Fighting "Western" imperialism in the Sahel region of Africa

Not in much of an order –

www.kitklarenberg.com/p/ukraines-secret-al-qaeda-invasion

www.rt.com/africa/639115-mali-terrorist-attack-western-involvement/

diario-octubre.com/2026/06/23/ataques-terroristas-en-mali-y-la-desestabilizacion-imperialista-del-sahel/

May 4, 2026 – "Islamist offensive tacitly backed by Paris shakes Mali" – www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/05/05/scwl-m05

"Mali’s defense minister killed in suspected Western-backed terrorist coup attempt – Russian forces helped Bamako repel coordinated militant raids on key cities and military sites" – www.rt.com/africa/639133-mali-defense-minister-killed/ \

General Sadio Camara (March 22, 1979 – April 25, 2026, both in Kati, Koulikoro Region, Mali) – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadio_Camara 

ohiobarbarian.substack.com/p/sahel-alliance-inflicts-defeat-on 

www.dropsitenews.com/p/mali-attacks-jnim-tuareg-france-bamako-kati-kidal

www.rt.com/africa/639146-over-200-terrorists-neutralized-mali/

www.rt.com/africa/639209-terrorists-attempted-mali-military-government-overthrow/

www.rt.com/africa/639292-malian-forces-regain-control-strategic-city/

www.rt.com/africa/639455-mali-leader-takes-defense-ministry-role/

www.rt.com/africa/639980-why-young-africa-rejects-france-rebranding/

www.rt.com/africa/640575-struggle-for-sovereignty-not-complete/

June 19, 2026 – Dozens die in Niger airport attack – www.rt.com/africa/641819-dozens-die-niger-airport-militant-attack/

October 14, 2021 – "Malian president accuses Paris of secretly arming terrorist groups to provoke war" – www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/10/14/mali-o14.html

September 19, 2023 – "Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso form alliance against French invasion threat" –www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/09/20/oqeb-s20.html

durhamspark.blogspot.com/search/label/Sahel

www.rt.com/africa/642252-burkina-faso-france-diplomatic-relations/

mpr21.info/burkina-faso-rompe-relaciones-diplomaticas-con-francia-y-denuncia-sus-pretensiones-neocoloniales/

mpr21.info/la-fiscalia-militar-de-mali-investiga-las-complicidades-internas-del-levantamiento/

mpr21.info/el-presidente-argelino-tiende-la-mano-a-mali/

diario-octubre.com/2026/06/26/niger-abandona-oficialmente-el-tribunal-penal-internacional/

diario-octubre.com/2026/06/08/las-motos-como-armas-de-guerra-en-el-sahel/

diario-octubre.com/2026/05/23/niger-asume-el-control-total-de-la-extraccion-de-uranio/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_Sahel_States

JNIM – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jama%27at_Nusrat_al-Islam_wal-Muslimin

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azawad_Liberation_Front

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azawad

Originally posted, May 7th, at:  blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/attack-mali-aes

The Culprit of the Attack on the Transition Government in Mali & the AES is NATO Imperialism

The Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) condemns the imperialist-backed terrorist and separatist attacks against the Transition Government of Mali on April 25, 2026. This was a major attack that terrorized the population in several towns, resulting in casualties, among whom the minister of defense, General Sadio Camara, his wife, and grandchildren were killed. The Black Alliance for Peace offers our condolences to the family and comrades in the Malian transition government, as well as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). 

Consistent with our principles, BAP stands in unity with all anti-imperialist fighting forces. We therefore stand in solidarity with the transition government of Mali, as well as the AES generally, which have been at the forefront of fighting imperialist forces in Africa. In this case, imperialism in the form of its former colonizer and NATO member, France, was reportedly providing intelligence to the terrorists even four years ago. We also add its opportunistic partner, Ukraine, which admitted only two years ago to supplying heavy weaponry in the form of drones to proxy terrorist forces JNIM and FLA as a counter to Russian forces contracted by the Malian government to help them in this battle.

We will not be silent while the forces actually responsible for the symptoms of terrorism in Africa posture as the remedy for it. The prevalence of terrorism in Africa was born from NATO’s destruction of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 2011, a vile crime against humanity that unleashed and scattered the reactionary terrorist forces across the Sahel and beyond. The Western world’s continued neocolonial plunder of Africa depends on keeping the continent destabilized. Because no truly liberated people would tolerate the paternalistic, militarist, extractive relationship that is the mission of NATO and its member countries.

