Filed under: Action, Canada, Featured, Mexico, Solidarity, The State, US, War
The fires of revolt has spread to Myanmar, Colombia, and across the occupied territories of Palestine, in the face of escalating state repression, murder and terror. In Myanmar, a military backed coup was launched on February 1st, pitting self-organized self-defense forces utilizing Hong Kong style black bloc tactics up against the heavily militarized armed forces.
Freedom is a collectively produced relationship to our potential.
All around the world, the only reliable limit to tyranny is our ability to collectively self-organize.
Solidarity to the rebels in Myanmar. https://t.co/zj8baSv2R4
— CrimethInc. (@crimethinc) March 7, 2021
According to Al Jazeera:
Worn down by bloody crackdowns and arbitrary arrests…a growing number…of people across the country [are] turning to armed resistance to overthrow military rule. Since the coup, millions have taken to the streets in peaceful protest, while a Civil Disobedience Movement has shut down infrastructure and public services. The military, meanwhile, has killed more than 800 civilians and more than 4,000 people remain in custody, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which is tracking arrests throughout the country.
Anonymous antifascists in Appalachia in solidarity with the revolution in Myanmar!
“We honor the hundreds of azani (Burmese word for martyr) who died for their comrades, family and for the birth of a new world, one without fascists or military rule.”
…https://t.co/js1MM47fko— HellbenderAVL (@HellbenderAVL) April 21, 2021
In Colombia, riots, strikes, and mass protests kicked off as the state attempted to push through a post-pandemic tax-reform bill in an effort to implement austerity. A statement in solidarity the ongoing revolt in Colombia sent to It’s Going Down, reads:
Today marks [another] day of continuous mobilizations in Colombia. The tax reform proposed by the government was the spark that set off a broad, diverse movement that has risen up against a regime that attacks its people. The government has responded with military repression that has continued to escalate. The numbers of human rights violations are alarming: in Cali, the Temblores organization (which maintains the most complete national figures) has confirmed 35 people murdered as of May 10. In the vast majority of cases, the police have been confirmed responsible. 130 people have been disappeared and still not found.
On May 9, a group of armed civilians attacked an Indigenous movement caravan bringing food to Cali to support the mobilizations. 10 individuals from the caravan were shot and wounded, one of them gravely. Iván Duque’s neoliberal government has concentrated power in the hands of the far-Right. Democratic checks and balances don’t exist; they control many executive offices as well as a large portion of the judicial branch.The Colombian people, the poorest youths from the cities, Indigenous communities, workers, and peasants have risen up against a racist, murderous, mafioso regime. We have nothing to lose and we are only armed with dignity and just rage.
Now more than ever, we call on the international community to act in solidarity with us against the situation we are suffering through. Now is the time to break silence, now is the time to shout that in Colombia the government is killing people for protesting.
From Myanmar and Colombia to Gaza, we see authoritarian regimes using indiscriminate, brutal violence to suppress resistance.
If those of us in the rest of the world stand by and do nothing, we can be sure that the same tactics will eventually be used against us.#Solidarity pic.twitter.com/cLM3Vq2zH6
— CrimethInc. (@crimethinc) May 12, 2021
Finally, a new wave of mass struggle and protest has begun across Palestine, as Israel continues to launch attacks into Gaza and mobs of far-Right Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, in a direct effort to engage in targeted ethnic-cleansing.
Israeli settlers are forming armed militias to attack Palestinian families, businesses and homes, sometimes reportedly under the protection of Israeli police pic.twitter.com/3RGBNwpRs7
— TRT World (@trtworld) May 14, 2021
As Jean Shaoul reported:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized Israel’s heaviest airstrikes on Gaza City yesterday, insisting that the war will go on “as long as necessary” and that attacks on Gaza would continue in “full force.” Israel “wants to levy a heavy price” from Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood group that rules Gaza, he added.
Netanyahu proceeds with his criminal war on a largely defenceless people with the full backing of US President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly declared for “Israel’s right to defend itself.” On Sunday the US, for the third time in a week, blocked the United Nations from issuing a toothless call for a cease-fire.
The attacks on Gaza overnight Sunday/Monday were more intense, covering a broader area and lasting longer than the bombardment the previous night in which 42 Palestinians were killed. A reported 54 fighter jets dropped 110 precision munitions on 35 targets in 20 minutes. Casualties in Gaza already stand at over 200, including two doctors, at least 35 women and 58 children, and about 1,300 wounded since Israel started its bombardment of the besieged enclave last Monday. Over 700 homes and 80 buildings have been destroyed, displacing 34,000 people who now lack the most basic necessities of life, including food. There have been 10 deaths in Israel, including two children and a soldier, killed in some 3,100 projectiles launched from Gaza.
Netanyahu and Israel’s political leadership have given the go ahead to his fascistic allies to send gangs of gun-toting settlers, right-wing football hooligans and ultranationalist bigots to the towns and cities where Palestinian citizens reside. The violence, which continued over the weekend in towns and cities across the country, including East Jerusalem, has led to the deaths of a dozen people and the arrest of nearly 1,000—850 of whom are Palestinians. In Lod, the authorities have declared a state of emergency, imposed a nighttime curfew and banned non-residents from entering the town after the killing of a Palestinian by a Jewish supremacist.
Across the world and so-called North America, people have taken to the streets in solidarity with this ongoing wave of revolt against repression – recognizing not only our connected struggles against policing, austerity, and racial apartheid, but the role of governments like the United States in propping up the states of Israel and Colombia through military aid and weapons sales.
Italian port workers refuse to load arms shipment destined for Israel
Press TV's Max Civili reports from Rome#FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/LbmGCNxsq9
— Press TV (@PressTV) May 17, 2021
What follows is a collection of recent actions from across North America which hopefully represents a small reflection of the activity happening in solidarity with ongoing struggles for freedom and autonomy across the world. The past week has shown in particular, the power of Palestinian youth, who took to the streets in the tens of thousands, shutting down the entrances of Israeli embassies, breaking windows in Montreal, blocking streets and bridges in New York, and clashing with far-Right reactionaries in Seattle. As the situation continues to unfold and more actions are planned, hopefully people can discover their collective power through direct action in new and exciting ways outside of the rally and march format.
For the week of Monday, May 17th, Palestinians are calling for a week of action in solidarity with the Palestinian uprising and the general strike. Please take action to support the people fighting against apartheid and modern colonialism. #savesheikhjarrah #gazaunderattack pic.twitter.com/HIiixSdmDa
— submedia (@submedia) May 18, 2021
Pacific Northwest
Seattle, WA: Mass march and demonstration. Some clashes with pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators.
Huge Palestinian solidarity march making it's way through Downtown Seattle today. pic.twitter.com/370rKPPR98
— Seattle Protest Network (@SEAProtestNet) May 16, 2021
Southwest
San Francisco, CA: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine in the working-class Mission District.
#palestine protest in #SanFrancisco pic.twitter.com/tqfmCQvbPl
— KS (@Safahindasouth) May 16, 2021
Sacramento, CA: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
pro palestine ppl marching past the ICE office in Sac and shouting #FreeOmarAmeen @FreeOmarAmeen @rdbarb @NorResist pic.twitter.com/O5NR1mu6eV
— kav (@sitarships) May 14, 2021
Davis, CA: Banner drop.
Spotted today in Davis. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! pic.twitter.com/Y6KVLv5PXs
— UC Davis #CopsOffCampus (@UCDavis_COC) May 15, 2021
Santa Barbra, CA: Banner drop.
A beautiful banner hanging on the UCSB campus. From @ucsb4cola and @ucsb_ftp, whose day of action is today! pic.twitter.com/A3TdqNXyEk
— Cops Off Campus – #AbolitionMay (@ucftp) May 17, 2021
Los Angeles, CA: Mass rally and march; police almost run over several demonstrators in the crowd.
