ADC 100 Days Town Hall, Simi Valley police brutality lawsuit, "The Teacher," on Easter 2025 in Gaza and Pope Francis, and other news

These statements and more, on the case of Mahmoud Khalil, harassment of lawyers by immigration authorities at entry points, the many Arab-Americans (paradoxically) appointed by the same administration, the 110th anniversary of the genocide against Armenians that began April 24, 1915 in Ottoman Turkey, etc. are posted at:  adc.org/media/press-releases/ 

Register here: ADC Townhall - 100 Days of the Trump Administration

Register here: ADC Townhall - 100 Days of the Trump Administration

Sent out the evening of April 23rd:

“I Was Tased and Dragged From My Home” – ADC Lawsuit Alleges Police Brutality

Dear [ ] ,

Simi Valley, CA | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), alongside HH Law Firm, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Nabil Shukair, a Palestinian American subjected to ongoing harassment, racism, and a recent violent police encounter in Simi Valley, California. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, contends that Mr. Shukair’s constitutional rights were violated when police officers, responding to baseless “terrorist” accusations, arrived at his home with weapons drawn and ultimately tased him unconscious.

 

The lawsuit details how video evidence reveals a neighbor driving by Mr. Shukair’s residence while shouting racial slurs and threats, followed by an unfounded call to the police identifying Mr. Shukair as a “Hamas terrorist.” According to the complaint, rather than verifying these inflammatory claims, Simi Valley police officers arrived at Mr. Shukair’s property on September 11, 2024, and immediately escalated into violent action. Video footage shows officers drawing their firearms and tasing Mr. Shukair within seconds, knocking him unconscious and dragging him out of his garage.

 

“I was tased and dragged from my home,” said Mr. Shukair. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about protecting our communities from being treated like suspects instead of people.”

 

The lawsuit raises critical questions about why specialized law enforcement units were not deployed if officers genuinely suspected terrorist activity, and why a more thorough investigation was not conducted prior to the use of such force. Instead, the complaint asserts, the responding officers relied solely on a racially charged tip—contrary to ordinary standards of investigative diligence.

 

“This case highlights the discrimination Arab Americans face when unverified, racially motivated accusations are immediately accepted,” said ADC National Legal Director Chris Godshall-Bennett. “Mr. Shukair was confronted by officers with guns drawn in his own home, tased unconscious, and subjected to illegal searches. The officers’ actions were motivated by nothing more than anti-Palestinian racism and they must be held accountable.”

 

“Our client has endured months of harassment and racist vitriol. The escalation on September 11 was particularly shocking,” said attorney Hani Habbas of HH Law Firm. “Officers arrived at Mr. Shukair’s house, forcefully entered the property, used a taser on him without warning, and dragged him onto the street while he was incapacitated. These actions directly violated his First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights.”

 

Alleged Constitutional Violations and Key Claims

• Excessive Force & Unlawful Seizure: The complaint states that Simi Valley Police officers violated the Fourth Amendment by tasing and seizing Mr. Shukair without probable cause or any indication of a threat.
• Equal Protection & Discrimination: Officers purportedly targeted Mr. Shukair based on his Palestinian identity and an unverified tip labeling him a terrorist, in breach of the Fourteenth Amendment.
• First Amendment Retaliation: Mr. Shukair’s verbal objections to officers drawing weapons in his garage and his attempt to record the encounter allegedly prompted an escalated response, amounting to retaliation for protected speech.
• Unlawful Searches: The complaint claims that the officers conducted warrantless searches of Mr. Shukair’s home and vehicle after he was rendered unconscious and handcuffed, in further violation of the Fourth Amendment.

In addition, the lawsuit asserts various state law claims, including violations of California’s Bane Act and Ralph Act, as well as common law torts such as assault, battery, false arrest/imprisonment, and the intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

 

Mr. Shukair seeks:

• Compensatory Damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
• Punitive Damages against individual officers whose actions are alleged to have been intentional or carried out with reckless disregard for his constitutional rights.
• Attorneys’ Fees and Costs under federal and state civil rights statutes.
• Judicial Declarations that the officers’ actions violated the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and parallel rights under California law.

The complaint questions the Simi Valley Police Department’s decision-making and training practices, pointing to a pattern of immediate, aggressive action against Mr. Shukair despite the lack of credible corroboration of the neighbor’s accusations. According to the lawsuit, Mr. Shukair was held in custody without proper explanation or medical care. No formal charges were ever brought.

 

By filing this action, ADC and HH Law Firm aim to hold Simi Valley authorities accountable for what they describe as an egregious violation of constitutional principles, while also ensuring that no one else in the community endures a similar experience rooted in racial animus or inadequate investigative protocols.

Sent out the evening of April 24th:

40 years after Alex Odeh, we're opening new doors

Dear ADC Members and Supporters,   I write to you with profound excitement and determination: ADC is returning to Southern California with a new office in Anaheim’s Little Arabia. This moment marks our first local presence in Orange County since the tragic murder of our beloved leader, Alex Odeh, nearly 40 years ago. The opening of this office is a testament to our community’s resilience and our unshakeable commitment to justice.   Our new Anaheim office will be a hub for legal services, community support, and business advocacy. Through it, we will provide direct assistance to individuals and local entrepreneurs, advocate for Middle Eastern and North African business certifications, and stand firm against discrimination. We open these doors without fear, honoring Alex Odeh’s legacy and living out ADC’s founding promise to protect and empower Arab Americans.

MAKE A $25 DONATION TODAY!