The transition government of Mali has forced the French out, accusing them of assisting the terrorists. We are convinced -- based on history -- that France has not totally discontinued their efforts to destabilize and balkanize Mali and the AES by proxy in order to continue its long history of colonial domination and exploitation. The numerous assassination and coup attempts against Ibrahim Traore in Burkina Faso originating from the Ivory Coast are a testament to this. Ivory Coast has been one of France’s primary proxies in Africa since the days of Houphet Boigny, who was famously called the French traveling salesman by Frantz Fanon.

BAP understands that Africa will only be sovereign and free when it is able to develop a path reflective of a People’s Centered Human Rights. This requires freeing itself from the imperialist hybrid war perpetrated by NATO, AFRICOM, IMF/World Bank forces, and their neocolonial proxies. 

ADC: Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu's Visit to Washington DC

 This statement was sent out by email at mid-day February 4th.

ADC's Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu's Visit to Washington D.C.

This morning, President Trump welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for his first in-person meeting with a foreign leader since the start of his second administration. Discussions surrounding the "ceasefire", Iran's nuclear power, and normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia are expected. We are deeply concerned by his arrival in Washington as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement in both Palestine and Lebanon.  “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington—while he remains under an active International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes, including the systematic use of starvation—constitutes a grave insult to international justice. The United States, though not a signatory to the Rome Statute, only further isolates itself alongside Israel by extending this invitation to an indicted war criminal," said ADC National Executive Director, Abed Ayoub.  Netanyahu's visit also comes at a time when the ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon are on extremely fragile ground. Israel’s ongoing attacks in the occupied West Bank—where at least 70 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers this year alone—demonstrates a blatant disregard for any semblance of peace. Since the initial November ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, Israel has killed 83 people, injured over 200 civilians, and has displaced thousands attempting to return to the South.

Last week’s failed Senate vote to impose sanctions on the ICC offers a sliver of hope that the court may yet hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable. The possibility of sanctioning the ICC remains real, which would shield Netanyahu and others complicit in the 15-month slaughter that claimed over 61,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza.  Hosting Netanyahu does not align with American interests. He has a long history of ridiculing and betraying U.S. presidents—President Biden being the latest example—and of dragging the United States into unnecessary wars. Netanyahu’s wars do not make the Jewish people, Israelis, Americans or the wider world any safer. We urge our elected officials and the international community to reject any efforts to undermine the rule of law, and to stand on the side of justice for the countless victims of Netanyahu’s genocide in Gaza and endless wars against the Palestinian people.”   Our work is not possible without your support. Consider making a contribution to ADC today.

VFP celebrates the Gaza ceasefire and pledges to defend it + the duty to disobey illegal orders

Originally posted January 24th at:  www.veteransforpeace.org/pressroom/news/2025/01/24/veterans-peace-celebrates-gaza-ceasefire-and-pledges-defend 

[From BAJ February 11th; I meant to post this elsewhere before the evening of the 13th:  

    "7:30 p.m.WEDNESDAY, February 12, 

   at the Community Church of Chapel Hill

                   106 Purefoy Road

   Balance and Accuracy in Journalism presents

   SOLIDARITY / RESISTANCE / ACTION

We will hear from Triangle Free Press editor Carl Hintz  

on the work of the paper to bring together Triangle

communities for humane policies.

         First they came for the immigrants….

The defense of immigrant families from the scapegoating

of the new administration is getting much merited attention, 

and local groups are working together.

See local mobilized groups: https://tinyurl.com/4aydppzk

White House disruption of Congressional process seeks to silence public 

engagement, blocking real world functions and practical compromises. 

Can an informed public assert itself?  Continuing calls and messages

on an unprecedented scale takes info, strategy and determination.

A neighbor has shared material for calls to Congress. 

   For those of us deeply disturbed by the current state of affairs -- my antidote to this is to take some action.

   I just called our US Senators, about the Musk security breaches of the Treasury Dept. and USAID.  

   I called US Representative Valerie Foushee (district 4) for her help about the security breaches. 

   And I called our NC Attorney Jeff Jackson to thank him and ask for his help on this matter.  

   Telephone numbers are below, as well as a link to Heather Cox Richardson on the security breaches.  

   This is very serious, folks.

