Saturday morning, the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) got word the neoliberal, right-wing Colombian state was deploying its military into the predominantly Afro-Colombian city of Calí. To top it off, the internet was not working. That prompted us to put out an alert on Twitter.

Later in the day, we heard from our folks that the internet appeared to be up and running again. But we remain vigilant because the national government had deployed the military to Calí and other cities after issuing a decree on Friday forcing governors and mayors to cooperate with the militarized response to the national strike.

This move came after a month of unrest and severe state repression sparked by opposition to the government’s attempt to impose an austerity plan that would have transferred the economic crisis created by neoliberalism onto the backs of the working class.

What is little known about the rebellion in Colombia is the disproportionate impact neoliberal policies and the armed conflict have had on Afro-Colombian communities across the country. That is why a disproportionate number of Afro-Colombians have been subjected to murder, police assaults and disappearances during the course of the national strike. For example, Calí was the site of 41 out of the 66 police-sanctioned murders over the past month.

The United States is behind this militarized repression. Its 21-year-old "Plan Colombia" gives billions of dollars to the Colombian state to criminalize and repress the working class, Afro-Colombians and Indigenous peoples.

The violence in Colombia has regional implications. This is why BAP keeps the focus on Colombia and on other African-diaspora communities throughout the Americas.

We hosted a webinar a few days prior to African Liberation Day highlighting the struggles for African liberation in Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and Venezuela. Then BAP's Haiti/Americas Committee released a statement on the day itself, May 25.

Yet, as internationalists and anti-imperialists, we always link our struggles to the struggles of other peoples, including Palestinians and the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

BAP stands in struggle with all African and colonized peoples against capitalism, imperialism, neocolonialism and white supremacy, even as our struggles disappear from the mainstream as the majority of the Western left focuses on trending struggles.

PRESS AND MEDIA


On the May 18 episode of WPFW (89.3 FM-Washington, D.C.)'s “Voices With Vision,” co-hosts Craig Hall and Netfa Freeman, who represents BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action (PACA) on BAP's Coordinating Committee, heard from the Palestinian Youth Movement DMV Chapter's Raya Hudhudand and Sammy Alqasem about recent events in occupied Palestine and ongoing demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people. They interviewed Djibo Sobukwe, former organizer with BAP member organization All-African People's Revolutionary Party (A-APRP) and member of BAP's Research & Political Education Team, on why anti-Zionism solidarity is crucial for African liberation. Political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal himself provided an update on his situation. The episode includes a song by young Gaza Strip-based Palestinian hip-hop artist Abdel Rahman al-Shantii and Rafeef Zia's poem, “Shades of Anger."

The May 25 episode of "Voices With Vision" featured a tribute to comedian Paul Mooney, who passed away May 19. Craig and Netfa interviewed PACA comrade Vee Davis about PACA's May 26 webinar, “Human Rights and the Struggle for Black Liberation.” Mumia speaks on the latest inhumanity against the MOVE organization in Philadelphia, in what he calls the "City of Bones." The show made a call for people to struggle for the freedom of our political prisoners while they are alive, regardless of their health condition.

BAP member Salifu Sesay Mack spoke on Hood Communist Radio's premiere episode on May 27 about Baltimore prosecutor Marilyn Mosby weaponizing identity politics against her critics in the case of Keith Davis, Jr., and more. Meanwhile, BAP Coordinating Committee member Erica Caines appeared on Radio Sputnik's "By Any Means Necessary" to discuss Davis' fifth—that's right, fifth—trial with co-host and BAP member Jacqueline Luqman. Erica and Jacqueline also dove into how Mosby's repeated attempts to prosecute the case has undercut her progressive reputation and they discussed Davis' recurring health issues while in state custody for seven years.

PACA organizer Max Rameau discussed on "By Any Means Necessary" a recent The Hill-HarrisX poll that has found a plurality of respondents believe relations between colonized Black and Brown people and the police has worsened in the past year. Max also delved into the political utility of social media and the Black misleadership class.

UrduPoint News quotes Netfa in an article on reforms enacted around the 1-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder. "There are reforms but they need to be revolutionized," Netfa said. "It's not just about policing. It's about a system of neo-liberalism, capitalism and extracting more profit and capital from the people." Plus, Netfa appeared 1 hour into a panel discussion on Malcolm X's birthday to discuss police reform and brutality.

Netfa also produced a 1-hour contribution to WPFW's Malcolm X Day Special. It featured BAP member and founder/curator of I Mix What I Like Jared Ball as well as Kamau Franklin of both Community Movement Builders and the "Renegade Culture" podcast featured on Black Power Media.

“The Black Myths Podcast” that BAP member Too Black hosts released an episode last week, "Myth: Black Wall Street was Self-Sustaining." It is available on Black Power Media, on Apple and on any streaming platform. Part 2 will drop tomorrow, the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre, and it will feature Jared.

PressTV interviewed BAP Coordinating Committee members Rafiki Morris and Netfa on Minneapolis rallies marking the first anniversary of George Floyd's death, which lands on African Liberation Day, May 25.

Meanwhile, Hood Communist editors wrote a collective editorial to commemorate African Liberation Day.

Netfa was interviewed 41:30 minutes into "By Any Means Necessary" on African Liberation Day's significance and why the struggles for liberation among racially and economically oppressed communities across the globe are “inextricable.”

BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley and Danny Haiphong on Black Agenda Report’s “The Left Lens” discussed Palestine and imperialism with independent journalist Richard Medhurst.

BAP members Asantewaa Nkrumah-Ture and Deandra Jefferson rallied in solidarity with Palestine May 22 with the Philly Free Palestine Coalition. Asantewaa can be heard 2:10:39 hours into this video.

Radio Sputnik's "The Critical Hour" spoke to Netfa at the 87-minute mark on the Biden-Harris administration approving humanitarian aid to Gaza while the State Department approved a $735-million sale of bombs to Israel, bypassing congressional opposition.

Meanwhile, BAP Solidarity Network Coordinator Julie Varughese spoke to “The Critical Hour” at the 59-minute mark about the Taliban warning neighboring countries of attacks if they host U.S. military bases.

Erica was featured on BAP Solidarity Network member Ramiro Sebastián Fúnez's YouTube show, "Unmasking Imperialism," to discuss the CIA commercial, the insidiousness of the state and intersectional imperialism.

The Pan-African Activist Sunday School (PASS), an intergenerational, Pan-African, popular education series provided updates May 30 on African struggles in Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia, Haiti and Palestine, among other places. It was livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.

EVENTS


June 9: PACA's next Assata Shakur Study Groups (ASSG) event, "Gentrification and the Role of Policing." will be held at 7 p.m. ET. Non-Africans are requested to bring an African.

June 17: DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression will host, "How Community Control Over Police Empowers Women, Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Folx."

TAKE ACTION

  • 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. Sign this petition to demand charges be dropped.

  • 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-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.


No Compromise, No Retreat!

Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Charisse, Dedan, Erica, Jaribu, Margaret, Netfa, Nnamdi, Paul, Rafiki

P.S. Freedom isn’t free. Consider giving today.

Banner photo: Protesters marching in the city of Calí, Colombia. (Reuters)