En la primavera del 2006 millones de latinos y otros inmigrantes se manifestaron en contra de la propuesta de ley Sensenbrenner, HR4437, la cual hubiera criminalizado a los indocumentados. El movimiento pidió la residencia legal para los indocumentados y se opuso a la propuesta de la administración Bush para un programa de trabajadores huéspedes.

Construyamos la lucha para los derechos de los inmigrantes

El primero de mayo es un día para levantarnos y luchar. En este día, millones de personas en todo el mundo se toman las calles – desde Los Ángeles, México, Manila, hasta Moscú – poniendo demandas en contra de los ricos y poderosos, luchando por un futuro sin explotación ni opresión.

En estos momentos cuando las fuerzas del racismo y la reacción se empeñan en avanzar su programa anti-inmigrante, pareciera que hubieran levantado una roca, y que al dejarla caer, ésta les hubiera caído en sus propios pies. Dicho de otro modo, parece que “les salió el tiro por la culata”.

Dear Readers,

The U.S. government is preparing for a new war against Iraq.

Minneapolis, MN - In May, Trish Kanous, of the Minneapolis-St. Paul based Anti-War Committee, joined other passengers and got on an Iraqi airplane. For most of us, flying is no act of courage. This was different. The United States and British governments have decided that vast areas of Iraqi airspace, about half the country, are 'no fly zones,' where it's open season on Iraqi airplanes. The jetliner flew through the zone and landed safely.

U.S. military and political preparations for a new war against Iraq are at a fever pitch.

Fired Up, Won’t Take It No More!

Outraged people are raising their voices, marching in the streets and rallying on campuses across the country to support the Jena Six. Jena is a small town, four hours northwest of New Orleans, Louisiana. The Jena Six are African-American high school students who refuse to be second-class citizens. The Jena Six are standing up for their rights and fighting back against racism in their community. These young men refuse to be insulted, pushed around and harassed. They simply want equality with the whites in their school and community. The Jena Six are now symbolic of the righteousness of rebellion against racist national oppression.

The assault on Iraq began with a failed sneak attack. Minutes before bombers cruised over, sirens blasted a warning to the sleeping people of Baghdad. It was 5:30 a.m. on March 20. The full strength of the world’s largest military began a war of terror, which they called ‘shock and awe.’

In the face of growing resistance, the U.S. is unable to consolidate its occupation of Iraq. Efforts to quickly assemble a puppet regime have failed. As we go to press, dozens of attacks are taking place on U.S. and British forces on a daily basis. The number of Americans killed and wounded is surpassing the causalities of the 1991 Gulf War. The Pentagon is weighing the issue of sending additional troops, while former Defense Department officials are speaking of a guerrilla war that will last for years.

In the face of a growing Iraqi resistance movement, the plans of the Bush administration to consolidate the occupation of Iraq are crumbling. The Pentagon acknowledges that attacks on the occupation forces are growing in scale and intensity. U.S. attempts to gain more military and financial support, within and outside of the United Nations, have by and large failed. So have efforts to create a viable Iraqi puppet government. The Governing Council, made up of U.S. appointees, has little legitimacy in the eyes of the Iraqi people or in the region as a whole.

The continued strength of the Iraqi resistance has created a growing crisis for the occupiers.

Insurgents are continuing to mount attacks across Iraq, targeting oil pipelines, military installations and U.S. troops, along with American-trained Iraqi police and guardsmen. As of late February more that 1500 U.S. troops died. Ten times that number were wounded. Reports indicate more than 100,000 Iraqis have died since the invasion.

Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, kidnapped in Iraq, was shot at by U.S. soldiers on Mar. 4, right after her release. In a reaction, Sgrena said that her kidnappers had warned her that, “The Americans could intervene, for they don’t want you to return.” According to her husband, the attack was deliberate, because she knew too much.

On June 30 hundreds gathered in Minneapolis to oppose the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

The following is a special editorial from Fight Back! that's being distributed as a leaflet among the evacuees in Houston, Texas.

Demand Relief, Action and Justice Now!

Statement by Freedom Road Socialist Organization

In the spring of 2006 millions of Latino and other immigrants rallied against the Sensenbrenner bill, HR4437, that would have criminalized the undocumented. This movement called for legal residency for the undocumented and opposed the Bush administration’s call for a guest worker program.

May 1st, International Workers Day, is a day of struggle. Around the world, working people will march against imperialist war, to defend the rights of immigrants and to fight to protect their jobs and communities. Here in the United States, May Day has been reborn as millions of Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans, as well as other immigrants and their supporters, have poured into the streets to demand legalization, and an end to raids, deportations and militarization of the border.

May Day is a day to stand up and fight back. Millions will take to the streets – from Los Angeles to Mexico City, to Manila, to Moscow and points in between – placing demands on the rich and powerful and to look forward to a day without exploitation or oppression.