Nothing captures the contradictory essence of the democrat party’s Pro-ruling class politics and fraudulent nature of its’ “Build Back Better” legislation than the cavalier manner in which an overwhelming majority of democrats voted for $780 billion to go towards military spending. They then turned around and engaged in mind boggling haggling over spending the peoples’ resources, on the people, because of its cost!
Ajamu Baraka, BAP’s National Organizer, argued that legislation meant for economic recovery which included spending on infrastructure and "social infrastructure" was split into two pieces. Both are now stuck in the House of Representatives suggesting that a package of comprehensive social spending was more a public relations stunt than representative of a serious effort to address some of the human right needs of the population. By increasing military spending and cutting out resources and programs necessary for the people, Biden and democrats demonstrate that what they really want to push is neoliberalism with a smile.
Once it is understood that the real bipartisan agenda is for the stabilization of the economy and partial ameliorative reforms to address the ongoing legitimation crisis and conditioning of the population to support military aggression against China, it becomes clear why the democrats engaged in a bait and switch with the $3.5 trillion social infrastructure bills. Two areas in which there is bipartisan support and without mass pressure will not be touched is reversing the last round of tax cuts for the rich under Trump and reducing the military budget. From the pivot to Asia and confrontation with China to Iran and the militarization of the Africa continent, the U.S./EU/NATO Axis of Domination continues, despite some internal tensions.
But there is resistance. The Black Alliance for Peace along with our allies are not going to allow the two parties to push the agenda of the rulers without a fight. This month has been designated by BAP as a Month of Action Against the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). We are continuing with our work in Haiti, the Department of Defense 1033 program, anti-interventionist work in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Horn of Africa. We are also supporting the Black Peoples’ March on Washington November 6th, and the International Tribunal on Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War October 22nd-25th.
We have not seen much from the NAACP, Black Lives Matter and even the Poor Peoples’ Campaign demanding the protection of the fundamental human rights of workers that are being debated as part of the Build Back Better diversion. BAP, however, will continue to push for People(s)-Centered Human Rights that include the right to housing, healthcare, food, education, and ability to make a living free from external coercion.
Our commitment to the Black radical peace and human rights tradition, a tradition that centers Black self-determination and the defeat of those forces that deny freedom, peace, and social justice, is absolute. While some call for “Build Back Better” to strengthen capitalism, we say defeat the colonial/capitalist system and build a new system. On that there is No Compromise and No Retreat.
PRESS AND MEDIA
On the 8 O'Clock Buzz - WORT 89.9 FM, Community Radio in Madison, WI, Host Jan Miyasaki spoke with Netfa Freeman, who represents BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action (PACA) and a member of BAP’s Coordinating Committee about the Int'l Month of Action Against AFRICOM. It is the first interview of the show.
In BAR Netfa wrote about - Guinea and the Military Coup Incubator, AFRICOM. The recent coup in Guinea exemplifies the damage done by European colonizers and the U.S. Africa Command. The article was also picked up by Black Star News.
Africa Today on PressTV interviewed Netfa about the US, French connection in Guinea Coup
In BAR Netfa wrote about - Biden’s DOJ Sleight of Hand on Police Reform DOJ "reforms" are a smoke screen covering up systemic complicity with law enforcement. The article was also picked up by Black Star News.
On The Critical Hour, Netfa and BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley, come together to discuss US imperialism including Haiti, Latin American, Africa, and the Caribbean. We talk about the US using AFRICOM for regime change operations in Africa. Also, we discuss the Haitian immigrant crisis, Cuba, and the move to replace the US' regime change machine known as the Organization of American States (OAS).
On Political Misfits, Netfa, talks about the military coup that overthrew Guinean President Alpha Condé, and Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, now in power in the country, and the intersection of extractive industries and globalization. The interview is available for viewing here. (Starts at 19:00)
David Swanson invited BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley to discuss Colin Powell, Julian Assange, the bipartisan support for war, Obama's 19-acre monstrosity that is displacing people, as well as Nicaragua and other sanctioned nations.
On Live on the Fly with Randy Credico, BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley discusses with Randy the late Glen Ford and the work of Black Agenda Report, U.S. politics, my book Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents, and the need to support Julian Assange.
On Black News Channel, BAP’s Haiti/Americas Coordinator Jemima Pierreshares her thoughts on the Haitian migrant crisis at the Southern border and the implications of U.S. special envoy to Haiti, David Foote's resignation.
On Breakthrough News, BAP’s Haiti/Americas Coordinator Jemima Pierrediscusses the assassination of Haitian president and what this will mean for Haitians and the political movement in the country.
On The Katie Halper Show, BAP’s Haiti/Americas Coordinator Jemima Pierrediscusses the power siege in Haiti and the presence and impact of western imperialism within the country.
On The Critical Hour, Netfa, discusses the military coup in Guinea. Military forces linked to the US and French imperial powers have toppled the government in Guinea. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya has taken control of the country and declared himself the ruler. The interview is available for viewing here. (Starts at 59:30)
The Massachusetts Peace Action held online webinar to discuss the U.S. Interference and Imperialism in Haiti which BAP Coordinating Committee member, Margaret Kimberley served as a guest panelist on. An excerpt from the discussion can be found here.
On Fault Lines Podcast, BAP’s Haiti/Americas Coordinator Jemima Pierrediscusses the kidnappings occurring in Haiti at terrifying rates after the disappearing of 17 Americans.
