Chicago, IL – On Friday morning, March 21, over 50 protesters gathered outside the Illinois State Board of Investments (ISBI) office in downtown Chicago. They came to demand that ISBI and Vice Chair Michael Frerichs, who currently sits as the Illinois state treasurer, divest from Israeli genocide, apartheid and occupation.

The Anti-War Committee Chicago and BDS-Chicago, a project of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), called the action in support of their statewide campaign against State Treasurer Frerichs, calling on his office to divest from Israel Bonds, and calling on ISBI to divest from companies complicit in the occupation of Palestine.

Protesters rallied with banners and signs, pointing to the fact that Frerichs has brought Illinois’ total investments in Israel Bonds (also known as Development Corporation for Israel) to over $145 million, making Illinois one of the top five states in the U.S. to support Israel. Since February of 2025, Frerichs has doubled down and announced the purchase of an additional $10 million in Israel Bonds, on top of a bond renewal of $15 million. His complicity doesn’t stop there.

Frerichs is the vice chair of ISBI, which has invested millions of taxpayer dollars into companies that are complicit in the occupation and genocide of Palestine. As of March 2025, ISBI holds 20,621 shares in Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest weapons manufacturer. Lockheed Martin manufactures the fighting jets used to drop the bombs that have been destroying Gaza over the past 17 months. ISBI also invests in other war profiteers such as Boeing, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman and many others.

Speakers were fired up during the rally and spoke to the many reasons why Illinois residents oppose these investments. Since the campaign launch, over 1850 Illinois residents and 40 Illinois-based organizations have signed on to the campaign to divest Illinois from Israel Bonds.

Kaya Rial, organizing director of AFIRE, said, “It is sickening how our government wants to implement dollars upon dollars of budget cuts from public resources such as health care and Medicaid, language access for immigrants, education and academic safety for our youth, housing and food assistance, and resources for survivors of police torture and all those wrongfully incarcerated while our state treasurer sends those same taxpayer dollars to fund the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the eradication of sacred, indigenous Palestinian land.”

Gaby Martinez, a rank-and-file member of SEIU Local 73, announced that over 30 members and retirees of SEIU Local 73 have united to file an ethics complaint against Frerichs. “Treasurer Frerichs needs to be censured in that he is not investing for the people of Illinois, but for his personal political agenda in support of Israel. The charges we make in the ethics complaint to the Executive Inspector General for the Illinois state treasurer are well documented. Violations include abuse of authority, corruption, favoritism, improper use of state time and other resources for prohibited political purposes, and misuse of public assets,” said Martinez.

As members of the public attempted to enter the building for public comment, they were met with intense police presence, including the 1st District Commander, heightened building security, and unclear entrance protocols, all of which were drastically intensified since AWC-Chicago and BDS-Chicago protested and gave public comment at the last ISBI quarterly meeting. Only five people were allowed to join the so-called public meeting, with 16 people directed to sit in the adjacent lobby. Building staff locked the doors of the building after the allotted 16 people entered, barring entrance to any other member of the public, including the remaining protesters.

Despite the attempt to intimidate the protesters, five people delivered public comments and demanded divestment from Israel. A member of BDS-Chicago addressed the board directly, stating, “This board and the state treasurer are more concerned about war profiteering than cutting ties with war criminals – more concerned with supporting an apartheid state rather than supporting communities here in Illinois that lack necessities like housing, healthcare, education and food.”

Michael Frerichs was not in attendance, a clear violation of the ISBI bylaws listed on its website. This is a repeat offense since Frerichs was also absent from the last meeting in December 2024.

As protesters were removed from the boardroom by Chicago police and the owner of the building, they chanted on their way out, making it clear that they will keep coming back until ISBI and Michael Frerichs divests from genocide.

Members from the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE), Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), Rank-and-File SEIU Local 73 Members for Palestine, Students for Justice in Palestine-Chicago (SJP-Chicago), Chicago Irish for Palestine, and members of the public joined in support of the protest.

For Illinois residents, you can send a letter directly to Michael Frerichs at bit.ly/awcdivest

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #ChicagoAWC #USPCN #CAARPR

Santa Ana, CA – Más de 100 miembros de la comunidad, activistas y organizadores se congregaron en Santa Ana para protestar contra la inauguración de Donald Trump el 20 de enero.

A pesar de las frías ráfagas de viento, la multitud llenó la intersección de S Bristol Street y W McFadden Avenue, un lugar en el que la gente se ha congregado durante años, como en la primera inauguración de Trump o durante la Rebelión de George Floyd.

Erica González de Chicanxs Unidxs (CU) dijo: “Estuve en estas calles en septiembre de 2017 con mis cuatro hijos, todos menores de 14 años, para manifestarnos contra la administración Trump por poner a los niños en jaulas y separar a las familias en la frontera. Fue durante esa manifestación que sentí el poder de la comunidad por primera vez. Aquí estamos todos estos años después, excepto que esta vez estamos mucho más organizados y mejor preparados”.

Rachael Pozos de TransLatinx habló sobre el peligro que representa Trump para la comunidad LGBTQ y afirmó: “Somos parte de esta comunidad. Quieren segregarnos y silenciarnos, pero nosotros también alzamos la voz. Exigimos que se siga aplicando la terapia de reemplazo hormonal. No vamos a dar marcha atrás: al contrario, ¡vamos a luchar!”.

En su segundo gobierno, Trump probablemente aumentará el gasto policial y la represión de los movimientos populares. Durante su campaña sugirió una dura represión del movimiento de solidaridad con Palestina, y en su primer gobierno respondió a la Rebelión de George Floyd con una fuerte represión. La semana pasada, el Departamento de Justicia de Trump sugirió detener los decretos de consentimiento que exigen reformas en los departamentos de policía de todo el país.

Donna Acevedo-Nelson habló sobre su hijo, Joel Acevedo, que tenía solo 21 años cuando fue asesinado por el Departamento de Policía de Anaheim, y afirmó: “Mi hijo Joel fue arrastrado, golpeado, esposado y luego fue dispararon en la parte de atrás de la cabeza. La policía cambió su historia varias veces. Ellos mienten. Ellos van a los medios. La gente cree lo que lee en el periódico y siempre hay más en la historia”.

Los manifestantes, visibles para los autos que pasaban, sostenían carteles que decían: “¡Acusen! ¡Condenen! ¡Manden a estos policías asesinos a la cárcel! ¡Todo el maldito sistema es culpable!”.

Emma Gottfried de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario (CSO) habló sobre la ola de asesinatos perpetrada por la policía de Anaheim y Santa Ana a lo largo de los años. En diciembre, el SAPD mató a Noe Rodríguez momentos después de llegar a la escena, dando órdenes solo en inglés y disparando al menos 30 balas incluso mientras él se desplomaba.

Gottfried dijo: “CSO ha lanzado nuestra campaña de rendición de cuentas policial ‘24/48’. Estamos luchando por una mayor transparencia, exigiendo la divulgación pública de los nombres de los oficiales cuando están involucrados en mala conducta o en un tiroteo dentro de las 24 horas, y por la publicación de imágenes sin editar del incidente dentro de las 48 horas. ¡Las familias merecen ver lo que sucedió y saber quién estuvo involucrado para que podamos hacerlos responsables!”. Los manifestantes ondeaban carteles que decían: “Justicia para Noe Martínez Rodríguez”.

El activista laboral Manaal Subhani advirtió sobre el legado de Trump de atacar a los trabajadores, afirmando: “Durante su presidencia, Donald Trump debilito sistemáticamente las protecciones de los trabajadores y los sindicatos. Su Junta Nacional de Relaciones Laborales se puso repetidamente del lado de las corporaciones en detrimento de los trabajadores, lo que dificultó la formación de sindicatos y facilitó su descertificación”.

Subhani continuó, “¡Los trabajadores construyeron esta ciudad, los trabajadores dirigen esta ciudad y los trabajadores lucharán contra la administración Trump y la administración policial!”

Abraham Quintana, de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL), reforzó la importancia de la lucha de la clase trabajadora, dijo, “Los multimillonarios dependen de nuestro trabajo para sus ganancias. No es Elon Musk en la línea de ensamblaje construyendo esas camionetas feas y explosivas. No es Gavin Newsom ahí fuera combatiendo incendios forestales. ¡Son los trabajadores!”.

