News and Views from the People's Struggle
Atlanta, GA- Dozens gathered outside of the Russell Federal building, November 6 to protest the results of the presidential election and demand a people’s agenda. Preparing for another Trump presidency, activists, students and community members spoke on the need to get organized and continue to fight for reproductive rights, against police violence, and for a free Palestine.
Tampa, FL – In response to Trump’s recent election, on November 9 the Tampa community took a stand against Trump and his racist policies. Dozens of community members showed up to raise their voices on such topics as LGBTQ rights, abortion rights, police crimes and more.
Tallahassee, FL – On Thursday, November 7, around 50 protesters joined Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to protest the racist, pro-Israel agenda of President-elect Donald Trump. The students and community members made it clear that the people’s movements would not stand down in the face of Trump’s reactionary repression, and that they would continue to demand an end to all U.S. aid to Israel.
Santa Ana, CA – On Wednesday, November 6 almost 30 community members and activists united to call people to action following Donald Trump’s election. The rally was held on the intersection of Bristol and McFadden, where hundreds protested in 2020 after the killing of George Floyd.
Abe Quintana of the Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) kicked off the rally by stating, “Trump’s victory is the result of the built-in failure of the two party system,” and “both the Democrats and Republicans can never bring real change to our everyday lives as working people.”
David Pulido of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) then spoke about what a Trump presidency will bring, stating, “We can expect attacks on the immigrant community. We can expect attacks on labor rights. We can expect attacks on reproductive and LGBTQ rights. We can expect the use of police to repress people’s movements, and more police killings. And we can expect the administration to continue supporting Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people.” He called people to action, stating “we who live in the belly of the beast of the U.S. empire have a responsibility to all who suffer from its policies abroad” to organize and fight back.
Maria Ceja from Tenants United Santa Ana (TUSA) spoke about their victory in winning rent control for Santa Ana. She emphasized that it took years of work and fighting against the police association, apartment association, and real estate association that are all backed by millions of dollars. Ceja stated, “I would like to note that this work would have not been possible if it hadn’t been for the years and years of work and dedication and the blood, sweat and tears of community members here in Santa Ana.”
Patricia Flores from OC Environmental Justice (OCEJ) urged people to act without waiting for help from politicians and non-profits, stating, “My only hope is that the people who were waiting for a savior still in 2024 will use this opportunity to organize in their communities to make sure we never have to wait for a savior again.”
Protesters then picketed intersections, chanting “Not another nickel, not another dime! No more money for Israel’s crimes!” and “Don’t let cops run this city!” as cars passing by honked in support.
Emma Gottfried of CSO OC spoke of Trump’s election and the likelihood of the expansion of police power and repression. She spoke of CSO OC’s campaign to hire an Independent Oversight Director (IOD) for the Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission. The commission was established two years ago but has not performed any investigations due to the lack of an IOD. Gottfried stated “Santa Ana deserves better! When the police commit crimes, they need to be held accountable. The people of Santa Ana deserve a functioning police oversight body. That is why we are demanding that the city council appoint an independent oversight director.”
Protesters then chanted “SAPD, KKK, IDF they’re all the same” and “La migra, la policia, la misma porqueria!”
Stef Dorantes of CSO OC closed out the rally with a strong call to action, “We cannot let them weaken our resolve. We have to let our fierce love for one another drive us to struggle. We must unite and struggle for liberation for all of us because politicians won’t do that for us! We must come together to fight for an end to the genocide! We need to come together and fight for our rights! We need to come together and fight for police accountability! So please join us at CSO OC and we can struggle together!”
The rally was organized by CSO OC and endorsed by TUSA, OCEJ, US Palestinian Community Network, FRSO, OC Environmental Justice, and more. To get involved in CSO OC’s campaign for police accountability, email orangecountycso@gmail.com or contact us on Instagram @cso.oc.
Grand Rapids, MI – On November 6, the day after the U.S. presidential election, demonstrators gathered on Rosa Parks Circle to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Gathering nearly 150 participants, they persisted through the cold and rainy evening delivering chants and speeches to the downtown community.
Washington, DC – On Tuesday evening, November 5, over 200 community members, activists, and organizers flooded the streets outside of the White House, at Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC, to hold a protest of the election outcome. Slogans for the protest included “No matter who wins, the people lose!” and “No votes for genocide.”
Seattle, WA – 200 protesters took to Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park the day after the U.S. presidential election to rally against the racist, reactionary program of president-elect Donald Trump.
Los Angeles, CA – On November 6, close to 50 people gathered for a rally against Donald Trump and his reactionary agenda following his election. Taking place at the intersection of Soto and 1st Street in the predominantly Chicano neighborhood of Boyle Heights, the protest drew attention to the need to organize against Trump’s expected attacks on workers, immigrants, women, and other oppressed peoples.
Denver, CO – On the night of November 6, following the election of Donald Trump, a crowd of about 100 rallied in protest at the Colorado State Capitol and marched through the streets to the Denver city council building.
The fired-up workers, students and community members say they are taking action to say no to Donald Trump and his racist agenda.
Jacksonville, FL – On November 7, Jacksonville community organizers gathered at the courthouse to denounce the recent election of Donald Trump as the 47th resident, following his victory.
Dallas, TX – After the election outcome, November 6, Freedom Road Socialist Organization here held a 50-person rally in front of the Dallas City Hall.