   Senator Thom Tillis:

   202-224-6342 (Washington DC ofc)

   919-856-4630 (NC ofc)

   Senator Ted Budd:

   202-224-3154 (Washington DC ofc)

   984-349-5061 (NC ofc)

   Representative Valerie Foushee:

   202-225-1784 (Washington DC ofc)

   919-967-7924 (NC ofc)

   NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson:

   919-716-6400

   https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/february-2-2025?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=em7n2

Wages in the U.S. have lagged significantly and labor actions 

are increasing.  An Amazon union vote is in progress through Feb.15 

near Raleigh. Are other local struggles emerging?

     

Veterans For Peace have announced, "As veterans of illegal, 

immoral U.S. wars, we support military members who refuse 

illlegitimate orders:  "When you follow your conscience 

and stand up for what is right, you will have VFP support."

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/veterans-oppose-deportations

Uncertainty threatens Medicaid and Social Security funding,

and firings and layoffs now impact Triangle area researchers.

Are many of us, like the people of Palestine, now deemed disposable?   

President Trump claims Palestinians will be “cleaned out” of Gaza.

Longtime British diplomat Alistair Crooks assesses President Trump’s 

tactics versus realities in the region. 25 minutes (skip 2 minute ad)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKo0aNIvnkc

                        People are rallying!

          Bring your ideas and information to share."]

Veterans For Peace Celebrates the Gaza Ceasefire and Pledges to Defend It

Veterans For Peace joins the people of Gaza in rejoicing at the Ceasefire that has brought a halt to Israel’s bombardment of Palestinian children, women and men, and their churches, their mosques, their schools and hospitals. At least 50,000 have been killed in a cold-blooded massacre and over 100,000 injured, many losing their limbs. But the huge smiles on the faces of the children of Gaza and their shouts of joy since the ceasefire went into effect were a deeply profound thing to witness.

But just how real is the Gaza ceasefire?  How enduring will it be?  Many close observers of Israel are skeptical.  In his recent article, The Ceasefire Charade, Chris Hedges, renowned war correspondent and VFP Advisory Board member writes:

“Israel, going back decades, has played a duplicitous game. It signs a deal with the Palestinians that is to be implemented in phases. The first phase gives Israel what it wants — in this case the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza — but Israel habitually fails to implement subsequent phases that would lead to a just and equitable peace. It eventually provokes the Palestinians with indiscriminate armed assaults to retaliate, defines a Palestinian response as a provocation and abrogates the ceasefire deal to reignite the slaughter. If this latest three-phase ceasefire deal is ratified it will, I expect, be little more than a presidential inauguration bombing pause. Israel has no intention of halting its merry-go-round of death.”

While we rejoice at the pause in the US/Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people, we recognize that the following underpinnings of the genocide remain unchanged:

1. U.S. provision of weapons and services for those weapons to Israel in violation of a variety of U.S. laws, including the Leahy Law;

2. U.S. deployment of military personnel in support of the genocide through servicing weapons provided to Israel, flying air attacks against Yemeni and Syrian people; flying MQ-9 Reaper drone surveillance missions to aid Israeli air attacks against Palestinians, Yemenis and, likely, Lebanese;

3. Repression by US colleges and universities against students and faculty who have acted so courageously and effectively to educate the US public about the US/Israeli genocide and have led in calling for divestment from Israel and from US weapons makers who have been making billions in supporting the genocide;

4. The silence of US hospital systems about the genocide and repression of their staff members who are speaking out in solidarity with their sister and brother Palestinian medical workers who have been killed, jailed, humiliated and whose hospitals have been destroyed and deprived of fuel, medicine, food and safety. Evidence of this silence is the formation and growing popularity of Doctors Against Genocide; and

5. The cooperation of major US press organizations with genocide in failing to report fully on the suffering of the Palestinian people and accepting without significant critique the narrative of the Israeli government.

6. The constitutionally-protected ability of weapons makers and other corporations to exercise dangerous influence in every segment of society and public opinion by lobbying legislators at every level of government, writing legislation, advertising, plying educational institutions with desperately needed funding, contributing to community events, keeping information hidden from the public and investing in electoral campaigns.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is not rejoicing at the ceasefire agreement.  He immediately declared that Biden and Trump both told him he will have their support whenever he decides to resume the Gaza onslaught.

Fueling concerns about the durability of the Gaza ceasefire are Israel’s escalating attacks on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, its daily violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon, and its continuing efforts to draw the US into a war against Iran.