Quintana habló de la tarea de la OSCL de construir un partido político de la clase trabajadora multinacional, diciendo: “En lugar de vivir en un mundo donde vivimos para hacer ganancias para los multimillonarios, podemos construir una sociedad que satisfaga las necesidades de todos y ponga el poder en manos de la clase trabajadora en lugar de las manos del 1%”.

Sandra de Anda, coordinadora de la Red de Respuesta Rápida del Condado de Orange (OCRRN), animó a la multitud a llamar a su línea directa si se detecta ICE en Santa Ana (714-881-1558). Advirtió a las personas que verifiquen correctamente los avistamientos para evitar el pánico y compartió sobre su trabajo de defensa participativa para detener y reducir las detenciones, deportaciones y encarcelamientos.

Sandra de Anda dijo: “Estamos aquí para recordar que la gente común puede organizarse: madres, hermanos, todos pueden aprender cómo sacar a sus seres queridos de las jaulas. ¡Ahora es el momento de que la gente común haga cosas valientes!”.

Los manifestantes ondeaban carteles que decían “No a las deportaciones”, “Protejan a los inmigrantes” y “No muerdan la mano que los alimenta”. La multitud gritaba: “¡Arriba, arriba con la liberación! ¡Abajo, abajo con la deportación!”.

Vinny Mansoor, de la Red Comunitaria Palestina de los Estados Unidos (USPCN) destacó la importancia de la solidaridad entre los diferentes movimientos y dijo a la multitud: “¡No logro ver la diferencia entre un niño en una jaula en California y un niño en una jaula en Gaza! ¡Nos están arrebatando a nuestros hijos y tenemos que permanecer unidos!”

Erick Landeros, de Guerrero, una organización solidaria que apoya la Revolución Democrática Nacional en las Filipinas, conectó la lucha entre los inmigrantes de Santa Ana con los pueblos oprimidos de todo el mundo: “Desde aquí en Santa Ana, con las familias migrantes de la clase trabajadora, hasta Palestina, México y las Filipinas, todos nos enfrentamos a un enemigo común: el imperialismo estadounidense”.

Jensen Walsh, de los Socialistas Democráticos de América del Condado de Orange (OCDSA), llamó a la audiencia a la acción y dijo: “En este momento, estamos movilizados, pero lo que debemos hacer es organizarnos para una mayor movilización en el futuro”.

La multitud marchó alrededor de la intersección, levantando carteles en el aire y gritando por encima del fuerte viento y el tráfico. El ánimo estaba alto mientras la gente protestaba contra la administración de Trump. La manifestación destacó la importancia de la solidaridad entre todas las luchas populares y la importancia de unirse a una organización para una lucha organizada a largo plazo contra esta administración.

El evento fue organizado por CSO OC en coalición con CU, OCEJ, USPCN, OSCL, OCDSA, TransLatinx, Guerrero y OCRRN.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CSOOC #USPCN

Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, February 10, The Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) held a rally at the “The Calling,” commonly referred to as the Sunburst Sculpture, in downtown Milwaukee. The rally was organized to protest Trump’s recent comments on Gaza, which threatened to “empty Gaza of Palestinians” and turn Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

Trump’s comments have received major pushback internationally. On a frigid evening in Milwaukee, over 60 people stood defiantly, waving Palestine flags, chanting and hearing moving speeches re-affirming that Palestine belongs to no one but Palestinians.

The emcee for the event, MAC organizer Eva Dickenson, opened up the rally with some news that dropped mere hours before the protest. Due to Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement, the Palestinian resistance said they will delay the next round of prisoner releases scheduled for Saturday, if Israel continues to refuse to abide by the ceasefire. Though each speaker invited up had a different perspective to share, they were all united in this spirit of continued resistance and struggle inspired by the Palestinian people.

Said Kayla Kuo, also with MAC, “While Trump’s comments have evoked outrage in the U.S., we also want to draw attention to the West Bank. Israel has been increasingly escalating their attacks, in frequency and in intensity, in the occupied West Bank since the ceasefire in Gaza last month.” Kuo reminded the crowd that though Trump’s comments gained the most traction in U.S. news, we must also educate ourselves and each other on the U.S.-funded Israeli aggression in the West Bank.

Rachel Buff of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine expanded on the illegal nature of Trump’s comments, saying that Trump’s recently proposed plan for Gaza is “in violation of about every single international human rights law that there is,” as the crowd booed Trump’s ideas. Buff continued, “Let’s talk about Article 147 of the Geneva Convention, which prevents forced displacement and dispossession. Let’s talk about the UN General Assembly’s Resolution 194 in 1948, saying that Palestinians have the legal right to return.”

As the crowd listened to speeches and chanted in between, many cars passing by honked to show their support. Ihsan Atta, representing US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), remarked that it is due to the consistent efforts of people such as those in attendance that night, that awareness about Palestine has grown so significantly in Milwaukee over the last year and a half.

Catie Petralia of Freedom Road Socialist Organization elaborated further, stating, “Their resistance to colonialism is a sign that the tides are changing, the American people are waking up, and we will not stand for this any longer. The people stand united against capitalism and oppression!”

Upon assuming office, Trump began attacking oppressed people across the board, domestically and internationally. In a statement read out by the emcee, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression made connections between Palestine and the domestic threats we face at home.

Othman Atta from the Islamic Society of Milwaukee told the crowd, “Palestinians are not going to give up Gaza, Palestinians are not going to leave Gaza. Gaza belongs to Palestinians, Palestine belongs to Palestinians, the West Bank belongs to Palestinians, and Palestinians will never kneel to anyone!”

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #MAC #USPCN

Chicago, IL – The streets of Little Village in Chicago were filled with the sounds of drums and voices, February 8, as a crowd of 1500 people of all ages moved through this historic Mexicano/Chicano neighborhood.

Marchers representing a coalition of 30 organizations came together in response to the call by the Legalization for All Network for national days of action to stop the attacks on immigrants.

Angel Naranjos, a student from the University of Illinois – Chicago who grew up in Little Village, opened the rally on behalf of the Immigrant Rights Working Committee of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR).

Naranjos stated, “We’re gathered here today to protest the attacks on people who only came here searching for a better life. We’re witnessing some of the broadest attacks on immigrants in our lifetimes. People who are here to work are being attacked by a racist, reactionary Republican administration. It’s up to us to build a visible and powerful resistance. It’s up to us to show that when we get into the streets, when we fight, we can win.”

“We are an army”

Kobi Guillory of CAARPR and the Chicago Teachers Union spoke of growing up in South Africa, stating, “The racism that made Black people poor in South Africa, that keeps them poor is the same racism against Black people in Englewood, and the same racism I see targeting people right here in Little Village.”

Guillory also said about this movement against the attacks from the White House, “We are an army. If any one of us is attacked, all of us are going to fight back!”

Other organizations in the protest included Chicago Community and Workers Rights; Familia Latina Unida; Kabataan Alliance, a new network of Filipino organizations to fight Trump; Freedom Road Socialist Organization; and Students for a Democratic Society – UIC. With Aldermen Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) and Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward), everyone came together for visible resistance to the Trump attacks on Chicago and its immigrant community.

Chicago singled out by Trump

Trump has singled out Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson because of the strength of the movement in this city. Trump’s “Border Czar” Tom Homan has even complained that ICE has been unable to terrorize the community here because the people in Chicago are organized and know their rights.

But the limited attacks here and numerous attacks across the country are still traumatic. Dr. Mercedes Martinez of the League of United Latin American Citizens explained the psychological impact of separation of families, stating, “The inhumane treatment of our people is absolutely devastating. It will cause lifelong problems. The abandonment, the separation, causes anxiety.”

“White supremacists erase the true history of the U.S.”

Nazek Sankari of the US Palestinian Community Network, a familiar figure from leading many scores of protests in Chicago against the Zionist genocide in Gaza since October 2023, also spoke.

Sankari stated, “These last 19 days, there has been a slew of executive orders targeting immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ community and women. This is an attempt by these bigoted white supremacists to erase the true history of the U.S., founded on genocide.

“These same white supremacist forces are waging a genocide on Gaza. One executive order even threatens to deport the brave international students who participated in the student uprisings in solidarity with the Palestinian people last spring.”

