Category: Houston Socialist Movement
Reminder: Demonstration against War in Korea on Monday, December 4, at 12 pm
worker | November 28, 2017 | 7:58 pm | Announcements, Houston Socialist Movement | Comments closed
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This is a reminder that a demonstration against war in Korea will be held next Monday, December 4, at 12 pm, on the sidewalk outside the office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, 808 Travis St., in Houston. A U.S. military strike against Pyongyang could lead to a major war and even a global nuclear catastrophe. We must prevent this from happening. So at next Monday’s demonstration, we will demand: No War against Korea! Stop Nuclear Catastrophe! Stand Up for Global Peace and Justice! Please join us if you can. This action is being organized by the No War against Korea Coalition, which includes Houston Socialist Movement and Party for Socialism and Liberation.
In Solidarity,
No War against Korea Coalition
832.692.2306
Houston Demonstration: No War against Korea! Monday, December 4
worker | November 15, 2017 | 7:59 pm | Donald Trump, DPRK, Houston Socialist Movement | Comments closed
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
For more than seven decades, the U.S. government has brought death, destruction, and instability to the Korean Peninsula. At the end of the Second World War, Washington divided the peninsula and sent troops to occupy southern Korea to prevent the country from choosing a non-capitalist path of development. The U.S. then installed a right-wing dictator in southern Korea and supported a reign of terror which killed more than 100,000 communists and their supporters during the next five years.
After large-scale fighting between the new socialist regime in northern Korea and the dictatorship in southern Korea began in 1950, Washington sent tens of thousands of troops to defend its new client state and destroy as much of northern Korea as possible. Between 4 and 5 million people died before an armistice was arranged in 1953. Since then, the U.S. has remained committed to preventing the reunification of the Korean Peninsula under communist leadership and preserving its vassal state in Seoul. About 25,000 U.S. troops are still stationed in southern Korea today.
In recent months, it has become increasingly clear that the Trump administration is seriously considering a new war against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This could lead to a major conventional war or even a nuclear conflagration with millions of deaths. If the People’s Republic of China acts to defend the DPRK from U.S. aggression–and Washington retaliated against Beijing– a global nuclear catastrophe could ensue, with scores or hundreds of millions of deaths. Such a war must be prevented. Now is the time for people in the United States to stand up and say “No!” to war against Korea.
A demonstration against war in Korea will be held on Monday, December 4, at 12 pm, on the sidewalk outside the office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, 808 Travis St., in Houston. Together, we will demand: No War against Korea! Stop Nuclear Catastrophe! Stand Up for Global Peace and Justice! This action is being organized by the No War against Korea Coalition, which includes Houston Socialist Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and other organizations (list in formation). We urge the broadest possible participation in this important anti-war action. If your organization would like to help mobilize for this event or if you would like more information, please call us at 832.692.2306.
In Solidarity,
No War against Korea Coalition
Demonstration against HPD Enforcement of SB 4 on Saturday, May 20
worker | May 15, 2017 | 7:50 pm | Announcements, Houston Socialist Movement, Immigrants' Rights, police terrorism, political struggle | Comments closed
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
A demonstration against Houston Police Department enforcement of Senate Bill 4 will be held in front of HPD Headquarters, 1200 Travis St., on Saturday, May 20, 3-5 pm. Afterward, we will march to Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, to join the Black Lives Matter Rally being held from 5-7 pm.

The enactment of Senate Bill 4 presents a significant danger to undocumented immigrants, to people of Mexican descent in general, and to other people of color. This new “Show Me Your Papers Law” will lead to more unjustified deportations, more separation of families, more racial profiling, more violations of supposed constitutional rights, more unreported crimes, and more pain and misery for many people.

The Houston Police Department already has a long, ugly history of murdering and abusing people. Now HPD Chief Art Acevedo says he will make sure his officers enforce SB 4 even though he opposed its passage. To this, we can only say: Hell No! SB 4 is a racist, anti-worker law, and it should not be enforced! HPD should not serve as immigration agents! No more deportations! Stop breaking up families! End racial profiling! Stop police murders and brutality!

