NATO Imperialist Insistence Will Continue to be Met with Global South Resistance
This July, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held its annual summit in Washington, DC, where they celebrated themselves for continuing to exist for 75 years, despite the growing opposition around the world to Western hegemony that the US, EU, and their military gang of thugs NATO carry out.
Even after months of massive and consistent protests against the genocide in Gaza, it seems inconceivable that NATO would still gather to plan the next phase in maintaining Western imperialist hegemony over the world, but this is logical and necessary for their purposes because imperialism cannot continue to rule the world without the military might of the Western powers to enforce it.
They had to meet to discuss the fire sale and privatization of a war-decimated Ukraine, as well as their next aggressive actions toward China, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, the Sahel States in Africa, as well as their ability to meddle in Sudan, Chad, Congo, and other states on the Continent that have been resource-extraction and labor-exploitation playgrounds for global capitalists, protected by NATO and AFRICOM forces to keep the people opposed to them under control.
But there is always a radical response to this deadly status quo. Several counter-summits were organized, and members of BAP participated at every level, in planning, delivering speeches, and participating in mobilizations as part of them. Our focus has for years been to recognize NATO not as a singular entity, but as part of the US/EU/NATO AXIS OF DOMINATION that must be opposed by all liberation- and peace-minded people, and we shared that focus with the people in these events. Our resistance work continues to hold to and advance this line, as we also continue to organize with oppressed people in our communities and around the world against the deadly manifestation of NATO and its US and EU imperialist masters.
BAP DC and Pan-African Community Action organized a public teach-in held at Sankofa Video & Books on May 22, 2024. BAP & PACA members provided the history of African Liberation Day, its purpose, and its relevance in commemorating the ongoing struggle for true liberation of Africa that we in the diaspora are engaged in, as have our ancestors in the struggle. The presentation was given to a packed and enthusiastic house!
On May 31, 2024, comrade JP Sloan led a teach-in on Haiti hosted by the Rutgers Black Students for Liberation (BSL), where over 30 people were in attendance. Rutgers BSL discussed Haiti’s centuries-long fight against colonialism and imperialism, the connections between Haiti and Palestine, and why Haiti remains important for Black Liberation. During the teach-in, many Haitian Americans shared stories about parents and grandparents who lived through previous occupations. Check out a few of the responses to the teach-in.
On Friday, June 7th BAP NYC/NJ members, along with local partner organizations, held the second Hands Off Haiti! Community Speak Out. The speakout was held at a busy transportation hub in a Haitian neighborhood in Brooklyn. Speakers touched on recent developments regarding the then-looming occupation, such as the pending mobilization of Kenyan troops to the island and the importance of international solidarity in anti-colonial struggles around the globe. Comrade Dwayne was among the speakers and condemned the false "Pan Africanism" being employed by political actors to garner support for the intervention in the community.
On Thursday, June 13th the Philly for Palestine Coalition received the “Victory is Ours” award at the Bread and Roses Dinner and Awards Ceremony. This award is given to "a community organization, union or campaign that has advanced movements for racial & economic justice.” BAP Philadelphia is a proud member of the PPC.
On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, KOMOKODA and BAP NYC comrades organized a protest at Al Sharpton’s prayer vigil for Haiti. Sharpton held this vigil for Haiti at the Christian Cultural Center Church as part of an ongoing narrative to position himself as an ally for Haiti. Not content with that false narrative, KOMOKODA and members of BAP NYC/NJ descended upon the Canarsie Church to protest Al Sharpton's event and the U.S./Core Group/U.N. invasion. They passed out BAP’s recent statement on Misleaders to people in the parking lot. Instead of going inside, some joined the protest and urged others not to go in, demonstrating the necessity of these kinds of disruptions.
On June 20, 2024, as part of the #ResistNATO coalition, members Petros Bein and Jameela Alexander of the BAP-Baltimore, alongside the Palestinian Youth Movement DMV chapter, presented on the U.S./EU/NATO axis of domination, answering the question: Why is NATO in Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East?. People were also able to attend a watch party at @_nomu.nomu_ for a collective political education experience.
On July 6, 2024, BAP-Baltimore coordinating team member, Erica Caines, was a featured panelist for the #ResistNATO People’s Summit agitating around the U.S./ E.U./ NATO axis of domination in Africa and the Americas, highlighting domestic and global imperialism as counterparts. Following this event, in conjunction with the Zone of Peace Campaign, they hosted the program, SOUTHCOM to Cop City: Militarization In Our Americas at the Embassy of Nicaragua on July 9, 2024. Speakers included Brianna Alvarado Ramos (Puerto Rico), Félix Molina (Honduras), Samantha Wherry (Colombia), Leonardo Flores (Venezuela), Claudia O’Brien Moscoso (Perú), and Erica Caines (U.S.).
World Beyond War organized the No To NATO/Yes To Peace Conference held in Washington, DC on July 8-9, 2024. The conference was meant to counter the NATO summit held in the DC in July. BAP members Djibo Sobukwe (Philadelphia) and Anthony Rogers-Wright (DC) gave presentations on the panels that covered the status of the African struggle against NATO on the continent, and NATO's devastating impact on ecological destruction particularly among working class, poor, and peasant communities, raising the issue of NATO's impact on African, working class, poor, and oppressed communities and the people's persistent fightback against them.
Diaspora Pa'lante Collective (DPC) was featured on a panel and mobilized its DC chapter as a member of the Resist NATO Coalition during the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, DC.
On July 11, 2024, BAP-Baltimore was joined by Nicaragua’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs diplomat, Ambassador Mauricio Lautaro Sandino Montes, and Jill Clark-Gollub of Nicaragua Solidarity Network and Friends of Latin America for a screening of Nicaragua Against Empire in recognition of the upcoming celebration of 45 years of the Sandinista revolution.
