2008 & 2009 Past Events
2007 Events
2006 Events

Workers and riders protest transit layoffs and cuts in Chicago
Monday, Dec. 14
Fight back! An injury to one is an injury to all!

San Francisco, Calif.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Calif.

Long-time activists were present, but also a significant number of young people brand new to the anti-war struggle; many of whom were college students set into political motion by the recent wave of mass student protests against the budget cuts and fee hikes.

Rallying at a busy intersection during Los Angeles rush hour traffic, activists chanted from behind banners reading "Occupation is a crime" and "US/NATO out of Afghanistan." Recognizing that Obama’s aims in Afghanistan have the same goals as Bush’s—imperialist plunder and colonialism—the crowd chanted, "Same lies, same plan, troops out of Afghanistan."

The numbers at this demonstration exceeded that of the recent protest on the 8th anniversary of the invasion, held in October. This reflects a growing trend around the country of public opinion turning against the Afghanistan war, and against the supposed "anti-war candidate" turned president. Many in attendance were once avid Obama supporters whose illusions about Obama being a progressive, anti-war president were shattered by his speech on Tuesday.

The ANSWER Coalition initiated the action, which was endorsed by several other progressive organizations. It was covered by both local and national press.

Chicago

Chicago, Ill.

Boston

Nearly two hundred people attended a rally and picket on Dec. 2 called by the Greater Boston Stop the Wars Coalition and United for Justice and Peace. The protest was held at the Park St. train station near Boston Commons, a busy after-work through way for commuters. Additional protests organized in Massachusetts occurred in Worcester, Gloucester, Falmouth, Cambridge and Andover.

At the Boston rally, there was a short program of speakers followed by an open mic and moving picket. Many local anti-war and progressive organizations were in attendance, including Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, ANSWER Coalition, Committee in Solidarity with the Honduran Resistance, Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement, International Action Center and International Socialist Organization.

ANSWER organizers handed out hundreds of fliers promoting the March 20 National March and Rally with the help of PSL members, who also distributed flyers for a local PSL forum on Afghanistan. There were many new, young faces in the crowd and many commuters stopped to listen to the rally and get literature.

Washington, D.C.

Protesters gathered outside the White House for an emergency demonstration. Members of the ANSWER Coalition distributed signs and flyers announcing the March 20 anti-war March on Washington.

Although the Bush administration is gone, chants from those earlier years are being heard again on the streets of Washington as Obama claims ownership of the war machine: "No Justice, No Peace: U.S. Out of the Middle East."

Speakers included Brian Becker, national coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, who noted that "The war is not about ‘the security of the people of the United States being at stake.’ If it was, there could be no talk about exit strategies and announced plans for withdrawal."

Becker also spoke of the growing opposition to the war. "Starting today, there will be a growing escalation of anti-war protests in the United States. Tonight and tomorrow there are demonstrations across the country," he said.

New Haven and Hartford

New Haven, Conn.

Demonstrators spoke out against Obama's plan to spend more money on war and occupation while the economic conditions at home continue to deteriorate. People were outraged by the lies of the administration and the continued escalation of war.

Participants were energetic and spirited, chanting "Troops Out, Now", "U.S. out of Afghanistan, Out of Iraq, Out of Palestine and Don't Come Back!"

Organizers of the events including the ANSWER coalition, CT United for Peace, New Haven Peace Coalition, Middle East Crisis Committee, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Trinity College and many more local antiwar groups. People will continue to demonstrate in CT until all the troops are out.

Seattle

Seattle, Wash.

The action was supported by all the major anti-war organizations in Seattle: the ANSWER Coalition, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Sound Non-violent Opponents of War, Veterans for Peace #92, and World Can't Wait.

Speakers from World Can't Wait and ANSWER spoke on the significance of the mobilization. According to Jane Cutter of ANSWER: "The U.S./NATO military intervention in Afghanistan is not a good war or a war of necessity. It is an imperialist war. … There is no reason that the mothers and fathers of the United States should send their children to kill or be killed in Afghanistan so that political leaders can avoid taking responsibility for a military failure."

