The Biden administration released its long-awaited National Security Strategy document on October 12. As expected, the document reflected a reaffirmation of themes that have informed U.S. foreign policy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the aftermath, the United States became the preeminent global power.
The commitment to the doctrine of “full spectrum dominance,” the foundation of U.S. foreign policy since the 1990s, is still in place. The strategic focus on U.S. competition with the major powers of Russia and China that characterized the strategic shift under Obama and even more explicitly under Trump was restated. And the continued marginalization of international law in favor of something called the “rules-based international order,” in which the United States establishes the rules and enforces the order, was also reaffirmed.
As leader of the “collective West”—those Western-oriented and Western colonial-capitalist nations that hold hegemonic global power—the Biden administration reaffirmed that U.S. and Western European states (representing 10 percent of the global population) would continue to wage hegemonic war against the rest of collective humanity.
But BAP is part of the resistance.
The Biden administration’s plan to once again use the United Nations as cover to invade Haiti to smash the Haitian people’s movement for authentic democracy and national self-determination against a U.S. and European-imposed puppet government, represents another imperialist assault and front for struggle that BAP has been forced to take up.
BAP forcefully called on Russia and/or China to veto the Biden administration’s United Nations Security Council resolution to authorize a military intervention in Haiti. BAP considers that resolution an authorization for invasion that will result in the deaths of scores of Haitians. We will consider this action, no matter its phony legitimacy, as a crime against humanity and a war crime.
Along with the repressive policies abroad, the U.S. national security state is actively engaged in domestic repression. The recent raids on the African People’s Socialist Party is just one example. The state is also aggressively attempting to impose an ideological conformity that supports its aggressive criminality. That effort is facilitated by the state’s ideological apparatus, social media platforms that corporate capitalist media and monopolistic tech companies control.
This is the context of struggle in which BAP finds itself.
With no full-time staff, very little resources, social media repression and active hostility from some elements of the liberal-left, the membership of our alliance has not been intimidated or discouraged. Quite the contrary. Our membership operates with the confidence that we are on the right side of history and, as a result of our work, our standing domestically and globally continues to grow.
As you will read below, BAP is in the forefront of the resistance in the United States and abroad.
But we cannot do this work without continued support from the public. Please help us. If you are receiving this newsletter, we don’t have to make our case for the work we do—you already know.
We need support, but as we also say in a respectful way to our friends, we will find a way to struggle no matter what, because we have no other choice.
Here are just some of our members and Solidarity Network members at the 2022 BAP Membership Meeting that took place October 21-23 in Atlanta.
Here are just some of our members and Solidarity Network members at the 2022 BAP Membership Meeting that took place October 21-23 in Atlanta.
PRESS AND MEDIA
On the October 18 episode of “Voices With Vision,” Netfa Freeman and co-host Latrice Vincent spoke a bit about the event they attended at Howard University commemorating the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Thomas Sankara and aired audio of Sankara speaking in 1984 in Harlem, New York. A couple of surprise guests joined the live show, Jemima Pierre and Chris Bernadel of Black Alliance for Peace’s Haiti/Americas Team to give the latest about the struggle to oppose U.S.-led moves for another foreign military occupation of Haiti. There was the announcement of the date change to October 26 for the court hearing to decide whether or not Mumia Abu Jamal will be granted a new trial. Mumia’s commentary “Death of the Death Penalty” was also aired. The show featured a humorous but revealing parody by Jared Ball of Black Power Media’s I Mix What I Like about the movie “Woman King” and the song “Good Morning” by Wise Intelligent.
On the October 25 episode, Voices With Vision went live and opened the phone lines to listeners to discuss Africa not falling in line with imperialism and April Goggans of Black Lives Matter-DC joined to talk about a Cop Watch training and the corrupt conduct that typifies DC police. The show featured the song “Uncle Sam Goddamn” by Brother Ali.
BAP made a powerful intervention in opposition to the war plans of the West in Haiti.
Black Agenda Report devoted a special issue on Haiti with articles from Jemima Pierre and others.
Plus, BAP member Bilal Mafundi Bologoon (below, on left) spoke at an October 26 protest at the San Francisco Federal Building regarding the United States planning to invade Haiti. Photo courtesy of BAP Solidarity Network member Alvin Ja.
Black Agenda Report editors and columnists Margaret Kimberley and Danny Haiphong discussed “U.S. War Propaganda and Billionaire Control of U.S. Politics” on Black Agenda Report’s the Left Lens.
In her latest, “Biden Orders Progressives to Denounce Themselves on Ukraine,” Margaret Kimberley examines the shameful flip-flop by so-called progressives in the Democrat Party on the issue of the Ukraine war.
Baltimore organizer and BAP Coordinating Committee member Erica Caines provides a provocative analysis of Western liberal democratic practices and what is referred to as fascism in the colonial metropoles.
Margaret Kimberley, Editor and Publisher of Black Agenda Report, as well as member of BAP’s Coordinating Committee, commented on the ongoing imperialist control by the United States that mirrors the control and intimidation one would see with the Mafia.
