Milwaukee SDS Condemns FBI Repression

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Milwaukee SDS Condemns FBI Repression

September 24th, 2010 - This morning, several doors were broken down at homes of well known anti-war activists across the country in a large FBI raid. SWAT teams raided the home of a Minneapolis SDS leader, and the FBI has been intimidating SDS members in Milwaukee, Chicago, Los Angeles, and North Carolina. The FBI is looking for evidence linking activists to "material support of terrorism.” Several activists have had papers, CDs, and cell phones stolen among other items; as well as being issued subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury.

No arrests have been made – make no mistake, this is a fishing expedition by the FBI. The activists involved have done nothing wrong and are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or organizing against war and occupation.
Grace Kelley, an SDS leader from the University of Minnesota, said “SDS at the U of M condemns the terror tactics used by the FBI to silence activists who organize against wars and for peace here in Minneapolis as well as across the nation.”

We urge all progressive activists to show solidarity with those individuals targeted by the U.S. Government. Activists have the right not to speak with the FBI and are encouraged to politely refuse - just say “No”.

Milwaukee SDS opposes U.S. support for the occupations of Palestine, Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We ask for your support in standing against this absurd government intimidation of anti-war activists. SDS will not be intimidated as we continue to call for an immediate end to the U.S. occupations!

For more information contact; Kas Schwerdtfeger, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee SDS: 262.893.2806

http://www.startribune.com/galleries/103733819.html?elr=KArks8Lcac_QE77DyPDiUeLcac_jE77DyPDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

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

Join SDS for the National Day of Action to Defend Public Education.

This is a follow up to the March 4th national protest where thousands of students, teachers, and school staff took to the streets and student unions to protest budget cuts and tuition hikes. Education is a right! Join us on October 7th at 12pm in Spaights Plaza at UWM

Time for a New Chancellor – An Open Letter from SDS

Chancellor Santiago’s surprise announcement that he will leave UWM comes in the midst of intense public backlash over his “Master Plan” to privatize education at UWM. While the growing movement against Santiago’s corporate agenda was not calling for his resignation, it unilaterally rejected his plan to further privatize the university, and to balance the budget on the backs of students and workers. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) views the Chancellor’s decision to leave UWM as a blow to the agenda of privatization, and an opportunity for the university to pursue free public education.

During his stay, Santiago stubbornly refused to meet with students and workers on serious issues such as racism, sexism, budget cuts, and his autocratic “Master Plan.” Over the summer, SDS led a successful campaign that pressured Santiago to drop the bogus charges against the 16 people who were arrested at a protest outside his office in March. In 2009, SDS pressured the Chancellor to sign onto an anti-sweatshop program for the UWM bookstore. We continue to be part of a growing student movement that has spread the education rights movement internationally, and we will participate in the October 7th National Day of Action for Education Rights with these demands for a new university Chancellor:

1 Fight for Free and Accessible Higher Education
- Reject the "Master Plan."
- End the privatization of our education.

2 Chop From the Top
- Budget cuts to UWM must come from the salaries, benefits, and perks of the Chancellor and high level administrators.

3 Transparency Now
- The Chancellor must hold quarterly open meetings with students, faculty, workers, and campus organizations.
- Have the approval of the AFSCME Local 82, MGAA, & TAUWP unions.
- The Chancellor’s tax records must be made available to the public.

4 Fight Racism & Sexism
- Side with students against openly racist, sexist members of the Student Association.
- Support the DREAM Act, and access to scholarships for undocumented students.
- Support a UWM Boycott of Arizona over the passage of SB1070 and HB2281.
- Protect resource centers for minorities, LGBTQ, women, and other oppressed groups.
- Protect ethnic studies programs and that were fought and won during the civil rights period.

5 End UWM Support for War
- No collaboration with war profiteering corporations such as Oshkosh Truck and DOW Chemical.
- Boycott university relations with apartheid Israel.
- No CIA, FBI, DHS, NSA, or Military recruiters on campus.

Education Rights Speak Out and Celebration

Join us as Monday as we celebrate the victory of the Milwaukee 16, and the continued struggle for Education rights! From 12-1pm SDS members will share their new demands for a chancellor, talk about recent cuts to our university, share plans for the national day of action for education rights, and celebrate the Milwaukee 16!

FREE FOOD
FREE MUSIC

Monday Sept 13th 11-2 in Spaights Plaza