Continuing the Legacy of Environmental Justice in North Carolina

 

Did you know that North Carolina is considered the birthplace of the environmental justice movement when Black community members fought against cancer-causing PCB dumping in Warren County (also the birthplace of Ella Baker) in the late 70s and early 80s? The words "environmental racism" and "environmental justice" became part of the global social justice vocabulary as a result of this movement. Black working-class community members are at the forefront of many environmental justice struggles in North Carolina (and beyond) since then, including winning a multi-million dollar lawsuit against swine industry pollution that is causing sickness and deaths in Black, Brown, working-class people living around those areas. It is not surprising that polluting industries, trash landfills, and major highways causing particulate pollution are often located close to where Black and people of color communities live. Black-led movements have also shut down the Atlantic Coast gas Pipeline by Duke and Dominion Energy in Eastern NC to stop climate change, rejecting false claims of "economic benefits" for the community. Recently, a wood pellet industry was shut down in Robeson County, NC, due to a campaign by the Black, brown, and working-class people's coalition who challenged the wood-pellet industry's fake claims of addressing climate change. None of these victories can be claimed by a single organization; they were won by a coalition of forces where the Black working class played a major role. Also, there is a backlash from the polluting industries and racist forces to reverse these victories or launch other polluting projects, so the struggle is far from over. Still, the power of the environmental justice movement, led by the majority Black and working-class community, is well established in North Carolina and many states in the USA.

 

One prominent leader in the environmental justice movement in NC is Naeema Muhammad who co-founded North Carolina Environmental Justice Network in the late 90s to challenge environmental racism. A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Sister Naeema is dedicated to fighting racism and inequality, ranging from worker exploitation by Kmart in the 80s, fighting for justice in the wake of Hamlet Poultry Plant Fire in the 90s, the largest industrial disaster in NC, killing 25 people, mostly Black workers locked inside the plant by the management. Sister Naeema's late husband, Saladin Muhammad, was one of the biggest Black and Muslim social justice organizers in North Carolina, organizing tens of thousands of people in his lifetime, and co-founding incredible organizations, ranging from Black Workers for Justice, Southern Workers Assembly, and Muslims for Social Justice. 

 

 

Panelists of "The Power Under 30: The Power of Intersectionality" Session at the NCEJN's 2024 Summit. Panelists included Anthony Diaz, Hwa Huang, Jalind Lampa, and Samuel Scarborough. The session was moderated by Ajamu Amiri Dillahunt.

 

"Worker Power: Rural to Urban" workshop at the NCEJN's 2024 Summit. Workers representatives from El Futuro Es Nuestro (It's Our Future), UE Local 150 (North Carolina Public Workers Union), and SEIU (Service Employees International Union) joined the conversation.

 

A network of environmental justice, anti-racism, worker rights, and other social justice organizations, NCEJN recently organized the 25th Annual Summit to celebrate achievements and strategize for future struggles. The summit was organized at the historic Black-liberation site, Franklinton Center at Bricks in Eastern NC. This site is historic since it was turned from a slave plantation into an educational institution for freed slaves during the Reconstruction Era. NCEJN has rooted their struggle in the historic anti-slavery movement, and they have also made connections to the global liberation movements, including Palestine Freedom. In fact, a session, led by Palestinian activist Vivien Sansour, was devoted to preserving Palestinian seeds and resistance during this year's NCEJ Summit. One of the co-directors of NCEJN, Rania Masri, has emphasized the connection between environmental justice movement in the USA and anti-imperialism movement, including the Palestine Freedom Movement.

 

 

This year's summit highlighted the oppression against migrant workers who are sprayed with chemicals causing loss of hair and even dying in heat in the fields, to organizing by youth at university campuses against racism, Zionism, and inequality (moderated by Ajamu Amiri Dillahunt), and other topics. The summit also included a community speak-out and government listening session, where state candidates for the upcoming election were held accountable by attendees. Participants celebrated many victories by the movement, including successful environmental policies at the federal level due to movement building. Yet, participants also recognized the long way to struggle against ongoing genocide in Palestine, environmental racism in the USA, attacks on workers, and other struggles. On the environmental justice front, Black community members still face extreme injustice. For example, according to a CDC study, 12.5% of Black youth suffer from asthma as compared with 5% of white youth, because many Black community members live near polluting plants, or in rental homes with mold and other harmful environments. Similarly, Black youth have the highest level of lead in blood compared with children of all ethnicities. Black community members are 75 percent more likely than whites to live next to commercial facilities causing noise, odor, traffic, or emissions pollution. These and many other challenges have reduced the Black life expectancy by 5 years compared with white life expectancy.

The summit concluded with an emphasis on continuing to unite our struggles to build our collective power and change the balance of power. In her 80s and overcoming a fight with cancer, Sister Naeema participated in the summit with an attached oxygen cylinder, inspiring young and old with her lifelong dedication for social justice. Whether working for Palestine Liberation or local social justice issues, we need to join local movements by Black and working-class people who are demanding an end to Israel's genocidal war on Palestine, as well as, fighting to end the war on Black, brown, working people in the USA.

Profile in Courage: Ramon Mejia

The story of Ramon Mejia is the story of antiwar struggle, Chicano Liberation, and justice for Muslims in the USA and abroad! 

A native of Dallas, TX, Ramon grew up in a working class neighborhood and joined the military, soon after high school, to escape poverty. He received military training at at Camp Pendleton in California and other military bases in the USA and was amongst the earliest troops deployed to Iraq in March 2003. His role was to supply logistics during the war. This was a time when the antiwar resistance in Iraq was not well developed, however, Ramon witnessed first-hand the profound brutality and cruelty of war, in the form of destruction and displacement of refugees. Ramon returned from his duty in March 2004 and suffered mental health crisis as a direct result of his experience in the military. He was eventually discharged from the military in November 2004.

Ramon's experience is of millions of veterans who have been damaged by the war and feel abandoned by the state. Married at an early age in high-school, Ramon faced duty to provide for this family as well as maintain social and emotional health to survive in a society, which limits opportunities for people of color and the working class.

Ramon moved to Ohio and got a job at a convenience store. During that time, he stumbled on a mosque. This opened a new chapter in his life when he, influenced by the friendship with Muslims and the message of Islam, converted to Islam in 2008. Equally profound moment was starting a community college in Ohio where he studied the US history with critical information about racism, capitalism, and imperialism. This educational experience allowed him to understand his experience in Iraq as well as his experience as a Chicano, Muslim, and working-class working person. Ramon joined social justice movements, including the anti-war organization, About War:Veterans Against the War, and eventually Grassroots Global Justice, to protest against wars and injustices around him. Ramon moved back to Texas and got a job as eighth-grade teacher, while organizing against war. He eventually transitioned as an organizer in the social movement, and joined the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, where he connects movements against war, poverty, racism, environmental injustice, and other movements. In 2018, Ramon was arrested while organizing with water-protectors in the Atchafalaya Basin, or Atchafalaya Swamp, in south central Louisiana.

         Ramon speaking at Muslims for Just Futures Convergence in Chicago, Illinois. September 2024. Source Manzoor Cheema.

Ramon is currently leading GGJ's work in organizing against wars. He travels around the country and conducts workshops on the oppression of war, and how it perpetuates wars against Black, Brown, and working class in the USA. he believes that militarism is the dominant ideology of the country. US wars abroad are connected to the war at home in the form of militarization of the police. The same tactics of war abroad are transferred to the law enforcement in the USA who treat Black, Brown, working class community members as occupied people.

The antiwar movement was weak in the last decade, until the resurgence of Palestine Freedom movement and anti-genocide movement after the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023. Ramon believes we need to confront the genocide happening in front of us. We need to provide resources to organizations to carry out the fight. GGJ develops the leadership of the frontline antiwar organizations, as well as, organize the funders/philanthropy to provide funding to antiwar organizations. As a result of GGJ's dedicated work, their members in Guam and Mariana have developed solidarity with Palestine and connected it to their struggles for climate and environmental justice. 

As a Chicano and Muslim, Ramon sees a direct connection between different movements, from Albuquerque (NM), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, to Palestine. There is a critical need to build a broader social justice movement to change the balance of power, and end wars and all oppressions. Ramon also believes many successes were made by the antiwar movement in the past. Between 1988 and 2005, hundreds of bases were shut down. Kelly Airforce Base in Texas has a high rate of cancer because of decades of water contamination by the base. As a result of years of organizing, this base was shut down. The port in San Antonio is also dealing with contamination and organizing this oppression and the fight is continuing there. GGJ Alliance includes organizations that are deeply involved in divestment as well as resilience - for example community in Oakland - Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ) the organization Oscar Grant Youth Power Zone Community Program - ending school to prison pipeline. 

Ramon has collaborated with social justice organizations throughout the USA, including Palestine Youth Movement, Rising Majority, DRUM (Desis Rise Up and Moving), Muslim for Just Futures, and other organizations, coalitions and networks. Ramon has been in touch with Muslims for Social Justice and Manzoor Cheema since 2016. We look forward to building together with Ramon Mejia, GGJ, and the rest of the freedom fighters to advance the movement against racism, capitalism, and imperialism.

(From left) Muslims for Social Justice organizer, Manzoor Cheema, with Grassroots Global Justice Alliance's team-members, Ramon Mejia (Anti-Militarism National Organizer), Margaret Kwateng (Campaign Lead National Organizer), and, Randy Jackson (Senior Resource Strategist). Source: Manzoor Cheema

Reflections from Southern Summit in Durham, NC (June 26 - 29) by Arif Sharif*

Background of the Event

The Southern Vision Alliance organized the conference to gather organizations and people from the U.S. South to work collectively for identifying the ever increasing fascism in different forms and devise a collective strategy to defeat this immense threat from engulfing the future of coming generations of less privileged and deprived masses not only in the USA but across the globe. There were activists, advocates, leaders and organizers who enlightened each other through their participation in different discourses organized during the summit.

The Venue was Durham Convention Centre where various conference rooms were arranged to allow an opportunity for the conduct of different sessions at the same time. 

 

It was my first ever experience to attend any activity related to social justice or progressive democratic movements. It was a great experience and heartening to know that there are people who are working selflessly to defeat exponential fascism taking different forms and shapes. 

 

Black, Brown, Muslim Organizing session at the Southern Summit

Attending Plenary on the Landscape of the South:

In this session speakers shed light on the significance the south has in the course of movement for democracy, social justice and economic equality. The speakers were leaders, activists and organizers who shed light on the hidden claws of fascism and emphasized on the need to devise a counter strategy for saving the democracy preceding into darkness. Speakers highlighted the contributions people have made in the South to keep the movement alive and kindled. The speakers reiterate the importance of the South as the center of every progressive movement. The South has always taken the lead in steering progressive movements due to its inherent landscape and resilient nature. Speakers also urged audience to realize the gravity of the situation where fascist forces are active in dehumanizing the humanity and the dire need to figure out the collective strategy to expose the evils of fascism and counter the rise of modern fascism in the form of corporate culture crippling economy where common man is being exploited by these modern forces of imperialism. There was also a Q & A session in which participants asked questions to further make their concepts and ideas clear and coherent.

Session on Alternative to Policing:

The sessions were conducted to enlighten the participant about alternatives to policing as the police is used by the state to coerce the people and terrify the people which is a tangible tactic of fascism. Speakers narrated various events where the community played a better role than police in handling and tackling the situation. Speakers emphasize the role of community as an alternative to policing. The alternative of community is more human and pragmatic than the option of policing. The alternative of community is far more helpful in improving the conduct of people by treating them with affection and tenderness. The community also works as a better deterrence for human rights violations as they know that transgression will be dealt with by the community.  The policing is a stop gap arrangement but community services are the real and permanent answer to the rise in crimes and offenses.  One of the speakers also shed light how the positioning of police officers at the district schools leave an indelible impression on the young minds as they start taking policing as a necessity by seeing them around, when the are not around they start feeling insecure this is a how young minds are being indoctrinated about the necessity of policing. The session for me was the opening of a new window in the horizon of imagination thus thinking of the society taking care of people through community services rather than by having a concept of policing. I have also started thinking that the need for police is related to inequality. The greater the inequality the greater the need to have police to secure interests of the privileged class or help them in exploiting the under privileged class. The other lesson I have understood is that while deliberating on alternatives of policing makes you understand the true causes of crimes and gives you better understanding of the people thus making you more humane. I learnt a lesson that policing is not a solution but a tool of fascist forces to continue with oppression and exploitation.

 

Participants of the plenary titled "Landscape of the South"

 

Muslims for Social Justice:

The other session I attended on that day was about the Black and Brown Muslims for social justice. Speaker enlightened the participant about the plight of refugee Muslims who are the most deprived strata of Muslim community in the USA. Speakers also discussed the challenges being faced by the Muslims in the USA. One speaker highlighted that there is a great need to mobilize and educate Muslims to become a political force in local and state level elections through their active participation and making the right choice in electing the candidate as due to their non-participation conservatives make their way to public office and continue their policies of oppression and exploitation. One speaker told the house about the training of law enforcement agencies by Israeli forces which is an evil in the bud as this is how fascist forces operate hiddenly because the records are not available about the details of this program called G.I.L.E.E Georgia International. Law Enforcement Exchange. Speakers also discussed in detail how in history Muslims have been victimized as being minority and children of a lesser god. The Israel’s genocide of Palestinians has been one of the greatest sufferings of the Muslims as every protest or movement falls on deaf ears and there has been no pause in support for Israel. However, speakers told the house how some city council members and public office holders have been persuaded to write letters and support a resolution calling for a cease fire. Therefore, there is a need to gather Muslims under one platform and become a united political force for better advancement of their agenda for the welfare and protection of their rights. I realized the sacrifices few Muslims have made during this movement for the rights of the Muslims. Especially the contribution of Muslim Black women is highly commendable. The attendees also agreed to form an Assembly for the Muslims of the South to forge a better and united strategy in future. Speakers also urged to help refugee Muslims as they are very low income and do not have skills to earn. Speakers also highlighted the importance of capacity building of Muslims in terms of skills and communications which is the main cause of their deprivations. I have learnt  alot and realized that Muslims especially from Pakistan are totally oblivious of the political situation that exists in the USA and do not know the role they can play in their local politics which is highly essential for becoming a political force to exert their influence being a community.

Plenary on the Fight Against Fascism and Democracy (Globally):

Speakers exposed the tantrums of fascism in modern day democracy ridden with money invested by fascist forces and the need to formulate a joint strategy to counter this menace. The representative of Beloved Community  Rev.  Nelson Johnson, the survivor of “Greensboro  Massacre” having first hand experience told participants about the fascist forces and he urged the house that a united strategy is the need of the hour as he said again and again “ walk together”. Rania Masri spoke about the atrocities being committed by the fascist forces which is evident from genocide in Gaza. She told the house that a two party system is like choosing between the lesser evil as both are puppets in the hands of fascist forces. Manzoor Cheema from Southern Vision Alliance highlighted that how different economic, humans services and other policies are creating genocide-like conditions for Black and working class community members, as also exclaimed by the former Black revolutionary Paul Robeson. One speaker also spoke how even the Supreme Court is supporting these fascist forces through false interpretation of the constitution and laws. The supreme court is also penalizing “children of the lesser gods'' in tandem with state agencies which are furthering the interests of fascist forces. Speakers also answered different questions asked by the participant. Speakers agreed on the need to formulate a long term strategy to defeat fascist forces and unity will be a linchpin in this course of struggle. Rev.  Nesonl Johnson again and again said”walk together”.

 

Participants of the session titled "Power: What Does it Mean for Liberation?"

Shared Strategy Sessions:

It was the tail-piece session in which questionnaire was distributed amongst to single out the greatest threats, hopes and strategies in the aftermath of this fascism flexing its muscle not only in the political system of the USA  but also in the world. One questionnaire was given to each table occupied by different participants. The answers were read aloud so that each participant came to know the vision of others which was a great learning experience for every participant. There were different expressions based on their experiences and unique understanding of the concepts. The diversity of thought was the ultimate beauty of the summit inspiring all to reach to one goal of defeating fascism by devising shared strategies in their spheres of struggles.

Conclusion:

Attending the summit was a great learning experience especially for a novice like me. The interaction with seasoned and experienced participants enlightened me about the struggle for real democracy. The summit provided an opportunity for participants to realize the need of the hour to forge a united strategy for taking the movement a step ahead. Participants while recognizing the need of the hour agreed to benefit from each other and develop more coherence for betterment of the “children of the lesser god”. Participants agreed on the concept of “walk together”.

 

*Arif Sharif is a social justice organizer based in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. 

North Carolina Civil Society Supports a Ceasefire

 

North Carolina civil society supports a ceasefire 

(This statement has been prepared by Muslims for Social Justice, Black Workers for Justice, People's Power Lab, NC Environmental Justice Network, and Jewish Voice for Peace - Triangle NC)

As labor unions and workers’ organizations, faith groups, community organizations, and nonprofits across North Carolina, we have come together in our recognition that all human life is precious and all are worthy of safety, dignity, and freedom. Since the targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, we call for an immediate ceasefire to save lives in Israel/Palestine. 

The brutality of the recent violence in the Middle East

According to the Israeli Social Security Office, 1,139 Israelis, 695 of those being civilians, including 36 children were killed on October 7. At least 26,442 Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including over 11,000 children have been killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as of January 28. “About 4% of the total population of the Gaza Strip—more than 90,000 people—are dead, wounded, or missing as of January 5 due to Israeli bombardment. An unprecedented number of journalists, healthcare workers, emergency service providers, and professors have been killed by Israel. Approximately “93% of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with insufficient food and high levels of malnutrition” and hundreds of thousands are “experiencing soaring rates of infectious diseases.” 

Israel’s war on Gaza is a “genocide”

Collective punishment is a war crime under international law and refers to a form of sanction imposed on persons or a group of persons in response to a crime committed by one of them or a member of the group, and starvation, used as an instrument of war, is also a war crime. 

Over 800 scholars and practitioners of conflict studies, international law, and genocide studies, the United Nations; and more than 250 human rights organizations have warned of grave war crimes and genocide in Gaza. 

Our government should meet our needs here at home, not fund wars abroad

Martin Luther King Jr. challenged US militarism, poverty, and racism by remarking,  “I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such,” and that “a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death” (Beyond Vietnam Speech, April 1967).

The current war by Israel and the long-term US military support for Israel come at great expense to the American people. Israel is the largest recipient of US aid with more than $3.8 billion in annual foreign assistance, 99.7% going to the Israeli military. The state of North Carolina pays $91,775,098  in aid to Israel every year, when these funds could provide 10,910 households with public housing for a year, offer 31,932 children with free or low-cost healthcare, fund 1,002 elementary school teachers, provide 261,281 households with solar electricity produced for a year, 2,428 students with their loan debt canceled (source: US Campaign for Palestinian Rights).

Broader implications of the Israeli War 

The continued war on Gaza by Israel threatens the lives of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. Some Israeli hostages have been reportedly killed by the Israeli military war on Gaza. The continued escalation by Israel and the U.S. also could result in a larger regional war with devastating consequences to all in the region and beyond. This country has recently bombed Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (all without congressional approval). Furthermore, the recent war in the region has led to an extreme rise in Islamophobia, anti-Arab bigotry, and antisemitism in the USA.

A vast number of Americans demand an immediate ceasefire

An overwhelming number of Americans from all backgrounds have demanded an immediate ceasefire to hostilities in Gaza. Two-thirds of Americans, hundreds of congressional staff and White House administration officials, and hundreds of congregations, associations, and unions have supported an immediate ceasefire. The following are some examples of unions, organizations, and legislators demanding a ceasefire.

United Auto Workers, with more than 400,000 US workers and 580,000 retired workers has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the second largest union in the country has called for a permanent ceasefire.

The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers Union (UE) has called for an immediate ceasefire. In 2015, UE passed a BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) resolution against Israel in response to a campaign led by North Carolina chapter of the union, UE Local 150.

The American Postal Workers Union, with more than 200,000 members across the USA, passed a resolution for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the resumption of humanitarian aid for Gazans.

The American Federation of Teachers, representing the nation's 1.72 million educators and school employees, has called for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian aid.

National Nurses United, representing 225,000 nurses across the county, has denounced the targeting of healthcare facilities in Gaza and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

More than 900 Black church leaders have demanded a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians.

Thousands of Jews in the USA have protested for a ceasefire in some of the largest pro-peace demonstrations in the last twenty years; 272 Rabbis and Rabbinical Students have called for a ceasefire; 879 workers at Jewish organizations have called for a ceasefire.

70 cities around the country, including Chicago and Seattle, as of January 31, have called for a ceasefire.

66 members of the US Congress support the ceasefire.

Significance of International Court of Justice’s Ruling

On January 26, the International Court of Justice, the highest judicial court in the world, in response to  case brought by South Africa, ruled that Israel must prevent the following against Palestinians in Gaza: (1) killing Palestinians; (2) causing serious bodily or mental harm to Palestinians; (3) deliberately inflicting on Palestinians conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and (4) imposing measures intended to prevent births for Palestinians.