“This is our land. We’re ready to struggle!”

Four buses of immigrant workers and their families came from the Casa DuPage Workers Center in the west suburbs to join the march, with many banners, bullhorns and drums. Cristobal Cavazos of Casa DuPage said of this movement, “We have a new consciousness. We have new self-respect and dignity. We’re workers. We’re replacing the chip that we’re illegals, that we’re criminals, that we don’t belong here.”

Cavazos continued, “This is our land. We’re ready to struggle!”

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #Trump #Deportations #NAARPR #CAARPR #USPCN #CTU #L4A

Chicago, IL – El frío extremo no pudo parar a la Coalición para Detener la Agenda de Trump, que movilizó a 2500 personas hacia la Plaza Federal en el centro de Chicago para protestar contra la inauguración de Donald Trump.

Bajo el frío sol del mediodía, los manifestantes se reunieron en la Plaza, marcharon hacia la Torre Trump, y luego se manifestaron una segunda vez ahí – todo para marcar la nueva fase de lucha en la que el movimiento por la justicia social enfrentará graves peligros ante la agenda de Donald Trump y sus aliados republicanos.

Más de 80 organizaciones son miembros de la Coalición para Detener la Agenda de Trump. Están unidos alrededor de las demandas para luchar contra el agenda racista y reaccionaria de los Republicanos; defender y ampliar los derechos de los inmigrantes; apoyar a Palestina; proteger el derecho de sindicalizarse e ir a huelga; detener los crímenes policiales; defender los derechos de las mujeres, de la comunidad LGBTQ, y los derechos reproductivos; y defender la educación y la libertad académica.

Varios de los grupos que organizaron la acción de hoy lideraron la Marcha contra la Convención Nacional Demócrata (CND), el año pasado, incluyendo la Alianza de Chicago contra la Represión Racista y Política (CAARPR), la Red Comunitaria Palestina de EE.UU. (USPCN), Estudiantes por una Sociedad Democrática (SDS) y el Comité Anti-Guerra. Al igual que en la Marcha contra la CND, la coalición es amplia, conteniendo fuerzas de todo el movimiento, incluyendo esos por los derechos de los inmigrantes, los derechos palestinos, la liberación negra, los derechos laborales y más.

Una pluralidad de los asistentes a la marcha fueron inmigrantes latinos, incluyendo a tres autobuses llenos de trabajadores inmigrantes de la organización suburbana del condado de DuPage, Centro de Trabajadores por la Solidaridad con los Inmigrantes.

La participación de grupos de los derechos de los inmigrantes como la Coalición de Illinois por los Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Refugiados (ICIRR) y Mijente es importante, especialmente porque los primeros ataques de la administración de Trump en Estados Unidos serán probablemente dirigidos contra inmigrantes.

“Vinimos aquí a pesar de todo, hemos pagado nuestros impuestos, hemos construido nuestras familias aquí, nuestros hijos nacieron aquí, ¡y no nos vamos a ir a ningún lado!”, dijo Martín Unzueta, director ejecutivo y fundador de Comunidad de Chicago y Derechos de los Trabajadores, y el portavoz por Mijente.

Otras organizaciones de inmigrantes también se movilizaron, como el Centro HANA, una organización coreano-estadounidense por la justicia migrante, y Anakbayan, una organización de jóvenes que lucha por los derechos y la liberación de los filipinos.

Además de los grupos de derechos de los inmigrantes, varias organizaciones por los derechos de palestinos que han liderado 16 meses de protestas contra el genocidio en Gaza por parte de Israel y EE.UU., como la USPCN y Estudiantes por la Justicia en Palestina (SJP) — Chicago, también participaron en la marcha.

Con un alto al fuego logrado en Gaza la semana pasada, grupos por derechos palestinos enfatizaron que esta victoria fue posible únicamente gracias a la firme resistencia del pueblo palestino y sus aliados en todo el mundo, y no por la benevolencia de Trump, Biden, Blinken o cualquier otra figura en Washington.

“Este logro solo le pertenece a la firme resistencia palestina y al pueblo de Gaza”, dijo Noura Ebrahim, miembro de USPCN y cofundadora de Boicot, Desinversiones y Sanciones — Chicago (BDS).

También protestaron contra Trump organizaciones de liberación negra como CAARPR, Black Lives Matter Chicago, GoodKids MadCity, el Centro de Justicia contra la Tortura de Chicago y más.

La participación de estas organizaciones de liberación negra es crucial, ya que durante la presidencia anterior de Trump se vio la continuación de degradación económica en la comunidad afroamericana, la intensificación de la represión policial (como los asesinatos de George Floyd y Breonna Taylor) y un incremento en el encarcelamiento de personas afroamericanas. Trump buscará continuar esta tendencia en su segundo mandato, aunque la resistencia, como en el pasado, será firme.

“No podemos permitir que Trump lleve a cabo deportaciones masivas de inmigrantes. Si vienen por ellos, mañana vendrán por el resto de nosotros”, dijo Frank Chapman, director de campo de CAARPR y director ejecutivo de la Alianza Nacional.

Para conmemorar el Día de Martin Luther King Jr., Daryle Brown, ministro de la histórica Iglesia Trinity United Church of Christ, saludo la manifestación con una bendición.

El movimiento laboral también fue un elemento clave de la coalición, con la participación del Sindicato de Maestros de Chicago (CTU), la Junta Afroamericana del CTU, los Trabajadores del Automóvil Unidos Local 2320 (UAW) y los Trabajadores Unidos de Electricidad — Región Oeste, entre otros patrocinadores de la manifestación. Muchos de sus miembros de base estuvieron presentes.

“¡Luchar por los derechos de los pueblos oprimidos no es algo nuevo en Chicago! Estamos aquí, firmemente unidos”, dijo la Dra. Diane Castro del CTU.

Otras organizaciones en la Coalición para Detener la Agenda de Trump incluyen la Red de Acción Anti-Guerra, la Sociedad de Renovación Comunitaria, la Red de Acción Árabe-Americana, Familias Trabajadoras Unidas Distrito 50 y más.

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #Trump #CAARPR #NAARPR #USPCN

Santa Ana, CA – Over 100 community members, activists and organizers rallied in Santa Ana to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20.

Despite cold gusts of wind, the crowd filled the intersection of S Bristol Street and W McFadden Avenue, a location people have rallied at for years, such as on Trump’s first inauguration or during the George Floyd Rebellion.

Erica Gonzalez of Chicanxs Unidxs (CU) said, “I stood on these streets in September 2017 with my four kids, all under the age of 14, to rally against the Trump administration for putting kids in cages and separating families at the border. It was during that rally that I felt the power of community for the first time. Here we are all these years later, except this time we’re much more organized and better prepared.”

Rachael Pozos of TransLatinx spoke on the danger posed to the LGBTQ community by Trump, stating “We are part of this community. They want to segregate and silence us, but we are raising our voices too. We demand that hormone replacement therapy continue to be carried out. We are not going to back down: on the contrary, we are going to fight!”

In his second administration, Trump will likely ramp up police spending and repression of the people’s movements. During his campaign he suggested harsh crackdowns on the Palestine solidarity movement, and in his first administration he responded to the George Floyd Rebellion with heavy repression. Last week Trump’s Department of Justice suggested halting consent decrees requiring reforms of police departments around the country.

Donna Acevedo-Nelson spoke about her son, Joel Acevedo, who was only 21 years old when he was killed by Anaheim Police Department, stating, “My son Joel was dragged, beaten, handcuffed and then shot in the back of the head. The police changed their story a few times. They lie. They go into the media. People believe what they read in the newspaper and there’s always more to the story.”

Protesters visible to passing cars held signs that read, “Indict! Convict! Send these killer cops to jail! The whole damn system is guilty as hell!”

Emma Gottfried from Community Service Organization (CSO) spoke about the killing spree by Anaheim and Santa Ana police over the years. In December, SAPD killed Noe Rodriguez moments after arriving at the scene, giving commands only in English and firing at least 30 bullets even as he collapsed.

Gottfried said, “CSO has launched our ‘24/48’ police accountability campaign. We are fighting for more transparency, demanding the public releasing of officer names when they are involved in misconduct or a shooting within 24 hours, and for releasing unedited footage of the incident within 48 hours. Families deserve to see what happened and know who was involved so we can hold them responsible!” Protesters waved signs saying, “Justice for Noe Martinez Rodriguez.”