On By Any Means Necessary, Netfa, discusses the coup in Guinea, the impact of neocolonialism, neoliberalism, and imperialism on Guinea and the African continent, how the harms of neoliberalism and imperialism manifest on poor and working people in the US through the police, gentrification, and more, and the purpose of policing in a capitalist system The interview is available for viewing here. (Starts at 59:34)
Latino Media Collective on WPFW 89.3 FM Washington speaks with Netfaabout Nicaragua and RENACER Act.
On Oct 7th, By Any Means Necessary discussed with Netfa efforts to end the use of the qualified immunity defense to protect police officers from civil suits, how the militarization of police is the consequence of imperialism abroad, especially in Africa, the connections between policing in capital exposed in the corporate financing of police foundations, and the incessant American decline.
The revolutionary African blog Hood Communist created an AFRICOM syllabus in support of Black Alliance For Peace International Month of Action to shut down AFRICOM
Erica Caines, Haiti and The Americas team member, discusses the contradictions of Haiti and The US Responsibility To Protect Haiti and The US “Responsibility to Protect”
Coordinating Committee member, Erica Caines, breaks down why "lived experience" is a limited way to analyze the world and our conditions within them The Limits of “Lived Experience”
BAP member organization, AAPRP New Mexico, hosted a Shut Down AFRICOM episode to support BAP's international Month of Action
BAP-Baltimore members, Nnamdi Lumumba and Erica Caines alongside BAP member Ashaki Binta were panelists on the New African/ Black Unity and Solidarity conference
Salome Ayuak, who represents BAP member organization Horn of Africa PALS, provides a condensed version of a speech given at the International Month of Action Against AFRICOM launch event - "AFRICOM at 13: Building the Popular Movement Towards Demilitarization and Anti-Imperialism in Africa."
Tunde Osazua, Coordinator of BAP’s U.S. Out of Africa Network (USOAN), wrote “Building the Movement to Shutdown AFRICOM” for BAR. In it, he discusses raising the public's awareness of western military power being used to control African land, resources, and labor on behalf of the world’s corporate and financial elite. As well as efforts to build a popular movement for demilitarization and anti-imperialism on the African continent.
BAP member Mark P. Fancher wrote, “From Russia Without Love - Mercenaries in Mali,” for Black Agenda Report. The "scramble for Africa" continues with the U.S., former colonizers such as France, and now Russia, all competing for influence.
EVENTS
October 17-23: Friends of the Congo will be hosting their 14th annual Congo Week with the theme “Congo in Harlem”. See the schedule and register here.
October 18: Socialist Workers League-Nigeria will host an online AFRICOM teach-in at 7PM WAT Live on Facebook.
October 21: Arise Black Child and Mutapa will be giving an anti-AFRICOM presentation on Zoom and Facebook at 6PM South African Time. Zoom Meeting ID: 821 4940 3318, Passcode: 136932
October 21: AfroResistance will be hosting “Migration and Journey of Afro-Descendants in the Americas”. Register here.
October 21: AAPRP New Mexico is dedicating a Weekly Pan-African News episode to AFRICOM on October 21 at 3PM ET. Watch here.
October 21: The DC History Center is hosting their next Context for Today “See Our Latinidad, See Our Blackness”. Register here.
October 22-25: The Spirit of Mandela Coalition is organizing and hosting an International Tribunal on US Human Rights Violations. Register here.
October 22: BAP NC and the Greensboro People's Freedom Assembly will be hosting an AFRICOM Teach-In. Register here.
October 23: Movement for African Emancipation is organizing an in-person AFRICOM teach in at 3PM WAT. Zoom Meeting ID: 810 8752 9655
October 24: Ebukhosini Solutions is organizing an online workshop on AFRICOM on Zoom at 1PM South Africa Time. Message +27746904012 on WhatsApp to register.
October 24: BAP-Chicago will be hosting an AFRICOM Teach-In. Register here.
October 25: UNAC AFRICOM and the Situation on the with Ethiopia, Tigray and the Horn of Africa Webinar. Register here.
October 26: BAP SoCal is having an AFRICOM Teach-In at 7pm PT. Register here.
October 27: PACA will be hosting their next Assata Shakur Study Group "AFRICOM: Let's Upset the Setup". Register here.
October 29: The Revolutionary Socialist Union at the University of Vermont is holding an event on AFRICOM. Zoom details to follow.
October 30: The Movement for African Emancipation is having an event on AFRICOM. Zoom Meeting ID: 810 8752 9655.
October 31: BAP South-Central will be hosting an AFRICOM Teach-In at 2pm PT. Register here.
November 6-7: The Black is Back Coalition is hosting their annual rally “Black People’s March on the White House”. Register here.
TAKE ACTION
BAP member organizations PACA and Friends of the Congo are fundraising to support the recently flooded GOVA Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Sign BAP petitions calling for an end to the 1033 program and peace in Afghanistan.
Dedan Waciuri, who represents Black Workers for Justice on BAP’s Coordinating Committee, is being charged for inciting a riot and damaging government property. We are asking folks to participate in phone blasts by calling the Pitt County DA to demand the charges be dropped; calls should be made every Tuesday until Dedan’s December court date. And, if you haven’t already, please sign this petition.
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.
Sign up to join BAP’s U.S. Out of Africa Network to receive the bi-weeklyAFRICOM 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 Instagramand Twitter.
No Compromise, No Retreat!
Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Charisse, Dedan, Erica, Jaribu, Margaret, Netfa, Nnamdi, Paul, Rafiki, Salome
P.S. Freedom isn’t free. Consider giving today.