Racism

Please help get a Twin Cities artist and activist out of jail!

Our friend, Raymond Merchant, aka AC, father of two, Hip Hop artist, and
community organizer in Minneapolis was recently wrongly arrested in
relation to a robbery in South Minneapolis to which he was no party.
Missing for several days, friends became worried when Raymond failed to
arrive to a show he was scheduled to perform at. After contacting his
family, it was confirmed he had been abducted by police just blocks from
his home while out for a walk.

Austin, Minnesota (Updated 8pm Sunday)--It was fifty facing off four: fifty activists from southern Minnesota-based Centro Campesino, Anti-Racist Action, Bash Back--Twin Cities and other Minnesota activist organizations across from four members of the National Socialist Movement.  As they do every so often, the neo-nazis rallied on Saturday at the Veterans' Memorial in Austin's quiet downtown, across the street from popular local restaurant El Mariachi.

In this town of 25,000 about two hours south of the Twin Cities, it's hard to find someone who doesn't have experience in the meatpacking industry.  The legacy of the contentious 1985-6 Hormel strike, combined with Bush-era rhetoric targeting undocumented immigrants and the divide-and-conquer strategy of right-wing bosses has led to animosity from some white residents.  They say Latina/o workers are lowering wages and taking their jobs.  In this context, overt white supremacists have begun to gain public acceptance.

After neo-nazi speeches were drowned out by the screams of the anti-racist crowd on Saturday afternoon, police protection from three different agencies arrived for the NSM.  Three people were arrested while others were sprayed with mace.  What led to this scene, and what lessons were learned?

This is Part 1 of a two-part article on Saturday's events.  Check back to TCIMC later for Part 2.  Related: Neo-nazis Repelled from YWCA in Minneapolis | Photos below

http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20091004133710408

David Irving, neo-nazi and Holocaust denier, is scheduled to speak somewhere in Minneapolis on Friday, October 9th. Let's find out where and give him the same welcome we gave his four friends on Saturday at the YWCA.

No to fascism!

No to hate!

Not in our city!

We, the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition (MIRAc), strongly oppose this rally by the National Socialist Movement (NSM). We stand in solidarity with other groups that oppose the NSM's racism and homophobia. It is no coincidence that this fascist group has chosen East Lake Street, the heart of the Latino community in Minneapolis, as the location of their event.

"Nazis...I hate those guys."  -Indiana Jones

There's a really great workshop scheduled at the YWCA this saturday. October 3rd (10am-5pm) about dealing with white priviledge and white supremacy. This is useful, important and, frankly, long overdue for many in the twin cities. White folks should definitely try to be there.

The Nazis are coming out as well. Having heard about the event, the National Socialist Movement has announced plans to protest the workshop.

Smack a White Boy Part Two: CrimethInc. Eviction
Note:this is a brief summery of the actions that took place, and in no way describes the situation in full

During the spring legislative session, three bills were passed which support immigrant communities and a set of deeply problematic bills failed to pass. Bold text from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota's update; additional information from Indymedia:

Cross post from Examiner.com. 

Video, Our World In Depth MOVE: Ramona Africa (part 1) on May 13, 1985, the Philadelphia police department massacred 11 members of Ramona Africa’s family, including 5 children, by dropping a bomb on their home. Ramona was the sole adult survivor of the incident. Ramona speaks of the MOVE organization, the legal system and the prison industrial complex. filmed at Hamline University in April.