No Peace Under Imperialism: Black August in the Shadow of Empire

With the 46th commemoration of Black August, we confront the paradox of a month that binds our mourning and our militancy. The Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) asserts that this is not a time for performative reflection, but for sharpening our commitment to the living tradition of resistance forged by our ancestors such as Nat Turner, George Jackson, and the Haitian people as they began their revolution. This month also marks the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a stark reminder of Western imperialism’s capacity for genocidal destruction, as well as the continued siege on colonized and oppressed people domestically and across the globe.

From the ongoing genocide in Palestine to the brutal suppression of resistance in Haiti, Congo, and Sudan, the U.S. empire proves, yet again, that its notion of “freedom” is reserved only for the oppressors. From the ongoing genocide in Palestine to the brutal suppression of resistance in Haiti, Congo, and Sudan, the U.S. empire proves, yet again, that its notion of “freedom” is reserved only for the oppressors. Meanwhile, within the belly of the beast, Black communities face state-sanctioned terror: police killings, mass incarceration, economic warfare, and the erasure of our history through reactionary education policies. Now, under the Trump regime’s escalating authoritarianism, we witness the open colonial occupation of Washington, DC—a majority-Black city denied self-governance and now subjected to a federally imposed police state. The same empire that arms Israel’s genocide in Gaza deploys the National Guard to suppress dissent and entrench racial control at home, proving that imperialism’s violence is both exported and domesticated.

The U.S. and Israel’s impunity must end. This lack of meaningful action against the Zionist occupation’s genocidal acceleration, enabled by U.S. funding, corporate media collusion,, and protection at the United Nations and other international forums, motivates BAP’s call to ban both states from international sporting events. While this is one tactic, what’s clear is that anti-imperialist multilateralism must intensify: through movement efforts like the Friends of The Hague Group (FOTHG), state-based pressure by The Hague Group, and unwavering solidarity with the Axis of Resistance. It is this very impunity that has allowed Gaza’s genocide to continue for nearly two years, the violent occupation on the West Bank to intensify, the militarized occupation of DC to unfold under Trump’s “Safe and Beautiful” task force, and activists like labor leader Chris Smalls to be brutalized with silence from liberal elites.

BAP rejects the hollow commemorations that reduce historical atrocities to performative gestures. We refuse to let August pass without exposing and confronting the bloody legacy of U.S. militarism and colonialism. This month, we honor the martyrs victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki not with empty apologies, but by linking their struggle to our own, against the same empire that drops bombs and starves colonized and oppressed people abroad while slowly killing our people at home.

August is not a time for passivity. It is a month to remember that our struggle is intertwined with the struggle of all oppressed peoples. The same system that dropped nuclear bombs on Japan today arms Israel with weapons to slaughter Palestinians, funds death squads in Haiti, and militarizes police in Black neighborhoods. There can be no peace under imperialism, only resistance.

No Compromise! No Retreat!

The Black Socialist Formation (BSF) hosted a demonstration on Haitian Flag Day (May 18th), which called for "U.S. Out of Haiti". The event was hosted in the Hill District, a historically Black neighborhood in Pittsburgh, and it raised awareness around the crisis of imperialism in Haiti while making connections between issues of imperialism and displacement from Haiti to Sudan to the Hill District.

"On July 26th, 2025, BAP-DC members facilitated a discussion of the text: No Cop City, No Cop World, at Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe in Washington, D.C. The talk featured Kamau Franklin of member organization, Community Movement Builders, and engaged topics of counterinsurgency, militarization and elements of BAP’s key campaign: No Compromise, No Retreat. Furthering calls for community control and united fronts, the gathering brought out over 40 attendees, including comrades of Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Pan-African Community Action, and participatory contributors of Black Liberation Media.

Jump in and check out the Dulce Imperialism Teach-In hosted by BAP Baltimore in June! Connecting Puerto Rico and Baltimore through Domino Sugar Company! Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS29aXyfP0o

BAP- DC co-coordinator Evan Wright in conversation with Kamau Franklin of Community Movement Builders at Sankofa Books in DC. Watch here: https://youtu.be/I0Bu805_Yk0

DC based BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action (PACA) had its first door knocking training for the Peoples Pan-African Wellness Front on Saturday July 12th!.

Then on July 26th and on August 10th PACA led members and supporters to go door to door and put the training to use.

Last week, Erica Caines spoke at the People's Summit for Korea! She discussed the shared experience of suppression caused by Western Imperialism. Under the guise of counterterrorism, NATO destabilizes African countries like Libya, Sudan and Somalia in the attempt to prevent a unified socialist continent through strong military presence and instigation. US-NATO is using the same framework in arming the ROK Armed Forces in South Korea. Both AFRICOM and PACOM as well as the internal domination of both African and Korean people in the US serve the same purpose of disrupting collective resistance. Watch here: https://youtu.be/caLj5RhnQT4?si=a5l6wPk9yspUfPwi

North- South Project coordinator Ajamu Baraka and Africa Team Co- Coordinator Margaret Kimberly joined Danny Haiphong to discuss Trump and the EU and threats to Ibrahim Traore, Putin and BRICS. Watch Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDEd3oDyMRI

