Past Events
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2006 Past Events

May 1 demonstrations take place around the country
Immigrant Rights Now! Stop the War!

Chicago

Thousands of students, mostly Latino, skipped school to attend the demonstration. People came out from all over Illinois for the protest.

Immigrants from many communities participated in the march. There were contingents from the Puerto Rican, Arab, Filipino, South Asian, Korean, Nepalese and Polish communities among many others. There was also a large contingent from the LGBT community.

The spirited and powerful march took place amidst growing government oppression against immigrants in Chicago and around the country.

The demonstration comes at a time of increasing attacks against immigrants. On April 30, it was revealed that the government is threatening to arrest Flor Crisostomo, an immigrant rights activist who is fighting an ICE deportation order by taking sanctuary in the Aldaberto United Methodist Church. On April 29—in a much publicized incident—undocumented immigrant Fernando Lara Flores was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport while picking up relatives two days before his wedding.

Many union members joined the march. There were lively contingents from UNITE HERE, SEIU, the Teamsters and the United Food and Commercial Workers among others.

Over 150 immigrant rights, community, labor, social justice and anti-war organizations endorsed and mobilized for the Chicago protest.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles had the country’s largest immigrant rights rally on May 1. Tens of thousands of people participated in two marches from different points across the city, which merged for a united rally near City Hall.

Speakers included Juan José Gutiérrez, Latino Movement USA; Raul Murillo, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional; Angelica Salas, CHIRLA; State Senator Gill Cedillo; Carlos Alvarez, ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism); and many others. Alvarez called for unity and mass opposition to racist ICE raids currently terrorizing immigrant communities. "An injury to one is an injury to all," Alvarez said.

ANSWER mobilized for the action with its partners in the April 7 Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition and brought a massive, lively contingent. The mood of the crowd was determined, yet festive. People were happy to be in the streets demanding full equality for undocumented workers.

The day of action was initiated by the Multi-Ethnic Immigrant Worker Organizing Network, March 25th Coalition and Latino Movement USA.

San Francisco

The ANSWER Coalition participated in a noontime community march through the Mission district, from 16th Street to 24th Street. The march was sponsored by Barrio Unido por Amnistia General and demanded amnesty for all immigrants.

A 2 p.m. rally was organized at Dolores Park, followed by a march and rally to Civic Center. The ANSWER Coalition participated in the event and distributed flyers for upcoming events.

ANSWER organizer Gloria La Riva spoke at the event, enthusiastically echoing the calls for amnesty for all immigrants. Marchers chanted "Si, se puede" and "Que queremos? Justicia! Cuando? Ahora!"

The march began in the middle of the port area and proceeded down Alaska Way past the ferry terminal and through the tourist recreational section of the Seattle shoreline. "No Peace, No Work," was one of the most popular chants during the march.

Later in the day, thousands of immigrant workers marched from Judkins Park in the Central District to the Seattle Center. Spirits were high as workers chanted "Si, se puede!" and "Aqui estamos y no nos vamos!"

New Haven

The action culminated in a 5 p.m. immigrants' rights march that wound through the downtown commercial district and through immigrant and African American neighborhoods.

Washington, D.C.

Holding signs reading, "Stop the Raids" and "No Human is Illegal," several hundred people rallied at Malcolm X Park in Washington, D.C. Demonstrators then took to the streets for a militant march demanding amnesty for immigrant workers and an end to the racist repression by federal and local law enforcement.

Immigrant workers in the area have been terrorized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation raids and by new local laws used to harass immigrants and deny them access to services

Anti-war coalition tours Midwest
April 8-15, 2008

ANSWER coordinator promotes building mass movement

The ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), a national anti-war organization with offices from coast to coast, successfully completed its first-ever speaking tour in the Midwest.

For eight days in April, ANSWER activists traveled to five cities, large and small, to hold meetings and connect with local organizers. The cities on the tour were Hanover, Ind.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Iowa City, Iowa; Chicago, Ill.; and Milwaukee, Wis.

