Workers Resistance

Author: Fight Back

  • May Day in Houston demands worker and immigrant rights

    Houston, TX – There were a number of events here to celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1. First, the Houston Socialist Movement held a May Day speak-out with many groups. Leaders spoke about the need to end capitalism, build a socialist movement and make a revolution. They denounced the anti-worker, anti-immigrant and racist Republican Party in Texas, led by Governor Greg Abott. Speaker after speaker expressed a great sense of unity and hope for a socialist future. Later in the evening, there was a May Day dinner to build a spirit of solidarity amongst revolutionaries.

    Then on May 2, over 300 people marched in the annual May Day march. The march was led by immigrant rights organizations and trade unions, including SEIU and the AFL-CIO. Low-wage workers, part of the Fight For 15 campaign, marched despite many being undocumented. They chanted, “Sí se puede,” and “This is what democracy looks like.” They marched through a working class Chicano/Mexicano neighborhood as the community cheered them on.

    In addition, the Higher-Education Workers Association participated, an organization for adjunct professors at community colleges in Houston. Their sign read, “Health benefits for all adjuncts,” and “Professors for immigration reform.” To show their solidarity, they chanted, ” “Down, down with deportation! Up, up with education.”

    Rudolfo Palmo of the Higher-Education Workers Association said, “We are marching today because adjunct instructors are low-wage workers. We teach seven to ten courses per semester, which requires over 60 hours per week of work, yet we receive less than $2000 per course. We have no job security. We want health benefits, pensions and a higher wage. We also support immigration reform, as many of our students are effected by harsh immigration policies in Texas.”

    In one of the most conservative states in the country, there is fortunately still a platform for progressive, as well as revolutionary politics.

  • Chicago protest demands end to U.S./Saudi war on Yemen

    Chicago, IL – 40 people gathered in Millennium Park here, April 25, to protest the U.S./Saudi bombing of Yemen.

    In Yemen, a movement of the poor and oppressed people is fighting for bread and justice, against imperialism, monarchy and Zionism. The fight back there is led by the Ansurallah movement, which the Western media calls the Houthis.

    Saudi Arabia has been bombing for a month, causing over 1000 deaths. The World Health Organization reports over 3487 wounded, most of them civilians. The U.S. is providing the Saudis with data on targets and mid-air refueling of their bombers.

    Joe Iosbaker of the Anti-War Committee-Chicago spoke to those gathered and pointed out that this has to be seen as a U.S./Saudi War. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has no arms industry. Their weapons come from the U.S. Saudi Arabia could not act if the U.S. withdrew their support. We have to demand, “U.S., Saudi Arabia, hands off Yemen!”

     

  • International Workers’ Day celebration planned for Minneapolis

    Minneapolis, MN – Minnesotans will be celebrating International Workers’ Day early this year. Labor and community leaders will speak out at an event organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), Sunday, April 26, 2:30 p.m., at 4200 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis.

    “International Workers Day is celebrated by the working class all over the world. This great holiday, a revolutionary holiday, is an important time to talk about where we stand and to make plans for the battles ahead. In Minneapolis, I will have the honor of standing with leaders from the trade union movement, immigrant rights, welfare rights struggle and others, as we speak about what it will take to fight for, and win, the bright future we all deserve,” states Jess Sundin of FRSO, who will deliver an important speech at the event.

    Speakers at the April 26 May Day celebration will include Kas Schwerdtfger, a leader of Defeat Right to Work in Wisconsin and member of Teamsters Local 344, Cherrene Horazuk, president of AFSCME Local 3800, Jigme Ugen, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and leaders of the Welfare Rights Committee.

  • Protesters march on the White House to stop deportations

    Washington D.C. – More than 1000 protesters marched through the streets here, Aug. 2, demanding a stop to deportations of immigrants. Protesters called on President Obama to stop deportations, which have exceeded 2 million under his administration.