Labor activist Manaal Subhani warned of Trump’s legacy of attacking workers, stating, “During his presidency, Donald Trump systematically undermined worker protections and unions. His National Labor Relations Board repeatedly sided with corporations over workers, making it harder to form unions and easier to decertify them.”

Subhani continued, “Workers built this city, workers run this city, and workers will fight back against the Trump administration and the cop administration!”

Abraham Quintana of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) reinforced the importance of the working class struggle, stating, “The billionaires depend on our labor for their profits. It's not Elon Musk on the assembly line building those ugly, explosive trucks. It's not Gavin Newsom out there fighting wildfires. It’s workers!”

Quintana spoke of FRSO’s task of building a political party of the multinational working class, saying, “Instead of living in a world where we live to make profits for the billionaires, we can build a society that meets everyone’s needs and puts the power in the working class's hands instead of the hands of the 1%.”

Sandra de Anda, coordinator of the Orange County Rapid Response Network (OCRRN), encouraged the crowd to call their hotline if ICE is spotted in Santa Ana (714-881-1558). She cautioned people to correctly verify sightings to avoid panic and shared about their participatory defense work to stop and reduce detentions, deportations and incarcerations.

Sandra de Anda said, “We are here as a reminder that everyday people can organize: mothers, hermanos, everybody can learn how to get their loved ones out of cages. Right now is the time for regular people to do courageous things!”

Protesters waved signs that read “No to deportations,” “Protect Immigrants” and “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” The crowd shouted, “Up, up with liberation! Down, down with deportation!”

Vinny Mansoor of the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) stressed the importance of solidarity across different movements, telling the crowd, “I find myself for the life of me unable to see the difference between a child in a cage in California and a child in a cage in Gaza! Our children are being taken from us and we have to stand united!”

Erick Landeros of Guerrero, a solidarity organization supporting the National Democratic Revolution in the Philippines, connected the struggle between immigrants in Santa Ana with oppressed peoples around the world: “From here in Santa Ana with migrant, working class families, to Palestine, to Mexico, to the Philippines, we all face a common enemy: U.S. imperialism.”

Jensen Walsh of Orange County Democratic Socialists of America (OCDSA) called the audience to action, stating, “Right now, we are mobilized, but what we must do is organize for greater mobilization in the future.”

The crowd marched around the intersection, hoisting signs in the air and shouting over the gusty wind and traffic. Spirits were high as people raged against the Trump administration. The rally highlighted the importance of solidarity between all of the people’s struggles and the importance of joining an organization for long-term organized struggle against this administration.

The event was organized by CSO OC in coalition with CU, OCEJ, USPCN, FRSO, OCDSA, TransLatinx, Guerrero and OCRRN.

#SantaAnaCA #PeoplesStruggles #Immigrantrights #InJusticeSystem #LGBTQ #Palestine #AntiWarMovement #Environment #CSOOC #CU #OCEJ #USPCN #FRSO #TransLatinx #Guerrero #OCRRN

Chicago, IL – To coincide with Human Rights week, dozens of protesters led by Anti-War Committee – Chicago (AWC) and Boycott Divest Sanctions – Chicago (BDS) descended on the offices of the Illinois State Board of Investments (ISBI), December 13 in a militant action demanding Illinois divest over $120 million worth of bonds from Israel.

The protest happened at a time where Israel has murdered over 50,000 Gazan Palestinians, over 4000 Lebanese, and now is ramping up a massive land grab of western Syria. Treasurer Michael Frerichs responded to the crimes of Israel by investing an additional $30 million dollars since October 7, 2023.

This is the first protest of AWC’s new divestment campaign. It brought together other organizations, including Students for a Democratic Society – UIC, Students for Justice in Palestine – UIC, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Malaya Chicago, Rogers Park Food not Bombs, and Boycott Divest Sanctions – Chicago (BDS).

Despite freezing temperatures, the assembled rally-goers were in high spirits as activists began to speak, explaining the connection between the genocide in Gaza, ISBI and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

Using bullhorns, activists started the protest with chants demanding divestment while picketing with signs around the entrance of the building: “Michael Frerichs you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide!” And “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest!”

Frerichs has doubled down on his support for the Israeli occupation, calling them “Our Israeli friends” and defending the purchase of the bonds by claiming they “diversify our portfolio.”

Despite the International Criminal Court calling for the arrest of Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Frerichs has not budged on his refusal to divest from Israeli bonds.

“We are here because Michael Frerichs and the Illinois State Board of Investments are happy to accommodate and continue to give our tax dollars to the criminal Israelis, “said a member of BDS Chicago. “This board is more concerned with supporting a foreign apartheid state than supporting communities here in Illinois.”

Several speakers focused on the fact that organized mass-movements have won divestment from racist regimes in the past and are still doing so today A member of the AWC pointed out, “It was not long ago when the world responded to apartheid in South Africa with the same demands, we won then and we will win now.” Erin Boyle from SDS stated, “Divestment of Barclays Bank from Israel’s largest arms manufacturer Elbit Systems shows sustained and targeted pressure works!”

ISBI was caught off guard when AWC led the rally inside their offices. “We know from past records that they try to make these meetings not accessible to the public and they have gotten away with it, but we’re here to change that,” said Caeli Kean of AWC.

Although some people in the building called the cops and clearly thought what the activists were doing should be illegal, five protesters made public comments directly to the board, while the other demonstrators watched on in support.

Activists’ speeches highlighted how investing in Israel is to invest in a failed colonial project; how Illinois is home to the United States’ largest Palestinian population; that the majority of Illinoisans support the Palestinians; and how if ISBI continues to ignore the demands of the majority of their constituents, the board members’ positions will be as untenable as the Zionists’ crumbling economy.

As speeches concluded, AWC led the demonstrators out of the building chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” The activists who attended the event, rather than feeling tired, felt energized to keep pushing forward with AWC’s divestment campaign, declaring certainty that the campaign will be won.

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #BDS #USPCN #ChicagoAWC

Chicago, IL – Hundreds of Barclays employees were unable to enter their workplace on Thursday morning, October 10, after protesters blocked off all entrances to the bank's downtown headquarters. Barclays owns $2.5 billion worth of shares in eight companies that provide weapons, components and military technology to the genocidal state of Israel and provides loans worth $7.6 billion to seven of those eight companies. The protesters demanded that Barclays divest from these companies as part of the international Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.

“All elected officials in the U.S., especially Kamala Harris, must be held accountable for allowing Israel to kill, maim, destroy homes, and terrorize Palestinians with impunity,” said Husam Marajda, U.S. Palestinian Community Network – Chicago co-chair. “And businesses must be targeted as well, because banks like Barclays are in bed with weapons manufacturers and Israel, which profit from the killing of Palestinians.”

Twelve protesters, six at each entrance, bound their arms together in a sleeping dragon in front of the doors to barricade the building. Fifty other protesters chanted, passed out flyers about divestment, and supported the needs of those who were blocking the doors. Some passersby and employees inside the building joined the protest when they heard it was for Palestine.

The protesters held the entrances for two hours while chanting “Hey Barclays you can't hide, you are funding genocide” and “Disclose! Divest! We will not stop, we will not rest!” among other chants calling for divestment from Israel and freedom for Palestine. Dozens of police officers, including SWAT teams, swarmed the area and shoved media and crowds off the sidewalk, blocking off two streets in the process.

“These are the kinds of actions people took to force companies to divest from apartheid South Africa,” said Angel Gonzalez with Students for a Democratic Society. “We will continue to disrupt because there can be no business as usual while the genocide in Gaza continues.”

Members of the organizations that carried out the action, namely the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)-Chicago, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), Anti-War Committee-Chicago, Students for a Democratic Society at UIC, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Jewish Voices for Peace, and others, waited outside the First District Police Station until all 12 protesters were released in the early evening. Before going home, the organizers vowed to keep fighting for divestment, an end to the genocide, and a liberated Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

“As USPCN has continuously stated, if Kamala and the Democrats aren’t going to stop this genocide, then we, the people, must do it ourselves,” said Frank Chapman, field organizer for the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. “And this action and these mass arrests is one step to force it to stop.”

