Hosted by OutReach LGBT Community Center

2701 International Lane Suite 101, Madison, 10 A.M. – 12 Noon

http://pflp.ps/english/

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine strongly condemned the action of the Italian authorities in denying entry to Comrade Leila Khaled, member of the Political Bureau of the Front, canceling her visa and forcing her to board the next plane to Amman. She was invited to Italy for a series of political events organized by the Arab Palestinian Democratic Union in Italy to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the launch of the PFLP.

The Front emphasized that this action followed upon a racist campaign waged by the Zionist movement and the forces of the fascist right wing in Europe over the past months against the Popular Front and the Palestinian and Lebanese Resistance. This action by the Italian authorities is part of this ongoing campaign, which will only be met with more insistence on transmitting the voice of our people to the world.

The Front further considers that the leading role of the struggler Leila Khaled and her revolutionary and symbolic role on a Palestinian, Arab and international level has enraged the Zionist state and its allies in Europe, pushing the forces of the Zionist movement to demand her arrest or deportation. They have failed to prevent her from giving public talks and appearances in Germany, Spain, Belgium, and elsewhere in Europe.

Further, the Front emphasized that this action on the part of the Italian authorities is a blatantly political decision in favor of the occupation state and racist Zionism. It does not reflect the position of the progressive, democratic forces in Italy or the values of the Italian people who reject war, racism, fascism and occupation.

The PFLP emphasized that it will, in cooperation with friends and supporters in Europe in general and in Italy in particular, continue to pursue the issue of the expulsion of Comrade Leila Khaled on political, media and legal levels.

The Front also praised all of the Italian and European voices, personalities, parties and organizations that expressed their condemnation of this unjust decision and their support for the rights of the Palestinian people and their just struggle for liberation, return and the establishment of an independent Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.

The PFLP expressed its appreciation of the comrades in the Arab Palestinian Democratic Union for refusing to cancel the scheduled events honoring the launch of the Front despite the wave of incitement, pressure and Zionist provocations.

The Front urged all left-wing forces and supporters of Palestine in Italy to expand the campaign to boycott the Israeli occupation state and build campaigns of solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.

It saluted all of the efforts being made in this period against the Giro de Italia, an international cycling competition, demanding an end to the collaboration with the occupation state and that the launch of the route be removed from occupied Palestine, where it is scheduled to begin in May 2018.

In conclusion, the Front emphasized that the voice of the resistance, represented by the struggler Leila Khaled and all of the progressive and freedom-loving forces in the world, will not be silenced and will continue to pursue the occupation, its allies and supporters everywhere.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
November 29, 2017

The Trump Department of Labor is moving quickly to push a new rule that will make tips the property of restaurant owners rather than workers. Backed by the National Restaurant Association, the chain restaurant lobby, this rule is just another attempt to keep workers’ wages low and let customers make up the difference. Time is running out – they want to sneak this rule through without hearing from workers, customers, or even employers who disagree. They’ve opened the shortest-ever comment period in the history of the department, during the busiest time of year for restaurant workers. We only have until January 4th to let the DOL know we won’t let them take workers’ tips without a fight. Click here to submit a comment, and then join an action in your city.  This rule is appalling and dangerous. It would force a majority-women workforce into further poverty, economic instability, and vulnerability to sexual harassment and assault. Thank you, Saru, Mamdouh, Siby & the ROC United Team

Supporters of Freedom Inc.,

We are disappointed to report that the Dane County Finance Committee recently approved a budget to enlarge the jail. This is a clear step backward in the fight for justice, as it will lead to the continued incarceration of Black men instead of helping to alleviate the racial disparities that plague Madison. The sheriff’s office claims these funds are needed to improve safety, but we don’t see any plans to provide housing, mental health services, or any other pressing needs.

This move to strengthen our jails is yet another example of the way that racism operates in our city. We see this attitude everywhere, such as when our county sheriff publicly stated that Black men would be targeted as a way to decrease gun violence. How can communities of color feel safe when they are being unjustly targeted by the very people who are supposed to serve and protect them?

But the fight is not over! We are still working to get police out of Madison high schools in our #NoCopsinSchools campaign led by our Freedom Youth Squad. They argue that the police in their high schools are doing far more harm for Black youth than good. Black men are being targeted in the streets, and Black youth are being targeted in the hallways — a move that teaches our youth that society already sees them as a problem.

On Wednesday Dec 6 at 5pm, Madison School Board’s Ad Hoc Committee is having a meeting about police officers in Madison’s high schools. Come and stand with our youth! Join us to voice your support for spending money on things that help students of color instead of harming them. We will be there and need to make our voices heard!