This action is being organized by Brown Berets de TejAztlan, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Houston Socialist Movement, Latinos Inmigrantes Triunfadores, MORENA-Houston SW, and Party for Socialism and Liberation (list in formation). If your organization would like to endorse this demonstration, or if you would like more information, please contact the organizers at 832.692.2306 or 281.935.9248 or Ryonboyw71@gmail.com.

In solidarity,
HSM
Final Reminder: International Workers Day/Day Without Immigrants Rally Tomorrow, May 1, 5:30-8 pm, in Guadalupe Plaza
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This is a final reminder that the International Workers Day/ Day Without Immigrants Rally will be held tomorrow, Monday, May 1, 2017, 5:30-8:00  pm, at Guadalupe Plaza, 2311 Runnels Street, in Houston. This event will highlight the historic achievements and contemporary struggles of workers of all nationalities and also emphasize the imperative need for solidarity with our immigrant sisters and brothers, who are increasingly under attack. Working class, this is your cause! Join us!

The Rally will include some very special guest speakers, speakers from sponsoring organizations, poets/spoken word artists, music, banners and signs, chants, and the dramatic smashing of a Donald Trump piñata. This event is being organized by and for workers, whose labor makes life, society, and aspirations for a better future possible. Workers of all backgrounds are welcome. There will be no government officials or politicians on the platform.

Together, we will demand: Unite against Trump! Stop the deportations! Stop racist police terror! Black and Brown lives matter! Defend the Muslim community! Stop the attacks on women and the LGBT communities! Fight for $15/hour minimum wage, jobs for all, and the right to a union! Housing, health care, education, and retirement security for all! Stop the rise of fascism! End U.S. imperialist wars! Stop the destruction of Mother Earth! End capitalism before it ends us!

The Rally is part of a much larger set of actions across the country. A national coalition has called for a strike on May 1, and we encourage workers not to go to work, not to go to school, and not to go shopping tomorrow. In addition, a four-day boycott of Walmart will run through tomorrow, and there is an ongoing boycott of Wells Fargo over its role in the DAPL. We strongly support these actions, and we hope you will, too.

This Rally is being sponsored by Asamblea Popular de Houston, Brown Berets de TejAztlan, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Houston Communist Party, Houston Socialist Movement, International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran-Canada, International Socialist Organization, Latinos Inmigrantes Triunfadores, MORENA-Houston SW, Organizacion Latino Americana Pro-Derecho Del Inmigrante, Party for Socialism and Liberation, People’s New Black Panther Party, and Students for a Democratic Society. We also look forward to the participation of many other organizations.

Parking will be available in the section of the Talento Bilingue Houston parking lot adjacent to South Jensen Street (not the rest of the TBH parking lot) and in the FiTMiX Yoga and Latin Fitness Studio parking lot at 2311 Canal Street. Restrooms will be available in TBH. If you would like more information or have any last-minute questions, please call us at 832.692.2306, 713.447.4106, 832.660.3084, or 281.935.9248.

In Solidarity,
HSM
Protest against Greg Abbott on Tuesday, April 18, 11 am, at Hilton Americas Hotel
worker | April 12, 2017 | 8:43 pm | Announcements, Houston Communist Party, Houston Socialist Movement, Local/State, political struggle | Comments closed
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This is a reminder that there will be a spirited protest against Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, April 18, beginning at 11:00 am, at the Hilton Americas Hotel on 1600 Lamar Street. Abbott will be addressing the Greater Houston Partnership. We are going to show him what we think of his right-wing policies. The Facebook event page is at https://www.facebook.com/events/1814469988804957/.
Since becoming Governor in 2015, Greg Abbott has proved to be an enemy of workers, people of color, immigrants, women, LGBT communities, and the differently abled. As Attorney General and Governor, Abbott backed the racially discriminatory Texas voter ID law that was later gutted by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Abbott opposes women’s reproductive freedom–even in cases of rape and incest–and he backed the Texas law imposing prohibitive restrictions on abortion providers that was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Today, Abbott supports SB 4, which aims to punish cities, counties, and higher education institutions which do not aid and abet repression against undocumented immigrants. Abbott also supports SB 13, which would prohibit payroll deductions for union dues for most public employees, and other reactionary legislation. 