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #USPCN #CAARPR

Los Angeles, CA – Tens of thousands of passionate protesters hit the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, October 5, just days before the one year anniversary of the U.S.-funded Israeli genocide in Palestine that began October 7, 2023 after Palestinian resistance fighters launched an counter-offensive against the Zionist government.

The protest was organized by Palestinian organizations including the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), and many other organizations who brought together families, students, teachers, union members and community leaders.

Thousands flooded the streets of downtown Los Angeles near Pershing Square chanting “Hands off Lebanon,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and denouncing the United States government’s full support of this devastating genocide in Palestine.

Karina Lopez, a member of Centro CSO said: “Israel is trying to instigate a full-on war, fully funded by the U.S. Centro CSO is against U.S. imperialism and against the genocide in Palestine.” Pro-Palestinian demonstrators made their stance clear: ending U.S. aid to Israel, supporting the resistance fighters, and hands off Lebanon.

At the one year mark, Israel has murdered over 41,500 Palestinians in Gaza, and the Biden administration’s unconditional support has allowed Israel to completely devastate Palestine and even invade Lebanon. Since October 2023, the U.S. has sent Israel over 50,000 tons of weapons and Israel has dropped over 75,000 tons of bombs. It is clear that when Israel bombs, the United States pays.

Centro CSO members showed up in a large contingent of 20-plus members to stand in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in their resistance against U.S.-backed Zionist occupation.

Amanda Diaz was one of those Centro CSO members present at the rally. She stated, “As a Chicana, I fundamentally believe in the self-determination and liberation of the Palestinian people. Our struggles are tied. The same tactics Israel uses to terrorize Palestinians are the same tactics that ICE and the police use to repress Chicanos. Palestina sera libre!”

Centro CSO is a grassroots organization located in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles that fights against police brutality, specifically police brutality against Chicanos in their neighborhoods, they are a part of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR). They fight against charter schools and fight to protect public education and fight for immigrant rights as a part of the national Legalization for All Network. Centro CSO also organized a solidarity rally for Palestine on Monday, October 7, in Boyle Heights! If you want to get involved with Centro CSO, reach out to us via social media @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #CentroCSO #PYM #USPCN

East Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, August 24, around 200 Chicano activists and community members came out to Rúben Salazar Park to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium.

The coalition united under the demands of Chicano self-determination, free Palestine, no U.S./NATO wars, community control of the police, and no to charter schools. The organizations involved had been working together all summer using public planning meetings and broad outreach to unite and bring the community out for these demands.

At the original Chicano Moratorium on August 29, 1970, tens of thousands of Chicanos marched through the streets of East LA to protest the Vietnam War and the disproportionally high rate of Chicano deaths during the war. When the protesters arrived at Laguna Park (now Salazar Park), the East LA Sheriffs and other law enforcement tear gassed and brutally attacked them. They killed Lyn Ward, Angel Díaz and Rúben Salazar, a civil rights activist and Los Angeles Times journalist who covered the Chicano movement and reported on police crimes.

Saturday’s event was led by Centro CSO with the support of Union del Barrio, Los Rucos, La Raza Unida Party, and other allied organizations. Food Not Bombs supplied free food to the event and vendors sold Chicano books, art, and merchandise.

One attendee, Michael Zarni, is a 73-year-old veteran and resident of Boyle Heights who was sent to Vietnam to fight from 1969 to 1973. Zarni reflected on how his 19-year-old brother was killed in the war, “My brother paid the highest price for going to the war – his life. He lost his life for nothing.”

“Our fight is not just about the past but about the present and for a better future for liberation,” said Karina Lopez, one of the lead organizers from Centro CSO and co-emcee of the event. “The struggle for Chicanx self-determination continues.”

Emily Ordaz, whose father was killed by the East LA Sheriffs in 2021 while he was experiencing a mental health crisis, connected past and present struggles for Chicanos in her speech. “The Chicano Moratorium, particularly the strength and unrelenting fight against the oppression Chicanos were facing in East LA remains,” said Ordaz, co-chair of Centro CSO’s police accountability committee. “We must highlight the sheer similarity of the violence, harassment and intimidation that was faced then, continuing through today.”

Diana Terreros from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) summarized what it means to be Chicana: “We have our own culture, a shared economy, and language distinct from that of Mexico and the rest of the United States, making us our own nation.”

A central theme of the protest was the ongoing U.S.-funded genocide in Palestine, which has killed over 40,000 Palestinians since October. Kareem Youssef from the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) drew the connections between reporters in Palestine being killed and Rúben Salazar being killed. Youssef said, “Ruben Salazar was a journalist who called for government and police accountability, and they say he was not intentionally targeted. With full impunity and material support from the U.S., Israel has killed at last 160 journalists and media workers in the last ten months, the largest number in history. And it is intentional – to suppress the truth, to kill our journalists, our activists, our medics, and anyone with a vision of uniting against injustice.”

Lopez emphasized that, “From Aztlán to Palestine, we are fighting a common enemy which is U.S. imperialism. We are in solidarity with Palestinians fighting to live freely from oppression as we fight our own oppressors at home, like the sheriffs and LAPD.”

Carlos Montes, co-chair of Centro CSO’s education committee and a founding member of the Brown Berets, spoke about the struggles against the privatization of public education in East LA. A participant in the original Moratoriums, Montes highlighted how the 1968 East LA Walkouts helped inspire more Chicano activism.

Other speakers at the 54th Chicano Moratorium included Desiree Gaytan and Adriana Jasso of Union del Barrio, Ernesto Ayala and Vanessa Bustamente from La Raza Unida Party, and Rafael Avitia of La Mesa Brown Berets, who spoke on different aspects of Chicano identity and political movements. Lupe Carrasco of the Association of Raza Educators gave a speech about how Zionists are attacking Chicano teachers for their solidarity with Palestine.

After these speeches, two Chicano hip hop groups – Kozmik Force and Los Magos – performed a series of songs that highlighted the struggles of Chicanos today and called for solidarity with Palestine.

The event then ended with chants for Chicano, Chicana and Chicanx power and “Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel’s crimes!”

#LosAngelesCA #ChicanoLatino #ChicanoMoratorium #OppressedNationalities #CentroCSO #UniondelBarrio #LosRucos #LaRazaUnida #LaMesaBrownBerets #USPCN #FRSO

Chicago, IL – More than 11,000 people marched for Palestine on the final evening of the Democratic National Convention, August 22. While Kamala Harris was giving her presidential nominee acceptance speech inside, the protesters outside chanted against the U.S.-backed genocide in Gaza. Delegates inside the convention report hearing demonstrators on the streets inside the convention hall.

Despite pressure from police (hundreds of them clad in riot gear), demonstrators remained in the streets after the 8 p.m. permit deadline expired.

The protest was organized by the Coalition to March on the DNC, which includes more than 270 organizations including the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR), Students for a Democratic Society, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DNC #Harris #USPCN #NAARPR #SDS #FRSO

Chicago, IL – On August 19, over 20,000 people marched on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, demanding an end to U.S. aid to Israel and an end to the genocide in Gaza. The march was the result of over a year of work by the Coalition to March on the DNC. Marchers came within sight and sound of the Democratic National Convention, putting heat on United States government as it facilitates a genocide.

Hatem Abudayyeh, the national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, told the crowd, “Black liberation, immigrant rights, reproductive rights, women's rights, workers’ rights, the right to strike, the right to unionize. The rank-and-file workers are here, the Black community members are here, the documented and undocumented immigrants are here, how powerful this is to be together here, all of us.”

Abudayyeh continued, “Killer Kamala, Genocide Joe, and Baby Killer Blinken and all the rest of the Democratic Party in there, we are not going to give them a pass.”

More than 270 organizations from across the country worked for over a year to organize the March on the Democratic National Convention. Israel has relied on U.S.-supplied aid to carry out its genocidal campaign in Gaza. The coalition made its main slogans “Stand with Palestine” and “End U.S. aid to Israel.” Other issues included immigrant rights and legalization for all; defending LGBTQ and reproductive rights; stopping police crimes and enacting community control of the police; defending the right to unionize and strike; and demanding money for jobs, schools, healthcare, housing and the environment.

