Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

ChicagoIL

By staff

NNU first aid station in Chicago just before the arrests Saturday night

Chicago, IL – Registered nurses from across the U.S. today condemned Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel for his decision to arrest nurse volunteers, as well as peaceful protesters, in a late night crackdown, Oct. 22 at the Occupy Chicago protest.

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By staff

Oct. 22 Occupy Chicago march.

More than 2500 people gathered in downtown here, on the night of Saturday, Oct. 22. Trade unions again embraced the Occupy movement and committed to turn their members out. Young and old took to Jackson Avenue, taking the entire width of the street as they marched through downtown.

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By Stephanie Weiner

Jacques Rivera with scrap book of past Comite Exigimos Justicia struggles

Chicago, IL – Jacques Rivera has been released after 21 years in prison, after being exonerated for a murder he did not commit. On Oct. 4 he spoke to the press waiting outside the jail. Surrounded by his family, lawyers and members of the activist group Comite Exigimos Justicia (CEJ) which worked tirelessly for justice in this case he said, “The city of Chicago needs to know the truth and that is that I did not kill Felix Valentin.”

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By staff

Armando Robles, president of UE Local 1110 leads the march

Chicago, IL – More than 4000 marched here tonight as Occupy Chicago moved from its occupation of La Salle Street (the banking center of the city) to Congress Plaza on the edge of Grant Park. Organizers intend this as a permanent home for the occupation.

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By staff

About 1500 people marched and rallied here to demand an end to U.S. wars

About 1500 people marched and rallied here, Oct. 8, to demand an end to U.S. wars and occupations. The protest coincided with the ten year anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan. Chanting, “We are the 99%!” and “Occupy Chicago, troops home now!” the protest joined with Occupy Chicago.

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #AfghanistanWar #OccupyChicago #OccupyWallStreet

By staff

Chicago marches against the bankers

Chicago, IL – On Oct. 10, Chicago kicked off two large conventions, one for the Mortgage Bankers Association and the other for the Futures Options trading association – both groups that represent the rich who caused the latest recession. In the spirit of fighting back, Chicagoans, more than 7000 strong took to the streets and tied downtown up for four hours.

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By staff

Fitzgerald: “It's like I have duct tape across my mouth.”

Bill Chambers (left) and Newland Smith (right) as they exited the building

On Oct. 6, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald gave a talk entitled, “Prosecuting Terrorism in the Courts” to a meeting of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Chicago. While 20 people gathered outside to protest, three members of the Committee Against Political Repression went inside to question Fitzgerald directly.

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By staff

"FBI agents" caught in their own net at street theater

Chicago, IL – One year after the FBI raided two homes of well-known progressive leaders in Chicago, scores of supporters came together in two events to mark the anniversary.

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By staff

Mark Clements leads chants against the scheduled execution of Troy Davis.

Chicago, IL – Death row prisoner Troy Davis was denied clemency today, Sept. 20, by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. He is scheduled to be executed tomorrow night.

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By staff

Fight Back! interviews Joe Iosbaker, the Chicago spokesperson for the United Anti War Coalition, on the protests that will coincide with the NATO/G8 Summit that is scheduled for May, 2012.

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By mick

Meredith Aby, of the Twin Cities Anti War Committee

Chicago, IL – More than 200 activists from 73 organizations met at the Kent College of Law here, Aug. 28, to lay the groundwork for massive protests at the G8 and NATO summit is scheduled for May of 2012. The conference, initiated by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) served as the founding meeting of the “Coalition Against NATO / G8 War and Poverty Agenda.” Participants agreed that the meeting was a resounding success.

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By staff

Joe Iosbaker speaking at Chicago press conference demanding right to to protest

Chicago, IL – People from two dozen organizations attended a press conference here, July 28, in front of the office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. They were there with one immediate goal: to demand permits to march on the May 2012 summit of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the G8 (Group of Eight).

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By staff

Christine Boardman speaking at press conference against FBI repression

Chicago, IL – On July 16, the Executive Board of Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) voted unanimously that anti-war protesters had the right to march against the NATO/G8 summit being held in Chicago in May of 2012.

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By staff

Over 1500 demonstrated for Dyke March Chicago

Chicago, IL – Over 1500 LGBTQ folks came out to march at Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood for the annual Dyke March on June 25. This was the second year at South Shore, a predominantly African-American neighborhood, as organizers have rotated locations for the past several years in efforts to expand to the larger queer community outside of the historic Boystown and Andersonville neighborhoods of Chicago.

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By staff

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following letter and resolution from the United National Antiwar Committee (UNAC). We urge all of our readers to join in this effort.

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By Dee Michel

Chicago protest in solidarity with Carlos Montes

Chicago, IL – Chicago activists, including those from the immigrant rights and Chicano movements, rallied at the Dirksen Federal building on June 16 in solidarity with veteran Chicano activist, Carlos Montes. Montes was raided by the Los Angeles County Sherriff and FBI on charges of a firearm code violation. They seized his personal effects and over 40 years worth of political movement documentation.

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By staff

Banner drop at Chicago protest

Chicago, IL – Over 3000 teachers, healthcare workers, janitors and community activists descended on the corporate leaders meeting here, June 14 outside the Midwest CEO/CFO conference. The protesters demanded jobs, homes and schools.

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By Kait McIntyre

Chicago, IL – On May 26, over 65 people, including many clerical workers who are members of IFT Local 1708, gathered at Malcom X College in Chicago. They came to address City Hall and the Board of Trustees for the City Colleges about recent policies that seek to further privatize city colleges. Chairman Martin Cabrera and other board members failed to show and the coalition to Save City Colleges was thrown out of the meeting space. This was the second time officials agreed to meet and hear the concerns of the community only to fail to follow through.

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By staff

Emma Lozano of Sin Fronteras demands charges against Carlos Montes be dropped

Chicago, IL – On May 25, the Committee Against Political Repression brought together 30 supporters of Carlos Montes to denounce the raid by the FBI and Los Angeles Sheriff. Gathering in front of the Federal Building in Chicago, despite a thunder storm, the press conference and rally included a number of speakers.

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By staff

Chicago, IL – On May 23, DePaul University’s Fair Business Practices Committee (FBPC) made a recommendation to the president on whether or not to replace Sabra hummus with an alternative brand in campus dining halls. Throughout the past six months, the FBPC, consisting of faculty, staff and student representatives, has met both internally and with students on both sides of the controversial hummus debate.

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