Yet even as we celebrate this milestone, the reality of injustice remains. Yesterday, ADC and HH Law Firm filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Palestinian American Mr. Nabil Shukair, who was racially profiled, violently arrested, and tased unconscious by Simi Valley police officers. This case lays bare the discrimination our community continues to face, and it underscores how vital it is for ADC to remain vigilant in defending the rights of Arab Americans.   Our national efforts—including the new Anaheim office and legal battles like Mr. Shukair’s—depend on the collective support of our members. We are 45 years strong and now count more than 130,000 members across the country. But every step forward requires resources to fund legal proceedings, keep our offices running, and ensure we have the tools to fight injustice in and out of the courtroom.   I ask that you make a tax-deductible donation to ADC today. Your contribution will help sustain our operations, power our legal advocacy, and uphold the legacy of those who gave their lives for the cause of equality. Together, we’ll show that no amount of hate can silence our community or break the solidarity we’ve built over these 45 years.

SUPPORT ADC TODAY

Thank you for standing with us, in Anaheim and beyond. In solidarity, Abed Ayoub National Executive Director American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

Sent out the evening of April 21st; slightly edited:

To Our Arab Christian Sisters and Brothers

Dear [ ] ,

Washington, D.C. | Yesterday, millions of Arab Christians celebrated Easter with Christians across the world. We offer warm greetings to those who recently celebrated. For centuries, the vital presence of Arab Christians, whose devotion to peace, justice, and compassion has long enriched both the Middle East and the global community. Despite a common misconception, Arab Christians constitute a vibrant and integral part of our shared heritage, underscoring the diversity that has long been a hallmark of the Arab world.

 

Unfortunately, Arab Christians, along with other religious minorities in the Middle East, are targeted for how they worship or who they are. In what should be a time of celebration in Palestine, the birthplace of Christianity, Arab Christians are under constant bombardment from Israel. The historic Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City—one of the world’s oldest Christian churches—was bombed on October 19, 2023, killing 18 displaced civilians sheltering inside. Many Christians have sought refuge in the few remaining churches, relying on them for basic necessities and a measure of safety. Before the genocide, Gaza’s Christian population numbered around 2,000, mostly Greek Orthodox. Sadly, that number continues to dwindle as deaths and displacement mount. 

 

Israel has destroyed over 200 cultural and historical sites, and more than 340 mosques—among them the iconic 700-year-old Great Omari Mosque. At least three churches have also been severely damaged, including St. Porphyrius Church itself. At least 16 cemeteries have been desecrated. And Christians across the Middle East face similar threats, with key sites damaged in attacks that further endanger this small yet longstanding community.

 

While many Christian leaders and groups in the U.S. justify the genocide, Pope Francis, who passed away earlier today, made nightly calls to Gaza’s Christian community from the onset of the genocide, boldly amplifying their voices when much of the world looked away. We mourn his loss, as his  persistent stand against the ongoing oppression of Christians in Palestine—and of all those enduring occupation and violence—remains a testament to moral courage.

ADC calls on all world leaders to protect religious minorities by condemning violence against any faith community and holding perpetrators accountable, ensuring that no one is targeted for how they worship or who they are. 

 

In this spirit, ADC remains devoted to our mission, urging those in power to reject genocide, end cycles of violence, and protect the dispossessed. May hope and resilience guide us forward as we strive for the day when every community—regardless of creed—can celebrate in peace.

Sent out the evening of April 16th:

"The Teacher" Now in Theater — A Palestinian Story You Need to See

Dear Friends, We are proud to highlight the opening of The Teacher, a bold and emotional new film centered on the Palestinian experience — now playing in theaters nationwide starting April 11. Set in the occupied West Bank, The Teacher follows the journey of a Palestinian schoolteacher torn between his underground role in political resistance and his growing emotional bonds — both to a promising student and a new relationship with a foreign aid worker. The film is a haunting and human exploration of love, struggle, and sacrifice under occupation. 🎟️ In theaters across the nation - get your tickets now! We encourage our community to support Palestinian storytelling and amplify voices from the region that are too often silenced or distorted in mainstream media. 👉 Bring your friends. Share the film. Start the conversation. Let’s fill theaters with our presence — and ensure stories like this one are seen, heard, and remembered. In solidarity, The ADC Team

About ADC   The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S., founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk.  ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination in the U.S., enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice. Click Here to Donate Today

[Reposting:

Dear Friends,

We are proud to highlight the opening of The Teacher, a bold and emotional new film centered on the Palestinian experience — now playing in theaters nationwide starting April 11.

Set in the occupied West Bank, The Teacher follows the journey of a Palestinian schoolteacher torn between his underground role in political resistance and his growing emotional bonds — both to a promising student and a new relationship with a foreign aid worker. The film is a haunting and human exploration of love, struggle, and sacrifice under occupation.

🎟️ In theaters across the nation - get your tickets now!

We encourage our community to support Palestinian storytelling and amplify voices from the region that are too often silenced or distorted in mainstream media.

👉 Bring your friends. Share the film. Start the conversation.

Let’s fill theaters with our presence — and ensure stories like this one are seen, heard, and remembered.

In solidarity,

The ADC Team]

BAP denounces the targeting and state repression against Musa Springer

Originally posted April 23rd at:  blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/bap-solidarity-statement/musa

BAP Denounces the Targeting and State Repression Against Musa Springer

On Tuesday, April 8, our comrade and member of the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP), Musa Springer, was unlawfully detained and interrogated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Tampa airport for four hours after returning from a trip to Cuba. Musa details the circumstances of their detention and retaliatory targeting by the state in this statement. This included violations of human rights, unfounded accusations of criminal activity and terrorism, aggressive interrogation including invasive physical searches, and a seizing of their devices without justification.

BAP denounces this escalation of state repression and the targeting of Musa by the state, CBP, and collaborating agencies. We call on all of our fellow revolutionary, radical, and progressive organizations and comrades to heighten our capabilities and our work to respond to the ongoing escalatory attacks of the U.S. state and its allies. We also understand that we must view this targeted attack in connection with the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people, the repression of pro-Palestine advocacy and all forms of radical organization, the decades-long war on the Cuban people, and the abduction of immigrants from our communities and universities. We must connect the various forms of repression that are ongoing and focus our organizing on building the power and proactive strategies to oppose these attacks on our people, our communities, and our movements.