    Protesters from around the country gathered at the National Mall in the morning and marched towards the White House, demanding President Obama to make an executive order to stop deportations. In the past Obama issued temporary relief for Dreamers – called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The protesters demanded that he extend this to all undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

    Demonstrators chanted, “Not One More” and “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido” – The people united can never be defeated.

    As the protesters closed in on the White House, they met thousands of other protesters who were in support of Palestine and against the attacks on Gaza. At one point both crowds were chanting, “Not One More, Free Free Palestine!”

    The protesters rallied across from the White House front lawn where speaker from many groups called on Obama to act now.

  • Miami rallies against U.S. intervention in Iraq

    Miami, FL – Over two dozen activists gathered at the Torch of Friendship in downtown here, June 21, to rally against U.S. intervention in Iraq. As the news comes out that the Obama administration is considering military action in Iraq, south Florida anti-war activists sent a message that the people of this country are opposed to endless war.

    On June 16, the U.S. announced plans to deploy 275 troops to Iraq and U.S. officials announced the potential of military strikes. Military action by the U.S. destroyed the country of Iraq, killing hundreds of thousands and will not bring about peace now. The rally demanded that the U.S. not seek an intervention in Iraq, that no U.S. troops get sent overseas and that no airstrikes or drone strikes take place.

    Cars honked to show support and passersby joined to listen to the speeches and chant “No justice! No peace! U.S. out of the Middle East!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for wars and occupation!” The banner that read “U.S. hands off Iraq” waved alongside signs that said “Not then, not now! U.S. out of Iraq!” and “First Bush, then Obama, different party, same drama!”

    People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) organized the protest, with Occupy Miami, Progressive Democrats of America-Miami, CODEPINK Miami, Miami-Dade Green Party, Veterans for Peace Miami and SOA Watch coming together to say “Hands off Iraq!” Members of different organizations gave speeches and recounted the timeline of the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq.

    Cecelia O’Brien, lead organizer for POWIR, opened the rally by narrating the history of U.S. military aggression in Iraq. President George Bush Sr. launched the first U.S. war on Iraq in 1990. Then when Clinton was in office, the U.S. used murderous sanctions and committed Operation Desert Fox, a four-day bombing campaign against Iraqi targets. Under George W. Bush, the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 and spent over $1 trillion. It appears that Obama is now following the pattern. “No matter what party has been in power for the past 20 years, we have been at war with Iraq. Is Obama truly an anti-war president? He has significantly expanded the drone campaign in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. He has not yet shut down Guantanamo Bay. And this week he sent armed troops to Iraq.”

    “Many of us were here back in 2003 and protested when we invaded Iraq. During that time hundreds responded and we held weekly vigils for many years,” said Ray Del Papa, an organizer with SOA Watch who was involved with the Broward Anti-War Coalition during the years that Bush was in office.

    O’Brien said, “It is urgent for the American people to take action now and not allow another war to be waged against Iraq. This protest is part of actions taking place across the country because of the potential threat of another war. The organizers of POWIR are announcing that when the U.S. strikes Iraq, we will respond with an emergency action at the Torch of Friendship the next day at 5:00 p.m.

  • Chicago protests new war on Iraq

    Chicago, IL – 150 people protested President Obama’s threat of a new war on Iraq. Called by the ANSWER Coalition, and involving a number of other groups, including the Anti-War Committee-Chicago, the June 20 protest showed that there is a lot of opposition to U.S. plans.

    The current U.S. military plan is to send in 300 military advisors, who are mainly special forces. On June 18, Obama stated, “And going forward, we will be prepared to take targeted and precise military action if and when we determine that the situation on the ground requires it.” Groups like the Anti-War Committee (AWC) – Chicago, think that when Obama says “targeted and precise military action,” he means drone strikes.

    At Chicago’s protest, Kait McIntyre of AWC spoke. She said, “When I first got involved in the anti-war movement in 2007, there were many signs that said troops out now. It is now our duty to expand that demand. We must demand no U.S. drones, no U.S. military advisors, no special forces, no new U.S. war with Iraq! Hands off Iraq!”