Entonces, sucedió. El tonto racista y reaccionario Donald Trump regresa a la Casa Blanca, y los republicanos dominarán el Congreso. La polarización de la vida política estadounidense se está agudizando y profundizando. Los revolucionarios y los progresistas tenemos una tarea difícil por delante.
Habrá mucho tiempo para analizar lo que sucedió en las elecciones, pero a la mañana siguiente algunas cosas quedaron claras. El liderazgo y los poderosos patrocinadores del Partido Demócrata son los únicos culpables del resultado. La campaña de Harris/Walz fue completamente insensible a las necesidades y aspiraciones de la clase trabajadora. De hecho, las dos palabras que no parecieron ser capaces de incluir en ninguno de sus discursos fueron “clase trabajadora.” En cambio, ofrecieron una triste mezcla de genocidio en Palestina, combinada con un llamado a los republicanos con educación universitaria, los “nunca Trump”. Y fracasaron.
Esta elección no se trató de buenas opciones. Desde el punto de vista de la OSCL y el movimiento anti-guerra, fue un referéndum sobre el genocidio en Palestina y una guerra más amplia en el Medio Oriente. Para muchos, la economía fue el tema principal. Al final del día, las malas opciones que se nos presentaron son una crítica al sistema capitalista.
Necesitamos entender que vienen grandes ataques. El movimiento obrero estará bajo fuego y habrá intentos de erosionar nuestro nivel de vida. Los intolerantes en Washington, D.C. harán lo que puedan para promover la desigualdad y habrá ataques contra las nacionalidades oprimidas, incluyendo a las personas negras, los chicanos y latinos, los asiático-americanos, los árabe-americanos y otros. Los derechos de los inmigrantes serán un objetivo especial. Existe una cruda misoginia que odia a las mujeres en el mundo de Trump, y podemos esperar más medidas para restringir nuestros derechos reproductivos. Del mismo modo, podemos esperar ataques contra las personas LGBTQ. Y el genocidio en Palestina continuará bajo Trump.
La buena noticia es que esta guerra contra el pueblo no va a ser unilateral. Es completamente posible y necesario construir movimientos populares fuertes que sean capaces de una resistencia seria. Este no es el momento para agachar la cabeza. Es momento de unir a todos los que puedan unirse para derrotar la agenda reaccionaria de Trump. La prueba no es cuántas cosas malas podemos decir sobre él—es un pedazo de basura reaccionaria, así que diremos muchas. Pero el verdadero desafío que tenemos por delante es cuánta gente podemos sacar a la calle. A quienes se sienten un poco desanimados o desmoralizados, podemos ofrecerles la esperanza de la resistencia. Tenemos la capacidad para luchar y ganar.
El imperio estadounidense está en decadencia y Trump es un síntoma. Vamos a construir la lucha. Vamos a fortalecer las organizaciones del pueblo y mostrar algo de coraje en los sindicatos. No vamos a retroceder. Vamos hacia adelante, y lo vamos a hacer con la mayor cantidad de gente posible. ¡Juntos podemos hacer que este país sea ingobernable!
Orlando, FL – On Wednesday, November 6, more than 40 community members, students and activists rallied at the George C. Young Federal Court House to protest Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election. The rally was organized by the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).
Chicago, IL – More than 500 protesters gathered in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, November 6, to denounce the rotten system that will return Donald Trump to the White House early next year, and to demand a people’s agenda and a free Palestine.
The re-election of Donald Trump and the dominance of Republicans in Congress sends a loud and painful message: the system is broken, and those at the helm don’t care about working people, oppressed nationalities, or the marginalized. We in the Freedom Road Socialist Organization understand that the time is now to channel our rage, dissatisfaction and hope for a different future into something revolutionary.
New Orleans, LA – On Wednesday, November 6, a broad coalition of New Orleans organizations made good on their promise to “Keep it in the streets – no matter who wins.” As the post-work rush hour began, roughly 100 people packed Lafayette Square Park to let the city know that, despite the election results, “Estamos en la lucha!” or “We are in the fight!”
New York, NY – On the evening of November 6, over 100 people gathered in the heart of downtown Brooklyn at Cadman Plaza to protest the election of Donald Trump. Called by NYU Students for a Democratic Society with the slogan that “No matter who wins, the people lose,” the rally began with a consistent beat of chants. They ranged from “Racist, sexist, anti-gay! Donald Trump, go away!” “Not the church! Not the state! Women will decide their fate!” and “Say it loud! Say it clear! Refugees are welcome here!”
Milwaukee, WI – 500 people took to the streets of downtown Milwaukee, November 6, to protest another Trump presidency that will surely launch an all-out assault on workers and oppressed people for the next four years. Rather than giving into despair, the people of Milwaukee, representing various progressive movements, showed they are ready to fight back against Trump’s racist and reactionary agenda.
Minneapolis, MN – More than 300 people rallied and marched in Minneapolis’s West Bank neighborhood, November 6, in the wake of Trump’s election. The protest was in solidarity with Palestine and opposed the ever-widening U.S./Israel war in the Middle East. In addition, demonstrators were united behind a broad, progressive agenda that defends the rights of immigrants, workers, LGBTQ people, women’s and reproductive rights, and African Americans and other oppressed peoples.
Austin, TX – On Wednesday afternoon, November 6, a group of students at UT Austin rallied in front of the Littlefield Fountain on UT’s campus to oppose Trump and his racist, backwards agenda. Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) planned to rally no matter who won the presidential election, joining national calls to stand with Palestine and continue the struggle.