Ominously, on his first day in office, President Trump removed the sanctions on West Bank settlers who have attacked Palestinian civilians, and reversed Biden’s “pause” of sending 2,000 lb. bombs to Israel. And then there are these recent statements from Trump’s inner circle:

During his confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio strongly defended Israel’s conduct in Gaza while sharply condemning the International Criminal Court (ICC). As a Senator, Rubio was a strong supporter of the criminal actions of Israel against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

During her confirmation hearing on January 22, 2025, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Elise Stefanik that while Palestinian people deserve human rights, Israel has a biblical right to the West Bank. She would not answer whether the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination.

“I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas,” testified Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, at his Senate confirmation hearing.  And Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz declared that he is committed to the complete defeat of Hamas. That sounds very much like the failed logic of the Biden Administration and Israel’s war on Gaza. When will they ever learn? 

Despite its uncertain fate, the Gaza ceasefire is nonetheless a precious victory for the Palestinian people, and must be defended. Just look again at the joyous faces of the Palestinian children. This is another stage in the Palestinian struggle for liberation from colonial oppression and genocide. Peace-loving people everywhere must therefore remain vigilant. We must push for successful completion of all three phases of the ceasefire agreement. We must remove conditions within the U.S. that have enabled the genocide.

Veterans For Peace has consistently called on the US government to stop sending US bombs and war materials to Israel. We have encouraged legal action against the Biden administration for violating US and international laws when it sends weapons to a country that is committing gross human rights violations. We believe that the quickest, most effective way to stop the genocide in Gaza – and to preserve the ceasefire -- is to cut off the flow of US weapons to Israel.

 

Furthermore, we stand ready to give our full support to U.S. military personnel who choose not to be party to genocide. We will continue to support students, teachers, medical workers and others who are compelled by their consciences to take stands against genocide and for freedom for the Palestinian people. We call on all reporters and editors to report fully on the experience of the Palestinian people.

We demand that the Trump administration and the Israeli government respect the hard-won Gaza ceasefire, that they permanently end the carnage in Gaza and the West Bank, that they cease the occupation of Palestinian land, and that they end the oppression of the Palestinian people. We call on all peace-loving people to join us in defending the righteous struggle of the Palestinian people for their freedom and sovereignty.                                                                                       

 Never Again Genocide!  Free, Free Palestine!

Originally posted January 27th at:  www.veteransforpeace.org/pressroom/news/2025/01/27/bruce-fein-and-ralph-nader-say-disobey-orders

Bruce Fein and Ralph Nader Say DISOBEY ORDERS

300 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Suite 300

Washington, D.C. 20001

Phone: 202-465-8728

 

 

DUTY TO DISOBEY CLEARLY ILLEGAL ORDERS

 

The law is clear.

 

Government officials, including members of the military, are saddled with a duty to disobey clearly illegal orders. The charter of the International Military Tribunal for the trial of the Nazi leadership, which established international law, provided in Article 8, “The fact that the Defendant acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior shall not free him of responsibility….”

 

The Court of Military Review in the prosecution of Lt .William Calley for the My Lai massacre added, “The acts of a subordinate done in compliance with an unlawful order given him by his superior are excused and impose no criminal liability upon him unless the superior’s order is one which a man of ordinary sense and understanding would, under the circumstances, know to be unlawful, or if the order in question is actually known to be accused to be unlawful.”

 

The risk is substantial that President Donald Trump will issue clearly illegal orders during his second stint at the White House. He voiced enthusiasm for torture in 2016 but then backed down when he confronted push back. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis was explicit: He would disobey an order to torture, including waterboarding. Moreover, Mr. Trump has displayed equal exuberance over the possibility of ordering the crime of aggression, i.e., wars not in self-defense, against Panama, Denmark, or Canada. The prevailing political hysteria shared by President Trump and Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio makes thinkable an illegal presidential order to initiate the crime of aggression against China over Taiwan or the South China Sea.

 

Mr. Trump will be more emboldened in his second term than in his first. The Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Untied States (July 1, 2024), conferred criminal and civil justice immunity on the President for any action taken in his official capacity. Moreover, Secretary of Defense-designate Pete Hegseth, during his confirmation hearing, refused to echo Mr. Mattis. Instead, Mr. Hegseth equivocated—an earmark of subservience.

 

The legal duty to disobey a presidential order to undertake aggressive war attaches to officials who occupy policymaking positions, de jure or de facto, controlling or directing the political or military action of a State. The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg elaborated, “Somewhere between the dictator and supreme commander of the military forces of the nation and the common soldier is the boundary between the criminal and excusable participation in the waging of an aggressive war by an individual engaged in it.”

