Dec. 17, 2005

CHICAGO — “Today I am proud to join workers, community and religious leaders in an urgent call for stronger U.S. and international laws that protect workers’ rights on the job,” Illinois AFL-CIO President Margaret Blackshere told a Dec. 8 rally at the city’s historic Haymarket Square. More than 175 union members, activists, religious leaders and community supporters braved a snowstorm to join the observance of International Human Rights Week, Dec. 3-10.

The refusal of a 12-member jury in Tampa, Fla., Dec. 6 to convict Dr. Sami Al-Arian of any of the 51 “terrorism” charges against him was another in a string of defeats for the Bush administration in its use of the Patriot Act in witch-hunt trials.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — With a call to “Rebuild America – Bring the Troops Home,” Connecticut readers of the People’s Weekly World honored leaders of the people’s movement at a Dec. 4 reception. The event, marking the 86th anniversary of the Communist Party USA, drew together peace activists, unions, students, politicians and community organizations. It also raised $4,000 towards the PWW Fund Drive.

The staff of the People’s Weekly World wishes all of our readers safe and happy holiday season.

ATHENS, Greece — Representatives of 73 communist and workers’ parties from 61 countries met here last month to review the current status of global capitalism and the role of communist parties.

The Republican leadership of the House of Representatives, counting on anti-immigrant hysteria it has helped whip up, is trying to ram through another reactionary piece of legislation like the USA Patriot Act. But labor and people’s forces are quickly rising to the challenge posed by this GOP blitzkrieg.

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Camilo Mejía, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army who served a year in jail for refusing to return to Iraq, urged young people here to learn the facts before deciding whether to enlist in the armed forces.

WASHINGTON: Congress OKs Santa border crossing; ST. LOUIS: Hit lack of Black police recruits; PHILADELPHIA: Mumia Abu-Jamal wins another day in court; SAN FRANCISCO: 20 cops suspended for racist, sexist videos; SEATTLE: Health care is a right, voters say

Over 2,000 death penalty opponents and supporters of Stanley “Tookie” Williams rallied and kept vigil outside San Quentin prison Dec. 12 on the eve of Williams’ execution by lethal injection just after midnight. Many others joined vigils across California and around the U.S.

The Supreme Court heard arguments Dec. 6 in the FAIR v. Rumsfeld case, which will determine whether schools have the right to kick military recruiters and ROTC off campus without losing federal funding.