Netfa Freeman, who represents BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action (PACA) and a member of BAP’s Coordinating Committee and BAP’s U.S. Out of Africa Network Coordinator Tunde Osazua were hosted by Black Power Media’s RemiX Morning Show to chop it up about the MOA.
On the September 27 episode of WPFW (89.3 FM-Washington, D.C.)'s “Voices With Vision,” co-hosts Craig Hall, Latrice Vincent, and Netfa rebroadcast the Remix Morning Show interview with Netfa and Tunde. Then paid homage to Black radical giant, and founder of BAP member organization Black Workers for Justice, Saladin Muhammad, who recently joined the ancestors. Included are excerpts of Brother Saladin’s February 2022 interview by Willie Terry for Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network as well as the songs “Light At The Edge of the World” and “You Gotta Have Freedom” by Pharoah Sanders. Mumia Abu Jamal starts off this episode speaking on “The Wisdom of Franz Fanon”.
BAP Africa Team member and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Professor Rose Brewer was featured in an Institute for Public Accuracy media advisory about BAP’s International Month of Action Against AFRICOM (MOA), and was then interviewed on The News with Paul DeRienzo.
BAP National Organizer Ajamu Baraka wrote an important piece that highlighted the contrast between the positions of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party on the issue of the Ukraine war.
BAP member Charisse Burden-Stelley, affectionately known as Dr. CBS, is on a nation-wide book tour promoting her latest, “Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women Political Writings.” Check out this insightful interview with Dr. CBS here.
“Hashtag Activism,” another provocative piece by Erica Caines.
The News Desk of NewsGhana covered the International Month of Action Against AFRICOM by publishing “BAP Launches International Month of Action Against AFRICOM.“
The U.S. Out of Africa Network (USOAN) issued their newsletter AFRICOM Watch #42 in support of the International Month of Action Against AFRICOM. It points out how U.S. military activity has not only resulted in increased instability, but has served as a weapon to undermine governments in Africa through the support for coups.
On Radio Sputnik’s “The Critical Hour,” BAP National Organizer Ajamu Baraka and Netfa Freeman were interviewed together about BAP’s launch of a month of activities to oppose AFRICOM, as well as the situation in Haiti, the democratic revolution in Latin America, and the U.S. attack on Germany's pipeline network.
On a special broadcast of #RiotStarterTV on Black Power Media, Ajamu and Netfa joined Dhoruba Bin Wahad and a couple comrades in Europe to discuss a united solidarity front against the EU’s rise of right-wing fascism as well as U.S. militarism employing NATO forces. They demanded AFRICOM and EU/NATO out of Africa.
The BAP Solidarity Network’s Afghanistan Committee continues to publish cutting-edge analysis and information on the situation in Afghanistan. Here is their latest newsletter, with the next one coming soon.
The Haitian publication, Rezo Nodwes, both covered BAP’s hand delivery of our open letter to CARICOM denouncing foreign intervention in Haiti and demanding respect for Haitian sovereignty, and it noted BAP’s participation in the October 9 #LetHaitiansDecide demonstration in Washington D.C. Above is a photo of Netfa Freeman delivering the letter to the Republic of Suriname’s embassy.
WPFW’s “Monday Morning QB” interviewed Netfa about the recent Philadelphia court hearing deciding whether to grant a new trial to political prisoner and renowned revolutionary, Mumia Abu Jamal. The segment with Netfa starts at the 40:41 mark into the hour.
EVENTS
November 2: “U.S. Imperialism and the Crisis in Haiti,” a Party for Socialism and Liberation virtual event. Register here.
November 5: Boston CurbFest 2022, connecting organizers, community members, and political education on political prisoners. More info & volunteer sign up.
November 6: “Black Power Conference” of the Black Is Back Coalition, both virtual and in-person, at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church 1525 Newton St NW, Washington, D.C. Register here.
November 9: BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action’s next Assata Shakur Study Group topic: “What Is Community Control Over Police?” Register here.
November 12: BAP member organization Black Workers for Justice’s memorial service for Brother Saladin Muhammad. More info.
TAKE ACTION
Mid-Atlantic BAP members based in Washington, D.C., will be doing a banner drop for the International Month of Action Against AFRICOM this week at a time yet to be determined. Contact BAP Mid-Atlantic Region Co-Coordinator Jacqueline Luqman if you’re interested and able to help: jacquiemdc@gmail.com.
Join the Black is Back Coalition’s 14th Annual Black People's March on the White House, November 5 at 11 a.m., gathering in Malcolm X Park at 2500 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
No Compromise, No Retreat!
Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Dedan, Erica, Jaribu, Margaret, Netfa, Nnamdi, Noah, Paul and Rafiki
Coordinating Committee
P.S. Freedom isn’t free. Consider giving today.
Banner Photo: U.S. President Biden walking at night with a helicopter with lights in the background (Courtesy Erin Schaff/The New York Times)