 

American wars not in self-defense, i.e., not response to actual or imminent aggression against the sovereignty of the United States, are clear international crimes, for example, the

1

 

 

2

 

United States invasion of Iraq in 2003 or attack on Libya in 2011. They were indistinguishable from crimes of aggressive war undertaken by leaders of the Third Reich against Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union.

 

Moreover, Article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution entrusts the war power to Congress. The President is prohibited from using military force without a congressional declaration of war except in self-defense in response to a sudden attack which had already broken the peace. In other words, a presidential order to use military force in other circumstances without a congressional declaration of war would be clearly illegal and compel disobedience by principal officers of the United States with material influence over military or political policy.

 

President Trump may also issue clearly illegal orders under the Insurrection Act during his second term. It confers on the President virtually infinite discretion to displace civilian with military rule by declaring obstructions to the enforcement of federal law (10 U.S.C. 333):

 

“The President, by using the militia or the armed forces, or both, or by any other means, shall take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy, if it… (2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.”

 

President Trump may invoke the Act to suppress by military force any political dissent by fact-free declarations that his detractors are obstructing the enforcement of federal laws by resorting to mob violence. A presidential order in such circumstances would be clearly illegal and compel disobedience from all principal officers endowed with material influence over political or military decisions of the President.

 

The duty to disobey clearly illegal orders is the last guard rail against dictatorship. Courage should be forthcoming accordingly.

 

Bruce Fein

Ralph Nader

NLG on the ceasefire in Gaza, censorship at Columbia, and the immigrant support movement

 A new NLG know your rights, or risks, guide has been posted at:  www.nlg.org/massdefenseprogram/responsive-guides/

The NLG's annual Week of Abolition will be March 3-7, with the theme: "Practicing Everyday Abolition" --  www.nlg.org/woa/

Sent out by email the evening of January 16th:

The National Lawyers Guild Says Ceasefire Today, Liberation Tomorrow! The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in the occupied territory of Gaza. This is the least that could happen, given Israel’s recent escalation of their 76-year, ongoing, genocidal campaign against Palestinians. It comes at a time when the death toll has exceeded 46,000 people, with reports that this number is undercounted. Israel has displaced more than 90% of the Palestinians living in Gaza. It will take decades to rebuild all the damage that was done, and therefore it's imperative that we also demand an immediate lifting of the lifting of the siege and ongoing economic embargo on Gaza.  This level of violence and destruction witnessed could not have been achieved without our elected officials at every level of government aiding Israel. The U.S. federal government has sent over $26 billion in weapons since October of 2023. Congress passed legislation designed to target non-profits who dare to speak out about the genocide of Palestinians. States like Texas have censored pro-Palestine speech on college campuses.  All of this did not stop the massive wave of popular support that the Palestinian people have across the world. Mass protests broke out against the ongoing genocide. Universities became encampments, as students took over public spaces demanding an end to the genocide. The International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice both have cases against Israel for violating human rights, thanks to the initiative and pressure of Palestinians and their allies from South Africa to Chile to Ireland, and many more. The world has witnessed the atrocities that Israel is committing, and they are fighting back.  We call on the US and international legal community to escalate our pursuit for legal accountability for the last 467 days of genocide and all Israeli colonial violence, ethnic cleansing, ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the crime of apartheid, in our global and local legal institutions. We support the efforts of activists and progressive legal communities who are pursuing legal justice against individual members of the genocide army through national laws of Universal Jurisdiction. Every state which has signed and ratified the Geneva Convention is duty bound to prosecute those responsible for violating the Conventions.  We must also call for  our legal community to unite in the pursuit of real justice against U.S. individuals and institutions who have directly participated, aided and abetted in the genocide and famine, from the Biden administration officials, to member of Congress, to the media. They are all responsible.The ceasefire agreement has yet to be ratified, and is set to be rolled out in stages. We must keep our eyes on Gaza and the Palestinian people. The NLG continues to reiterate its support for a free Palestine. We believe that the Palestinians have the right to self-determination, by any means necessary. We also continue to reiterate the “legitimacy of the right of the Palestinian people to resist illegal military occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing" as is clear in international law and any correct moral standard. We join others in the statement Ceasefire today, Liberation tomorrow!

