Asheville, NC. 01/25 Protesting FBI and Grand Jury Repression of Anti-War and Solidarity Activists

Today over 35 members of the Asheville, NC community gathered in front of the Asheville Federal Building at 4:30pm despite the freezing rain, chanting “Stop the witch hunts, stop the raids – we are here we are not afraid!” in solidarity with the nine newly subpoenaed activists who are being called before a grand jury in Chicago.

This was part of a national day of action, visit http://www.stopfbi.net/ for current information. Stay tuned to this post for local/national news coverage of todays rallies around the world!

 

More pictures here:
http://blog.dancingpancakes.com

Defend free speech & the right to organize!!

Join us Tuesday Jan. 25th @ 4:30pm
DOWNTOWN @ THE ASHEVILLE FEDERAL BUILDING!

This is part of a national call to action. 30+ organizations across the country are planning demonstrations. Visit http://www.stopfbi.net/ for more information:

“In December 2010, under the direction of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, the FBI delivered nine new subpoenas in Chicago to anti-war and Palestine solidarity activists. Patrick Fitzgerald’s office is ordering the nine to appear at a Grand Jury in Chicago on January 25.

In response we are calling for protests on Jan. 25 across the country and around the world to show our solidarity. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of people will be protesting at Federal Buildings, FBI offices, and other appropriate places, showing solidarity with the nine newly subpoenaed activists, and with all the activists whose homes were raided by the FBI.

Fitzgerald’s expanding web of repression already includes the fourteen subpoenaed when the FBI stormed into homes on September 24th, carting away phones, computers, notebooks, diaries, and children’s artwork. In October, all fourteen activists from Chicago, Minneapolis, and Michigan each decided to not participate in the secret proceedings of Fitzgerald’s Grand Jury. Each signed a letter invoking their Fifth Amendment rights. However, three women from Minneapolis—Tracy Molm, Anh Pham, and Sarah Martin—are facing re-activated subpoenas. They are standing strong and we are asking you to stand with them – and with the newly subpoenaed nine activists – by protesting Patrick Fitzgerald and his use of the Grand Jury and FBI to repress anti-war and international solidarity activists.

Defend free speech! Defend the right to organize! Opposing war and occupation is not a crime!

* Tell Patrick Fitzgerald to call off the Grand Jury!
* Stop FBI raids and repression!”

Solidarity Demonstration Against FBI Raids

For Immediate Release: September 27, 2010

UNC-Asheville SDS Calls for Action to Demonstrate Solidarity Against FBI Raids

On the morning of Friday, September 24 2010 the FBI raided 7 homes and an office of anti-war activists in the Minneapolis and Chicago. Accompanying the raids were subpoenas for 11 individuals from Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan ordering them to appear before a grand jury. The raids were aimed at collecting evidence to support the grand jury investigation …of possible material support of terrorism charges.

Sarah Buchner of UNCA Students for a Democratic Society,in reference to the FBI raids, said “These raids are a clear fishing expedition aimed at intimidating those who organize against oppression and occupation. There were no crimes committed by those whose homes were raided. The actions of the FBI were politically motivated and were an attack on the political views of those who organize. We, UNCA sds, stand in solidarity with those who’s rights have been blatantly violated in these raids. We must fight back against government intimidation of those who organize for a better world.”

UNCA sds will hold a rally in front of the federal building, 151 Patton Avenue, on Tuesday, September 28 at 1:00 P.M. to denounce the FBI raids and stand in solidarity with those whose homes were raided. Please join us and show solidarity with those whose rights have been violated.

We will not be intimidated, we will not stand down, and we will not be silenced!

For information contact:
Josh Sykes (828) 231-9432
Katie Sue Campbell (814) 482-0775

###

For more info:

http://www.fightbacknews.org/2010/9/24/activists-denounce-fbi-raids-anti-war-and-solidarity-activists-homes

http://www.fightbacknews.org/2010/9/26/protests-called-19-cities-response-fbi-raids-antiwar-activists

RSVP to the Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153879271310266

Solidarity Rally!

Emergency Rally to Stop Anti-Muslim Bigotry, Racism and War to be held September 11^th

Students for a Democratic Society at the University of North Carolina – Asheville will hold a rally downtown along with peace, social justice and other activists from the Asheville community on Saturday, September 11, the anniversary of the 2001 attacks in New York and Washington D.C., to speak out against a wave of anti-Muslim bigotry that has spread across the U.S. in recent weeks. The event will also call for an end to U.S. wars and occupations being carried out in the name of ‘fighting terrorism.’ This rally will coincide with others like it being held in cities across the country.

The rally will be held Sept. 11 at 1:00 p.m. at Pack Square in downtown Asheville.

On Sept. 11, right-wing groups plan to demonstrate at the World Trade Center site to whip up hysteria against a proposal to build an Islamic community center several blocks from the WTC site. On that same day, Christian fundamentalists plan a “Burn the Quran” day in Florida.

Jeremy Miller, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society, said, “September 11, 2001 was a tragedy. It was tragedy for those who lost their lives on that day, and has been an ongoing tragedy for the victims of the ‘war of terror’ that has been waged on the people of the world since then.”

“We demand an end to the wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan now and that all the troops be brought home,” Miller continued. “We must not allow what happened on that day to be used as a justification for these ongoing wars for empire or for anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-Arab racism. We will join our sisters and brothers in Gainseville Florida, New York, and in many other cities around the country to stand up and fight back!”

Tuesday 9/7 @ 8pm: Rethink Afghanistan

Tuesday, in the Highsmith Union Grotto we’re screening Rethink Afghanistan! Join us at 8pm for a movie & discussion!

Also, we’re having our first meeting of the semester on Wednesday in the boardroom (HU 235) @ 8pm! We’ve got a really exciting semester planned so far including a trip to D.C. in October as well as our trip to Ft.Benning GA in November to protest the SOA.

Make BP Pay!!

On July 17th at 3pm in Pack Square Students for Democratic Society is calling for a rally to demand that BP Pay for the numerous ramifications the Deepwater Horizon Oil Gusher has caused, and is continuing to cause as it has yet to be contained now 3 months later. The April 20th explosion killed 11 workers and injured 17. The livelihoods of fishermen and businesses along the already devastated gulf coast have been ruined and will have long lasting economic consequences. The environmental devastation to the unique marshlands and island ecosystems is of catastrophic proportions. Dolphins and seaturtles are washing up dead; pelicans and herons are dying a slow, sad death covered in oil from hypothermia and from drowning. All of this while BP is spending millions of dollars on coverup efforts and ad campaigns, preventing photographers and journalists access to the harsh reality of what is really happening.

BP ignored crucial safety issues, cut corners, and spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress to fight regulations that lead to this tragedy in the first place, especially during the Bush and Cheney deregulation years. Over 20 thousand claims have already been filed while only a fraction of those have been paid. BP needs to be held accountable and we are demanding full reparations to the coast!

Seize BP’s Assets!
Full Reparations to the Gulf Coast!
No New Offshore Drilling, Green Jobs Now!

SDS Asheville protests Israeli killings on Freedom Flotilla

From Fight Back! News:

Asheville, NC – The University of North Carolina at Asheville Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a demonstration here, June 7, against the Freedom Flotilla murders committed by Israeli commandos. Protesters condemned the barbarity of the Israeli blockade against Gaza and recognized the brave people who were killed in their attempt to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The protest was held at the Asheville Federal Building. SDS members decried the gross violation of international law perpetrated by the Israelis in attacking a humanitarian convoy in international waters.

Josh Sykes, an SDS member and anti-war organizer said, “Every year the United States directly supports Israeli atrocities with billions of dollars in military and economic aid. The students and community members of Asheville, North Carolina say that U.S. aid to Israel must stop. The people of Palestine have the right to build and operate their nation as they see fit and they are being systematically denied that right by Israel. Damn Israel for forcing Palestinians into these atrocious conditions and double-damn the foreign aid to Israel.”

We say no to U.S. Aid to Israel!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Josh Sykes – (828) 231-9432

Protest to be held at Asheville Federal Building against the Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

On June 7th, 2010 at 6:00 PM at the Asheville Federal Building, Students for a Democratic Society will be leading a demonstration against the Israeli killings of activists bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza. On May 30th, 2010 the Israeli forces stormed the boat and opened fire, killing at least nine people and injuring many others for this ‘crime’ of bringing basic aid such as food, educational supplies, medicines, and construction material to break the illegal Israeli blockade on Gaza. The death toll is likely to rise as some activists still remain missing.

This was a flagrant violation of international law attacking a humanitarian convoy in international waters. Since the massacre, protests have been held worldwide condemning this attack on the civilian convoy.

Every year the United States directly supports Israeli atrocities with billions of dollars of military and economic aid. We say no to U.S. Aid to Israel!

###

May 1st Immigration Rally: video, photos & press wrap-up

Here are links to news coverage of the event, to which we will add as more articles become available:

May 1 protest in Asheville backs legalization for undocumented workers
http://www.fightbacknews.org/2010/5/3/may-1-protest-asheville-backs-legalization-undocumented-workers

Protesta el primero de mayo en Asheville apoya legalización para todos los trabajadores indocumentados
http://www.fightbacknews.org/es/2010/5/3/protesta-el-primero-de-mayo-en-asheville-apoya-legalizaci-n-para-todos-los-trabajadores-ind

Asheville activists use May Day to tout immigration reform
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100502/NEWS/305020047

Asheville Immigration Protest
http://www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wlos_vid_2211.shtml

ALL OUT FOR MAY 1st!!

On Saturday, May 1st at 3:00 PM, UNC Asheville Students for a Democratic Society will hold a rally with other student and local organizations in Pack Square to condemn recent actions taken against immigrant rights and promote legalization and immigration reform. This action is part of a nationally coordinated response, organized by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ), as a plea for justice in immigration reform.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=122421691101457