As Musa recounts, this targeting was not random and is not unique, “[t]his experience is part of a broader pattern. Across administrations, CBP and DHS have operated as politically weaponized agencies to escalate surveillance, harassment, and criminalization of individuals involved in movements for justice. Now, we’re witnessing a dangerous heightening of this weaponization… While the repression of immigrants and foreign students is rightly drawing public attention, [Musa’s] experience reveals that U.S.-born citizens, especially Black and Muslim ones, are also targets.”

As we have always said in BAP, there is a constant and brutal war being waged against Africans/Black people in the U.S. and globally, which is an extension of the war on all the colonized peoples, working classes, and oppressed masses of the globe through imperialism, colonialism, white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, and in this case specifically, state violence. In the U.S., the state, in obedience to the white supremacist capitalist ruling class, has long been at active war with radical organizers and activists, immigrants, and anyone who does not conform to the requirements of the empire. Under the current administration, the state is escalating its aggression against these groups and more to terrorize non-citizens, repress radical activism, and compel others into silence.

In response to this ongoing escalation, we emphasize Musa's words of caution to the radical movement:  "Be strategic, brave, and smart in equal measures. Protect one another, because no part of this system nor what is to come is designed to protect us.” In this time of escalating repression, our call is for principled unity against all forms of imperialism, state violence, and oppression domestically and globally.

April 2025 issue of Revolutionary Democracy published + NLG Federal Defense Hotline [+ news]

The current calendar post is at:  durhamspark.blogspot.com/2025/03/unac-stop-attacks-on-palestinian-rights.html , but I hope to post a new one shortly. 

From the NLG:

Webinar: The Feds are Knocking: Federal Grand Juries [and] State Repression, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 6:30-8 PM ET, Via Zoom

The NLG National Office is excited to announce a new webinar!

Federal agents use tactics like “door knocks” and grand jury subpoenas to target activists and surveil social movements. This training will cover how to support activists in federal investigations and grand jury proceedings. Attendees will learn about federal grand jury subpoenas and litigation, with a focus on representing witnesses who wish to litigate the validity of a subpoena. This training will provide guidance for attorneys, and help prepare activists and support teams for what to expect throughout the grand jury process.

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 6:30-8:00 PM ET Via Zoom.

Speaker: Mo Meltzer-Cohen is an educator, attorney, and abolitionist, serving overlapping communities of activists, queers, and prisoners. Their work includes criminal defense, particularly for those arrested in the course of justice struggles; representation of witnesses before federal grand juries; and advocacy for those seeking gender affirming and other necessary (but often withheld) health care while in prison.

NOTE: The NLG Federal Defense Hotline is also available to activists and lawyers in order to report verified incidents of federal repression, such as FBI “door-knocks” at activists’ homes, grand jury investigations and subpoenas, and any other federal law enforcement efforts to undermine civil rights, including federal grab squads and the use of unidentified federal agents to police protests. Hotline allows callers to have privileged conversations with attorneys and to receive attorney referrals, know-your-rights information, and resources for responding to grand jury investigations and subpoenas. The line is live at: (212)-679-2811.

[On the student protest April 16th at NCCU in Durham:  theworker.news/2025/04/17/student-housing-activists-arrested-in-durham-nc/

[April 17th is Palestinian Prisoners' Day 2025, with events in New York City, Cleveland, New Orleans, Denver, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Grand Rapids, Santa Ana, Toronto, Vancouver, Mississauga, Lima, Havana, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Toulouse, Nantes, Alpes de Haute-Provence (France), Brussels, Amsterdam, Manchester, Dublin, Berlin, Frankfurt, Halle, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Tuebingen, Gothenburg, (Sweden), Rome, Firenze, Beirut, Lalitpur (Nepal), and other places April 17th-21st:  samidoun.net/2025/04/palestinian-prisoners-day-2025-fighting-for-liberation-against-imperialist-zionist-genocide/ ]

[There will be a Department of People Who Work for a Living hearing, part of an ongoing series, April 17th in Asheville (see the NC AFL-CIO):  DPWL Public Hearing in Asheville

From the Haw River Assembly: 

 

"Burlington Tarheel Army Missile Plant (TAMP): Community Meeting Update

The Resident Advisory Board (RAB) for the Burlington Tarheel Army Missile Plant met yesterday (Thursday, April 17, 2025) at the Kernodle Senior Center with representatives from NC Department of Water Quality (NCDEQ), Burlington City Planning, researchers, scientists and the Army's remediation team.

The Army has removed 460 tons of contaminated soil to contain groundwater contamination, primarily from degreasing agents and taken it to approved landfill sites. PFAS was detected at low levels and will require separate investigation and funding. Property responsibilities are split between the current owner (maintaining fencing, land use restrictions) and the Army (monitoring, remediation of contaminated soil). Northwind/Terracon contractors are managing cleanup with DOD funding.

Community members voiced concerns about transparency regarding well locations, testing and soil disposal sites (landfill locations). Residents requested comprehensive documentation of site risks, remediation plans and specific, clear information they could share with their community members about what is going on with the site. The meeting revealed a need for improved outreach to directly affected neighbors, as attendance from impacted residents was limited."]

[Durham Beer and Banjos is on third Thursdays, including April 17th.]

[From the NC Poor People's Campaign:

"On Saturday, April 19, 2025, thousands of North Carolinians will gather at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh for “Forward Together: A March for Justice and Unity,” a powerful demonstration calling for equity, democracy, and collective action. The event will take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 300 North Salisbury Street.

What: "Forward Together: A March for Justice and Unity"

When: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Where: Halifax Mall, 300 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 "

...

"Also on April 19, the Western Circle NCPPC is supporting the "People's Town Hall for Liberty" in Asheville's Pack Square Amphitheatre, from 12PM to 2PM. Click here for more information, and to sign up."]