Catch this interview with Erica Caines and Max Ajl on Black Liberation Media. They discussed the recent events in Syria since the violent takeover by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) last year. This interview occurred on the heels of the recent Asia-Pacific News Update from the Solidarity Network, where they interviewed him on the same subject.
https://www.youtube.com/live/riNYZXWyNiI?si=JTc-obf1LRv9DpaE

BAP Baltimore co-coordinator Sister Sheena and BAP Baltimore Member, Milan Hariis on BLM’s Remix Morning Show discussing NCNR and their recent petition. Watch Here (1:01:55- 1:37:07):
https://www.youtube.com/live/UVKiRyAX4u4?si=KlUWa6LFy4glgA1N

Check out BAP- Philly Co- coordinator, filmmaker Chad Murdock in conversation with filmmaker Mtume Gant discussing the role of Black Cinema (and organizing). Listen Here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sJIfAj9zySFwHBfUqRvLW?si=Ni9nDE6kTP66Rjc71M1cNA

BAP So- Cal co-coordinator, Kim Moore and BAP Midwest member, Too Black in discussing the myth "this ain't out fight" on Black Myths Podcast. Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/live/bWaRo-AiVdA?si=iEr_znLXakR8yLqI

BAP member Salome Ayuak joined Revolutionary African Perspectives (RAP), a live-broadcast radio show run by all BAP Atlanta Members on WRFG 89.3, to discuss the life and legacy of the revolutionary Frantz Fanon.

Statements:
Latest Statement From the BAP Haiti/ Americas Team on the deepening crisis in Haiti informed by the occupation of Kenya forces: https://blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/exporting-repression

BAP Africa Team latest AFRICOM Bulletin featuring Gerald Horne: https://blackallianceforpeace.com/africomwatchbulletin/edition57-l63y7-y4h6g

BAP dropped a new statement regarding the detainment of Chris Smalls and the ongoing impunity of Israel and the United States. Read Here: https://blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/zionist-israel-brutalizes-and-detain-chris-smalls

The Black Alliance for Peace and AAPRP DMV presents “Political Prisoners in the Age of Empire: From Local Jails to Global Detention.” The United States locks up more people than any other nation on Earth—a system built on racial capitalism, state violence, and repression. From COINTELPRO’s targeting of Black revolutionaries to today’s militarized policing and ICE deportations, the U.S. prison state continues to disappear dissidents, cage marginalized communities, and export its carceral model globally. At the same time, Maryland’s incarceration rates—especially in Baltimore—reflect a vicious cycle of policing, poverty, and profit, where prisons function as tools of social control rather than justice. Join us August 16th from 1-3pm at Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church for a critical discussion on: The legacy of U.S. political prisoners, Baltimore & Maryland’s prison crisis, and Prison imperialism.

Black August Reflection: Supporting Our Political Prisoners Year Round | Wednesday, September 10 , 7PM EST– Join us as we reflect on Black August and deepen our understanding of political prisoners as collective resistance. Through dialogue, we'll make connections between the legacy of Black August, the current carceral state, and sustained solidarity with our political prisoners. With any questions, please contact the Prisoner Support Team at solidarity@blackallianceforpeace.com

Black August Commemoration: Honoring Our Political Prisoners – Black August is more than a month — it’s a commemoration of struggle and sacrifice. In honor of the legacy of political prisoners past and present, we will commemorate Black August with a day in community. This event will include educational discussions, resources for community members with incarcerated loved ones, kids' activities, an art workshop, and much more! Join us as we honor their legacy, uplift their names, and continue the fight for liberation. ✊🏿"

MXGM | Every Wednesday in Black August from 7-9 PM
#BlackAugust is near! Join us, the D.C. Chapter of the Malcom X Grassroots Movement (@mxgmnational) and Pan-African Community Action (@pacadmv) for Black August Resistance as we study, fast, train, and fight for healthy bodies, minds, and spirits and prepare for the struggle ahead against medical genocide. We encourage everyone to join us in person and break your Black August fast with us! Every Wednesday in Black August from 7-9 PM. Free food and masks provided. Hybrid Registration: bit.ly/DCBlackAugust2025

LOCATION: Black Workers & Wellness Center, 2500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Washington, DC 20020

Honoring Resistance The Class of 1925 and Commemorating of the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and The Great Flood
2025 is a special year for African people. It is the 100 year anniversary of many freedom fighters: Robert F. Williams, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Patrice Lumumba, and Frantz Fanon. This Black August, we are honoring the sacrifices of these Freedom Fighters and the advancements we achieved through their revolutionary impact.

Eversville (Jackson) Events | Wednesday, August 20th @ 6pm
Public Event with Mireille Fanon (Daughter of Frantz Fanon)
Thursday, August 21st @ 4pm
Film Festival

New Orleans Events | Friday, August 22nd
Public Event with Mireille Fanon
Saturday, August 23rd

CurbFest For Political Prisoners in the DMV | August 30th | 2-5pm
Red Emmas Bookstore CoffeeHouse
3128 Greenmount Ave Baltimore MD 21218

August 31st | 1-6pm
2500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
bit.ly/curbfestdc