Meetings were held at the following colleges and universities: Hanover College in southern Indiana; University of Iowa in Iowa City; Harold Washington College in Chicago; Harper College in Palatine, Ill..; and University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

The tour, entitled "The War, the Economy and the Elections," featured Richard Becker, the Western Regional Coordinator of ANSWER. In total, over 300 people came out to hear Becker speak and engage in lively discussions about the struggle against the war.

In his presentations, Becker asserted that a combination of war, economic and environmental crises is preparing the way for an inevitable rise in mass struggle.

The Iraq war, the U.S.-backed Israeli war against Lebanon in 2006, the endless assaults against the Palestinian people and the growing threats against Iran have pitted the U.S. government against the people of the Middle East. But the confrontation is not simply regional. Wherever people are trying to create or maintain governments and institutions that are independent from U.S. domination another front of anti-imperialist struggle opens.

In their pursuit of greater dominance, U.S. imperialism is creating increasingly insufferable living conditions for workers and oppressed peoples around the world. Over the last 17 years, U.S. imperialism has torn Iraqi society to shreds—it has killed, wounded or displaced one-third of Iraq’s population for the sole purpose of colonizing the oil-rich country. The imperialists see Iraq as a lynchpin in their strategy to discourage independent development in the region and thwart any potential challenges to their global empire.

However, the Iraq war has not strengthened the U.S. position in the world. The resistance of the Iraqi people to occupation has created breathing room for countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba and Iran to pursue a strategy of development outside of the U.S. controlled orbit.

Some of the looming crises Becker mentioned include the trillions of dollars spent on war instead of people’s needs; the deepening capitalist economic crisis; the reckless drive of U.S. corporations to maximize profit that is the underlying cause of the current global food and energy crises and many other growing problems; the weakening of the dollar as the United States continues to borrow billions to fund the war and bail out the banks; and the environmental crisis.

Becker said that the only way to stop the Iraq war and wage an effective fight against the root cause of the war, modern capitalism, is through the struggle of an independent mass movement and the building of organizations that can facilitate people’s struggle against the ruling class made up of the banks, oil corporations and the military-industrial complex.

The presidential candidates and other politicians, especially the Democrats, must give lip service to progressive demands and talk about change. However, they must also assure the ruling elite that they will serve the interests of the most powerful institutions in society—the banks and corporations—if they are to be elected.

"No movement has ever started in the White House or Congress," Becker said. "In fact, they always ridicule mass movements when they arise. Only after a powerful mass movement has forced change do politicians enact reforms. They then pat themselves on the back and give themselves credit for progressive laws.

"But history has shown that it is the people themselves that make change."

At every stop on the tour, people expressed interest in joining the organizing activities of the ANSWER Coalition.

Women's Forum
March 29, 2008

“Women’s Power is People’s Power!” That was the title of a very successful March 29 Chicago forum put on by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

The meeting was held at the Chicago office of the PSL in the working class, multi-national neighborhood of Albany Park. The meeting room was filled to capacity with a mostly young, multi-national crowd.

Suzanne Saba, a Palestinian activist and PSL member, chaired the meeting. Heather Benno, a PSL candidate for Illinois State Assembly in the 40^th District, spoke about imperialism and the struggle of immigrant women.

Beth Massey, a 40 year veteran of the women’s struggle for justice, equality and liberation, talked about the history of women’s struggle against oppression and the need for socialism.

Stefanie Fisher, PSL Chicago election campaign coordinator, talked about women’s rights and the 2008 elections.

At the meeting Massey said, “The capitalist, patriarchal system is rotten. They can bail out Bear Stearns and the banks with billions of dollars in loans, but when a working single mother from an African-American neighborhood needs a job or a place to live or food to feed her children they act as if her needs are criminal. We definitely need a different system.”

The Party for Socialism and Liberation is a member of the ANSWER Coalition.