Protesters Picket CTA Board Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 17
CTA Passes 2010 Budget with massive service cuts and layoffs

Reports from around the country...
Anti-war movement hits the streets
on 8th anniversary of Afghanistan War

Within days of ordering the invasion of Afghanistan, George W. Bush predicted an easy victory: "People often ask me, 'how long will this last?' It may happen tomorrow, it may happen a month from now, it may take a year or two, but we will prevail." Another fine example of Bush's "deep understanding" of the countries he ordered invaded.

Although there were no Afghans on the planes that struck on September 11, tens of thousands are now dead from the invasion and occupation. So too are nearly 1,500 troops from the U.S./NATO forces. If the Generals get their way those numbers will shoot way up in a war and occupation that will last for years to come.

People in Afghanistan, including those who despise the reactionary policies of the Taliban, view the foreign military intervention as a colonial-type occupation.

At home, anti-war protests are spreading, taking place in numerous cities yesterday on the 8th anniversary of the invasion Bush ordered. They are demanding an immediate end to the war. That position is emerging as a majority sentiment according to recent polls.

Yesterday’s demonstrations took place in more cities than ever since the start of the invasion of Afghanistan (Oct. 7, 2001). More local demonstrations are planned for Oct. 17 and the ANSWER Coalition has initiated a mass national March on Washington for Saturday, March 20. Many organizations are working together to build the spring action.

We can’t do it without your help. Please make an urgently needed donation today to help build these demonstrations.

Chicago

Chicago photo by Paul Saini

In Chicago on Oct. 7, over 300 people came out to a protest on Michigan Ave. to demand an immediate end to the war on Afghanistan. Youth and students were the biggest contingent at the action.

Protesters joined together in loud and vibrant chants of "Money for Jobs, Health Care and Education, Not War and Occupation!"
 
The protest was initiated by ANSWER Chicago and endorsed by dozens of organizations.

Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, over 300 people came out to protest the war on Afghanistan. Longtime progressives in the anti-war movement and new activists alike chanted outside the Westwood Federal Building. "Hey Obama, yes we can, troops out of Afghanistan!" rang out loudly as passing cars honked in support.

Vietnam veteran and author Ron Kovic addressed the crowd: "It's so important that we are out here tonight to oppose this terrible war. Keep fighting. We will continue to build this movement."

The ANSWER Coalition initiated the action, which was endorsed by dozens of organizations.
 
The next step in L.A. is a teach-in on the Afghanistan war on Oct. 17, 2 p.m. at Los Angeles City College.

San Francisco

San Francisco photo by Bill Hackwell

More than 250 people joined a spirited after-work picket line and rally at the new Federal Building in San Francisco.

A large number of anti-war and community organizations, along with Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, called for the immediate, unconditional end of the occupation and war in Afghanistan. They pointed out that, in addition to the growing loss of human life, the financial cost of the Afghanistan occupation will rise to nearly $200 billion this year alone.

The protest was initiated by the ANSWER Coalition and endorsed by many organizations.

... and elsewhere around the country

Demonstrations also took place in cities across the country, including Boulder, Colorado; Dunedin, Jacksonville and North Miami, Florida; Bloomington, Indiana; Lafayette, Louisiana; Boston, Massachusetts; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Twin Cities and St. Cloud, Minnesota; Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey; New York City and Rochester, New York; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington.

Click here for a list of upcoming events.


ANSWER in the news:
TIME Magazine "A Brief History Of Anti-War Movements in the U.S."