This demonstration is being organized by Houston Communist Party, Houston Socialist Movement, International Socialist Organization, Latinos Inmigrantes Triunfadores, MORENA-Houston SW, Organizacion Latino Americano Pro-Derecho Del Inmigrante, and Party for Socialism and Liberation. For more information, call 832.692.2306 or 713.447.4106.

The Harris County Democrats will also be protesting against Abbott. They contacted us weeks ago to discuss a possible combined action but then obtained a street closure permit exclusively for themselves. We will be there anyway, and our voices will be loud and strong. Only the masses of workers and oppressed people–not the Democrats or any other pro-business party–can bring about the fundamental social change we need.

Please also note that local neo-Nazi Ken Reed has called for a counter-demonstration against HSM at the same time and location. Reed says he isn’t really a “fanboy” of Abbott but “really despises” HSM, so the “American Patriot Vanguard” promises to be there. We sure hope so. It isn’t every day that we get to demonstrate against right-wing conservatives like Abbott and fascists like Reed at the same time! Although we do not expect any problems, Houston Jail Support will be available during the action. Contact us if you would like their phone number.

In Solidarity,

HSM
Upcoming Actions on March 24, March 25, and May 1
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Houston Communist Party, Houston Socialist Movement, Latinos Inmigrantes Triunfadores, MORENA-Houston SE, Organizacion Latino Americano Pro-Derecho Del Inmigrante, and Party for Socialism and Liberation are organizing three important actions during the next several weeks.
On Friday, March 24, from 11 am until 2 pm, we will be demonstrating against Governor Greg Abbott while he speaks to the Greater Houston Partnership at the Hilton Americas Hotel, 1600 Lamar Street. Greater Houston Democrats are also planning to protest against Abbott, so discussions about developing a unified action are under way.
 
On Saturday, March 25, beginning at 11 am, we will have a counter-protest against the pro-Trump Houston MAGA March scheduled at City Hall, 901 Bagby St. Some Trump supporters may be armed, but this will not stop us from standing up against exploitation, white supremacy, anti-immigrant hysteria, misogyny, anti-LGBT bigotry, and the threat of Fascism.
 
On Monday, May 1, from 5:30 pm until 8 pm, there will be an International Workers Day/Dia Sin Inmigrantes Rally held at a City Park. This action will combine the traditional celebration of May Day by workers of all nationalities with a special focus on solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters. An event page with the location and details for this event will be posted soon.
If your organization would like to support these actions, or if you would like more information, please call 832.692.2306 or 713.447.4106. We look forward to your participation in these events.
In Solidarity,
HSM

 

Stand Up against Anti-Immigrant Repression in Galveston Tomorrow
worker | March 14, 2017 | 3:42 am | Announcements, Fascist terrorism, Houston Socialist Movement, Immigrants' Rights | Comments closed
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The Galveston County Commissioners Court and Sheriff are currently considering participation in the 287(g) program, and they are already engaging in the repression of our immigrant brothers and sisters without legal status. Last Thursday, Gerardo Martinez was pulled over by a deputy for a minor vehicle infraction and ended up being held in the Galveston County jail over the weekend. Early this morning, he was turned over to ICE. During the past eight years, well over 2.5 million people have been deported from the U.S. and now the Trump administration and its minions in state and local government aim to forcibly expel millions more, shatter countless additional families, and destroy innumerable lives.
We apologize for the short notice, but we urge you to attend the meeting of the Galveston County Commissioners Court at 1:30 pm tomorrow if possible. The meeting will be in the old county courthouse at 722 Moody Avenue, also known as 21st Street, in Galveston. Individuals can speak for three minutes during public comments, but you must sign up to speak before the meeting. It is important to let the County Commissioners know that people care about what happens to Gerardo and other undocumented immigrants–and that the growing repression of hardworking people without papers will generate growing resistance in a county that prefers to be known for tourism and recreation.
Many thanks to the activists from Asamblea Popular de Houston, Deportation Defense Network, and FIEL who have been spreading the word about this terrible injustice and trying to help Gerardo and his family. Houston Socialist Movement is glad to support this important effort, and we hope to see some of you in Galveston tomorrow afternoon.
In Solidarity,
HSM