What:  Education Resource Officer (ERO) Ad Hoc Committee meeting
When:  Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 5pm
Where:  Doyle Administration Bldg. 545 W. Dayton Street Madison, WI 53703 Room 103

Yours in the fight,
Freedom, Inc. Staff

On Dec. 5, eleven anti-racist activists will return to court in Durham, N.C. to face charges stemming from two demonstrations against white supremacy and Durham’s Confederate monuments.

Call 919-808-3010 and tell the Durham County District Attorney to drop ALL the charges now! The courts have continued the trial for months now, while it attempts political maneuvers designed to both weaken the movement and punish rightful dissent.

Nine of the activists are charged in connection with the removal of a Confederate statue on Aug. 14, just days after the resistance to the fascist attack in Charlottesville and the murder of Heather Heyer. The other two face charges related to a community mobilization to defend Durham from an announced march by the KKK on Aug. 18. It will be the first time all eleven will appear in court together.

Community activities and supporters will gather at the Durham County Courthouse (510 Dillard Street) on Dec. 5 beginning at 9 a.m. There the community will brainstorm ideas regarding what should replace the former monument. A press conference will be held at the conclusion of the court hearing.

“The events of August 14 and 18 were acts of community service and defense. We have to remember what happened just a few days before in Charlottesville, Va., when white supremacists and Neo-Confederates terrorized, occupied, and brutalized its residents. Heather Heyer was murdered, and many other anti-racist activists were injured,” said Loan Tran, who is facing charges in connection with the monument removal. “The eleven facing charges have done their service to the community. We call on D.A. Roger Echols to immediately drop the charges.” 

Thousands across North Carolina and the U.S. have signed petitions and participated in three call-in days to drop the charges  – the most recent on Nov. 30. The case has garnered national and even international attention, with many unions and other progressive organizations submitting statements noting the significance of the Durham actions and pledging support to beat the charges.

“Removing symbols of white supremacy from our community is not a crime. What happened on Aug. 14 was a service to the Durham community and an example of taking righteous action, a small step to correct centuries of injustice,” said Jess Jude, one of those facing charges in connection with the statue removal.

Invitation to be a witness for the defense

If D.A. Echols chooses to pursue charges, community members across Durham will be invited to sign up to be witnesses for the defense.

“We will invite all those who believe that Durham is a better place without the monument – that the monument had no value to our community, and was in fact a liability – to sign up to be a witness for our defense. We will set up an online form and email to collect your testimony,” said Elena Everett, one of those facing charges in connection with the statue removal.

Invitation to submit your ideas for what should replace the former Confederate monument

The #DefendDurham group will also open a community contest for Durham residents to submit ideas of what should replace the pedestal where the Confederate monument once stood. During the Dec. 5 court hearing, art supplies will be set up outside the courthouse for people to begin to submit their ideas.

Today and tomorrow, flood the Durham County District Attorney’s phone lines! Call 919-808-3010 and tell the DA to drop the charges against the 11 anti-racist activists!

Hosted by UW Campus Worker Coalition

770 W Dayton Street, Madison, 11 A.M. 

Join us to picket UW Regents to protest their unilateral decision on the UW Merger Plan. Campus unions, students, and supporters will be participating in this picket. Wear your union T-shirt, and bring a sign. We are assembling before the general session of the UW Regents at Gordon Commons, 2nd Floor, outside the Symphony Room.

Our message to Regents and President Cross: We are not happy.

A lump of coal to all the Regents and President Cross. With the holiday season upon us we can’t help but observe who has been naughty this season. We are keeping a list, and planning for next year.

We urge the Regents and President Cross:

1. Create a transparent merger plan. Open up the process of how the merger will proceed. Go through all the proper procedures to get input from faculty, staff, students and the broader community. This would include the University Staff Congress, The Faculty Senate, Associated Students of Madison (ASM) and any other appropriate staff/student/community group that has a stake in the University of Wisconsin System.

2. No layoffs! We need more, not fewer, staff to serve the needs of our University community. We believe the current plan will mean staff cuts through consolidating positions and other methods. This will inevitably lead to a decline in needed services to students.

Our students and citizens deserve the best!
Save the Wisconsin Idea!
Long live UW Extension!

Down with the clear-cutting of programs at UW-Superior and elsewhere! Our students deserve an education! Save our UW Colleges!

Ray Cross has a secret plan, and we’re not buying it. Where’s our input? We’re not mushrooms to be kept in the dark. This UW Merger Plan is a solution in search of a problem. This disaster plan is state budget cuts coming home to roost and we do not believe the reassurances doled out. We deserve honesty and transparency.

Brought to you by AFSCME Local 171 and other supporting organizations and individuals.