June 16 is known as Soweto Day not only because the South African apartheid regime viciously attacked a youth demonstration in 1976. The youth played a critical role leading up to that day and on the days afterward, signifying a turn in the struggle of the African masses against the U.S.-supported white-colonial minority in South Africa.
In the midst of largely youth-led uprisings against the U.S. settler-colonial state, the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) has determined June 16 to be the most appropriate day to hold an online symposium,
"Rise Up to Shut Down AFRICOM", to highlight BAP's campaign against the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Making the link between the interlocking domestic repression and U.S. foreign interventions—and building opposition to it—represents the crux of our mission. We are not confused by the cynical and patronizing cry of "Black Lives Matter" uttered by the same forces that have supported the militarization of U.S. police forces, the expansion of the U.S. military budget and the military re-colonization of Africa through AFRICOM.
We are clear: It is a moral and political contradiction to advocate for a kinder and gentler police force in the belly of the empire while it is unleashing murderous violence around the world against Africans and other colonized people.
We will continue making the connections and organizing despite the confusion being spread by opportunists aligned with white power and the U.S. state.
"Rise Up to Shut Down AFRICOM", is a multimedia event including activist panelists based in Africa:
- Margaret Kimberley, Black Alliance for Peace and United National Antiwar Coalition (United States)
- Affiong L Affiong, Moyo Wa Taifa Pan Afrikan Women's Solidarity Network (Nigeria)
- Martin Bunziga Azaboyi, Coordinator, Telema Youth Movement (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Aziz Fall, Group for Research and Initiative for the Liberation of Africa (GRILA) (Egypt/Senegal)
- Elias Amare, from the only African country with no AFRICOM (Eritrea)
English/French interpretation will be provided.
Registration is required.
PRESS AND MEDIA
Mark P. Fancher is an attorney, writer, and a member of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party as well as the Black Alliance for Peace's Africa Team. He wrote about how this moment of U.S. uprisings presents an opportunity to understand U.S. imperialism operates a
"global killing machine."
Margaret Kimberley, Black Agenda Report senior columnist and member of BAP's Coordinating Committee, wrote about neoliberal politicians taking advantage of the uprisings, only to sow
confusion.
Max Rameau, an organizer with
Pan-African Community Action (PACA), and
Netfa Freeman, who represents
PACA on BAP's Coordinating Committee, explained why "Defund the Police" is
not the revolutionary move forward.
EVENTS
- June 16: Join BAP for an online symposium, "Rise Up to Shut Down AFRICOM," being held as part of our ongoing U.S. Out of Africa: Shut Down AFRICOM campaign. This multimedia event will include panelists based in Africa. The organizational arm of the campaign, the U.S. Out of Africa Network (USOAN), calls on Africans throughout the continent and the diaspora, as well as anti-imperialists everywhere, to register. Please use this hashtag on social media: #RiseUpToShutDownAFRICOM
- June 19: BAP's Baltimore chapter will host "Operation Relentless Pursuit Virtual Teach In," 5 p.m.-8 p.m., EST, on Sunday, June 19. Look out for more information on confirmed speakers and Zoom info.
TAKE ACTION
- Take your anti-war activism further by asking your local, state and federal candidates to sign BAP's 2020 Candidate Accountability Pledge. If you are a candidate, distinguish yourself from the other corporate warmongering candidates by signing the pledge.
- BAP's U.S. Out of Africa Network has begun releasing a bi-weekly AFRICOM Watch Bulletin. Sign up to join the network.
No Compromise, No Retreat!
Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Brandon, Dedan, Jaribu, Margaret, Netfa, Paul, Vanessa, YahNé
P.S. Freedom isn't free.
Consider giving today.
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