4,000 March Against Iraq War in Chicago on 5th Anniversary
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Report by Martin Stainthorp, ANSWER Chicago

4,000 people took to the streets of Chicago on March 19 to demand an immediate end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Spirited chants of "Troops Out Now, Iraq for Iraqis" echoed throughout downtown as the march made its way through Chicago's Loop and along Michigan Avenue.

The 5^th anniversary action in Chicago was striking in that it was made up of a majority of young, energetic and militant protestors. There was a significant turnout of young people from Arab and Muslim communities.

The most popular chants during the march expressed solidarity with our sisters and brothers struggling against U.S. imperialism in the Middle East and throughout the world. 

At the rally in Federal Plaza prior to the march, A.N.S.W.E.R. Chicago Coordinator John Beacham told thousands that "Our enemies are not in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela or China. They’re in Washington, The Pentagon, and Wall Street. They want us to fight their wars and fight each other. We must resist their divide and conquer strategies and fight them. Change will come through a united struggle against the banks, corporations and the war machine.”

Other speakers at the rally included Iraq Veterans Against the War, representatives of the Palestinian community, representatives from the immigrant rights struggle, CODEPink, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, Teamsters Local 743 and Voices for Creative Nonviolence.

With a booming sound system, banners, signs, petitions and leaflets, A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteers did anti-war outreach to thousands of people.

Over sixty anti-war and social justice groups mobilized and participated in the mass action. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition in Chicago leafleted every day for six weeks before the March 19 protest.

On March 19, the fifth anniversary of the war, hundreds of protests took place in cities and towns large and small. On March 19 over 7,000 marched in San Francisco. On March 15 10,000 marched in Los Angeles.

To get involved in the Anti-war movement call 773-463-0311.

Some of the tons of Outreach ANSWER Volunteers are doing for the March 19 Protest

Protest to Stop Israeli Siege of Gaza
January 29, 2008
Stefanie Fisher

On Tuesday Jan. 29 over 200 people came out in Chicago to demand an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza. The militant picket and rally was held outside a Zionist fundraiser for the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force.

The demonstration assembled at 5 pm on a cold and snowy night and lasted for nearly two hours. Severe winter weather did not prevent people from making their voices heard loud and clear.

Dozens of Palestinian flags were held high all along the road. Chants included, “End the siege on Gaza now!” “Who is the terrorist? Israel is the terrorist!” and “Free, free Palestine!”  The demonstration was lead by young people from the Palestinian and Arab communities.

Party for Socialism and Liberation candidate for Illinois State Assembly Heather Benno spoke during the rally. She said,  “We stand with the people of Palestine and support the right of the Palestinian people to resist oppression and occupation. We will continue to struggle in the streets of the U.S. until Palestine, Iraq and the people of the Middle East are free from U.S. domination.”  Speakers and chants were greeted enthusiastically by many of the young passers-by.

The demonstration in Chicago was part of national and worldwide demonstrations against the Israeli siege of Gaza. In the U.S. large emergency protests were also held in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Anaheim, New York, and Seattle.

The Chicago demonstration was initiated by the International Solidarity Movement. It was endorsed by Palestine Solidarity Group, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, American Muslims for Palestine, ANSWER Chicago and many others.

Nationwide Protests to Free the Jena 6
November 7, 2007

In Chicago over 50 people came out for a spirited picket and rally at Federal Plaza to demand all charges be dropped against the Jena 6. The protest was joined by students from Columbia College, Harold Washington College and Northwestern Law School.

Protesters chanted "Until the 6 are free, neither are we!" and "No justice! No peace!" At the rally Daylan Dufelmeier of ANSWER Chicago said, "We stand here united in the streets with one voice calling for all charges to be dropped in the case of the Jena 6 and all troops home now because we know that a determined struggle against racism and war is the path to ending the attacks on all of our sisters and brothers around the world."

The Chicago Protest was endorsed by Act Now to Stop War & End Racism - Chicago; Charles Hendrix, Chicago Organizer for Nov 16 National March in DC for Jena 6; Chicago Area CodePINK, Chicago Progressive Alliance; Committee on Pilipino Issues; Greater Chicago for Dennis Kucinich, Nicaragua Solidarity Committee; October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality; World Can't Wait - Chicago; 8th Day Center for Justice.

