In the midst of the confusion and controversy around the defeat of the United States in Afghanistan, one thing has become clear: The rulers lost control of the narrative favoring endless war. The people suddenly became re-focused on the supposed “good war.” By doing so, they realized the real winners are the defense companies and military contractors. And who are the losers? The Afghan people, the soldiers who were killed and wounded, and the U.S. public whose national treasury was looted to the tune of over $2 trillion.

Yet, on September 1, the U.S. House of Representatives—in a bipartisan vote that ignored the sentiments of the people and that had Democrats defying U.S. President Joe Biden—once again awarded the Pentagon with an increase to its already bloated budget of $24 billion of the public’s money.

The message is clear: Whatever controversy exists around passing a social infrastructure bill vanishes when it’s time to ensure the rulers are able to protect their interests through military means. That is when the corrupt representatives of the “people” find unanimity.

However, that unity of action must be met with a greater unity of purpose and action by the people and the organized groups in the anti-war and anti-imperialist community. The Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) has consistently called for the United States to not only leave Afghanistan, but Syria and Iraq. BAP also has demanded the end of AFRICOM; the closure of more than 800 imperialist bases worldwide; a reduction in the U.S. military budget; an end to U.S. sanctions; and for the United States to cease as a rogue state, as it represents the greatest threat to international peace.

The webinars, mobilizations, interviews, organizing and statements seen in our newsletter are a slice of the incredible work BAP members are involved in. Help us continue with this newsletter and with our work. Disseminate our newsletter to your networks, but also take a moment to donate to our work. Our only source of funds is you, the public.

With your support and active participation, we are certain we can “turn imperialist wars into wars against imperialism” and build a new world where everyone can live with dignity and in peace.

PRESS AND MEDIA


On the August 24 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, broadcast select parts of BAP’s August 19 webinar, “From Black August to Black Liberation: Commemorating the Struggle of Political Prisoners.” Saudia Durrant of BAP Solidarity Network member organization Jericho Movement and recently released political prisoner and revolutionary Jalil Muntaqim were featured. This episode included the Isley Brothers’ “Fight the Power” and Tupac Shakur’s “Breath’n.”

On the August 31 episode of “Voices With Vision,” Craig and Netfa rolled out more audio from the July delegation to Nicaragua Netfa participated on. Netfa's conversation with Danilo Chang Cash, government executive of the South Caribbean Coast to Autonomous Regional Government in Nicaragua, was played on air. Elder Brother Mumia Abu Jamal spoke on the Third Wave, and gave a tribute to Glen Ford as well as an update on his own health. The episode includes the song, “Song 33,” by BAP member and recording artist Noname.

Noname’s activism was highlighted in Rolling Stone magazine, in an article titled, “How Noname Is Reimagining Fame (and Everything Else).”

Netfa's Black Agenda Report article, "Nicaragua at a Revolutionary Crossroads and in Imperialist Crosshairs," was reprinted by Resumen Latinoamericano (English), Black Star News, Popular Resistance, Monthly Review, Alliance for Global Justice NicaNotes, and Hood Communist. Netfa also appeared on Black Agenda Report’s YouTube show, “Left Lens,” to discuss his findings from the Nicaragua delegation with BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley and Black Agenda Report editor Danny Haiphong.

BAP’s Haiti/Americas Coordinator Jemima Pierre and Netfa represented BAP in a recent U.S. Peace Council webinar, “Imperialism's Intensified Military and Economic War Against Latin America and The Caribbean.”

Jemima was quoted in the Final Call, where she discussed the contradictions of NGOs in Haiti after a disaster. “Look, Haitian people have been taking care of themselves,” Jemima said. “People call Haiti the ‘Republic of NGOs.’”

BAP National Organizer Ajamu Baraka appeared on a panel discussion on RT America’s “The News with Rick Sanchez” to analyze the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Netfa appeared 12 minutes into “The News with Rick Sanchez” to discuss the role of NATO after the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. BAP’s Solidarity Network Coordinator Julie Varughese discussed the U.S. withdrawal’s fallout on August 23 and on September 2 on Radio Sputnik’s “The Critical Hour.”

BAP member Julian Kunnie wrote about Occupied South Africa, the African National Congress and white capital in the first part and second part of a two-part series that appeared in the Cape Times on August 30.

BAP member Salifu Mack, an editor at Hood Communist and a member of the Lowcountry Action Committee, appeared on Radio Sputnik’s “By Any Means Necessary,” hosted by Sean Blackmon and BAP member Jacqueline Luqman. They discussed the insidious nature of “diversity economy” marketing, as seen with McDonald’s Saweetie meal. The exploitation of celebrities in these schemes and how the African/Black community can fight back against corporations like McDonald’s.

BAP member Efia Nwangaza conducted a #ShutUmDown Campaign interview on George Jackson University Radio. The panel featured Baba Sekou Odinga, Baba Jihad Abdul Mumit, Baba Masai Ehehosi and Kevin Steele. This panel discussion, the first in a political education series designed to build support for the 2022 #ShutUmDown Strike, is hosted by George Jackson University Radio. The theme is “Political Prisoners: Intensifying Resistance Against Genocide.” They spoke about the upcoming multi-issue international people's tribunal, “In the Spirit of Mandela,” how abolitionists can intensify resistance in a more tactical and strategic manner and building a national infrastructure within the U.S. Prison Resistance Movement to obtain support and recognition from the international community.

The Final Call published an article that mentioned BAP’s August 19 webinar.

EVENTS

September 8: PACA's next Assata Shakur Study Group will be on “Women’s Leadership in SNCC.” Register here.

September 12: The Sanctions Kill Coalition is hosting “Ending U.S. Aggression on Cuba is Key to World Peace.” Register here.

September 19: BAP-Atlanta is hosting a webinar, “Black Power in ATL: What Is the Black Alliance for Peace?” Register here.

October 1: BAP is hosting a webinar on AFRICOM. Look out for information on how to register in upcoming communications.


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. 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: Afghans inspect damage of the Ahmadi family house after a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 29, 2021. Emal Ahmadi said the strike killed 10 members of his family, six of whom were children. (AP Photo / Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi)