Weekly Blast October 8: “Rage Against the War Machine”

The theme of the Anti-war activities that activist Cindy Sheehan is a part of this weekend – Rage Against the War Machine – captures the spirit and responsibilities of all of us ensconced here at the center of empire. The theme also reflects the character of the activities that Anti-war activists have been engaged in over the last few years to reverse the acceptance and even legitimation of war and militarism that has been pushed by both capitalist parties.

So, we urge all of our members and supporters to come out this weekend in Washington D.C. to support the march and rally on October 11 and the “Anti-imperialist Revolutionary Summit” on Saturday October 12.  Here is more detailed information. 

Black is Back Coalition:

 “The U.S. and all imperialist powers – new and old – must be expelled from Africa, and the U.S. domestic colonial occupation forces known as police must be driven out of our colonized communities as part of the struggle against colonialism and imperialism.” 

This is the position of the Black is Back (BIB) Coalition that is guiding its march on the White House on November 2 followed by a conference on November 3 in Washington D.C. 

The theme of weekend is “Turn imperialist War into Wars against imperialism!” BAP serves on the leadership body of the BIB and is calling on all of our members and supporters to come out in numbers to support and participate in these actions. Now is the time to move from the defensive to offensive by demanding the public in the U.S. to break with the war agenda of the capitalist elite that is responsible for the death and destruction of non-European peoples and working classes across the planet. For more information click here. 

BAP condemns Turkey’s invasion of Syria and Calls on United Nations Security Council Intervention:

In yet another gross violation of international law, the repressive government and NATO state of Turkey is preparing to enter Syria territory under the false pretext of targeting so-called terrorists. However, from its own admissions, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has consistently revealed that its main target is and has always been the Kurdish  “People's Protection Units (YPG)” associated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has fought a war of national liberation against the Turkish state for the last three decades. 

We must be prepared to oppose any military actions by Turkish state and must assert again that all foreign forces not invited by the recognized state of Syria leave the country. 

Drop the Charges against Venezuela Embassy Protectors! 

The Trump Administration and their enablers in the democrat party who support U.S. rogue state actions, want to make examples of Kevin Zeese, Margaret Flowers, David Paul and Adrienne Pine, the last four members of the Embassy Protectors Collective that was arrested by Homeland Security when it and a host of other security agencies invaded the embassy of Venezuela. The protectors were upholding international law solidarity with the people of Venezuela with their solidarity action to protect the peoples property and the integrity of Venezuela’s democratic processes and sovereignty.  

BAP stands in unapologetic solidarity with the embassy protectors and the people of Venezuela who are being subjected to brutal draconian methods to break their will and surrender to U.S. bipartisan criminality. 

Demand that charges are dropped. Oppose U.S. white supremacist arrogance that believes it has the right to determine the governments of non-European peoples around the world. Circulate information on the case and send messages of solidarity to the protectors.  

We are coming to you again: 

BAP’s body of work cannot be disputed. In less than three years, we have made incredible progress with little money and no staff. But what we have had is you – our members and supporters – who have kept us afloat. But we need more from you just as we are giving more. 

If you are a monthly subscriber, we thank you and really appreciate you because your monthly provides us with a monthly baseline of support that we know is coming in. But we need more. Please consider increasing your support by 10% per-month. 

We are moving toward our biannual face-to-face membership meeting. We had one small meeting in Atlanta in November 2018 and are organizing a much bigger gathering to commemorate our 3rd anniversary April 4th, 2020. But even beyond this gathering, as you have seen, our members and supporters have been taking it to the streets as part of our campaign “No Retreat, No Compromise, Defeat the War Against African/Black People in the U.S. and Abroad.” We also launched a Candidate Accountability Campaign that calls on all candidates and representatives at every level of government to commit to our six demands if they want to receive support from the people that are fed up with war and militarism. 

With all of this, we need resources because we don’t have any illusions about any of the funders out there supporting a program that at its heart is calling for revolutionary change. 

So, we come to you. If you have donated, please increase your contribution by 10%. If you are a supporter and have not donated, please consider becoming a monthly supporter and/or give as much as you can at once. 

We are committed to peace. All rational, humane and moral individuals want to live in peace. But as members of an oppressed people, we understand that to realize peace we must struggle because we are guided by the dictum that without justice there will be no peace. 

“Now is the time to throw off all hesitation, open up new fronts of struggle and to launch every protest, demonstration, and anti-imperialist action – from the ballot box to the barricades -- as an act to deepen the crisis of imperialism. Every protest against police and white civilian murder of our people, every mass mobilization to demand the end to the cruel, bloody economic war against Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Iran, Korea and Russia must be seen as our part in turning the imperialist wars into wars against imperialism! (Chairman Omali Yeshitela, Chair of the Black is Back Coalition)