Yesterday, TIME Magazine published the following article: "Oct. 7 marks the eighth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan — a war that has slouched from campaign to crusade to near-quagmire as the U.S. has rethought and redefined its strategy in the War on Terror. According to a recent CBS/New York Times poll, 53% of Americans now say that things are going badly for the U.S. in Afghanistan. And few are saying that as vehemently those who have picked the anniversary as their day to demonstrate. Student organizations on 25 college campuses, along with members of anti-war groups like the coalition Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) and Veterans for Peace, are holding rallies on Oct. 7; others have already descended on Washington. On Oct. 5, 61 people were arrested in a demonstration in the capital, including Cindy Sheehan, the one-time face of the Iraq anti-war movement, who chained herself to the fence of the White House. ..." Read more

City Hall protest in Chicago demands end to parking meter expansion
July 29, 2009

Fight back against parking meter rate hikes, layoffs and budget cuts!

Watch Video from Parking Meter Protest

Over 200 people protested at City Hall in Chicago on Wed., July 29 to demand an immediate end to parking meter rate hikes and the expansion of parking meters. The action was held in the middle of the work day, during the monthly city council meeting held at City Hall.

A militant picket, with protesters waving and pumping hundreds of signs and banners, was followed by a short rally. Protesters chanted with anger and purpose: "Parking meters mean, we got to fight back! Racism means, we got to fight back!" People walking and driving by the protest responded with claps, honks and cheers. The anti-people administration of Mayor Daley is deeply unpopular.

Signs read, "No More Parking Meters," "No Budget Cuts, No Layoffs" and "Money for Jobs, Not the Banks!"

The protest was covered on ABC news and CBS radio as well as many local media blogs.

Earlier this year, Mayor Daley sold the city's parking meters to bailed out financial giant Morgan Stanley for a period of 75 years. The big bank has raised meter rates by 400 percent in most parts of the city, unnecessarily increasing hardship for workers during a time of skyrocketing unemployment.

Called by the People's Parking Meter Campaign, an initiative of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and ANSWER Chicago, the action was joined by Centro Communitario Juan Diego and No Games Chicago.

Centro Communitario Juan Diego has organized a 24-hour vigil to stop the installation of meters outside their South Side community center that serves workers, the poor and immigrants.

The fight goes on against the parking meter expansion and all attempts to make the people pay for the economic crisis in the form of higher fees and costs, layoffs and budget cuts. Join us: working people shouldn't have to pay one penny for a crisis created by the banks!

The People's Parking Meter Campaign is an action oriented initiative that has collected thousands of signatures to stop the privatization of the parking meters. To find out more or to get involved click here.

For more info call 773-463-0311.

Help support the People's Parking Meter Campaign by making an online donation now

Emergency Picket
Support the People of Honduras!
July 1, 2009

Over 100 people came out to protest the right wing coup in Honduras and demand that President Manuel Zelaya be reinstated. The action was called by La Voz de los de Abajo and supported by ANSWER Chicago and many other organizations.

Protests have been held all over the country, including Washington D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The people can overturn the coup!

For more information go to http://www.answercoalition.org.

ANSWER Chicago at 2009 Pride
Marriage Equality Now!

Let Gaza Live - End the Massacre Now!
** Accurately Report the Israeli Massacre in Gaza
** Immediately End Pro-Occupation, Anti-Muslim and Anti-Arab Bias in their News Coverage
** Accurately Report on the World-wide Protests in Solidarity with Gaza

End the War on Palestine Now!
Stop U.S. Aid to Israel!
End the Occupation! Free Palestine!

From Washington, DC to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Worldwide
Hundreds of Thousands March to Let Gaza Live!
10,000 Marched in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 9

A day of emergency actions: Let Gaza live!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

In cities around the country, marches call for an end to the U.S./Israeli aggression

On Sat., Jan. 10, hundreds of cities, and hundreds of thousands of people, responded to the call for an International Day of Emergency Action to support the people of Gaza. Other actions took place on Jan. 9 and Jan. 11 in response to the national call.