[There will be a weekly anti-Trump rally near the Chatham County Courthouse in central Pittsboro April 19th?]

[Local anti-Trump protests organized by the Democratic Party or front groups:  There was a "National Protests in 50 States: Durham protecting Democracy!" rally April 19th 11:30am-12pm at CCB Plaza, by Major the Bull; organized by Durham Democrats, Engaged Durhamites for Democracy, and Durham Progressive Democrats:  www.mobilize.us/durhamcountydemocrats/event/774615/  Another protest, "May Day Strong: National Day of Action" is planned for May 1st at 2pm:  www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/777716/  4-7pm at Halifax Mall in Raleigh:  www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/775016/ 3:30-7pm in the same place; organized by SURJ:  www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/777020/  A protest every Tuesday 8-9am at 147 and Anderson Drive in Durham? -- www.mobilize.us/durhamcountydemocrats/event/761258/    A protest every Wednesday, 4-6pm, at the ATT bridge over I-40? -- www.mobilize.us/durhamcountydemocrats/event/767509/   At a Tesla dealership in Raleigh (7101 Glenwood Avenue) every Friday 4-6pm? -- www.mobilize.us/durhamcountydemocrats/event/766727/ ]

[The Hemparoo 2025 hemp festival will be April 19th 12-6pm at The Plant in Pittsboro:  www.theplantnc.com/event-details/hemparoo-2025 ]

[The 15th Annual North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival will be April 19th 12-6pm in downtown Raleigh.] 

[Every Day is Earth Day will be April 19th 1-5pm at The Scrap Exchange in Durham (2000 Chapel Hill Road):  www.scrapexchange.org  For some other Earth Day celebrations see the March calendar post, linked above, and TriangleontheCheap.com ]

[The GCAP Holi Festival will be April 19th in Gibsonville.] 

[The RiverRun International Film Festival in the Triad area will end April 19th.]

[There will be a public hearing, during the triennial review of water quality standards in North Carolina, April 22nd at 5pm at the Archdale Building in Raleigh.  The Haw River Assembly will hold a webinar to prepare Monday, April 21 at 7:00pm:  docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2E6u1XO7j1Q3f0dY3jW43vboElbv1djTTD2TcrTUCKizNEQ/viewform  The State will accept written comments through May 2nd.]

[There will be an information session with the TriRiver Water utility company and the Haw River Assembly Wednesday, April 23rd 6:30-8pm at Woods Charter School.]

[The first Biscuits and Banjos Festival will be April 25-27th in Durham; organized by Rhiannon Giddens.]

[From the County government:

13th Annual Star Party

"NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. – Join Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, Carolina Beach State Park, Cape Fear Astronomical Society, and many other community partners for a fun-filled evening of stargazing and astronomy-themed activities on Friday, April 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road. This year’s theme is Your Place in Space. Be part of an event that is happening statewide and bring a flashlight!" 

-- www.nhcgov.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=898 ]

[The Northside Festival will be April 26th 12-3:30pm at 512 Rosemary Street (between Roberson and North Graham streets) in Chapel Hill; organized by the Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History.]

[There will be a Climate Action Fair Saturday, April 26th 1-5pm at The Plant in Pittsboro; organized by the Haw River Assembly:  www.hawriver.org/climate-action-fair ]

[April 26-27th 2-6pm:  www.carolinafarmstewards.org/piedmont-farm-tour/ ]

[The 2025 Haw River Festival and the beginning of this year's of Saturdays in Saxapahaw will be Saturday, May 3rd 4-8pm in Saxapahaw.] 

From the HRA:

"On May 7, The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) will hear a bad rule on PFAS minimization at the Water Quality Committee meeting. This rule as written will be worse than doing nothing, as it will create a shield for polluters to justify their lack of meaningful action and limit our ability to challenge permits or hold polluters accountable and enforce the Clean Water Act."

In preparation for this, we are asking the general public to make themselves seen and heard by these commissioners. Please join us May 7th in Raleigh to protest this rule at the EMC meeting. **We will hold a community action event outside of the building before the meeting begins and hope to have standing room only at the actual meeting for the commissioners. ..."

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9NWQut0rHC2-t-aMTMjFOOMe-wXyp05vjkGc81EAP-TTJCw/viewform ]

[Against the Williams-Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) natural gas pipeline:  www.hawriver.org/news/organizing-against-pipeline-threats-and-building-environmental-justice , nossep.org , a report from an NBC affiliate about a recent Guilford County Commissioners work session on the pipeline:  www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YhUpiriZoak , actionnetwork.org/petitions/greensboro-town-council-and-mayor-pass-a-no-ssep-resolution/ ]

[In addition to the regular weekend event next to the Carrboro Town Hall, there is now a Durham Really Really Free Market; see Facebook.] 

The April issue of the English-language Indian Marxist-Leninist theoretical, political, and historical journal Revolutionary Democracy ( revolutionarydemocracy.org) came out by the 13th and can be ordered from Red Star Publishers ( redstarpublishers.org ) for $7 dollars, which covers the shipping cost within the US.  For more information about ordering see the website.  Their postal mailbox has been discontinued and payments to must be made through PayPal or by special arrangement.

Brick and mortar bookstores, organizations, and individuals selling copies in Canada, India, the UK, and the USA are listed at revolutionarydemocracy.org on the current issue page, linked at the top of the menu on the left.  Many of the articles are also posted there for free.