Over 100,000 take to the Streets of U.S. on Oct. 27 to End the War Now!
Tens of thousands march in Chicago in city's largest protest against Iraq War!
Reports on Protests in LA, SF, Seattle and many other cities

Report: Chicago Midwest Regional Anti-war March
ANSWER Chicago

In Chicago on October 27 tens of thousands of people marched to End the War Now. Organizers for the October 27 Mobilization Committee, the sponsoring group, estimated the crowd at 30,000. The demonstration was the largest protest against the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq to take place in Chicago up to this point. At least half of the participants were students and other young people - many attending their first protest.

The demonstration was very multinational with strong representation from the African American community. There were many labor contingents including members from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), UNITE HERE, the Teamsters, and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. There were also contingents from over 150 organizations from all over the Midwest that endorsed the protest.

ANSWER Chicago congratulates everyone who came out to resist the war. You helped to make this important protest a clear signal to the warmongers in Washington that the people will continue to escalate their opposition. We also want to thank all the volunteers and friends who helped to build October 27 by distributing leaflets, stickers, e-mails and making phone calls.

Tens of thousands of leaflets for October 27 with the following slogans were passed out: "END THE WAR NOW! Full rights for all immigrants now! End Occupation: Iraq, Palestine, Haiti, Afghanistan ...! U.S. Hands off Iran! Money for Jobs, Healthcare & Education, Not War! Free the Jena 6 - Stand Against Racism!"

At the protest, people were eager to find out how they can get involved and to get information from all of the different groups that supported the march. We collected over 1,000 petitions to end the war and mass distributed leaflets that propose thousands of local "No Business as Usual" actions on March 19, the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War. 

ANSWER Chicago marched in a militant contingent with flags from countries that are occupied, threatened or are under attack by U.S. imperialism. Chants of "Troops Out Now, Iraq for Iraqis", "We want money for schools, not for war", "Free, Free Palestine" and "Free, Free Iraq" were echoed by people throughout the march.

To get involved in the anti-war movement and help build upcoming actions call 773-463-0311, e-mail answer@chicagoanswer.net or visit ChicagoANSWER.net

Report from National Demonstrations
The October 27 demonstrations represented another important step forward for the anti-war movement in the United States.

Over 100,000 people took to the streets in coordinated regional and local protests to demand an immediate end to the war in Iraq. The October 27 demonstrations took place just six weeks after the September 15 National March and Die-In in Washington, D.C. that was led by Iraq War Veterans and family members of soldiers and marines.

We have included below a brief summary from some of the events that took place yesterday. (San Francisco march of 30,000 pictured here.)

Anti-war sentiment is growing. The demonstrations yesterday, like the September 15 March on Washington, were noteworthy for the large number of young people - students and young workers - who are joining the front ranks of the anti-war movement in the United States. The Arab American and Muslim community was well represented. The participation of Iraq War Veterans and their families continues to grow. The energy and spirit of the demonstration is an indicator that the people of this country are fed up with the criminal war and occupation of Iraq.

Everyday, the corporate-dominated media tries to convince people that the anti-war movement is shrinking. That is a lie, as you can see from the reports below. The same media lies to the people about the so-called progress made by the “surge” in Iraq. The truth is that the U.S. military occupation of Iraq cannot succeed. The Iraqi people insist on their right to determine their own destiny. The people of the United States, who have no voice in either the Republican or Democratic Parties or in the big business media, are determined to find a way to end the war, which has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and costs $3 billion each week.

The ANSWER Coalition, UFPJ and hundreds of other groups organized for the October 27 protests. What is needed now is to intensify the mass organization of the people. As it was in Vietnam, it will be the people, not the politicians, who will bring this imperialist war to an end. Check the ANSWER Coalition website for regular updates and reports on future steps for the anti-war movement.