    As McIntyre further stated, “It is horrific and despicable that the U.S. government has apparently forgotten the death and devastation it left behind in Iraq.” Speaking about the tasks of the anti-war movement, she concluded, “We must remember this and remember what we as a movement are capable of. Just two years ago, Chicago had over 15,000 in the streets to protest NATO. We are a force to be reckoned with.”

  • Twin Cities protest says no to new war in Iraq

    Minneapolis, MN – Speaking out against a new U.S. war in Iraq was the task of over 50 people who joined an anti-war protest here, June 21, along the sidewalks at Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street, one of the most visible locations in the city on a Saturday afternoon.

    The protest comes after the June 19 announcement by President Obama that 300 U.S. special forces troops will be sent to Iraq as ‘advisers.’ Obama also stated that targets are being sought for bombing or drone strikes.

    Participants held signs and banners against a new war.

    The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition (MPAC) initiated the call for the Saturday, June 21 event.

    During the weekend, protests were held in cities around the U.S. – Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere – to speak out against new military intervention in Iraq.

    MPAC issued a statement that says in part, “As of now the Obama administration and the Pentagon have launched a new round of military intervention in Iraq. This will not end well for the people of Iraq or the people of the U.S.”

    “It was the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq that destroyed the country and brought about the current crisis. There is nothing the Pentagon can do with more air strikes and destruction to undo that or to bring about peace. The people of Iraq must determine their own future,” the MPAC statement continues.

    “No one knows how this will end, but when people hear ‘military advisers’ are being sent, one should remember how the Vietnam war started, with small numbers of advisers,” the MPAC statement concludes.

    Speaking at the protest, Jess Sundin of the Anti-War Committee said, “When the president talks about bombing or sending advisors or any other kind of military aid, we know that will only bring more destruction to Iraq. The people of Iraq don’t benefit from air strikes any more than we do here, and that’s why we come out to the streets again and again, any time there are threats of war against our sisters and brothers in Iraq.”

    The June 21 protest was the second event in the Twin Cities to speak out on the new war crisis. On June 18 over 80 people joined a weekly peace vigil sponsored by Women Against Military Madness and Twin Cities Peace Campaign. The groups urged to people to join the weekly peace vigil on an emergency basis due to the new war crisis.

    The June 21 protest was endorsed by AFSCME Local 3800, Anti-War Committee, Coalition for Palestinian Rights, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Mayday Books, Minnesota Cuba Committee, St. Joan of Arc WAMM/Peacemakers, Socialist Action, Southside Pride newspaper, Students for a Democratic Society UMN, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness, Workers International League and others.

     

  • Salt Lake Community College students and faculty defend Multicultural Center

    Salt Lake City, UT — On Wednesday, June 11, more than fifty students, faculty, and community members attended a meeting to discuss the fate of campus space used mainly by African-American, Chicano, Pacific Islander, Asian American, American Indian, and international students. Addressed by Interim Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) President Deneece Huftalin, students expressed alarm that the Multicultural Initiatives Department and the related space in Student Engagement are being taken away. The Multicultural Initiatives Department offices surrounded a large open space where various nationalities meet to study, relax, and find community.

    The President had met with students previously to announce she would not hire another administrator for the Multicultural Initiatives Department, and that she planned on dispersing members of the department around campus. She had said the decision was final. However, the President faced serious criticisms for this position and is now backtracking.

    Angela Romero representing Utah House District 26 and graduate of a similar diversity program stated, “You need a multi-cultural director and I feel it’s critical that if you’re trying to be an inclusive campus you have someone who understands diverse communities. You need someone who can act as a voice for the students and who can raise those concerns. Students also need to know they have a safe space.”

    Gregory Lucero of the Revolutionary Students Union raised additional doubts, “ We have the President trying to force gentrification on a multicultural center by turning the student space into a waiting room for academic advisors.” He added, “The president says she’s spreading the department around the campus to help serve more students, but we’ve heard this story before. It’s really divide and conquer.”