Contents:

Emergent Fascism and People’s Resistance in India

‘Fascism, the danger of war and the tasks of the Communist Parties’ ECCI, Comintern 1934

Corporate Driven War in the Most Interior Regions of Bastar Forests 

Police Crackdown on Peaceful demonstration by workers of Maruti, Maruti Suzuki Asthayi Mazdoor Sangh

Agrarian stratification in India as it emerges from NSO 2021 Report,
CN Subramaniam

RG Kar Movement – The Journey So Far, A Report by Comrades of Bengal

Commodity Production and the law of value under Socialism, K. Ostrovityanov

Lenin’s Criticism of Bogdonov’s Reactionary Sociological Views, Part II,
A. V. Shchegolov

July Uprising in Bangladesh, Badruddin Umar

Final Declaration of the XXIX Plenary Session of the International
Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organisations – ICMLPO
and Resolution of Solidarity with the Palestinian and Syrian People

The fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Tunisian Workers' Party

Syria, Prey to the Imperialist Powers and their Servants,
Communist Platform for the Communist Party of the Proletariat of Italy

Palestinian Ceasefire Accord, Joint Statement

Some Key Notes on the Victory of the Palestinian Resistance
Movement, Party of Labour of Iran (Toufan)

Abdullah Öcalan's call for laying down of arms by Kurds,
Labour Party of Turkiye      

Document: A Note of Self-criticism by Com. G Adhikari, 1946

Document: Ajoy Ghosh - CPSU b correspondence 1952

Document: Conversation of Comrade Zhdanov with Comrade Zachariadis 1947

Book Review by Karan Verma: ‘Japanese Management, Indian resistance’

Toufan: The road to a Palestinian state is not paved with roses

Originally posted on Facebook? --

Posted by Party of Labor of Iran Toufan

The road to a Palestinian state is not paved with roses

By Ali Al-Baazawi

What is certain is that the Al-Aqsa Intifada has put the Palestinian issue back on the agenda of the international community—its institutions, regimes, and peoples—after it had been on the verge of being lost amid waves of normalization, Zionist arrogance, and unconditional support for the Zionist entity by imperialist powers, primarily the United States and Europe. This is considered a significant gain for the Palestinian people, their just cause, and the resistance forces that have persevered and fought with all their strength and determination to achieve their goals. This round of resistance, which lasted for nearly a year and a half, has exposed the fragility of this entity, considered a paper tiger that lives off aid, donations, and imperialist military and political support, and thrives on the complicity and betrayal of the client and normalizing Arab regimes. Facts on the ground have also confirmed that this entity cannot endure and continue to live without this support and official complicity. The irreversible flight of tens of thousands of settlers to Western countries and the insistence of thousands of others not to return to their homes in northern occupied Palestine for fear of strikes by the Lebanese resistance, despite the penetration of the Zionist occupation army into some villages in southern Lebanon and its formation of a kind of protective belt against the infiltration of resistance fighters into the areas of Metula, Shebaa Farms and other areas adjacent to southern Lebanon, confirms this new reality, which constitutes a strategic gain for the resistance that can be built upon on the road to liberation.

A foundling and hybrid entity

The Zionist entity is an artificial entity planted by colonial powers on Arab Palestine, which is not their own land. Cities, villages, schools, universities, and hospitals were built for it, providing it with all the means of life and prosperity in a region considered one of the most fertile and beautiful in the Arab East, overlooking the sea and boasting beautiful beaches that annually welcome millions of vacationers and tourists from all over the world. The colonial powers planned to make this usurping entity a "model" of liberal democracy that could serve as an example and a destination for the peoples of the region, so that they would emulate this fabricated state/entity tailored to the whims and whims of the Western bourgeoisie. It has become required of Arab countries to respect this "model" and emulate it, promoting the values ​​of democracy, human rights, tolerance, and coexistence within their societies in exchange for aid and material and military support. Obtaining a loan from predatory financial institutions has become conditional upon coexistence with the Zionist entity, normalization with it, and emulating its model. But this fabricated image quickly collapsed in the face of the escalating pace of resistance activity, and the Zionist “model” became a fascist and war criminal, committing massacres against children (17,000 children were martyred in Gaza and 39,000 lost one of their parents during the war on Gaza) and women, deliberately killing relief workers and journalists, demolishing hospitals over the heads of patients, bombing universities, schools and water wells, abusing prisoners and detainees, trampling on international law and human rights instead of promoting and supporting them, raping women, seizing land, erecting barriers and separation walls between regions, preventing the historical owners of the land from communicating with each other, exploiting their lands and harvesting their crops, forcing them to live in camps or emigrate. Today, an institution for “voluntary” emigration has been established that will work to provide the requirements for emigration, including grants, work contracts and other things, in order to get rid of the original owners of the land, similar to what happened to the Native Americans in America when the Europeans invaded it in the late fifteenth century. The Zionists have bared their fangs and returned to their original essence as invaders, occupiers and fascist gangs funded by colonial powers.

The Zionist entity is an arm of imperialism

The implantation of Zionist gangs in the Arab land of Palestine was planned by the extremist Western colonialists, who were forced to withdraw by the struggles of the Arab peoples in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, North Africa and elsewhere, enabling them to achieve freedom and independence. This cancerous, alien entity was necessary to ensure control over the wealth of the Arab countries and prevent their unification into a strong nation that naturally possesses the elements of progress and advancement, including vast resources (oil, gas, phosphate, fertile agricultural lands, thousands of kilometers of coastline, etc.), a vast geographic area, and the diverse and rich culture of its peoples and the capabilities of its elites, in addition to its strategic location. According to these facts, it is considered a serious competitor to the European colonial powers and poses a strategic threat to them.

From this perspective, the colonial powers defined the goal of implanting this illegitimate entity and outlined the roles it must undertake to ensure its survival and continuity on the one hand, and to secure the interests of the colonial powers and their major plundering companies and financial institutions in the region on the other. Within this framework, the entity's attacks on the nuclear reactors in Iraq and Syria, the assault on Nasserist Egypt, and the destruction of its military capabilities were carried out with the aim of subjugating it and forcing it to normalize relations. This occurred during the era of the late President Anwar Sadat and continues to this day. Within the same framework, the strike on Hammam al-Shatt in Tunisia, the repeated attacks on southern Lebanon were carried out to undermine the foundations of the resistance's rise, and finally, the invasion of Syria after the overthrow of the Assad family regime and the destruction of its military arsenal. The invasion of Gaza, waging a war of extermination and displacement of Palestinians, aimed at realizing the Greater Israel project, which covers all of historic Palestine and nibbles away at parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, are all part of the New Middle East project in which American imperialism dominates the entire region by relying on its agent, the Zionist entity. For this reason, it supplies it with the most modern weapons of mass destruction to ensure its military superiority and provide it with the means to withstand the escalating and growing resistance, both geographically and humanly, in addition to the incubating and supportive environment that continues to expand.