San Francisco

More than 30,000 people marched in San Francisco in a demonstration sponsored by the October 27 Coalition, which was initiated by the ANSWER Coalition. The demonstration was endorsed by over 150 political, religious, labor and community organizations, including all seven Bay Area Central Labor Councils. Speakers included Cindy Sheehan, leaders of the Arab American and Muslim community, American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks, Episcopal Bishop of California Mark Handley Andrus, and prominent labor union leaders from the Bay Area. The march included a dramatic Die-In on Market Street where the crowd lay down to symbolize the almost 3,900 U.S. and over 1 million Iraqi deaths in the war. The march included a strong labor contingent numbering nearly 1,000 and including banners from many different unions.

Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, nearly 20,000 people marched through downtown to the federal building for a mass rally and Die-In. The California fire catastrophe did not keep people from registering their opposition to the Iraq war in a major way. The demonstration was overwhelmingly youthful, with students pouring into the march from hundreds of Southern California schools. More than 250 people joined the youth and student contingent organized by Youth & Student ANSWER. Others lined the front banners, chanting "Iraq for Iraqis, troops out now!" and "Alto a la guerra, stop the war!"

After the march, almost everyone present participated in a mass symbolic Die-In. Ian Thompson of the ANSWER Coalition introduced the Die-In while masses of people lay down. Thundering sound effects of air raids and bombs exploding punctuated the action, followed by a solemn minute of silence for the Iraqis and U.S. soldiers killed in the war. As protesters rose up after the Die-In, all chanted "Stop the war!" Preston Wood of ANSWER and Greg Akili of African Americans Against the War spoke about the cost of war on people in the United States, urging everyone present to become organizers in the anti-war movement. Muna Coobtee of the National Council of Arab Americans spoke about the dire conditions facing Iraqis due to the imperialist occupation. Other speakers included actors Martin Sheen ("The West Wing"), Mike Farrell ("MASH") and Mark Ruffalo ("Zodiac"). ANSWER initiated the protest, which was organized by the Oct. 27 Stop the War Coalition, a broad array of progressive, anti-war and social justice organizations.

Seattle

In Seattle, at least 7,000 people marched. Buses and carpools came from the entire Northwest Region - from Eugene and Portland, Oregon; Olympia, Tacoma, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Bellingham and elsewhere in Washington State. There was a youth-and-community-oriented opening program, followed by a march and lively rally. Speakers included Fatimah Magsombol, Mindanao Bagsomoro Caucus; Michael Dixon, community activist; Chanan Suarez Diaz, President, Seattle IVAW; Jeff Johnson, research director, Washington State Labor Council, speaking on behalf of WSLC chairman Rick Bender; Aracely Hernandez, Committee for General Amnesty and Social Justice; Wally Cuddeford and Caitlyn Esworthy, Port Militarization Resistance; Dr. Goudarz Eghtedari, American Iranian Friendship Council; MCs Cedric Walker, Jane Cutter of Seattle ANSWER and Marie Marchand of Whatcom Peace and Justice Center in Bellingham.

New York City

The New York City demonstration was initiated by United for Peace and Justice. There was a strong turnout despite a steady downpour. UFPJ organizers estimated the crowd at 45,000. The ANSWER Coalition mobilized people from many cities on the East Coast and organized a spirited student and youth contingent.

Boston

The heart of Boston was filled with anti-war energy on Saturday afternoon, as some 7,500 took to the streets in protest of the war in Iraq.  Braving inclement New England weather, veterans, students, seasoned activists and many first-time protesters from throughout the region rallied in Boston Commons.  Led by veterans organizations and military families, thousands later marched to Copley Square, demanding "Bring all the troops home now!" one of five principal demands.  Speakers at the rally included Melida and Carlos Arrendondo, historian Howard Zinn and Liam Madden of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).  New England United, a coalition of local and regional organizations, organized the demonstration and march. The ANSWER Coalition mobilized people from Boston and several other cities in New England and organized a spirited student and youth contingent.