Yesterday at the #Nakba73 #FreePalaestine protest in Los Angeles, a CHP officer [Carroll, Badge#: 02246) picked up speed and ran over two protesters https://t.co/BmxyVUDXfE
— waterspider (@waterspider__) May 16, 2021
San Diego, CA: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
San Diego Protest #FreePalestine #Palestine #SheikhJarrah pic.twitter.com/5E2ktWNR0k
— Mohammad D (@MomoElite) May 15, 2021
Phoenix, AZ: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
Protesters are marching down 17th Avenue on sidewalks chanting “Free free Palestine” – this looks like one of the largest protests I’ve seen in Phoenix since last year’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations. @azcentral pic.twitter.com/KCIYHfpzw2
— Audrey Jensen (@Audreyj101) May 15, 2021
Window Rock, AZ: Indigenous organized and led demonstration in solidarity with Palestine.
We collaborated with @KeInfoshop in supporting #FreePalestine in #Gallup #SaveSheikhJarrah #Intifada pic.twitter.com/IzF9cI9jTW
— Red Ant Collective (@collective_ant) May 17, 2021
Central
Denver, CO: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
An amazing turn out for Palestine on Friday in Denver. At least a couple thousand. #FreePalaestine pic.twitter.com/BLx5mHPslB
— colorado peoples press (@colpeoplespress) May 16, 2021
Lincoln, NB: Banner drop.
banner drop in Lincoln, Nebraska. In English it says "1947-2021 Free Palestine" and in Arabic it says "This shall not pass (no pasaran)" 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/FDPEbGkKls
— nebraska antifascists (@antifa_ne) May 17, 2021
Houston, TX: Rally in solidarity.
Signs are out, flags are waving, and the energy is high as Houston rallies for Palestine 🤍🇵🇸 #Nakba73 #SaveSheikhJarrah #resistanceuntilliberation pic.twitter.com/lZCnDgpGrx
— Mutual Aid Houston (@mutualaidhou) May 15, 2021
Austin, TX: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
Protests in #Austin calling for a free #Palestine: pic.twitter.com/LlYyqU5BFG
— Nadia Hamdan | نادية حمدان (@nadzhamz) May 15, 2021
Dallas, TX: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
North Texas showed out for Palestine in Dallas today. It was good to see everyone again. pic.twitter.com/EU0aUzyTJ6
— Denton Left (@DentonLeft) May 15, 2021
Midwest
Milwaukee, WI: Solidarity march with Colombia.
Milwaukee Colombia Solidarity March – #SOSCOLOMBIA #endstateviolence pic.twitter.com/p6KLaksbmI
— Joseph Brusky (@JosephBrusky) May 11, 2021
Minneapolis, MN: Rally in solidarity with Palestine.
From Minneapolis to Palestine, global abolition time❤️🖤🇵🇸
The people of so called Minneapolis will continue to speak out and take action until Palestine is free pic.twitter.com/1uGuFEMAHU— MNUPRISING (@MnUrising) May 15, 2021
Chicago, IL: Mass rally and march in solidarity with Palestine.
In downtown Chicago where organizers say 20,000 people have gathered for a #FreePalestine #SaveSheikhJarrah march through the Loop pic.twitter.com/Bo8AH4HCzt
— Taylor Moore (@taylormooresays) May 16, 2021
Southeast
Raleigh, NC: Mass rally and march.
Raleigh, NC for Palestine 🤍 pic.twitter.com/uHTvEMPYYl
— jawaher (@jawaherrrrali) May 16, 2021
Washington DC: Mass rally and march.
There are moments that need no captions… this was one of those for our organizers @LorenzoWard7DC and @agoggans there in solidarity. #DownWithImperialism #FreePalestine #SheikhJarrah pic.twitter.com/kb0R4vsCyo
— Black Lives Matter DC (@DMVBlackLives) May 17, 2021
Atlanta, GA: Mass rally in solidarity with Palestine.