Client regimes are an obstacle to the liberation of Palestine.

The client Arab regimes constitute a stabilizing force for the Zionist entity. They support it financially, logistically, and militarily, confronting resistance missiles directed from Yemen and Iraq toward the occupied territories, providing it with water, fuel, goods, and all the necessities of life. They normalize relations with it secretly and publicly, allowing ships carrying weapons to dock at their ports before reaching Israeli ports, besieging the resistance in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and wherever else, preventing their people from expressing support for it. They refuse the flow of aid and essential goods into the Gaza Strip, and reluctantly accept the blockade and the closure of the crossings, thus contributing to the policy of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people. The Zionist entity's participation in its crimes against the Palestinian people is achieved in return for support from the colonial powers that sponsor the entity through aid, loans, investments, and guarantees of its continued rule. Imperialism has, on more than one occasion, rushed to the aid of these regimes against attempts to overthrow them and the threats to their strategic interests in the region. It intervened in Tunisia in 2011 to maintain the change in the form of power without compromising its class essence, which is subservient to and protects the interests of the major corporations and institutions of the colonial powers. It intervened in Syria to divert the revolution from its natural course and achieve its goals. It divided Yemen, helped bring about the overthrow of Gaddafi's regime, and enabled King Mohammed VI to annex Western Sahara to the Kingdom of Morocco in exchange for normalization.

The client and normalizing Arab regimes have posed a real obstacle to the liberation of Palestine and have prevented the undermining of imperialist interests in the region, which conflict with the interests of the Arab peoples yearning for independence, liberation, and emancipation.

The liberation of Palestine depends on liberation from imperialist domination.

Zionist settler colonialism poses a threat to everyone. It is primarily a threat to the Palestinians, as it continues to subjugate them, confiscate their lands, exploit their resources, and attempt to humiliate, displace, and kill them. It is also a threat to the Arab peoples who yearn for independence and sovereignty over their countries' resources and to free themselves from the imperialist hegemony that hinders their independent advancement and development. It is also a threat to the client regimes themselves if they do not fully respond to the demands of imperialism and refuse to submit to and serve the Zionist-imperialist agendas. The liberation of Palestine and the defeat of the Zionist gangs inevitably requires the liberation of the remaining Arab peoples from neo-colonial hegemony and its local tools, the client big bourgeoisie. This liberation and independence open the way to liberation and emancipation for the Palestinian people, because an environment free from imperialist dependency and hegemony will constitute an incubator for resistance, supporting it financially, militarily, politically, and morally. Conversely, it is an environment hostile to Zionism and imperialism, the enemies of the people. The Zionist entity, in this new environment, will be unable to survive and continue. It will be like a foreign entity called to vanish and collapse, like a hybrid plant that cannot germinate, grow, and blossom in an environment that does not accept it or provide it with the necessary conditions for survival.

The liberation of the Palestinian people from Zionist settler colonialism depends on the liberation of the Arab peoples from neo-colonial hegemony and the establishment of their own independent, democratic, and popular states dedicated to national sovereignty and social justice. Outside this framework, a radical and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, the central Arab issue, remains difficult to achieve, if not impossible. The struggles of the Arab peoples are interconnected and integrated and cannot be separated from one another. The liberation of historic Palestine is linked to the liberation of the remaining Arab countries. On this basis, the Arab peoples are called upon to continue the struggle on two fronts: the struggle against imperialist hegemony over their countries and supporting the Palestinian people and assisting them in their efforts to achieve their independence and liberation from the domination of the Nazi Zionist gangs.

Scintilla: Against militarization, reaction, and the imperialist EU

See also:  piattaformacomunista.com/index.php/enver-hoxha-esempio-di-chiarezza-coerenza-e-coraggio-per-i-proletari-rivoluzionari/ etc.

Originally posted at:  piattaformacomunista.com/index.php/contro-la-militarizzazione-la-reazione-e-lue-imperialista/ and cipoml.net/en/against-militarization-reaction-and-imperialist-eu/ (for the Spanish and Turkish sections of the ICMLPO website see:  www.cipoml.net ); the translation below was slightly edited based on the above links.

Scintilla, n. 152, April 2025 (piattaformacomunista.com/index.php/leggete-scintilla-n-152-aprile-2025/ ), 

by Communist Platform– for the Communist Party of the Proletariat of Italy

Against militarization, reaction and the imperialist EU

The international solidarity of the working class is crucial in order to strengthen the struggle against the growing danger of war and militarisation. It is the response to the efforts of the bourgeoisie and the monopolies who want the workers of each country to weaken each other. It is a necessary aspect in the struggle against the anti-worker plan of the EU and the European countries that aims to "make Europe great again" (MEGA) through the redistribution of billions of social goods to the arms industry and the strengthening of European monopolies.

Strengthening European imperialism is not the answer to the current situation. The imperialist EU does not mean peace and security, but quite the opposite. This has been clearly shown by the war in Ukraine and support for Israel's genocide in Palestine. 

That is why we say: Neither Trump, nor Putin, nor European "defense"!

With the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States, international conflicts, including those between the United States and the European Union, have dramatically intensified. Trump is the representative of the currently most aggressive sectors of US capital, which want to stop and reverse the decades-long decline of US imperialism in a violent way and make US imperialism "great again". In order to mobilize a large part of society for the goals of imperialism, we can observe an acceleration of fascistization in the United States and around the world.