After Biden abandoned his presidential campaign, the coalition decided to continue to organize, recognizing the Democratic Party and the DNC as providing support to the genocide in Gaza. Frank Chapman, the executive director of the National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression and a leading voice of the Black liberation movement, said in the opening rally: “We're here today to declare our unconditional solidarity with the Palestinian people. And so that nobody misunderstands what I mean by that, let me simply say, we want Palestine to win.”

Less than a week before the start of the DNC, the Coalition forced the city of Chicago to fully recognize the right to rally with amplified sound and a stage. The organizing and strength of the coalition made it possible to march within sight and sound of the DNC.

Nazek Sankari of the US Palestinian Community Network made it clear that the Democratic National Convention should have expected to face mass opposition when they chose Chicago as a host city: “Chicago, the largest city with a ceasefire resolution, a progressive Mayor Brandon Johnson, that identified the acts of Israel as genocidal, and the city that has organized almost 50 mass protests as the Coalition for Justice for Palestine where we shut down roads, highways, and Lakeshore Drive over the last ten months.” During the march on the DNC, as thousands rallied in Union Park, this power was on full display.

The coalition had support and attendees from across the country, from Los Angeles to New Orleans to Atlanta. Contingents included the anti-war contingent, the student contingent, the labor contingent, and the immigrant rights contingent, highlighting the various demands of the march, with the Palestinian contingent leading the march.

Carlos Montes, a member of Central CSO in Los Angeles stated, “We fight against the police killings of young Chicanos by the LAPD, we fight for better schools against privatization, we fight for immigrant rights, but we know the struggle is for self-determination.”

Speaking at the rally, Sydney Loving, a fighter against police crimes from Dallas and a member of the Central Committee of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said “The monopoly capitalists who run this country are getting rich off this system and somebody’s getting rich off the genocide in Palestine. But this system will not last. We’re building a revolutionary movement to take back our power, because we want to build something better for everybody. Working-class and oppressed people deserve a real future, and Palestinian children deserve a real future, and this rotting system has no future.”

Other speakers included Kobi Guillory of the Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, Kristen Perez of the Illinois Nurses Association, Xavi Velazquez of the Legalization for All network and La Frontera Nos Cruzó, Ju-Hyun Park of NODUTDOL, and Rhonda Romero of Bayan USA. All spoke to the various demands of the coalition, raising the energy of the crowd as it prepared to march. Organizations in the coalition included the US Palestinian Community Network, National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, New Students for a Democratic Society, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, International League of People’s Struggles, United National Antiwar Coalition, and Legalization for All Network.

The march then proceeded from Union Park to a park within sight of the United Center, where the DNC is being held. Chants of “Free, free Palestine!” filled the streets as the march made its way towards the center. Several buses of delegates to the Democratic National Convention were delayed because of the march, leaving empty seats at the Democratic Party opened up their celebrations. Due to the strength of the march, the Chicago Police Department were forced into allowing a longer march route than specified in the permit after claiming for weeks that this was impossible. The march concluded with chants filling up the street below raised train tracks, ending in Union Park.

The march was a resounding success and example of the power of organizing. The Democratic National Convention was disrupted, both inside and out, as delegates arrived late, and pro-Palestine delegates raised the demand of an arms embargo through a banner inside the convention. Even with the denial of permits for month until the last moment , and a change in presidential candidates, the march proceeded within sight and sound of the Democratic National Convention.

The March on the DNC made it impossible to ignore the genocide in Gaza, and the popular support for an end to U.S. aid to Israel. The protest was a crucial moment of solidarity with Palestine.

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DNC #USPCN #NAARPR #SDS #AWAN #FRSO #CentroCSO #Feature

Chicago, IL – On Monday, August 19, the Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago. The Coalition to March on the DNC, consisting of more than 200 organizations, will bring tens of thousands of protesters to the streets surrounding the United Center.

The front banner in the street will read, “Stand with Palestine! End U.S. aid to Israel!” Because this is mainly a march for Palestine, the Democratic Party powerbrokers are scared.

On Monday, August 12, U.S. District Judge Andrea R. Wood ruled against the coalition’s lawsuit, which sought a longer march route than the city of Chicago had offered. The coalition argued the need for a longer route because the short one-mile route offered by the city would have most of the marchers still in the park when the front marchers return.

Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the coalition, said, “The Democratic leadership doesn’t want our movement to get our message heard, the message that says ‘Stop U.S. aid, free Palestine, and stop the genocide.’”

City Law Department maneuvers to deny park permit

An even more undemocratic process has gone on with the coalition’s application for the permits to rally in the parks near the United Center. Despite the coalition having followed the permit process, applying for Union Park in the first week of November 2023, the city has failed to grant a permit.

Chris Williams, attorney for the Coalition, noted that by city ordinance, “If the Parks Department doesn’t deny a permit within 14 days, it is to be granted.”

Williams also states, “The organizers are preparing a big stage, and professional sound system, but don’t have a permit to assemble six days before the rally. No one will give contracts for these items without a park permit.”

Andrew Worseck, lead counsel for the city in this case, stated the city would announce its decision about granting a permit to the coalition tomorrow.

Worseck admitted under Judge Wood’s questions that there weren’t any other applicants for the park. Woods responded, “It seems odd park permits pending so long without being granted, as permits were being issued for other organizations. It’s hard to explain how Mr. Williams’ clients have been treated so differently.” Williams responded that the message in the denial of Union Park to the coalition was that the city didn’t want the message about Palestine getting to the convention goers.

Zionists create atmosphere of violence against Palestinians in Chicago

After court, Abudayyeh, who is executive director of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, reported to the press about a threat of violence made against him personally. “Yesterday, I received a threatening letter that you all have a copy of. We’ve received a ton of these by email and voicemail to our office phones, but this is the first time I’ve ever been violated where I live. It was written on a large post-it note and attached to the mailbox in the hallway of my apartment building. I have been advised by my former attorney to file a complaint, and I will, but I wanted first to make sure that we talk about this here.”

Abudayyeh explained, “Last week, USPCN challenged accusations by the racist Zionist Anti-Defamation League and Jewish United Fund, which organized a presser to attack Palestinians mobilizing in Chicago to stop the genocide that has already seen over 40,000 Palestinians killed by the U.S.-funded Israeli military.

“We warned that ADL’s racist lies and criminalization of pro-Palestine organizing and protests would embolden and incite other racists, white supremacists, and Zionists to attack people from our community, just like we’ve seen in the past when the beautiful six-year-old baby boy, Wadea al-Fayoume, was stabbed 26 times and killed, or when three 20-year-old Palestinian men were shot, one paralyzed for life, last November in Vermont.

“We call for the ADL and JUF to publicly retract their statements and attacks against Palestinians generally, and against USPCN and the Coalition to March on the DNC specifically.”

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DNC #USPCN #Feature

Milwaukee, WI – On July 28, the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) held their second annual protest of the Milwaukee Air & Water Show. Around 70 people gathered at Cathedral Square Park, less than half a mile from Bradford Beach where the show was being held, before marching through downtown Milwaukee to the doorsteps of the show.

Anti-war and pro-Palestine protesters, environmentalists, veterans, other local organizations and neighbors joined MAC to show that the Air & Water Show is unpopular and harmful.

After opening remarks, the group took to the streets, marching near the Air & Water Show before stopping for speeches. Organizations like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at UWM, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), and USPCN spoke about the Air Show for what it is – U.S. military propaganda falsely advertised as a “family-friendly” event, used to funnel people, often oppressed nationality people, into the U.S. war machine.

Connections between imperialism and violence at home were also highlighted – the latest example being the Air & Water Show coming just a few weeks after two people were shot and killed by police in Milwaukee.

“We understand the connections between the U.S. military and the militarization of police here,” said Sara Onitsuka, chair of MAC.

As military jets soared overhead, protesters held signs with slogans like “Those planes bomb children” Chants such as “Family friendly is a lie! Those planes are used for genocide!” echoed through downtown as cars honked and cheered in support.

After marching back to Cathedral Square Park, Audari Tamayo of Freedom Road Socialist Organization connected the Air & Water Show with violence we see abroad. They added, “What we see here with the Air & Water Show is imperialism – or capitalism in decay. It is the ruling class trying to grab at what is left of their failed system. Imperialism is the final stage of capitalism.”

This year was the second consecutive year of the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee protesting the Air & Water Show.