Outside the United States, marches took place in London, Edinburgh, Cairo, Athens, Kuala Lumpur, Beirut, Seoul, Mexico City, Jakarta, Montreal, Paris, Barcelona, Marseilles, Lyon, Oslo, Berlin, Bern, Karachi, Nablus, New Delhi, Amman, Sarajevo, Ramallah, Stockholm, and Tokyo. The protests continue to grow—the following day, another 250,000 took to the streets in Spain and more than 100,000 in Algeria.

In the United States, the Day of Action was initiated on just one week’s notice by a call from the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), Muslim American Society Freedom, Free Palestine Alliance, National Council of Arab Americans, and Al-Awda - Palestine Right to Return Coalition.

In Washington, D.C., more than 20,000 took to the streets in the freezing rain to demand, “Let Gaza live!” The streets were so backed up that thousands of people in buses and cars were still arriving after the march had left. 

The D.C. demonstration began with a rally at Lafayette Park in front of the White House. Featured speakers included former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who was just on a humanitarian relief mission to Gaza when her boat was intentionally struck by an Israeli military vessel; Mahdi Bray, executive director, Muslim American Society Freedom; Rev. Graylan Hagler, national president of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice; Mounzer Sleiman, vice chairman, National Council of Arab Americans; Ralph Nader; Paul Zulkowitz, Jews Against the Occupation; Brian Becker, national coordinator, ANSWER Coalition; Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, attorney and co-founder, Partnership for Civil Justice; and others. 

The spirited march then led to the Washington Post, where demonstrators denounced the paper for its biased pro-Israeli coverage of the massacre and its complete blackout of protest activities in the United States. 

Chicago, Ill. 

On Jan. 9, over 10,000 people took to the streets of Chicago to march against the U.S.-Israeli war on Gaza, which has now taken the lives of nearly 900 Palestinians and wounded several thousands more. 

Hundreds of Palestinian flags waved in the air as marchers carried signs and banners. Protesters carried signs that read, “End the War on Gaza Now” and “Free Palestine.” 

The demonstration was just the latest in a series of solidarity actions in Chicago since the beginning of the murderous Israeli military offensive. On Dec. 28, 700 peopled demonstrated with less than 24 hours notice. The day after the ground invasion, over 400 came out for an emergency protest. On Jan. 6, more than 200 Palestinian supporters picketed the Israeli consulate accusing Ehud Olmert, George W. Bush an all supporters of the Israeli onslaught in the U.S. Government and media as genocidal criminals. 

The people must stand together and defend the Palestinian peoples’ right to peace and self determination. Without justice there can be no peace. End the illegal occupation now!

Los Angeles, Calif. 

In Los Angeles, 10,000 people participated in a regional mass march and rally to “Let Gaza live” at the Westwood Federal Building.  

Hundreds of Palestinian flags and signs reading, “Stop bombing Gaza!” and “The real terrorists: U.S./Israel war machine!” lined all sides of the street and the lawn in front of the federal government headquarters. It was the largest protest and the first major march in Southern California since the Israeli bombing campaign and invasion began.  

The Arab-American community came out in full force. People traveled from San Diego, Orange County, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside and all over Los Angeles to attend. The many families and young people at the protest showed intense outrage at Israel’s bombing of hospitals, schools, homes and mosques. “Gaza, Gaza don’t you cry—Palestine will never die!” was the most popular chant of the day.  

A funeral procession led the march with makeshift coffins draped with Palestinian flags, representing the hundreds of people killed by Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza. Hundreds of children followed, along with a huge, hand-made Palestinian flag, in a contingent organized by the Palestinian American Women’s Association.  

After a militant march through Westwood near UCLA, the protesters gathered for a rally, which was kicked off by a symbolic die-in. Mahmud Ahmad of Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, led the action. The sound of air-raid sirens, bombs and gunfire blasted through the sound system to recreate the feeling of living in Gaza right now. Thousands of people laid down on the ground for the action. At the end, chants of “Free, free Palestine” from rally chairs Peta Linday of Youth and Student ANSWER and Rana Sharif of PAWA brought everyone to their feet with fists in the air.  

