China, Militarism and Bipartisan Games

Trump militarized Portland last week and then threatened to send federal police and military forces to Chicago and other Democrat Party-led cities. Then Democrats squealed in opposition. But it's phony. Both political parties are playing a cynical game designed to keep the public's attention on the drama of Trump while they work together to advance the agenda of the ruling class. The public has been told the two parties can't seem to agree on vital issues facing the working class, such as extending unemployment protection and a moratorium on rent and mortgage evictions. But there didn't seem to be much problem for the parties in the U.S. House of Representatives when they decided a pathetic proposal to reduce the Department of Defense budget by 10 percent was too dangerous. In fact, 139 Democrats joined Republicans in voting down that amendment to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before approving another obscene military budget of $740 billion. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), the Black mouthpiece for the right-wing neoliberal corporate wing of the Democratic Party, took the lead on advising Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) that her proposal for a federal "paycheck guarantee," while efficient in that it would cover workers' salaries for three months, was much too expensive. The cost? For six months of coverage, it was estimated at $654 billion. The priorities are clear. Money is available for the military-industrial complex, but lifesaving support for workers is just too expensive. And yet the games continue. Trump shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston as both parties are in fierce competition to demonstrate their toughness on China. Neither party can explain to the people why China is such a threat today. Just a few months ago, Russia was the main threat. That is why the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) takes the unequivocal and unambiguous position that we will never allow the U.S. state and its ideological henchmen to push us into opposition against any external enemy. We say, "no to a new cold war with China," no to militarism, no to domestic repression, and no to the continued neglect of millions of workers and poor people in the United States.   PRESS AND MEDIA BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley and BAP National Organizer Ajamu Baraka appeared on "No to the New Cold War with China," a webinar that was well attended and featured talks by many prominent people. Margaret explained why the U.S. left must oppose a new cold war with China, while Ajamu discussed how radical Black internationalists relate to China. Dedan Waciuri, who represents BAP member organization Black Workers for Justice on BAP's Coordinating Committee, recently made the connection between U.S. foreign interventions and U.S. domestic repression of colonized people. BAP member Asantewaa Mawusi Nkrumah-Ture recently spoke on a webinar featuring members of social movements from Venezuela and the United States. She expressed BAP's support for Venezuela's people as they face deadly U.S. sanctions and the threat of regime change. Netfa Freeman, who represents BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action (PACA) on BAP's Coordinating Committee, discussed a number of issues with BAP member Jacquie Luqman, who co-hosts Sputnik Radio's "By Any Means Necessary" with Sean Blackmon. They talked about Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly voting against a proposal to cut military spending by 10 percent. They also discussed how the 2011 NDAA signed into law by President Barack Obama paved the way for indefinite detention, and BAP's recent statement condemning Trump's deployment of federal agents to cities like Portland. Netfa also broke down with his co-host, Craig Hall, on WPFW's "Voices with Vision" a history of the Trump administration's fascist militarized deployment against recent uprisings in U.S. cities. This included a creative historical analysis of U.S. policing, which featured voices from BAP and the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression. Ajamu dug into the deployment of federal agents 30 minutes into Sputnik Radio's "The Critical Hour", while Margaret can be heard discussing her book, "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents," about 99 minutes into the interview. PACA organizer Max Rameau was cited in a Nation article that discussed Community Control of Police (CCOP). Then TeleSUR interviewed Netfa, during which he said, "Our struggle, seen from the context of the black left, is for power." Check out the interview in Spanish and English. Plus, we must be vigilant of how the U.S. government is attempting to force journalists to turn over their footage to out protesters.   EVENTS August 23: At 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST, BAP will hold the first in our Educational Webinar Series. The topic is "How the International War Against Black People Is Being Waged Locally - & How We Unify Against It". We will be focusing on organizing in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, but participants are welcome from anywhere. Save the date and look out for more information in future newsletters.   TAKE ACTION The Black Latina Girls and Women Fund was created by BAP member organization AfroResistance, a Black Latina women-led organization in the service of Black Latinx women in the Americas. This fund offers financial support by giving money directly to Black Latin womxn, girls and femmes who are experiencing severe financial need across the region, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether in Brazil, Colombia, United States or Panama, Black Latina girls, women, and femmes are organizing in their local communities in the fight against several forms of state violence. You can donate here and people are encouraged to use the hashtag #BlackLatinaGWFund. Ask 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. Sign up to join BAP's U.S. Out of Africa Network to receive the bi-weekly AFRICOM Watch Bulletin in your inbox. Make sure you keep up with us throughout the week by subscribing to our YouTube channel, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram and Twitter. We are raising $30,000 to help expand our membership support capacity and revamp our website. Donate and share our GoFundMe campaign with your networks today. 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.     Copyright © 2020 Black Alliance for Peace, All rights reserved.