons subpoenaed to a grand jury for because of their anti-war and international solidarity efforts. Chants and signs carried the message that activism is not a crime. Seven of those subpoenaed are Palestinians. A large group of youth, mostly Arabs, carried a 60-foot long Palestinian flag behind the CAPR banner to show the unity of the Arab and Muslim communities with the fight to resist FBI and grand jury repression.
Chicago, IL – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is undertaking a national effort to sign up thousands of people to a “Pledge to resist FBI, Grand Jury repression.”
Chicago, IL – Students in over 20 cities, including over a dozen SDS chapters, from Florida to California rallied on March 2 in support of education rights and unions in Wisconsin as part of a national day of action for accessible education.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following resolution from the Graduate Employees Organization University of Illinois at Chicago (GEO-UIC) Local 6297. This Resolution was passed by the GEO-UIC Steering Committee on Feb. 9.
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.
Chicago, IL – More than 400 people braved arctic conditions, protesting in front of the Egyptian consulate here, Feb. 4. Demonstrators chanted, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will see Mubarak fall!” Several speakers called for an end to U.S. aid to Mubarak's regime.
Chicago, IL – Chanting, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will see Mubarak fall,” more than 1000 people demonstrated here, Jan. 29, at the office of the Consulate General of Egypt. The protest in solidarity with the struggle of the people of Egypt was one of many that took place in cities across the U.S.
Chicago, IL – Speaking at a rally of 350 supporters Jan. 25, Sarah Smith explained that being subpoenaed hasn't had the effect that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wanted. The crowd cheered when she said, “I'm not backing down. In fact, I've been made stronger by the support from all of you to be become more politically active.”
Chicago, IL – “Every day more cities are signing on to the call for the January 25 protests against the Grand Jury witch hunt that’s being directed against anti-war and international solidarity activists,” states Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.
Chicago, IL – “Stop the subpoenas, stop the raids! We are here, we aren’t afraid!” On a chilly morning, Jan. 14, over 50 people gathered at the Federal Building in downtown Chicago to deliver a mock subpoena to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is in charge of the wave of FBI raids, harassment and subpoenas that began last September across the country. Since then, 23 people have been summoned to appear before a federal grand jury in Chicago and all have refused to participate in what is being called a political witch hunt.
Chicago, IL – This past year was a tough year for Teamsters Local 743. Reformers Richard Berg and Eugenia Alvarez were wrongly removed from office by Teamsters International President James Hoffa. The remaining executive board members, in office for only five months, spent the time fighting amongst themselves. They then ran against one another in the recent union election.
Chicago, IL -75 people entered the lobby of the Dirksen Federal Building here, Dec. 23, to make a statement to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and the FBI. They were there because four more anti-war and international solidarity activists have been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Palestine solidarity activist Maureen Murphy. Murphy is the managing editor of the popular online publication, Electronic Intifada and she is also the co-chair of the Chicago Committee Against Political Repression, which has been leading work in Chicago to oppose FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists. On Tuesday Dec. 21, Murphy received a subpoena from the FBI to appear before a federal grand jury.
Chicago, IL – The FBI came unannounced to knock on doors of apartments in here, Dec. 21. FBI agent Robert Parker, under orders from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office, delivered a subpoena to Maureen Murphy. Murphy, like several other individuals served subpoenas, is an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago.
Chicago, IL – More than 100 anti-war, labor and solidarity activists rallied and picketed here, Dec. 6. The emergency action was organized by the Chicago-based Committee Against Political Repression after the FBI delivered or declared its intention to give federal grand jury subpoenas to solidarity and anti-war activists in Chicago the week before.
Chicago, IL -The FBI has informed a lawyer from the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) that at least three new subpoenas to appear before a Grand Jury have been delivered in the Chicago area.
_Chicago benefit to fight grand jury witch hunt big success _
Chicago, IL – Over 200 people danced and chanted, “Viva, viva, Palestina!” the night of Nov. 24 for the Hip Hop Defends Free Speech! Benefit. The fundraising show featured performers such as BBU, Scheme and I’Naru, an all woman group playing traditional, Puerto Rican Bomba music. The event was organized by Rebel Diaz portoluz, and the Chicago Committee Against Political Repression. It included remarks by Hatem Abudayyeh, one of the 14 people raided by the FBI and subpoenaed by the Grand Jury. Over $3,500 was raised for the defense fund.
Chicago, IL – About twenty students from the University of Illinois campuses in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign attempted to speak out at a Board of Trustees meeting, Nov. 18. The students are organizing against tuition increases and the re-segregation of higher education.
Chicago, IL – Members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of Illinois-Chicago staged street theatre in front of an FBI recruitment event here, Nov. 9. Dressed up as agents of the ‘Federal Bureau of Intimidation,’ activists handed out fliers against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists who were raided on Sept. 24.
