News and Views from the People's Struggle
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.
_Activists “Will Not Participate in” Grand Jury _
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.
The following solidarity statement was passed by the House of Delegates of the Chicago Teachers Union on January 5, 2011.
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 #ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #Music #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #RebelDiaz
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.
_Activists raided by the FBI speak out _
Chicago, IL – Over 1000 rallied and marched here at a regional anti-war demonstration Oct. 16. Protesters called for an end to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, an end to U.S. foreign aid to Israel and an end to FBI repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Chicago, IL – For over a year, the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) has been the scene of intense struggle between the 2700 workers represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 and their employer. In the latest development, UIC’s Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares announced Oct. 10 that the director of Human Resources, John Loya, would step aside. He is being replaced by an assistant vice president from central administration in Urbana, Illinois.
Fight Back! News is circulating the following video from Stephanie Weiner and Joe Iosbaker. Their home was raided by the FBI on Sept. 24, when over a dozen agents spent ten hours in their house, leaving with thirty boxes of their personal effects, documents, and children's artwork. Weiner and Iosbaker were among of the fourteen activists who were subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury in Chicago on Oct. 5.
“We have nothing to say to the grand jury”
Chicago, IL – During morning rush hour 100 people gathered at the Federal Center Plaza in Chicago in a show of solidarity for those targeted by the Sept. 24 FBI raids on anti-war activists in the Midwest. Chicago activists Joe Iosbaker and Stephanie Weiner, two among the 14 subpoenaed activists, announced their decision not to cooperate with the grand jury investigation.
Chicago, IL – 500 people picketed and chanted outside Chicago FBI Headquarters to protest the FBI raids, harassment, and intimidation of anti-war and solidarity activists, and to show support for the three Chicago activists targeted by the September 24 raids. Among the crowd were trade unionists, students, anti-war and Palestine solidarity activists, all outraged by the FBI raids. Stephanie Weiner and Joe Iosbaker, whose home was raided last Friday morning and are two of the twelve people handed subpoenas, were at the protest, joined by their son Tre.
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.