Huge #FreePalestine rally in downtown Atlanta yesterday. ATLiens came out in support of Palestine sovereignty and against Israeli occupation following battles that intensified after the #SheikhJarrah eviction recently carried out by Israel. @ignitekindred @usimt @refusefascatl pic.twitter.com/uNqdizgl1J
— Autonomous News: Atlanta (@AutonomousATL) May 16, 2021
Northeast
Boston, MA: Mass rally and march takes over entrance to Israeli embassy.
protesters taking over the entrance to the Israeli embassy in Boston pic.twitter.com/zOr4OX2NCR
— Evan Greer (@evan_greer) May 16, 2021
Allentown, PA: Mass rally and march; Proud Boys on the scene but do not engage the crowd.
The Proud Boys showed up down the street from the Allentown for Palestine Rally today. One wearing dad sandals and socks… Yikes! They didn't dare get close to the crowd!
Us vs Them pic.twitter.com/FgCMsKDr0s
— CROH Lehigh Valley (@crohlv) May 16, 2021
Pittsburgh, PA: Banner drop. Solidarity rally organized.
[anonymous submission]
“Pittsburgh stands in solidarity with resistance in Palestine and Colombia. ACAB worldwide, keep fighting back!” pic.twitter.com/a4plIPSVVI
— Filler Distro | PGH (@PghAutonomy) May 13, 2021
From the Jewish diaspora.
Jewish solidarity with Palestine, abolish all states. pic.twitter.com/ofoSkeRcuV— فدراسيون عصر آنارشيسم Federation of Anarchism Era (@asranarshism) May 15, 2021
Philadelphia, PA: Banner drop in solidarity ongoing resistance in Colombia and Palestine.
#Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/cZV9jbHWqJ
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) May 12, 2021
New York City, NY: Banner dropped in solidarity with resistance in Colombia. Mass rally in solidarity with Palestine brings out up to 50,000, shuts down Bay Bridge area. Colombian solidarity rally organized in Queens.
Solidarity with comrades in #Colombia! Viva el #ParoNacional! Long live the National Strike!
From #NYC to the fighters in the streets! pic.twitter.com/Z2jMn0QgWk— RevAbolitionNYC (@RevAbolitionNYC) May 17, 2021
This #NakbaDay, NYers came out by the 1000s to show our love for + solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We honor their ongoing fight for liberation in the face of fascism, apartheid & attempted genocide.
Israel out of Palestine, US out of everywhere!#Nakba73 #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/yqkB6eE8Go
— Outlive Them NYC (@outlivethemnyc) May 16, 2021
It got pretty lit earlier tonite in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Tires screeching, fireworks going off, highways shut down. If you’re in Bay Ridge right now, there’s Palestine flags everywhere, young people on the streets, & chants of #FreePalestine everywhere. #Nakba73 #DefendPalestine pic.twitter.com/O8ButJQmhk
— Ash J (@AshAgony) May 16, 2021
#Colombia | Across the world rallies have been organized in solidarity with the struggle of the Colombian people & to reject the violent repression of the protests. According to latest reports at least 31 have been killed in the last week.
Protest in Queens, NYC pic.twitter.com/dGOCfjktQP— Peoples Dispatch (@peoplesdispatch) May 5, 2021
Mexico
Mexico City: Mass rally in solidarity with Palestine.
Solidarity with Palestine from Mexico City! Stop the ethnic cleansing! 🖤 ❤️✊🏿💥 pic.twitter.com/gTil7MJ7Qv
— Voices in Movement (@VIM_Media) May 16, 2021
Canada
Toronto: Rally in solidarity with Palestine faces off against the far-Right Jewish Defense League (JDL).
The JDL sure looked pretty weak today. What a great sight to see! Jews, Palestinians, Sikhs, and pretty much everyone else made it quite clear. The Jewish Defense League and the rest of the hateful bigots have no place in our city or anywhere!!! pic.twitter.com/dUWGWaY5Tu
— CaptCanuck – Antifa Intel High Command (@CaptCanuck6) May 16, 2021
Montreal: Mass march and rally in solidarity with Palestine marches on the Israeli consulate; windows broken out.
Israeli consulate in Montreal had its windows broken during a demo in support of Palestine 🇵🇸 https://t.co/zaHugqfeIW
— Midwest People's History (@MPHProject) May 16, 2021