Protesters hit France with transport strikes over public service cuts: France was rocked on Thursday by nationwide strikes and demonstrations as protesters clashed with police, disrupted public transport, and blocked key roads in defiance of President Emmanuel Macron’s government and its proposed budget cuts. The walkouts brought the Paris Metro to a near standstill, with traffic slowdowns and blockades crippling parts of the capital and […] http://dlvr.it/TN9sm5 #News #France #protesters
#protesters
3 posts3 participants0 posts today
#US AG #PamBondi provoked a backlash after announcing she would “absolutely target” #protesters engaging in “hate speech”—& claiming she had authority to investigate businesses that refused to print memorial vigil posters for #CharlieKirk.
The comments by Bondi reflect a broader effort by the #Trump admin to punish anyone who has celebrated Kirk’s killing or even people who denounced his killing but criticize his political stances.
#law #FirstAmendment #FreeSpeech
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/us/politics/pam-bondi-hate-speech-charlie-kirk.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
The New York Times · Bondi Prompts Broad Backlash After Saying She’ll Target ‘Hate Speech’
‘#NoKings’ Unveils a Big New #Trump Protest, and the Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
A movement leader tells Rolling Stone about the #NoKings2 demonstrations on #October18, and how they can curb Trump’s #overreach
by Tim Dickinson, September 8, 2025
"America’s pro-democracy movement is gearing up for what may be its biggest mass-demonstration yet against the increasingly #militaristic Trump administration — which has sent armed troops to occupy the nation’s capital and is threatening to do the same in large cities from Chicago to New Orleans.
Popular resistance in Trump’s second term has snowballed, in an organic fashion, from a large President’s Day protest in February, through mass demonstrations in April, to the first 'No Kings' protest on Trump’s birthday in June — which drew millions to counter the president’s tin-pot military birthday parade.
"After a series of smaller summer protests, the movement will be back in the streets and squares and center cities of America, en masse, in October for No Kings 2 — a sequel organizers are expecting to outshine the original, amid revulsion to Trump’s brutal campaign of mass deportation led by masked agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE), and an increasingly lawless president who claims 'a lot' of Americans would 'like a dictator.'
"No Kings 2 is being organized by a big tent of grassroots and advocacy organizations. One of the most prominent players is #Indivisible, the activist group that sprang to life in the early days of the first Trump administration, and which now counts 2,500 distributed, local chapters nationwide.
"Rolling Stone spoke to Indivisible co-founder #EzraLevin last week, in advance of No Kings 2 unveiling on Monday. The protest is planned for October 18 — in the aftermath of an unpredictable showdown over government funding that could lead to a #PartialGovernmentShutdown by the end of the month.
"Levin says the stakes of the protests have never been more urgent, and that organizers are expecting record numbers of #protesters to raise their voices for democracy and against the threats of #dictatorship."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/a9WYP
Rolling Stone · ‘No Kings’ Unveils a Big New Trump Protest, and the Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
British police arrest 900 people in London over banned group #PalestineAction
By SYLVIA HUI and JILL LAWLESS
September 7, 2025
LONDON (AP) — "British police said Sunday that they arrested almost 900 people demonstrating in #London against a ban on the group Palestine Action, which has been deemed a terrorist organization by the government.
"Almost 1,600 people have now been detained, many for silently holding signs supporting the group, since it was outlawed two months ago. #Protesters say the ban on Palestine Action is an unwarranted curb on free speech and the #RightToProtest.
"The Metropolitan Police force said 890 people were arrested at Saturday’s demonstration, the vast majority, 857, under the #TerrorismAct for supporting a proscribed organization. Some 33 were detained for other offenses, including 17 for assaulting police officers.
"#DefendOurJuries, the campaign group organizing the protest, said 1,500 people took part in the demonstration outside Parliament, sitting down and holding signs reading 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.' "
https://apnews.com/article/britain-palestine-action-protest-arrests-b6acca3f6e46cf0fd64ae11d413f5bd8
#Protesters in #SouthFlorida to fight back against state orders to remove #RainbowCrosswalks
Walter Murphy, August 25, 2025
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — "Protesters are expected to hit the streets of South Florida Monday to fight back against state orders to remove rainbow crosswalks in places like #FortLauderdale, #MiamiBeach and #KeyWest.
"Four crosswalks in Fort Lauderdale are in the crosshairs of the Florida Department of Transportation.