Other speakers at the rally included Yousef Abudayyeh, Free Palestine Alliance; Muna Coobtee, ANSWER Coalition and National Council of Arab Americans; Zahi Damuni, Al-Awda; Rinad Abdallah, Palestinian American Women’s Association; Dr. Leila El Marayati, Kinder USA; Hussam Allyoush, Council on American Islamic Relations; Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, Mada al-Carmel, Haifa; Jim Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild; Christine Araquel, Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines; Amanda Martin, GABRIELA Network USA; Blase Bonpane, Office of the Americas; Shakeel Syed, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California; Carlos Alvarez, Party for Socialism and Liberation and candidate for L.A. mayor; Dahir Hertzallah, Muslim Student Association-West; and Preston Wood, ANSWER Coalition.  

The L.A. march and rally was organized by Free Palestine Alliance, Al-Awda, ANSWER Coalition, PAWA, NCA, CAIR and the Shura Council. The hundreds of endorsers included Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid-Southern California, Riverside Area Peace & Justice Action, KmB Pro-People Youth and Libyan American Community of Southern California. 

San Francisco, Calif.

Nearly 10,000 protesters rallied together at the Civic Center Jan. 10 to demand an immediate end to the Israeli massacre of the people of Gaza. 

Among the numerous speakers were Palestinian youth who have recently become politically active in response to ongoing Israeli military offensive. Anti-Zionist members of the Jewish community spoke in solidarity with the Palestinian people, as did representatives from several other oppressed communities. 

After nearly an hour of rallying and chanting, demonstrators took to the streets in a militant march. Israeli flags went up in flames as chants of “Free Palestine!” echoed down major San Francisco streets. The march returned to the Civic Center for an equally energetic closing rally. 

The steadfastness of protesters made clear they will not leave the streets until the siege of Gaza comes to an end. 

Orlando, Fla. 

A crowd of 2,000 demonstrators confronted a heavy police presence in downtown Orlando for the “Let Gaza Live: Florida Statewide March for Palestine” called by ANSWER Florida just six days before. The demonstration is the largest anti-war demonstration in Florida in more than a decade and certainly the largest ever protest in Florida calling for a free Palestine. 

Police intimidated protesters by searching bags, forcing protestors to remove sticks from placards and denying the use of amplified sound until organizers challenged their scare tactics. 

Two buses were organized out of Miami, while vans and carpools travelled from Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Tampa and St. Petersburg. Transportation was also organized from central Florida to the National March in Washington, D.C. 

Several organizations from the Orlando area helped build the demonstration, including the Arab American Community Center, where work sessions for the protest were held nearly every night during the week; the Council on American Islamic Relations; and key university organizations such as Muslim Student Association Florida Council and Society for a Just Peace in Palestine at Rollins College. 

The march and rally attracted a new layer of young Arab, Muslim, and other youth from oppressed nationalities that rose to politically and organizationally to provide leadership to the crowd. The young organizers were crucial in negotiating complicated logistical issues with the racist Orlando police, and played a key role in mobilizing the large numbers of demonstrators. 

The rally was chaired by Tampa student organizers Naveen El-Nawawy and Ahmad Deeb. There was roaring applause as Emmanuel Lopez of the ANSWER Coalition told the crowd that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez had expelled the Israeli ambassador. 

Lopez noted: “Venezuela is not extending their solidarity to the people of Palestine out of charity, but rather, they understand that their struggle against imperialism and for their freedom is in fact the same struggle as that of the people of Gaza. Its that real type of solidarity, built through our common struggles against a common enemy, that we have to recreate here in the United States.” 

Rasha Mubarak tackled the racist notion that has led to the continuing massacre of the Palestinian people: “The mourning of an Israeli son’s killing is not more heartbreaking than a Palestinian son’s killing. An Israeli child’s shriek of fear is not louder than a Palestinian child’s shriek of fear. The tear of an Israeli mother is not more dense than a Palestinian mother’s tear.” 

