Name: Standing Up to the National Security State: Collective Defense against Political Repression
Start: 2026-09-06T17:00:00-0500
End: 2026-09-06T18:30:00-0500

Standing Up to the National Security State: Collective Defense against Political Repression

Sunday September 6, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm CDT

Jackson Park A

This panel brings together movement targets of Trump Administration repression and representatives of defense committee from the Minnesota 15, the Michigan 8, the Committee to Defend Tom Alter, and the Prairieland defendants. The panel will reflect the urgent need for a massive national, broad-based defense effort that can push back the regime’s offensive on political rights. The discussion will be followed by an organizing meeting that can involve new forces who can take these campaigns back to local areas and hold meetings, host fundraisers, and systematically seek the support of unions, faith organizations, and community groups.

Speakers

Tom Alter

Tom Alter is a member of Socialist Horizon and an organizer with the Texas State Employees Union. In September 2025 he was fired from his tenured position at Texas State University after speaking at a Socialism conference. He is suing the University.

Yarden Azoulay Katz

Diana Rueda

Diana Rueda is the sister of Prarieland defendant Maricela Rueda and a member of the DFW Support Committee for the Prarieland defendants. The defendants have been sentenced by a federal judge to a combined 450 years in prison for alleged "domestic terrorism."