All this is an expression of the growing contradictions between imperialist powers such as the USA, EU, China and Russia. In particular, the rise of capitalist and imperialist China has ignited the competition and struggle for world economic dominance. Trump and many officials in his administration have always pointed to China as the "strategic" enemy of the United States. It is the only major imperialist power that can challenge US hegemony, especially if it manages to develop alliances.

To win this struggle, US imperialism has made a major change in its foreign relations. Trump is seeking an agreement with Russia on Ukraine to divide this country and its important resources. US imperialism seeks to weaken the ties between Russia and China and to create new alliances. In this way, it is openly showing the real goal of the war in Ukraine: a battle for control of land and resources in which Ukrainian soldiers have died on behalf of US and EU capital, not for "freedom and democracy".

How fragile are US imperialism's attempts to forge new alliances, we see when the Trump administration threatens Russia with new blockades and higher tariffs, as Russian imperialism has taken advantage of the situation to occupy larger parts of Ukraine. It is an agreement between robbers at the expense of the people.

For the European imperialist countries, especially Germany and France, this change means a weakening of their influence. In Ukraine, they have tried to become a major player in the agreement between bandits. They too want to gain control of raw materials, cheap energy and to extend their sphere of influence. They have made large investments by selling weapons, granting loans, and inciting war to bring Russia to defeat. Now they are afraid of not participating in the division of the loot.

Their response to this new situation is more weapons, more militarization and more austerity policies. The EU has approved an €800 billion armaments package, while continuing to work closely with NATO's warmongering alliance. At the same time, all the European countries are increasing their military budgets. Germany, for example, has approved an additional budget of 1,000 billion euros. France is offering its atomic weapons as a protective shield for Europe, but under the control of French imperialism. Britain is seeking to have greater military cooperation with the EU. Although EU membership was rejected by a majority of citizens in a referendum held in Norway in 1994, the Norwegian ruling class is now trying to join the EU under the pretext of "security".

The EU and Britain are encouraging the Ukrainian leadership to continue to intensify and prolong the war. But "European unity" is weak because of the competition between the imperialist countries. France and Germany are fighting each other for leadership in Europe. Italy, with the ultra-reactionary government of Meloni, is trying to establish special relations with Trump, as is Hungary. With this reactionary policy of militarization, fascist and racist forces are growing all over Europe.

All this is threatening the working class and the peoples of Europe. With fascistization, capital wants to subordinate the working class to its policies and at the same time weaken it through division and hatred. The workers have to pay with social cuts, reduced wages, longer working hours, worsening living conditions and, in the event of war, with their lives, as we can see in Ukraine.

We, as Marxist-Leninist parties and organizations of Europe, call on the working class and peoples to unite against this policy and fight together for bread, freedom, peace and friendship among peoples, instead of misery, fascism, rearmament and wars of plunder.

Only the unity and struggle of the working class and oppressed peoples against the barbaric capitalist-imperialist system will pave the way for fundamental changes in working conditions and social life.

Neither Trump, nor Putin, nor European "defense"!

No to national unity behind the warmongers!

No to militarization and fascistization!

March 2025

ICMLPO European parties and organisations:

Communist Party of Albania

Communist Party of the Workers of Denmark – APK

Communist Party of the Workers of France – PCOF

Organization for the Construction of a Communist Party of the Workers of Germany (Labor/Future)

Communist Platform – for the Communist Party of the Proletariat of Italy

Marxist-Leninist organization Revolution of Norway

Communist Party of Spain (Marxist-Leninist) – PCEML

Party of Labour (EMEP) of Turkey

ADC on Palestinian-American Omar Mohammed Rabea, 14, killed by Israel near Ramallah + more

A news article, also linked below, on the killing:  www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/06/palestinian-teen-citizen-killed-israeli-settler

Originally sent out in early evening April 7th [and posted at:  adc.org/u-s-must-hold-israel-accountable-for-the-murder-of-palestinian-american-child-by-israeli-settlers-and-soldiers/]:

Justice for Omar Mohammed Rabea NOW!

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) calls for justice in the brutal killing of 14-year-old Palestinian-American Omar Mohammed Rabea, who was shot by Israeli settlers at the entrance of Turmus Ayya, a town northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Following the shooting, Omar was detained by Israeli soldiers, denied medical attention, and left to bleed to death—an act of cruelty that constitutes a gross violation of human rights and international law. Two other Palestinian-American boys, ages 14 and 15, were shot and wounded in the same attack. They remain hospitalized in serious condition.   We demand the FBI, the Department of Justice, and all relevant federal agencies immediately launch a criminal investigation into the murder of Omar Rabea and the attempted murder of two other American children. This investigation must be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as any other extrajudicial killing of U.S. citizens abroad.   This atrocity is part of a pattern of escalating settler and military violence against Palestinians, including U.S. citizens. The Israeli military's claim that these children were “terrorists” who endangered passing vehicles with stones is not credible. Israel has a well-documented history of misleading the public about its actions, including the recent massacre of unarmed Red Crescent paramedics—a crime Israel initially attempted to justify with false and contradictory statements. Footage of the event later revealed the truth: the paramedics were unarmed and clearly identified, and were killed without provocation. In light of this, any Israeli claim regarding Omar Rabea’s murder must be regarded with deep skepticism.   ADC calls on President Donald Trump to demand full accountability from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in Washington for official meetings. The murder of American children on foreign soil cannot be dismissed. The United States has a duty to protect its citizens, regardless of where they reside or what ethnicity they are.   This tragedy also reinforces the urgent need to stop arming those who carry out these attacks. Just last week, ADC called on the U.S. Senate to bring to a vote and block the sale of 20,000 Colt 5.56mm fully automatic rifles to Israeli police forces through S.J.Res. 41, citing grave concerns that these weapons would end up in the hands of violent settler militias. Even Israeli officials had previously paused the sale, acknowledging the risk that these rifles could be used by extremist groups that have carried out countless attacks against Palestinian civilians.    We urge the Senate to bring S.J.Res. 41 to a vote. Lawmakers must weigh the moral consequences of arming known human rights abusers and extremist militias. Blocking this sale is not just a policy issue—it is a matter of protecting innocent lives and preventing U.S. complicity in gross human rights violations.   The United States must stop enabling a regime that has shown a repeated willingness to kill American citizens, including children, without consequence. The murder of Omar Rabea cannot be allowed to fade into the background of this ongoing genocide in Palestine. Enough is enough.   Justice for Omar. Justice for every American and Palestinian life lost in this genocide. Contact your Senators to stop U.S aid to Israel! About ADC The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S., founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk.  ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination in the U.S., enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.   Our work is not possible without your support. Consider making a contribution to ADC today.

Click Here to Donate Today

[Reposting:

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) calls for justice in the brutal killing of 14-year-old Palestinian-American Omar Mohammed Rabea, who was shot by Israeli settlers at the entrance of Turmus Ayya, a town northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Following the shooting, Omar was detained by Israeli soldiers, denied medical attention, and left to bleed to death—an act of cruelty that constitutes a gross violation of human rights and international law. Two other Palestinian-American boys, ages 14 and 15, were shot and wounded in the same attack. They remain hospitalized in serious condition.

We demand the FBI, the Department of Justice, and all relevant federal agencies immediately launch a criminal investigation into the murder of Omar Rabea and the attempted murder of two other American children. This investigation must be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as any other extrajudicial killing of U.S. citizens abroad.

This atrocity is part of a pattern of escalating settler and military violence against Palestinians, including U.S. citizens. The Israeli military's claim that these children were “terrorists” who endangered passing vehicles with stones is not credible. Israel has a well-documented history of misleading the public about its actions, including the recent massacre of unarmed Red Crescent paramedics—a crime Israel initially attempted to justify with false and contradictory statements. Footage of the event later revealed the truth: the paramedics were unarmed and clearly identified, and were killed without provocation. In light of this, any Israeli claim regarding Omar Rabea’s murder must be regarded with deep skepticism.

ADC calls on President Donald Trump to demand full accountability from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in Washington for official meetings. The murder of American children on foreign soil cannot be dismissed. The United States has a duty to protect its citizens, regardless of where they reside or what ethnicity they are.

This tragedy also reinforces the urgent need to stop arming those who carry out these attacks. Just last week, ADC called on the U.S. Senate to bring to a vote and block the sale of 20,000 Colt 5.56mm fully automatic rifles to Israeli police forces through S.J.Res. 41, citing grave concerns that these weapons would end up in the hands of violent settler militias. Even Israeli officials had previously paused the sale, acknowledging the risk that these rifles could be used by extremist groups that have carried out countless attacks against Palestinian civilians. 

We urge the Senate to bring S.J.Res. 41 to a vote. Lawmakers must weigh the moral consequences of arming known human rights abusers and extremist militias. Blocking this sale is not just a policy issue—it is a matter of protecting innocent lives and preventing U.S. complicity in gross human rights violations.

The United States must stop enabling a regime that has shown a repeated willingness to kill American citizens, including children, without consequence. The murder of Omar Rabea cannot be allowed to fade into the background of this ongoing genocide in Palestine. Enough is enough.

Justice for Omar. Justice for every American and Palestinian life lost in this genocide.]

En Marcha: Pro-imperialist government in Ecuador

Also of interest --

On Lenin's April Theses, discussed April 3, 1917 and published in Pravda on the 7th:  www.pcmle.org/EM/spip.php?article13711

From March 19th, on Mahmoud Khalil:  pcmle.org/EM/spip.php?article13680

Originally posted April 2nd at:  pcmle.org/EM/spip.php?article13698  I slightly edited the translation I received -- 

En Marcha #2132 from April 2 to 8, 2025
Central Organ of the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Ecuador

Editorial: Pro-imperialist government

-- The subservience and subservience of Noboa and his government to US imperialism and foreign capital has been his calling card. Even before his inauguration, in November 2023, he went to surrender to investment banks to offer the country's wealth in exchange for foreign investment. --

Daniel Noboa's meeting with Donald Trump had much more than electoral purposes. Noboa went with the idea of "killing two birds with one stone": he sought a meeting with the head of U.S. imperialism to project his image in view of the presidential elections, for which he even paid the company Mercury Public Affairs LLC the sum of US $165,000 in order to get him such a meeting. But at the same time he went with the purpose of agreeing on the steps that will lead to the establishment of a U.S. military base in our country.

According to information published on March 29 on the CNN website, "Ecuador is laying the groundwork for the arrival of U.S. forces." That has been pointed out by a senior official linked to the planning and construction of a naval base in Manta, which will be used to "support U.S. military personnel." The construction plans show that the Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with the Port Authority of Manta for the construction of a dock and expansion of the existing port; the project has the support of the United States, according to documents signed by a representative of the U.S. government.

The intention of establishing one foreign military base or bases in the country has become a priority issue for this government, as it was for the government of Guillermo Lasso. It established agreements on issues of "maritime military cooperation" with the US, which were later endorsed by the Constitutional Court, thus preventing them from being discussed in the National Assembly for approval or not. In October of the previous year, Noboa sent to the National Assembly a constitutional reform that eliminates the prohibition of allowing foreign military bases on the national territory, and the parliamentary commission that dealt with the issue gave the green light for it to be discussed in the plenary session of the legislature. Noboa will do everything in his power to get this unpatriotic reform approved.

The surrender and submission of Noboa and his government to U.S. imperialism and foreign capital has been his letter of introduction. Since before his inauguration, in November 2023,, he went to the investment banks to offer the country's wealth in exchange for foreign investment; he also went to kneel before the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to negotiate loans that, now, their payment will lead to budget cuts in the social sector.

Noboa embodies a government that is economically, politically and militarily subject to the interests of US imperialism: it is an openly pro-imperialist government.