Regional and Local Demonstrations Nationally

Regional and local demonstrations also took place in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Jonesborough and Chattanooga (Tennessee), Salt Lake City, Denver, Rochester and elsewhere.

100,000 March Against Iraq War in Washington
200 Arrested in Dramatic Mass Die-In
Sept 15, 2007

Yesterday, nearly 100,000 people -- led by anti-war Iraq veterans, military families and others -- marched from the White House to the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to demand an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq. The march concluded with a dramatic "die-in" of 5,000 people surrounding the Capitol. Almost 200 people were arrested when police prevented them taking an anti-war message to Congress.

People marched shoulder-to-shoulder on eight-lane-wide Pennsylvania Avenue, with the densely packed march stretching more than 10 blocks. It was a historic action and a step forward for the anti-war movement.

Protesters surged onto the Capitol's south lawn and up the steps where they were met by a police line. There, Iraq veterans conducted a solemn ceremony to memorialize the U.S. soldiers and Iraqis killed in the war. Over 5,000 people then laid down in a symbolic "die-in" -- one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in recent years.

One hundred ninety-seven people, including dozens of veterans and activists, were arrested when they tried to deliver their anti-war message to Congress and were stopped by the police. Among the arrested were Adam Kokesh, Liam Madden, Jeff Millard, and Garrett Reppenhagen of Iraq Veterans Against the War; Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism); Ann Wright, former U.S. Army Colonel; Michael Prysner, Iraq war veteran and ANSWER activist in Florida; union president Gloria La Riva; and Eugene Puryear, Howard University student and National Coordinator of Youth & Student ANSWER. Police pepper-sprayed demonstrators without provocation.

This mass action came on the heels of the pro-war Petraeus report to Congress and Bush's wholehearted endorsement of the report. Meanwhile, the war rages on, destroying Iraqi society. Nearly 4,000 U.S. solidiers and up to 1 million Iraqis have died since the U.S. invasion in March 2003.

Many organizations and individuals joined together to sponsor the protest in Washington, D.C. timed to coincide with the Petraeus report on the "surge" in Iraq, including the ANSWER Coalition; Ramsey Clark; Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation; Mounzer Sleiman, Vice Chair, National Council of Arab Americans; Cindy Sheehan; Camp Casey Peace Institute; Cynthia McKinney; Veterans for Peace (National); Garett Reppenhagen, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Chair of Board of Directors; Tina Richards, CEO of Grassroots America; Rev. Lenox Yearwood, CEO of Hip Hop Caucus; Code Pink; Father Roy Bourgeois and Eric LeCompte, School of Americas Watch; Al-Awda, The Palestine Right of Return Coalition; Kevin Zeese, Democracy Rising; Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Hutto, co-founder Appeal for Redress; Liam Madden, Pres., Boston Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War and co-founder of Appeal for Redress; Malik Rahim, founder of Common Ground Collective, New Orleans; Howard Zinn, Author and Historian; Carlos & Melida Arredondo, Gold Star Families for Peace and hundreds of other organizations and individuals.

ANSWER Chicago 2007 Labor Day BBQ

U.S. Government Deports Chicago Immigrant Rights Activist Elvira Arellano
Report by Douglas Freedman, Party for Socialism and Liberation (Aug. 2007)

Stop the raids, detentions and deportations! Full rights for all immigrants!

On Sunday Aug. 19 Elvira Arellano was arrested by Immigrant and Customs Enforcement agents in Los Angeles . Arellano is a well-known immigrant rights activist who had taken sanctuary in a Chicago church in August 2006 to resist a Homeland Security deportation order.

She was arrested at 3 pm after leaving Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in downtown Los Angeles . She was heading north to San Jose to speak at another church.

Arellano is a founder of la Familia Latina Unida in Chicago . She is a leading voice for justice in the immigrant rights movement in the U.S.

An unmarked vehicle stopped the van that she and her companions were traveling in. 15 agents with machine guns stepped out of unmarked vehicles and arrested her in front of her 8 year old son. Nine hours later she was summarily deported to Tijuana , Mexico . 

