Jackson Robak
Jackson Robak
Anti-Trump rally
At 6 p.m., in near-zero-degree weather, over 40 protesters came out to oppose Donald Trump, January 20 2024, his first day in office.
Protesters rallied at Grand Circus Park as the sun set. They marched to the nearby 36th District Court in a show of force against the new era of political repression that Trump intends to lead.
Many groups came together, including the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Detroit Anti-War Committee, Detroit Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression , Wayne State Students for a Democratic Society, Anakbayan, Engineers Against Apartheid, and Palestinian Youth Movement. The common thread of the organizations' speeches focused on unity and building a broad people’s movement against Trump’s agenda.
The opening speech of the night from DAWC activist Mykale Woods stated, “Trump will continue his wars right where he left them in 2020. The only promises Donald Trump fulfills are the ones to his friends the billionaires, the war-profiteers, and so-called ‘Israel.’ Our responsibility as American anti-war activists under a Trump presidency is clear – we must resist his wars.”
DAARPR Member Cole Hamilton told the crowd, “Billionaires like Donald Trump want to destroy our livelihoods, let killer cops roam the streets, and take away our family members with impunity.”
While stopped outside of the courthouse, Jackson Robak of Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “Now is the time to make this country ungovernable; now is the time to fight and resist. As Trump wants to have mass deportations in our community, he wants to come in here with a bunch of pigs called ICE and take people out of their jobs, take people out of their homes, rip them away from their family members.”[1]
Anti Israel protest
According to Michael Muczynski, on December 7, 30 protesters marched on Theodore Levin Courthouse advocating a people’s agenda, an end to political repression and for the city to divest from institutions that benefit Israel.
As protesters marched upon the Federal Building, they chanted, “Free, free, Palestine” and “No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA!” The protest, led by the Detroit Anti-War Committee, was joined by groups with similar interests.
“There’s only so much we can do from our own homes or through our phones – attending protests like today’s is an important way to take tangible action. And it also reminds ourselves and the people who see us marching that what’s happening in Palestine matters here,” said Cara Dietz when asked why they joined the march.
Another member of the march, Daanyal Syed, said, “I joined the march today because as citizens we have a duty to ensure that our money and resources do not go to places that commit war crimes like those committed by Israel to Palestinian people. And for that reason, as a member of DAWC, I want to make it apparent that the city of Detroit must divest from all funding to the so-called state of Israel and any other ties to wars around the world.”
Jackson Robak of Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke to the crowd, “We are out here to continue our demands: to continue to call for an end to political repression after seeing what happened on campuses all over this country where administration is suspending, expelling or arresting students.”[2]
UNITE AGAINST IMPERIALISM
UNITE AGAINST IMPERIALISM: PART 5
Michigan Peace Council panel discussion July 2, 2023.
Swords Into Plowshares Gallery, Detroit, MI
Bill Meyer, moderator, chair, Michigan Peace Council.
PANELISTS:
- James Rine, Veterans for Peace
- Jackson Robak, Freedom Road Socialist Organization
- Meriam Issa, Palestinian Youth Movement
- Madelina Stanczak, Michigan Cuba Solidarity Committee, Communist Party USA. From Ypsilanti.
- Tobin Sterritt, videographer
- Bill Meyer, editor[3]
Steve Noffke remembered Pat Fry. Noah Dollar Washtenaw County CPUSA, John Detroit CPUSA. Teamster, Lon Herman Metro Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, Jacob Smith and Owen Frassetto FRSO, Avi Washtenaw County CPUSA, Cameron Harrison Michigan Peace Council asked questions.[4]