"The state recently sent the city a non-compliance letter, demanding the different designs and murals be removed.
" 'It’s an attempt to try to erase the presence of anything to do with the #LGBTQCommunity,' Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said.
"The state sent similar letters to Miami Beach, Key West and #DelrayBeach, citing safety issues, but Trantalis says it has nothing to do with safety.
" 'It could be the gay community this year -- who knows what’s going to be next year,' he said. 'We don’t know where they are going to keep trying to eliminate the diversity of what represents Florida.'
"Two of the crosswalks in Fort Lauderdale on the state’s list are along Breakers Avenue at Terramar and Riomar streets.
"Another one is at East Las Olas Boulevard and Almond Avenue, and the final one is at Sebastian Street along A1A.
"That will be the site of one of two demonstrations against #FDOT’s order set for Monday night.
"Both protests were organized by #EricSwanson, who is better known as #MissBouvèé.
" 'A crosswalk doesn’t define us,' Miss. Bouvèé said. 'It’s the principle of the fact (that) it symbolizes a safe space for us.'
" 'I am outraged by the State of Florida’s decision to forcefully remove #PrideCrosswalks — symbols of love, support, and unity in our communities,' Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Thursday.
" 'These vibrant installations are more than paint on pavement. They reflect the values we hold dear in Miami-Dade: respect, appreciation of fellow neighbors, and the fundamental right to live and love openly,' she said in a statement.
"The warnings to communities across Florida come after last week’s removal of a rainbow-colored crossing marking the 2016 massacre outside the #PulseNightclub in #Orlando, where 49 people were gunned down. It was painted over in the middle of the night by work crews, but has since been restored by a group of demonstrators."
"The issue has been simmering since a July 1 directive from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who gave U.S. governors 60 days to identify what he called safety improvements.
" 'Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,' Duffy said in a statement at the time.
"The Federal Highway Administration said in a statement Friday to The Associated Press that Duffy 'has made every state receiving federal dollars responsible for identifying hazards on their roads.'
:Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday amplified those comments, saying on X: 'We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.'
"A statement from FDOT said the agency has a duty 'to ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems.'
" 'That means ensuring our roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests,' it said.
Efforts to remove the crosswalks are 'clearly an #AntiLGBTQ push on behalf of both the federal government and the copycat version from the state government,' said Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach County #HumanRights Council.
" 'They’re basically blackmailing municipalities, counties and states by saying if you don’t do this, we’re going to withhold funding,' Hoch said. 'It’s absolutely ridiculous.'
"It is unclear whether other states and communities outside Florida are being ordered to remove rainbow crossings, but Florida is often the vanguard nationwide in fights over what some call the culture wars of politics. Those include battles over the removal of #LibraryBooks deemed inappropriate by #DeSantis and other Republicans.
"In Key West, state transportation officials said that if pavement markings in its historic downtown aren’t removed by Sept. 3, 'the Florida Department of Transportation will remove them by any appropriate method necessary without further notice.' In a letter to Key West’s city manager, federal authorities also threatened the 'immediate withholding' of state funds if it finds 'additional violations.'
"The Aug. 15 letter to Key West leaders said that many local communities in Florida 'immediately began undertaking actions to ensure compliance.' It did not specify how many communities have cooperated or what steps they have taken.
"Miami Beach has also been ordered to remove its rainbow crosswalk on Ocean Drive by the first week of September."
wplg · Protesters in South Florida to fight back against state orders to remove rainbow crosswalksProtesters are expected to hit the streets of South Florida Monday to fight back against state orders to remove rainbow crosswalks in places like Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Key West.
LISTEN UP, USA
Another dumbass yet dangerous exec order : #CashBail on suspects
(I would assume that includes the #wronglyaccused and #protesters)
Democracy Now!Trump Executive Order Seeks to Impose Cash Bail on Criminal SuspectsA series of executive orders signed by President Trump Monday are drawing nationwide backlash, including a measure that aims to eliminate cashless bail and threatens to cut federal funding to Washington, D.C., as well as other jurisdictions that continue to implement the policy. Cashless bail is a system in which people accused of minor offenses are released from jail while awaiting trial without having to pay a specific cash amount. We’ll have more on this later in the broadcast.