In response to the arrest, supporters came out on Sunday night for a vigil in front of the ICE building in Chicago . On Monday morning 150 supporters showed up in front of the ICE building again to protest the arrest and deportation.   

Elvira Arellano was ordered to report to Homeland Security On Aug. 15, 2006 to be deported. In 2002, she was arrested in a 9-11 security sweep at her place of employment, O’Hare Airport in Chicago . At the time of her arrest she was earning $6.50 an hour cleaning airplanes.

Through a series of struggles with the U.S. government, she was able to stay in the U.S. for four more years. When her visa ran out, she took her 8-year old son Saul, who is a U.S. born citizen, and took refuge in the Chicago church.

Since her arrest and deportation the media has increased its attacks on Arellano. The Chicago Sun-Times has been especially vicious with large headlines such as “GAME OVER: Illegal immigrant Elvira Arellano busted in L.A. Her one-way ticket to Mexico awaits” and “NOW GET IN LINE! If Elvira wants back she will have to do it the right way”. 

Arellano is currently in Tijuana with her son Saul. She has vowed to continue the struggle for immigrant rights from Mexico .

Protest against Chicago police killing of Aaron Harrison
August 10, 2007

On August 10 over 500 people attended a rally on Chicago’s west side to protest the police killing of Aaron Harrison. The community rally was followed by a street take over and militant march to the North Lawndale Harrison District police department.

At the end of the rally, police arrived in an attempt to intimidate and disperse the protesters. In response, hundreds of people took over the street and faced down the police. The police quickly retreated.

Loud chants of “No Justice, No Peace, No Racist Police!” rang out through the west side neighborhood. Protestors carried signs that read: “CPD Guilty! Justice for Aaron Harrison! Stop Police Brutality!”

Aaron Harrison, an 18 year-old African-American man, was shot in the back by a Chicago Police officer on the night of Monday August 6. The community responded with militant street protest the night of the shooting and the following night. Protesters converged on the police department both nights. A protest march was also held on the afternoon of Wednesday August 8.

The police attacked and arrested five protesters on the night of August 6.

August 10 rally speakers included family members of Aaron Harrison, Fred Hampton Jr., Rev Al Sharpton and Rev. Paul Jakes Jr. Aaron’s family is demanding justice for his murder and an end to the racist brutality of the Chicago Police Department.

On August 7 the Cook County Medical Examiner’s autopsy concluded that Aaron Harrison had been shot in the back. The Chicago Police have insisted that Harrison was shot in the shoulder. They also say that Harrison was armed at the time of the shooting.

But dozens of witnesses have insisted that Harrison was unarmed when he was shot in the back. Mayor Daley has defended the police killing and backed the police department’s lies. Police have reportedly visited the homes of possible witnesses to intimidate them and warn them against telling the truth.

Harrison ’s killing is the latest in a string of police killings and beatings. Two nights before on August 4 Gefery Johnson, 42, was killed in his home by Chicago Police. The Police killed Johnson with a Taser gun.

For the Police, brutality and murder against oppressed communities is the norm

Other Chicago-area police shootings in the past two years, among many others, include: In September 2005, Emmanuel Lopez, a janitor, was shot 16 times in his car after a traffic stop; In April 2006, 22 year old Benjamin Uwumarogie, a community college football player, was shot in the head in his home; In August 2006, 13 year old Ellis Woodland Jr. was shot three times while he was on his way to a baseball game; In November 2006, 22 year old Michael Smith was shot in the stomach and killed by an undercover Chicago police officer. They were all unarmed.

In February officer Anthony Abbate was caught on video tape brutally beating bartender Karolina Obrycka. The video has sparked worldwide outrage. Her beating at the hands of the police is the norm. It is one in a number of high profile cases of police brutality in Chicago .

The Chicago Police Department is in reality an armed force organized and trained to repress poor communities, especially the African-American community. It is a criminal gang formed to protect the status quo of class rule and racism. The CPD is guilty of torture, murder, brutality, daily harassment and so much more.