The ICJ ruled that “Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The United States is a signatory to the ICJ and is thus legally bound by its rulings. President Biden has referred to the ICJ as “one of humanity’s most critical institutions to advance peace around the world.”

Signatories to Ceasefire Statement

We, the undersigned individuals and organizations in North Carolina, demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire to the Israeli war on Gaza, and an ending of all US support for the Israeli war.

We recognize that Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people deserve to be safe here in North Carolina and we commit to working against Islamophobia, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination and hatred against any religious, ethnic or racial group.

We demand our Senators and all members of the NC congressional delegation join representatives Valerie Foushee and Alma Adams in supporting a ceasefire, and that our representatives in DC vote no on any funding to Israel.

We also ask our congressional representatives to: 

Ask  the Biden administration to respect and comply with the legally binding ruling of the ICJ on January 26

Urge the Biden administration to call for an immediate cessation to all Israeli military activity in Gaza; 

Call upon the Biden administration to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance -at the scale needed- into Gaza; and

Urge the Biden administration to work for the release of all hostages, the hostages held in Gaza, and the Palestinians detained by the Israeli government and military.

We support the implementation of international law, without exception and particularly when taxpayer moneys are given. 

We will continue organizing through protests, rallies, and voting to abolish what MLK Jr. called the Triple Evils of racism, militarism, and inequality!

Organizational Signatories
Muslims for Social Justice
Black Workers for Justice
People's Power Lab
Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center
North Carolina Environmental Justice Network
Jewish Voice for Peace - Triangle NC
NC Muslim Grassroots
Madinah Quran and Youth Center
North Carolina Public Workers Union - UE Local 150
Union of Southern Service Workers
Raleigh City Workers Union - UE Local 150
Durham Workers Assembly
Raleigh Wake Workers Assembly
Refund Raleigh Freedom Committee
NC BLOC (NC Black Leadership and Organizing)
Fayetteville PACT
United for a Fair Economy
Balance and Accuracy in Journalism
Southern Vision Alliance
People's Solidarity Hub
NC Disaster Response and Resilience Network
Sunrise Movement Durham Hub
North Carolina Green Party
Winston-Salem Democratic Socialists of America
Third Act North Carolina
Socialist Party USA Northern Piedmont Local
Art of Wellness
NC Triangle Democratic Socialists of America
Korea Peace Now North Carolina
NC Peace Action - Wake County Chapter
WNC Club of Communist Party USA
Better Fayetteville Project
Comite de Accion Popular
WILPF (Women International League for Peace and Freedom)
Parable of the Sower Intentional Community Cooperative
Southeast Immigrant Rights Network
UNCA YDSA
Right Sides Facing

Individual Signatures
Manzoor Cheema
Erika Moss
Erica England
Ayesha Khan
Jackson Hewitt
Didem Miraloglu
Yakub Miraloglu
Sameer Cheema
Faris Soliman
Sadiya Maryam
Saliha Miraloglu
Sumeyya Miraloglu
Rayyanoor Jawad
Merve Rida Bayraktar
Hajra Shah
Ayah Dabbagh
Clair Cheu
Lauren Steiner
Julia Owen
Tauheedah White
Shifana Irfaan
Patricia Watkis Msay
Abdelrahman Aly
Ella Carter
Lucy Safir
Martha S Pentecost
Elena Ceberio
Joe Burton
Melissa Holmberg
Anthony Quartararo
Anna Ordoubadi
Anne Hemingway Feuer
Donna Russo
Karen Ziegler
Micah McLain
Nique Williams
Katherine Rays Rodriguez
Angela Tatum Malloy
Padma Dyvine
Vincent Russell
Jessica Gore-Pike
Anita Cunningham
Ruth Zalph
Aleta Toure
Terra Watley
Nayely Perez-Huerta
Viviana Jimenez-Macias
Susan Oehler
Thomas Preston
Eden Simmons
Tom Patteson
Timothy Jacob Hooker

Do you Wish to Sing this Statement? If so, visit bit.ly/CeasefireNC

                                             Ceasefire Rally in Raleigh on November 24, 2024

Hands Off Rafah / End the Genocide Rally in Raleigh (February 18, 3 pm)

Press Contact:

· Victor Urquiza, 404-662-7614, urquiza.victor09@gmail.com, Party for Socialism and Liberation

· Manzoor Cheema, 919-412-7008, manzooracheema@gmail.com,  Muslims for Social Justice, People’s Power Lab

     ·  Noor Abualhawa, 919-800-1378, noorthawa@gmail.com, Palestinian community member

Hands of Rafah! Free Palestine! End the genocide!