    Shekinah Stanton of the Black Student Union pointed out that most of the diversity programs only focused on first year students with little programing for ongoing students. She pointed out the much lower graduation rates for oppressed nationality students stating, “SLCC needs to do better. It’s obvious when you look at the numbers. It is no where it needs to be, and where it could be.”

    Jerri Harwell, an English professor, summed up what she saw as the real problem. “I feel a major problem is institutional racism. It is an uphill battle to fight it but we have to continue to fight it. So I could leave Utah but I choose to stay, because I want to make the community better, Salt Lake community better, and improve my little place in the world.”

    Students, faculty, and the community members vowed to continue to fight for both the department and the space if President makes any moves to cut either of them.

  • Victory against deportations in Minnesota

    Minneapolis, MN – On June 11, Hennepin County Sheriff Stanek announced that the Hennepin County Jail will no longer honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests, or “ICE holds”, which have resulted in countless deportations against immigrants who are guilty of no crime. The announcement is an about-face for Sheriff Stanek, who in the past has supported close police-immigration collaboration and has campaigned for harsher immigration enforcement in the state legislature. The change in policy for Minnesota’s largest jail follows four years of grassroots pressure from the No More Deportations campaign organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), as well as pressure from many other community organizations, lawyers, and from immigrant families who have spoken out about their experience with deportation.

    Immigrant rights activists around the country are targeting sheriffs to break ties with ICE as one way to limit the effects of the disastrous “Secure Communities” deportation program that was imposed nationwide in 2010 and caused an unprecedented wave of deportations. Since 2009 when President Obama took office, 2 million people have been deported, more than under any other administration in U.S. history. Most of those deportations happen through county jails as a result of “Secure Communities” and related ICE programs. Recent court rulings have indicated that ICE holds may be unconstitutional since they cause local jails to detain people for an undetermined amount of time without charge waiting for ICE to arrive to question them about their immigration status. These questions about whether ICE holds are even legal has given further momentum to these anti-deportation campaigns, and increasing numbers of sheriffs are announcing their refusal to honor ICE hold requests anymore.

    Since 2010 the No More Deportations campaign has demanded this change, organizing dozens of protests outside the Hennepin County Jail and Sheriff Stanek’s office, as well as educational events about deportations and ‘know your rights’ trainings at churches, community centers, and campuses. MIRAC also helped form a coalition with a broad array of organizations concerned about deportations. Just last week MIRAC protested outside Sheriff Stanek’s reelection campaign fundraising event in downtown Minneapolis, while three activists also attempted to respectfully raise the issue inside the event but were forcibly removed. These grassroots efforts as well as the recent court rulings and electoral factors (last week a Minneapolis Police Department Deputy Chief announced his intention to run against Stanek in November) seem to have converged to influence Sheriff Stanek to reverse course and loosen his jail’s ties with ICE.

    According to Brad Sigal of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), “This is an important victory against deportations that will help prevent the separation of some families, but the struggle is not over. We will continue to fight for an end to deportations in Minnesota and nationally. We call on Ramsey County Sheriff Bostrom to follow Sheriff Stanek and immediately stop cooperating with ICE holds in Ramsey County. And we call on President Obama to take immediate executive action to expand deferred action to stop deportations nationally.”

  • San José rallies for Rasmea Odeh

    San José, CA – On June 10, the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression (South Bay CAPR), the San Jose Peace and Justice Center, and Justice for Palestinians sponsored a rally at the Martin Luther King, Junior library in support of Rasmea Odeh. They called on the prosecutor to drop the charges and asked why the Obama administration was persecuting a victim of torture. In addition to those organizations, speakers from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), La Colectiva Justicia and the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) gave solidarity statements and Kalila did a peace dance before and after the speakers.

    The protest united a broad range of activists, including anti-political repression, anti-war, Palestine solidarity, Palestinian, Arab and Filipinos activists, youth and student organizers. During the rally hundreds of flyers about Rasmea Odeh were given out to passersby. A number of new people signed up for the South Bay CAPR and activists promised to action again on Sept. 2, the date that Odeh’s trial is scheduled to start.