Other mobilizers around the state included Rise Up Tampa Bay; Florida Peace Action Network; St. George Greek Orthodox Church, United Muslim Foundation, Islamic Society of Sarasota and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. St. Pete for Peace and Refuge Ministries mobilized from the West Coast of Florida and played a big role in the success of the rally and march. 

Seattle, Wash. 

Protestors lined the street as busy downtown traffic zoomed by. Many drivers honked in support of the slogans featured on the placards. Activists on bullhorns led enthusiastic chants of “Free, free Palestine!” Speakers included Amin Odeh, Voices of Palestine; Dr. Nada Elia, National Council of Arab Americans and professor at Antioch University; Jane Cutter, ANSWER Seattle; and Judith Kolokoff, American Jews for a Just Peace.  

The demonstration concluded with an impromptu march to nearby Westlake Park led by militant youth ranging from elementary and middle school to college age. 

Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Members of South Dakota ANSWER joined members of the Islamic Center and other activists Jan.9 to protest the ongoing Israeli occupation of Gaza. 

Demonstrators chanted “Free Palestine” and “Stop the War Crimes,” showing that the spirit and militancy from their previous rally had not faded one bit despite the snowy weather. Passersby slowed down to read the placards in support of the Palestinian people and an urging an end to U.S. aid to Israel. 

The protest was captured on the front page of the Argus Leader and was covered by two local television stations. 

ANSWER, the Muslim Community, and the Peace and Justice Center are showing two movies in Sioux Falls: “Occupation 101” and “Gaza Strip.” ANSWER and other South Dakota activists will continue to protest the great injustice perpetrated by the U.S. and Israeli governments against the Palestinian people. 

Protest: U.S. Hands off Pakistan!
Saturday, October 11
Report by Stefanie Fisher

On Saturday October 11, ANSWER Chicago volunteers and organizers joined more than 500 people for an anti-war march and rally in the Pakistani community. The main slogans of the march were for an immediate end to the U.S. imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and hands off of Iran , Pakistan and everywhere! People also came out to protest the now-passed $700 billion bank bailout bill.

Demonstrators gathered at 2 pm on the corner of Devon and Leavitt for an opening rally where speakers from several social justice and anti-war groups spoke, including Gloria LA Riva, the presidential candidate of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a member group of the ANSWER Coalition. In her speech she expressed solidarity with the Pakistani community, called on the U.S. government to halt all foreclosures on homes and to bail out the workers not the bankers.

La Riva’s demands were met with loud applause and cheers from the crowd.

During the march ANSWER and PSL contingent was very militant and spirited. Young people carried banners that read “Bailout workers not Wall street” placards that said “Hands of Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Everywhere! “ while the contingent chanted “Hands off Pakistan” and “Troops out now!”

Leading up to the protest ANSWER, along with many other groups, passed out thousands of leaflets letting people know about the demonstration and linking the ongoing wars with the looming recession.

Nearly 500,000 take a stand against bigotry at Chicago Pride Weekend
Sat., June 28 & Sun., June 29
By: Suzanne Saba

Almost half a million people took to the streets of Chicago on June 28 and 29 to celebrate Pride Weekend with resoluteness and determination in the ongoing struggle for equal rights for all.

On Saturday, June 28, over 400 women and men took part in the 12th Annual Dyke March. Carrying banners and drums, and with great vigor in their loud voices, they chanted, "Hey hey, ho ho, homophobia has got to go!"

The chants resonated through the streets, carried far by the urgency in demanding full rights for LGBT people. The Party for Socialism and Liberation had a contingent in the march and carried a banner demanding same-sex marriage rights and equality for LGBT people now.

This very successful event was followed by a mass mobilization of 450,000 people who hit the streets for the Pride March on Sunday, June 29. Floats and parade participants were followed by several Chicago area social justice groups encouraging the crowd to call for same-sex marriage rights in all 50 states.