Sunday, February 18th, 3 pm

Moore Square, Raleigh, NC

Over ten organizations, community members, and allies will gather at Moore Square this Sunday, February 18th, to protest against the ongoing genocidal escalations in Rafah, Gaza. Our movement will not rest or tire until we see a permanent ceasefire, an end to the continued colonization of Palestinian land, and a fully liberated Palestine. 

“This genocidal bombardment of Gaza has been ongoing for over 4 months. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been murdered, and tens of thousands more have been injured or are missing. Starvation and disease loom over the entire population with over 500,000 people at risk of dying due to lack of medical services or food.” Says Victor Urquiza, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. 

“This humanitarian crisis is already a crime against humanity being committed by the Israeli apartheid state, now Israel is indiscriminately bombing Rafah. Rafah, only 25 square miles big, houses over 1.5 million refugees who have fled northern Gaza. Israel claimed that Rafah was “safe” but on February 11th, the same day as the Super Bowl, Israel began bombing this refuge camp showing no regard for the civilian population”, said Manzoor Cheema from Muslims for Social Justice and People's Power Lab

“The bombs being dropped on these innocent civilians are being sent with our tax money, this is why we all have a moral and ethical obligation to speak out against the US war machine. Imperialism is the enemy of humanity and it is imperative to oppose it at all times. Our movement is internationalist, anti-imperialist, and for peace” said Noor Abualhawa, a Palestinian community member. “Only the Palestinian people, with the support and solidarity of the international community, will free Palestine. We will not tire and will continue to mobilize and organize!”

 

 

Press release: Rally for Palestine and Yemen in downtown Raleigh. January 14, 3pm.

 

For Immediate Release:

Press Contact:

· Noor Abualhawa, 919-800-1378, noorthawa@gmail.com, Palestinian community member

· Victor Urquiza, 404-662-7614, urquiza.victor09@gmail.com, Party for Socialism and Liberation

· Manzoor Cheema, 919-412-7008, manzooracheema@gmail.com,  Muslims for Social Justice, People’s Power Lab

 

Rally for Palestine! Rally for Yemen!

U.S. Out of the Middle East!

Sunday, January 14, 3 pm

Moore Square, Raleigh, NC

Over ten organizations and community members will gather in Moore Square for an emergency rally to raise their voice against the U.S. backed act of aggression on Yemen  aimed at helping Israel continue its assault on Gaza.

“The U.S. war machine wants to punish Yemen for refusing to allow the waters off their coast to be used to sustain the genocide against Palestinians”, said Noor Abualhawa, a Palestinian community member. “The U.S. and western imperial powers bombing Yemen is a direct violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and an extremely dangerous escalation.” It is clear that the Biden administration’s actions have raised the prospect of a devastating regional war. The Biden administration is threatening to escalate a regional war with this retaliation against Yemen’s principled solidarity with Palestine. 

“56 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. challenged the US war in Vietnam in his famous Beyond Vietnam speech. On this MLK Day weekend, we should follow his legacy and build a stronger anti-imperialism and anti-racism movement”, explains Manzoor Cheema from Muslims for Social Justice and People's Power Lab. “Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Jews, Christians, African Americans, workers, and people from other backgrounds in Raleigh demand a permanent ceasefire now. We demand the Biden administration and Israel to listen to the people of the world. We will continue to come out until the genocide stops, until Palestine is free!"

International solidarity is key to ending the genocide, to freeing all Palestinian prisoners, to ending the occupation and ultimately winning a free Palestine. "At this critical moment for the Palestinian struggle, the need is urgent for continued mobilizations and direct actions to confront Israeli Zionism in all its forms", said Victor Urquiza from the Party for Socialism and Liberation. "As Israel continues its devastating assault on Gaza and the Palestinian people, we call on all conscience people to fill the streets, disrupt business as usual, and not stop until Palestine is free! Our efforts will only continue and grow stronger until all our demands are met: a permanent ceasefire, lifting the siege on Gaza, and ending U.S. aid to Israel!"

The people of Raleigh will gather to say, “HANDS OFF YEMEN” and  “U.S. OUT OF YEMEN!” We will continue to flood the streets of Raleigh with our unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their ongoing struggle for liberation!