#PortlandME - #Protesters call on Portland City Council to take stronger stand against #ICE
by Jamie Azulay, August 21, 2025
PORTLAND, Maine — "The Portland City Council is facing pressure from protesters to take a stronger stand against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"During an executive session on Wednesday, the council decided to stand by its approval of a federal transportation grant for the Portland International Jetport.
"Councilors noted, however, that they will not impose the immigration enforcement conditions that come with that federal funding.
"Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent letters in April that said states must cooperate on immigration efforts and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion [#DEI] programs or risk losing funds.
"Maine was among 20 states that sued over Duffy's threat to cut off transportation funding. In June, a federal judge blocked transportation officials from carrying out that threat before the lawsuit is fully resolved.
"Even though the Portland City Council said it will not agree to Duffy's terms, protesters gathered outside City Hall on Thursday and called for more to be done. Two state representatives were among those gathered at the City Hall demonstration.
" 'I'm hoping to hear that the city will not, under any circumstances, cooperate with ICE,' said Rep. #GraysonLookner, a Democrat from Portland.
" 'We know what the federal government is going to do, and if it plays out in the courts, who knows what they'll do,' said Rep. #RafaelMacias, a Democrat from Topsham.
"Portland Mayor #MarkDion said during a press conference that the city did not agree to any conditions involving ICE in order to receive the federal transportation funding for the Jetport.
" 'We did not consent, capitulate or embrace any condition for this money that would allow ICE to be entangled with city affairs. Period,' Dion said.
" 'Somewhere along the line, this has become an ICE contract (but) it's not. This is a grant award for infrastructure improvements at the airport.'
"Dion also said the amount of the grant is $18 million, not $21 million as has been reported."
Continued thread
The #State Dept said it was looking for indicators of ineligibility including #visa overstays, *criminal activity*, *threats to public safety*, engaging in any form of *terrorist activity*, or providing support to a *terrorist organization*. [How much do ya wanna bet that includes #protests / #protesters?]
Abolish ICE. Terrorizing #locals & destroying #restaurants is unacceptable.
#protesters marched peacefully in several areas of DC today including on the #Mall, #DupontCircle, and in front of the #whitehouse. #armed #WestVirginia & #southcarolina #nationalguard arriving at direction of #trump #martiallaw may be here in #DC Sunday. #nationalguard #ice and 4 unidentified armed masked men in civilian unmarked cars w one #maryland tag #beat #tased and drove off with a delivery man using a scooter #maga #democracy #justice #freedom https://bsky.app/profile/thetnholler.bsky.social/post/3lwkcxdyylc2f #FreeDC
Bluesky Social · The Tennessee Holler (@thetnholler.bsky.social)D.C. TODAY…
“Calls for review of law after Palestine Action arrests”
…Would be a step in the right direction - don’t hold your breath
BBC NewsLib Dems call for review of law after Palestine Action arrestsIt comes after the Met Police arrested more than 500 people at a demonstration backing the banned group.
Continued thread
If #union leaders are not pushing for a #generalstrike given the magnitude of what is going on then they need to be removed asap. They are not suited for the times we are living in.
The system of checks & balances has utterly failed. The people have to unite around shared #class & #work together to save themselves.
Things will keep getting worse until there is large scale #disruptive #directaction & #civildisobedience that doesn't stop until all the #criminals in power are out.
substack.comMilitarization of Our Streets is Un-American.The Steady State | Author's Name Withheld
The Guardian · ‘Horrific’: report reveals abuse of pregnant women and children at US Ice facilities
A reminder as the Local Police beats the shit out of everyone!
“ ‘If these words reach you … Israel has succeeded in killing me’:
the last words of a journalist killed in Gaza”
…What an Epitaph !
“UK’s surveillance flights over Gaza raise questions on help for Israeli military”
“Palestine Action is a ‘violent organisation’, Downing Street says after mass arrests over the weekend”
The violent organisation is Netanyahu & the IDF
Replied in thread
@istar @ChrisMayLA6 Actually, no it wasn't. The #legislation aimed at #climate #protesters came later, under the #Tories. (I refer to, e.g., the Public Order Act, 2023: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Order_Act_2023; https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/15/pdfs/ukpga_20230015_en.pdf.) The Terrorism Act, 2000, is being abused, not used, in its application to #PalestineAction - which cannot, in any meaningful sense of the word, be described as #terrorist. Clearly, the wording of the 2000 Act needs to be amended, so that it can't be abused.
en.wikipedia.orgPublic Order Act 2023 - Wikipedia