At one point in the pride march, the social justice contingent—including John Beacham and Heather Benno, both PSL candidates for the State Assembly in Chicago—counter-protested a small anti-LGBT group who were yelling at the crowd. Everyone joined together in beating drums and chanting, "Bigots go home!" After an hour of chanting, the bigots went home!

Pride weekend in Chicago was a strong display of unity against bigotry. The scores of people that showed up to both events brought their positive energy and dedication to standing up for the rights of LGBT and all people.

Emergency actions protest Cuban 5 court decision
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Court ruling upholding sentences sparks outrage

Dozens of supporters from all over Southern California—and even some from Northern California—gathered on Friday, June 6, in front of the CNN building to denounce the outrageous court decision to uphold the convictions of the Cuban Five.

The demonstration took place at 5 p.m. in the heart of Hollywood. Many onlookers stopped to find out about the Cuban Five as protestors chanted, "Jail Posada, Free the Five!" and "Who are the terrorists in the world today? Bush, Posada and the CIA!"

A short rally brought the vibrant action to a close. Speakers representing several Cuba solidarity groups voiced opposition to the travesty of justice that has kept the five heroes’ behind bars while real terrorists roam freely throughout the streets of Miami. Participating organizations included the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), the National Committee to Free the Five and the International Action Committee.

Lucilla Esguerra, PSL candidate for California State Assembly, called for the immediate release of the Five and highlighted the hypocrisy of the U.S. war on terror.

Bill Hackwell, speaking for the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five, delivered a moving and militant message he received from Gerardo Hernández, one of the Five. In the message, the unjustly imprisoned Cuban who has been handed two life sentences, sounded the call to remain vigilant and to continue the fight until victory.

On June 6, an emergency demonstration called by the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five took place in San Francisco. The protest happened at Powell and Market streets in the downtown area during the evening rush hour, and attracted many interested bystanders.

Thousands of workers and tourists in the area heard speakers and received flyers on the case of the Cuban Five. Many of these bystanders had never heard of the case or the outrageous injustice committed by the courts against the Cuban Five.

About 90 people joined in the demonstration. Chants included "The Five in Prison, Posada Walks Free, That’s What Bush Calls Democracy!" and "Extradite Posada, Free the Cuban Five!"

On June 6, members of the Cuba solidarity movement held a spirited picket and rally in front of New York City's Federal Plaza. Around 85 people came out to denounce the recent ruling of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and to reaffirm their commitment to struggle on the Five's behalf.

Among the speakers at the closing rally were Vanessa Alarcon of ANSWER, who emphasized that the recent ruling "means we need to organize, organize, organize." Progressive attorney Lynne Stewart addressed the crowd and called on everyone to use their relative freedom to do everything they can on behalf of the country's many political prisoners.

Next to the picket, five full-length banners were stretched out facing the street, with slogans demanding the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles and the freedom of the Five.

In Chicago, over 30 people came out for an emergency picket at Federal Plaza to protest the latest ruling in the case of the Cuban 5.

During the hour-long action, held at a busy intersection in downtown Chicago, protesters spoke out for justice and freedom for the Cuban 5. Hundreds of leaflets explaining the case were handed out. Protesters chanted, "What do we want? Free the Five!"

The Chicago action was organized by ANSWER Chicago and the Chicago Committee to Free the Cuban 5.

About a dozen Seattle activists in solidarity with the Cuban Five gathered in front of the "new" federal courthouse on June 6.

Rain was pouring when the protest began at 4 p.m. Activists held signs and handed out hundreds of copies of a statement from the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five to passers-by and people waiting for the bus.

Organizations represented included the ANSWER Coalition, Party for Socialism and Liberation, National Lawyer's Guild, Native People's Alliance with Friends and Allies and the Socialist Workers Party.

Washington, D.C.

A spirited group of about 20 protesters picketed at the U.S. Justice Department headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 6, in support of the Cuban Five. Chants of "Jail Posada, Free the Five" rang out, and demonstrators handed out leaflets to rush hour crowds.