The event came shortly after the Republican National Convention was hosted in Milwaukee, where MAC and more than 100 local and national organizations marched and protested within sight and sound of the RNC.

“Just two weeks after the RNC, we are dealing with another event that many of us did not ask for,” said Sara Onitsuka of MAC.

The city of Milwaukee continues to put profit over people, and as they do, people continue to rise up and resist. “They know we are becoming organized! That's why they shamelessly attempt to repress our movements. Despite their best efforts, they have failed. They have failed because the movement only continues to rapidly grow,” Temayo declared.

#MilwaukeeWI #MAC #SDS #MAARPR #USPCN

Anaheim, CA – On June 22, over 50 community members and activists gathered at Twila Reid Park for a vigil honoring Palestinian martyrs who have been killed during the ongoing genocide. The vigil was organized by the Palestinian American Women’s Association.

The vigil was one of Orange County’s many actions highlighting Israel’s genocide campaign in Gaza that has killed at least 40,000 people. The vigil started with an all-Palestinian children’s choir that sang Mawtini, the Iraq national anthem. This was followed up with the chants, “We want justice, you say how? End the siege on Gaza now!” and “Genocide Joe, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?”

A member of PAWA SoCal spoke to the displacement and suffering of Palestinians at the hands of Israel, “For decades Palestinian families have faced unimaginable hardships, forced from their homes time and again now at an exponentially higher scale. Death and starvation loom at every corner in Gaza. Israel has pushed 80% of Gaza’s inhabitants into the cruel limbo of displacement, forcing them to become refugees again.”

The vigil continued with speakers demanding an end to U.S. aid to Israel. “We must continue to pressure the U.S. government who provides the bombs, munitions, intelligence and precision technologies that subjugate our people and attempt to quell the resistance. Elected officials continue signing off on billions of dollars in weapons reaching the Zionist entity.” said a speaker from Students for Justice in Palestine at UC Irvine.

A Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) member drew the connection between the Israeli Defense Forces and U.S. police department, stating, “We are aware that the anti-defamation league or ADL has trained many law enforcement agencies within southern California including the Los Angeles Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department, and Santa Ana Police Department. At CSO OC we are currently working on police accountability and community control of the police in Santa Ana.”

The vigil ended with a closing performance by the Mawtini choir and writing notes on a candlelit altar commemorating the lives of brave Palestinian martyrs. The vigil included members of Students for Justice in Palestine, Black Lives Matter, CSO OC, SAWA SoCal, Memorial for Freedom and Democracy in Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Al-Awada, Palestine Foundation, Arab American Civil Council, and others.

#AnaheimCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #PAWA #CSO #SJP #USPCN

Chicago, IL – Preparations for the March on the DNC are well underway, with tens of thousands of people slated to march within sight and sound of the United Center on August 19 to demand that the Democratic Party helmed by Joe Biden end the genocide on Gaza and end U.S. aid to Israel.

Recently, the Democratic Party announced, to comply with shifting Ohio laws, that it will virtually nominate Biden before the convention, meaning that some business of the convention might be resolved before the August in-person convention.

“The Israeli occupation with U.S. weapons has killed over 36,000 people in Gaza. Meanwhile, the leaders of the Democratic Party are sad because their convention won’t be the sensation needed for the uninspiring candidates,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN). “Genocide doesn’t upset them; bad TV ratings does. It makes my stomach turn.”

“It makes no difference to us if their convention is partly virtual,” said Kobi Guillory, co-chair of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. “The Democratic Party leadership and their billionaire backers will all still be here, so we will make it a point to march on Genocide Joe, Killer Kamala, and the rest.”

#ChicagoIL #PeoplesStruggles #DNC2024 #USPCN #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #NAARPR #Feature

Chicago, IL – “This is only a pinch of what we're going to do in August,” Merawi Gerima said to 150 people who rallied outside the 18th District police station on the Near Northside of Chicago, May 19.

Gerima is one of the co-chairs of the Campaign to Free Incarcerated Survivors of Torture (CFIST), a campaign of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR). The main target of CFIST is the governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, who has the power to grant clemency to every one of the hundreds of people who are still incarcerated despite their convictions being the proven result of torture by police.

“What’s going on in these prisons is horrendous. People are treated like animals. People like Rico Clark and Lester Owens are locked up by corrupt cops like Brian Forberg for crimes they didn't commit,” said Darien Harris, who spent over 12 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted, describing how the entire legal system, from police and prosecutors to judges and politicians, is guilty of mass torture and false imprisonment.

Protesters later heard a recorded message from Rico Clark, who is currently incarcerated. Clark explained the continuity between chattel slavery and today's prison system.

Protesters also admonished Pritzker and other politicians for their support of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

“Pritzker has the power to grant clemency today. Pritzker has the power to stop funding Israel today. We are here to demand he uses that power for real justice,” Akiesha Lee, a member of Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL) said after police barricaded protesters several blocks from Pritzker's house.

“Palestinians understand all too well the dehumanization and brutality that Black and brown people in this country face, as our people in Palestine also face the same kind of dehumanization and violence from the U.S.-backed, white supremacist, illegal Zionist occupation,” Nick Sous, a leading member of the Chicago chapter of US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) explained. USPCN is also a leading organization in the Coalition to March on the DNC.

“Black people and other oppressed people stand in solidarity with Palestine because we have mutual pain and suffering caused by the same enemy, so we have to unite and fight against that,” CAARPR Field Organizer Frank Chapman said at the end of the rally program.

“To these Democrats and Republicans, I want to say your time is up! We're going to fight and we're going to get justice from Chicago to Palestine,” April Ward declared. Ward is the mother of Mickeail Ward, whose conviction was recently overturned after ten years of fighting a wrongful murder conviction sensationalized in part by the Obamas.

The Sunday, May 19 protest was also the first of four consecutive actions organized by the Coalition to March on the DNC, of which CAARPR is a leading member. On Monday, May 13, coalition members met at Pritzker’s downtown office to demand that he grant clemency to torture survivors and end Illinois support for Israel.

On Tuesday evening, the coalition gathered 200 people at the Garfield Park Conservatory on Chicago's West Side to protest a DNC reception. Protesters aimed chants at Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, JB Pritzker, Sean Casten, Dick Durbin and Jan Schakowsky among others for the two hour duration as event attendees filed in and out of the Conservatory.

On Wednesday morning, the coalition met at the United Center while press outlets were conducting a walkthrough of the site where the DNC will take place between August 19 and 22.

“Wherever Genocide Joe and Killer Kamala show up there will be protests,” Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of USPCN said at a press conference outside the United Center.

Abudayyeh continued, “There will be no business as usual as long as our tax dollars are funding the genocide and occupation of Palestine. That's why tens of thousands of people will be here on August 19.”

#ChicagoIL #FreePalestine #MarchOnTheDNC #FreeRicoClark #USPCN #NAARPR #CAARPR #CFIST #SOUL #DNC #BDS #FreeThemAll

Chicago, IL – At an April 30 press conference, speakers announced that a motion for a preliminary injunction has been filed in federal court by the Coalition to March on the DNC. They are asking a federal judge to block the city of Chicago from enforcing its ordinance regulating parade permits, as it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Speakers at the press conference included Chris Williams, Attorney; Hatem Abudayyeh, US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN); Faayani Aboma Mijana, Coalition to March on the DNC; and Liz Rathburn, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) – University of Illinois at Chicago.

“The Coalition to March on the DNC believes that this injunction by the court is urgent and time-sensitive,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, USPCN national chair. “We are very likely to win this lawsuit, and if we are forced to wait until after the DNC for a trial to be complete, it will be too late.”

The Coalition holds that the city’s denial of parade permits to protest “within sight and sound” of the DNC, as well as the city’s unilateral decision to propose an alternative four miles away, buried far out of sight and sound, violates the First Amendment. Under the First Amendment protections of political speech, the city must find an alternate route narrowly tailored to meet a compelling governmental interest. The city has made no such effort.

“On arbitrary grounds, the city is violating our First Amendment right to protest,” said Faayani Aboma Mijana, spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC. “We’re calling on the court to act fast and to compel the city to the negotiating table with us to ensure that our right to protest within sight and sound of the DNC is protected.”