Mayor Daley, ex-Chicago police commander Jon Burge and many Chicago police officers were involved in or had knowledge of the systematic torture of dozens of African-Americans in city jails in the 1980s. Torture tactics included burnings, mock executions and electrocution.

Mayor Daley continues to support police brutality. His administration is currently refusing to follow a federal court order to publicly release records of abuse complaints against Chicago police officers. 662 police officers have had over 10 complaints filed against them. Racist police violence, especially against the African-American, Latino and Immigrant communities, is encouraged and continues to go unpunished in Chicago and around the country

Justice for Aaron Harrison and his family!
Stop Police Brutality!
Fire Mayor Daley and try him for crimes against the people!

ANSWER Chicago along with many other anti-racist organizations and individuals participated in the August 10 Protest and March.

Protestors Defeat Anti-Immigrant Minutemen
Saturday, August 4

On August 4 over 70 people turned out at the Mexican consulate in Chicago for a militant counter-protest against the racist Minutemen. The anti-racist protestors outlasted and defeated the dozen racists who assembled to attack the Government of Mexico.

The Minutemen were protesting against Mexico’s involvement in the case of two border patrol agents who shot an un-armed immigrant in the back. Agents Ramos and Campean are currently in jail.

The Minutemen is an anti-immigrant group that conducts armed vigilante patrols of the Mexico-U.S. border. Racist and fascist groups that advocate violence against oppressed communities participate in their activities.

Showing up earlier than the Minutemen, counter-protestors took over the sidewalk and street corner in front of the consulate. Counter-protestors held their ground against the Minutemen and attempts by the Chicago police to silence and shut down the counter-protest.

The Minutemen were forced to the far corner of the consulate next to the consulate parking lot.

For three hours counter-protestors chanted together until the Minutemen left in defeat: “Racists go home!” and “Minutemen/KKK, racists go away!”

The Chicago Chapter of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) mobilized for the protest along with other immigrant rights, anti-war and social justice organizations. Participants included the March 10th Movement, Latino Union, Jobs with Justice, Committee on Pilipino Issues, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism and International Solidarity Movement – Chicago.

Thousands protest Waukegan, Ill. anti-immigrant law
Friday, July 27
Report by Stefanie Beacham and Bill Massey

On July 16, over 4,000 demonstrators, mostly immigrants and their allies staged a militant protest on the steps of city hall in Waukegan, Ill. The city council was holding its second vote on a local anti-immigrant law that would allow local police to initiate deportation proceedings for undocumented immigrants convicted of "serious crimes."

Protesters rallied for five hours outside city hall. Buses came from Chicago, Elgin, Wheeling and Cicero.

The law was passed on June 18 to be a so-called section 287(g) program. This section was part of the "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act" passed by Congress in 1996. It empowered local police to partner with the federal government for immigration enforcement programs like Waukegan’s.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a division of Homeland Security, is partnering with local police all over the U.S. to expand its anti-immigrant assault of raids and deportations.

The Waukegan measure is part of a nation-wide offensive against immigrant workers.

Over the last year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants have been deported. Hundreds of military style raids have been conducted on immigrant communities and workplaces. An average of 27,500 immigrants are held in detention centers across the United States each day.

According to a 2005 Census report, the city has about 82,000 residents, with about 53 percent of the population identifying themselves as Latino or Hispanic. The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement says that, in reality, Waukegan is over 80 percent Latino.

The outrage and response from the community to the 287(g) program was immediate.

A boycott of stores supporting the city council decision started in June. Any store not displaying an orange sign against the anti-immigrant program is subject to the boycott. Over 200 companies have come out against the city’s measure.

In the days before the city council meeting, dozens of young people canvassed Latino neighborhoods in Waukegan, circulating petitions to defeat the law.

In the end, the city council voted 7-2 in favor of the law. Despite the vote, organizing will continue.

Ramon Becerra, president of the LCLAA and organizer of the Waukegan protest said, "We will not compromise. We will not negotiate. We will use every inch of our resources to make sure we defeat this administration."