Speakers at the demonstration included Banboshe Shango of the D.C. Metro Committee to Free the Cuban Five, Nefta Freeman, Sonia Umanzor of the FMLN, PSL vice presidential candidate Eugene Puryear, and Seth Dellinger of the Socialist Workers Party.

Chicago rallies on anniversary of Palestinian Nakba
Friday, May 23, 2008

Protest supports the right of return

On May 23, over 300 Palestinians and their supporters rallied on the 60th Anniversary of Al-Nakba in Chicago. The rally was followed by a spirited march with chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Hey, Olmert, you will see, Palestine will be free."

The protest was organized to support the right of return for all Palestinians. Other demands included an end to the occupation of Palestine and a halt to the U.S./Israeli siege of Gaza.

Al-Nakba marks the violent expulsion of millions of Palestinians from their land following the creation of the state of Israel.

Sponsors included Al Awda-Chicago; American Muslims for Palestine, Chicago Islamic Center; DePaul, Northwestern and UIC Students for Justice in Palestine; Mosque Foundation Community Center; Muslim American Society; Palestine Solidarity Group; the United States Palestinian Popular Conference Network; American Friends Service Committee; ANSWER Coalition; Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism; Chicagoans Against Apartheid in Palestine; Church Network for Education on Palestine; Fight Back! Newspaper; and International Solidarity Movement-Chicago.

Suzanne Saba from the Chicago chapter of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) spoke at the rally. She said, "We extend our unconditional support to the people of Palestine as they continue to struggle for the right of return."

Militant protest greets Minutemen founder
Monday, May 19, 2008

Chicago's immigrants, supporters mobilize against racism

More than 400 students and immigrant rights activists took to the streets in Chicago on May 19 to protest racist Minutemen co-founder Chris Simcox.

Simcox was speaking at DePaul University at the invitation of a right-wing student group. His Minuteman Civil Defense Corps recruits armed racists from around the country to "patrol" U.S. border.

Protesters took over four corners of the street and chanted and rallied for over three hours outside the event.

The energetic crowd included hundreds of young, multinational college students from all over the state of Illinois. A central demand of the demonstration was "Money for jobs and education, not for racist raids and deportation!" The protest also demanded full rights for all immigrants.

More than 200 students staged a coordinate protest action inside the event. Students wore names of immigrants who have died crossing the border on the backs of their shirts. They turned their back on Simcox while he was speaking.

The protest was organized by dozens of progressive student groups and social justice groups, including the DePaul Activist Student Union, the March 10th Movement, Latinos for Latinos and the Chicago chapter of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism).

Simcox and the Minutemen reflect the growing anti-immigrant racism encouraged by the policies of the U.S. government. Using military-style raids and mass deportations, Homeland Security is promoting an escalation of attacks against immigrant workers.

Groups that encourage racism and violence against immigrant workers must be opposed whenever they mobilize to promote their anti-people agenda.

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

Chicago

Over 20,000 immigrants and their supporters marched on Federal Plaza to demand legalization. Marchers chanted, "Que queremos? Amnistía!", "Sí, se puede" and "El pueblo unido jamás será vencido".

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 International Longshore and Warehouse Union organized a protest that met at Mason and Beach streets and marched to a noontime rally at Justin Herman Plaza. All 29 ports on the U.S. West Coast were shut down by the ILWU on May 1 to protest the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. The PSL had a contingent in the march, and distributed literature on its presidential campaign.

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!"

Over a thousand Longshore workers and their supporters marched and rallied on the Seattle waterfront demanding an end to the Iraq war. ILWU workers from Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia participated in the one-day work stoppage and the Seattle event. Many other unions sent contingents, including the Service Employees International Union, the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Teamsters.

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

In New Haven, Conn., hundreds of people gathered on the downtown Green throughout the day to celebrate May Day with speeches and cultural performances.

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.

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.