Attorney Chris Williams said that the city has indicated to him a desire to sit down with the coalition to work out an agreement for their permits to protest.

Student protests against Gaza genocide signal massive protests at DNC

Liz Rathburn noted, “As the encampments being raised all over the country show, students are done being ignored. Our administrations help fund a genocide in Gaza with our investments, but we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Referring to the violence against students in campus encampments and building occupations against the Gaza genocide, Rathburn said further, “If the city refuses to grant us a permit we have no doubt that the Chicago Police Department will be emboldened to inflict that same brutality on us with impunity. Tens of thousands of young people will be in the streets outside the DNC with or without a permit. I don’t want to see my classmates bleeding in the streets of Chicago come August. To allow a safe and family friendly march, the city must provide a permit.”

CPD past violence against protesters looms

In a public hearing the night after this press conference, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling refused to rule out police tactics including infiltration and entrapment of protest groups by undercover police officers. He also denied that CPD has “black sites,” which were exposed ten years ago in the Manchester Guardian, showing CPD disappeared protesters for 24 hours or longer.

Both these tactics were used by CPD against protestors at the march on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2012. Like the DNC, the NATO summit was a National Special Security Event, a status applied through the passage of the Patriot Act after the 9/11 attacks. With that status, involvement in policing of protests by the Secret Service, Homeland Security and the FBI in has resulted in numerous violations of democratic rights to protest.

In prior hearings, Superintendent Snelling said CPD’s methods at the anti-war protests against the NATO were a model for his plan for the DNC. At the NATO protests, more than a dozen protesters were hospitalized after being beaten by officers, including at least one with an arm broken with an oversized 21-inch wooden baton, and another whose teeth were broken out when they were felled by a police baton. A police officer was caught on camera by the Chicago Tribune showing the white-shirted cop about to punch a protester in the face.

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Chicago, IL – Thousands of protesters took Michigan Avenue, Saturday afternoon, April 20 and marched to demand an end to U.S. funding for Israeli genocide in Palestine.

Led by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine, this was the 32nd mass mobilization since October 7 and demonstrated that people of Chicago are not intimidated by recent police escalation and repression in Chicago and across the country.

On Monday, April 15, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) harassed and arrested more than 50 protesters exercising their First Amendment rights at two separate actions demanding an end to the U.S.-funded genocide in Gaza.

The majority of arrests took place on the Interstate 190 access road to O’Hare airport as hundreds of protesters shut down access to the major international airport between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. At the CJP-led mobilization downtown that afternoon, CPD made 14 arrests of protesters, most of whom were Palestinian. Five are being charged with felony offenses. Police officers aggressively put their hands on protesters, and in one case ripped a woman’s hijab off her head.

In reference to CPD’s escalatory behavior on April 15, Diana Ahmad of American Muslims in Palestine addressed the crowd stating, “We are under no false impression that the acts that occurred that day were intended to ‘serve and protect’ anyone other than a racist, deceitful institution predicated on centuries of racist policies.”

Despite CPD’s repressive tactics, Nick Sous of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network urged Saturday’s attendees to keep protesting, stating, “Mark my words, we will continue to hit the streets every single week until the total liberation of our land, from the river to the sea,” eliciting cheers of approval from the crowd.

With the Democratic National Convention promising to draw tens of thousands of protesters enraged at the Democratic party’s complicity in genocide to Chicago this August, and with the Palestinian movement in Chicago employing increasingly advanced tactics to mount pressure on the ruling class, the police are escalating their repression in response.

“The reason police are getting more aggressive at our protests is because they see that we have not stopped coming out week after week,” said Kobi Guillory of the Chicago Alliance in his remarks at the rally.

Guillory connected the police repression of the Palestinian movement to that of the Black liberation movement. On Thursday, April 18, CPD officers barred some members of the public entry to some to a Police Board hearing regarding the recent murder of Dexter Reed by five plainclothes police officers in the 11th District.

“We know that the [Israeli Occupation Force] trains CPD, so we’re gonna dismantle this entire system, from Palestine to Chicago,” Guillory said.

The demonstration’s emphasis on resisting police repression also comes on the heels of the decision by Columbia University President Nemat Shafik to call the New York Police Department to arrest hundreds of students protesting their school’s complicity in the Israeli genocide.

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Chicago, IL – On April 18, the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, alongside other organizations in the Black liberation movement, called a rally at Chicago Police Department Headquarters ahead of the police board meeting to demand that the five officers who fired 96 shots and murdered Dexter Reed, Jr. be fired, indicted and convicted.

200 activists and supporters from all corners of the movement in Chicago, from torture survivors to family members of those killed by police violence, as well as those from the Palestinian liberation movement, converged on CPD HQ to make clear to the powers that be that Chicagoans will no longer stand for police terror.

Led by Kobi Guillory, co-chair of the Chicago Alliance, protesters repeatedly erupted into chants of “16 shots, 96 rounds, no more cover-ups in this town,” to draw the connection between the killing and cover-up of Dexter Reed’s murder with the one of Laquan McDonald in 2015, when CPD officer Jason Van Dyke fired 16 shots and killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. In the aftermath, then-Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and then-State's Attorney Anita Alvarez went to great lengths to cover up the footage. Years later, and the murder and cover-ups in Chicago continue.

“Frankly, I’m sick of this shit,” said Chantel Brooks, mother of Michael Westley, 15-year-old boy who CPD killed in 2013. “Every time somebody else dies, it ain’t do nothing but bring back memories. It’s hurtful. When is this gonna change? When are our kids gonna stop getting preyed on? When are they going to stop getting killed? When does a Black life really fucking matter? My son was a good kid, and they shot him in the fucking back like a fucking animal, and he never got justice.”

In addition to the demand on the police board to fire the five cops who murdered Reed, the lead organizers of the response to Reed’s killing put forward three other demands: Fire Police Superintendent Snelling; end pretextual traffic stops, and disband the TACT teams, which operate as death squads that maraud through Black neighborhoods with impunity. In fact, it was a TACT team that conducted the pretextual traffic stop that resulted in Reed being killed. The TACT team that pulled him over claimed Reed wasn’t wearing a seat belt despite the fact that he wasn’t visible through his tinted windows.

After the rally, protesters filed into CPD headquarters to make their demands to fire the officers known to the police board.

“Dexter Reed should be here today,” Grace Patino, a member of CAARPR said. “The officers involved in the execution of Dexter Reed must be immediately fired and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. We need an immediate end to pretextual traffic stops, and Larry Snelling should be fired.”

Out of self-preservation, the police heavily limited the number of people who could attend the meeting. Those who couldn’t enter remained outside for the duration of the meeting, beating on drums and chanting for justice for Dexter Reed. After the meeting, with there being no doubt that the police board received the movement’s message loud and clear, attendees gathered outside for more chants and to discuss its next steps.

The three remaining demands of firing the superintendent, ending pretextual stops, and disbanding the tact teams fall within the purview of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), a police accountability body created by the 2021 ECPS ordinance, the passage of which was led by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. With power over CPD policy, the CCPSA can end pretextual stops and disband the tact teams. And in the realm of the superintendent, the CCPSA can issue a no confidence vote, which would put a ball in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s court to decide if the superintendent should be fired. The movement will take these demands to the next CCPSA meeting on Thursday, April 25.

This upswell in response to Dexter Reed’s murder took place just as there was an upsurge in the movement for Palestine. Just days before the protest at CPD headquarters, the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine called a Tax Day march in downtown Chicago. At that march, CPD brutalized many, arrested 14 protesters, and charged four with felonies. Only days later, and in a growing testament to the convergence of the Black liberation and Palestinian liberation movement in Chicago, Arabs and Palestinians, many of whom were at the Tax Day protest or at the jail support in the aftermath of the arrests, also came to the Thursday rally at CPD headquarters to demand justice for Dexter Reed. The chant of “CPD, KKK, IOF they’re all the same” made the rounds throughout the evening.

“Our Palestinian and Arab communities will always stand in unconditional solidarity with the Black community,” said Rania Salem of the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN). “We Palestinians know and understand all too well the dehumanization and brutality that Black and brown people in this country face, as our people in Palestine experience the same kind of dehumanization and violence from the US-supported, illegal military occupation and the racist, white supremacist, settler-colonial, Zionist state known as Israel.”

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