Today in Labor History May 18, 1980: Koreans rose up in Gwangju against the repressive U.S.-supported government. The uprising lasted from May 18 to May 27. According to official reports, 165 civilians were killed and 3,515 were injured in the uprising. 37 soldiers and 4 cops were killed and 253 were injured. Another 14 soldiers died from “friendly” fire. However, Gwangju’s death records for May of 1980 were 2,300 above normal. Many believe the actual death toll from the uprising is closer to 2,000. In addition to the casualties from the uprising, nearly 1,400 people were arrested and 7 were given death sentences. 12 were sentenced to life in prison.
The background for the uprising is complex. However, the country had been living under the 18-year dictatorship of Park Chun-hee, who was assassinated on October 26, 1979. A series of pro-democracy demonstrations developed in the wake of his death. But on December 12, Chun Doo-hwan led a military coup in order to quell the protests. He did not officially take over as “president” until after the Gwangju Uprising. But he was acting as the de facto ruler and the country was still under martial law from the coup.
In March, protests picked up again. People wanted democratization, human rights, minimum wage increases, freedom of the press, and an end to martial law. On May 15, 100,000 people demonstrated at Seoul Station. Chun Doo-hwan responded by extending martial law to the entire nation, closing the universities, banning all political activities and further curtailing the press. Furthermore, he dispatched troops throughout the country to suppress any potential demonstrations.
On May 18, students demonstrated at Chonnam University in defiance of its closing. At first, there were only 30 paratroopers and hundreds of students. They started to clash. By afternoon, at least 2,000 people had joined the protest. The government sent in hundreds of troops. Soldiers started to club demonstrators and onlookers. They attacked with bayonets and raped people, and they beat a deaf man to death. Outraged, the number of protesters swelled to over 10,000. Street battles continued for days, climaxing on May 21, when soldiers fired into a crowd of protesters. In response, citizens took up arms by robbing local armories and police stations, arming themselves with M1 rifles and carbines. By afternoon, there were bloody gunfights between ad hoc civilian militias and the army. By 5:30, the citizens militias had obtained two machine guns and used them, forcing the army to retreat.
The troops retreated to the suburbs to await reinforcements. However, they also blocked all routes and communications leading into and out of the city. Meanwhile, inside of Liberated Gwangju, the Citizens’ Settlement Committee negotiated with the army, demanding the release of arrested citizens, compensation for the victims, and a prohibition of retaliation in exchange for disarming themselves. The army demanded immediate surrender and some in the committee were willing to give it to them. But those who wanted to resist until their demands were met took control of the committee.
On May 27, at 4 am, troops from five divisions moved on the protesters and defeated the civilian militias within 90 minutes.
Demonstratie – Stop Israëlische wapens in de Rotterdamse haven! 
Woensdag 21 mei om 18:00
18:00 – 19:30
Stadhuis, Coolsingel 40, Rotterdam
Naast de demonstratie moeten we ook degenen die hiervoor verantwoordelijk zijn ter verantwoording roepen en van hen eisen dat ze in actie komen. Dit kun je doen door te mailen of bellen met:
Je lokale politici in Rotterdam via 
De burgemeester, Carola Schouten (c.schouten@rotterdam.nl | burgemeester@rotterdam.nl | 010 - 267 38 93 | 010 - 267 34 88)
De havenmeester (verantwoordelijk voor toelating van schepen tot de haven) HCC@portofrotterdam.com | +31 (0)10 252 1000![[Left side]
DEMO STOP ISRAELI F-35 PARTS ENTERING ROTTERDAM
A Maersk ship carrying Israeli F35 parts is entering the Rotterdam harbour tomorrow, the 21st, morning.
Last Sunday, 100 000 people drew a metaphorical red line in the Hague. It's time for an actual red line to be drawn. We demand the municipality and the harbour master to block the ship.
Wednesday 21st of May - 6pm
Where: City hall, Coolsingel 40
GEEF TEGENGAS
[Rechterkant]
DEMONSTRATIE: STOP ISRAELISCHE F-35 ONDERDELEN IN ROTTERDAM
Een Maersk-schip met Israëlische F35-onderdelen komt morgenochtend, de 21e, de haven van Rotterdam binnen.
Afgelopen zondag trokken 100.000 mensen een rode lijn in Den Haag. Het is tijd dat er een echte rode lijn wordt getrokken. Wij eisen dat del gemeente en de havenmeester het schip tegenhouden.
Woensdag 21 mei - 18:00
Stadhuis, Coolsingel 40 Rotterdam
GEEF TEGENGAS](https://acties.todon.nl/media/b09000cd3469016c6a2b50d6316d0759.jpg "[Left side]
DEMO STOP ISRAELI F-35 PARTS ENTERING ROTTERDAM
A Maersk ship carrying Israeli F35 parts is entering the Rotterdam harbour tomorrow, the 21st, morning.
Last Sunday, 100 000 people drew a metaphorical red line in the Hague. It's time for an actual red line to be drawn. We demand the municipality and the harbour master to block the ship.
Wednesday 21st of May - 6pm
Where: City hall, Coolsingel 40
GEEF TEGENGAS
[Rechterkant]
DEMONSTRATIE: STOP ISRAELISCHE F-35 ONDERDELEN IN ROTTERDAM
Een Maersk-schip met Israëlische F35-onderdelen komt morgenochtend, de 21e, de haven van Rotterdam binnen.
Afgelopen zondag trokken 100.000 mensen een rode lijn in Den Haag. Het is tijd dat er een echte rode lijn wordt getrokken. Wij eisen dat del gemeente en de havenmeester het schip tegenhouden.
Woensdag 21 mei - 18:00
Stadhuis, Coolsingel 40 Rotterdam
GEEF TEGENGAS")
![Screenshot of Al Jazeera live blog:
"Photos: Huge protest at The Hague against Gaza genocide
Tens of thousands of red-clad protesters have marched through The Hague to call on the Netherlands government to do more to halt Israel’s onslaught in Gaza.
Organisers said it was the country’s biggest demonstration in two decades as rally participants pressed the Dutch government on Sunday to take action against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
[incl. a photo of the demonstrators, mostly dressed in red, calling on the Dutch government to act against Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza [Phil Nijhuis/EPA]](https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/534/913/367/327/600/original/36af9e854af6ddaf.png "Screenshot of Al Jazeera live blog:
\"Photos: Huge protest at The Hague against Gaza genocide
Tens of thousands of red-clad protesters have marched through The Hague to call on the Netherlands government to do more to halt Israel’s onslaught in Gaza.
Organisers said it was the country’s biggest demonstration in two decades as rally participants pressed the Dutch government on Sunday to take action against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
[incl. a photo of the demonstrators, mostly dressed in red, calling on the Dutch government to act against Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza [Phil Nijhuis/EPA]")
4/4: The 
Ein zivilgesellschaftliches Bündnis hatte in mehr als 60 Städten und Gemeinden zu Protesten gegen die AfD aufgerufen. 
Das Netzwerk "Zusammen Gegen Rechts" und die Kampagne "Menschenwürde verteidigen - AfD-Verbot Jetzt!" fordern unter dem Slogan "Keine Ausreden mehr!" den Bundestag, den Bundesrat und die neue Bundesregierung auf, unverzüglich ein Verbotsverfahren gegen die AfD vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht einzuleiten.