On July 13, 2024, PACA held a very successful DC community town hall meeting designed to expose the motives behind the state's use of "crime bills'' and demonstrate the potential of participatory democracy in building community-based power for African liberation within the enclaves of the U.S. settler state. The event consisted of group exercises, a free lunch, and the performance of the live band, Crank Lu'Kongo Unplugged.
BAP-Baltimore held their Town Hall Session 5: Towards A Food Sovereign Future on July 20, 2024. The program was a resounding success! Panelists from Tubman House, Ujima People’s Progress Party, and BAP-Baltimore delved into the history of food sovereignty, land, and housing, illuminating their relevance to Baltimoreans. They linked the struggle for self-determination with food sovereignty, underscoring its role in the fight against imperialism. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how these issues intersect with broader battles against capitalism – both locally and globally.
On May 31, 2024, BAP Chicago member Nicholas Richard-Thompson and BAP Atlanta Coordinating Committee member Tunde Osazua joined the Black Myths Podcast with BAP member Too Black to talk about the myth that Africans Don't Value Democracy.
On June 4, 2024, BAP NYC/NJ Coordinating Committee member Shana Nicholson appeared as a guest on “What’s Happening?” on WBAI to discuss the NYC Haiti Solidarity Coalition organizing and the recent announcement of a plan for the construction of NYC Cop City in Queens.
BAP Africa Team Co-Coordinator, Netfa Freeman, joined WBAI Voices of Resistance to discuss U.S. Elections. He also appeared on several outlets to comment on recent events happening across the African continent. He spoke on Sputnik radio's The Critical Hour to discuss Africa’s rejection of US imperialism. On June 10, 2024, he talked to Manila Chan on Modus Operandi about AFRICOM and U.S. imperialism in the Sahel and as it relates to the chocolate supply chain in Africa. He appeared on PressTV on July 9, 2024, to discuss the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from Niger. On July 11, 2024, The News with Paul DeRienzo quoted Netfa via audio clips discussing the events unfolding regarding the Kenyan protests and William Ruto firing his cabinet. He also was quoted in an article, "African nations continue to push for self-determination" in The Final Call on July 16, 2024. In the July 31st issue of Black Agenda Report, Netfa writes about “The Ruthless and Desperate Pursuit of U.S. Influence and Access Over Africa.”
Jemima Pierre of the BAP Haiti-Americas Team joined Konbit Lakay on June 26, 2024, to discuss Haiti and the latest statement by the BAP Haiti-Americas Team, Black Alliance for Peace Condemns US Black (Mis)Leaders for their Support of US Military Intervention and Occupation of Haiti.
Organizers with Pan-African Community Action (PACA) made several media appearances, where they spoke about the DC crime bill from a black radical perspective and promoted the then-upcoming PACA town hall on building community-based power. On June 28, 2024, Oliver joined Black Agenda Radio, Evan was interviewed on WPFW's To Heal DC on, July 1, 2024. Bree appeared on the Remix Morning Show on Black Liberation Media, on July 4th, 2024. On July 5, 2024, Josh on Darker Than Blue, a joint WPFW / Black Liberation Media show. Garrett joined WPFW's Voices With Vision on July 8th, 2024. This episode also featured a speech by Bree at the Resist NATO Summit as well as the voices of other members of the Black Alliance for Peace. Jasmine also appeared on Sirius XM's Inside the Issues with Dr. Wilmer Leon, which aired July 6th, 2020.
BAP-Baltimore Coordinating Team Member Erica Caines was interviewed in Black Agenda Report on June 26, 2024, for the series “Reflections on Parenting and Revolutionary Struggle” by Roberto Sirvent.
August 7, 14, 21, and 28: Pan-African Community Action (PACA) and the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement-DC Chapter (MXGM-DC) will hold their Black August 2024 DC Commemoration Series covering the revolutionary legacy of the Black Liberation Army, discussing their text, "Collected Works of the Black Liberation Army, vol. 1". The events of this series are hybrid, with online and in-person participation
Location: The Black Workers & Wellness Center, 2500 Martin Luther King Avenue SE Washington DC 20020 | Time: See Event Calendar
August 17: BAP-DC will join organizations MXGM-DC and PACA for DC’s first-ever CurbFest for Political Prisoners, featuring local performers, political education, letter writing, a film screening, as well as free offerings of acupuncture, capoeira class books for the community, and more. For more information, follow @bapwashingtondc on Instagram. Location: the Black Workers & Wellness Center 2500 Martin Luther King Avenue SE Washington DC 20020. | Time: 1:00 – 7:00 pm
August 24: BAP-DC is hosting the town hall “Solidarity with People’s Anti-Imperialists Struggles Abroad” to discuss various aspects of global peoples’ struggles against US imperialism and why they’re connected to us. Location: Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 5301 N Capitol St NE. Washington, DC 20011 | Time: 3:00 pm
August 31: BLM Boston hosts the Boston CurbFest for Political Prisoners, a community event that raises awareness about the U.S.-held political prisoners from the Black Power movement and beyond, with inspiring speakers captivating performances, delicious food, and engaging vendors, there’s something for everyone. Visit their website to learn more. Location: 122 Dewitt Drive, Boston, Massachusetts.
October 1-31: SAVE THE DATE for the International Month of Action Against AFRICOM. More information is coming soon.
No Compromise, No Retreat!
Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Austin, Erica, Jacqueline, Jaribu, Jemima, Margaret, Matt, Netfa, Nnamdi, Paul, Rafiki, and Yasmin
Coordinating Committee
P.S. Freedom isn’t free. Consider giving today.