The National Lawyers Guild Is In Solidarity with Katherine Franke, and Condemns Columbia University The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) condemns Columbia University’s forced retirement of former NLG Executive Director, Katherine Franke. This response is only one of the many attacks Columbia University has lobbied against anyone daring to speak out against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. Professor Franke is a true embodiment of the NLG’s spirit and fight of putting people and the planet over profits.  After 25 years of service, Professor Franke was forced out of Columbia University for her unwavering support for Palestinian liberation. This is retaliation from Columbia University against her statements in support of the student encampments protesting Isarel’s genocide against Palestinians. She also brought to light the fact that Israeli students who had recently served in the Israeli military were using violence against anti-genocide protesters.  Columbia University’s response to these student encampments is unequivocally one of violence: the University sent in the NYPD to clear the encampment, allowed Zionist students and professors to attack anti-genocide protestors, and has retaliated against anyone on staff who dares to support these brave student protestors. Israel’s genocide against Palestinians continues to intensify, claiming the lives of over 46,000 since October 7th, 2023. Standing in solidarity with Palestinans who are asserting their right for liberation and self-determination is not radical. We cannot remain silent in the face of continued Israeli occupation of Palestine. Katherine Franke reminds us that we must speak out, no matter the cost.

[Re-posted:

 The National Lawyers Guild Says Ceasefire Today, Liberation Tomorrow! 

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in the occupied territory of Gaza. This is the least that could happen, given Israel’s recent escalation of their 76-year, ongoing, genocidal campaign against Palestinians. It comes at a time when the death toll has exceeded 46,000 people, with reports that this number is undercounted. Israel has displaced more than 90% of the Palestinians living in Gaza. It will take decades to rebuild all the damage that was done, and therefore it's imperative that we also demand an immediate lifting of the lifting of the siege and ongoing economic embargo on Gaza. 

This level of violence and destruction witnessed could not have been achieved without our elected officials at every level of government aiding Israel. The U.S. federal government has sent over $26 billion in weapons since October of 2023. Congress passed legislation designed to target non-profits who dare to speak out about the genocide of Palestinians. States like Texas have censored pro-Palestine speech on college campuses. 

All of this did not stop the massive wave of popular support that the Palestinian people have across the world. Mass protests broke out against the ongoing genocide. Universities became encampments, as students took over public spaces demanding an end to the genocide. The International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice both have cases against Israel for violating human rights, thanks to the initiative and pressure of Palestinians and their allies from South Africa to Chile to Ireland, and many more. The world has witnessed the atrocities that Israel is committing, and they are fighting back. 

We call on the US and international legal community to escalate our pursuit for legal accountability for the last 467 days of genocide and all Israeli colonial violence, ethnic cleansing, ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the crime of apartheid, in our global and local legal institutions. We support the efforts of activists and progressive legal communities who are pursuing legal justice against individual members of the genocide army through national laws of Universal Jurisdiction. Every state which has signed and ratified the Geneva Convention is duty bound to prosecute those responsible for violating the Conventions. 

We must also call for  our legal community to unite in the pursuit of real justice against U.S. individuals and institutions who have directly participated, aided and abetted in the genocide and famine, from the Biden administration officials, to member of Congress, to the media. They are all responsible.The ceasefire agreement has yet to be ratified, and is set to be rolled out in stages. We must keep our eyes on Gaza and the Palestinian people. The NLG continues to reiterate its support for a free Palestine. We believe that the Palestinians have the right to self-determination, by any means necessary. We also continue to reiterate the “legitimacy of the right of the Palestinian people to resist illegal military occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing" as is clear in international law and any correct moral standard. We join others in the statement Ceasefire today, Liberation tomorrow!

The National Lawyers Guild Is In Solidarity with Katherine Franke, and Condemns Columbia University

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) condemns Columbia University’s forced retirement of former NLG Executive Director, Katherine Franke. This response is only one of the many attacks Columbia University has lobbied against anyone daring to speak out against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. Professor Franke is a true embodiment of the NLG’s spirit and fight of putting people and the planet over profits. 

After 25 years of service, Professor Franke was forced out of Columbia University for her unwavering support for Palestinian liberation. This is retaliation from Columbia University against her statements in support of the student encampments protesting Isarel’s genocide against Palestinians. She also brought to light the fact that Israeli students who had recently served in the Israeli military were using violence against anti-genocide protesters. 

Columbia University’s response to these student encampments is unequivocally one of violence: the University sent in the NYPD to clear the encampment, allowed Zionist students and professors to attack anti-genocide protestors, and has retaliated against anyone on staff who dares to support these brave student protestors.

Israel’s genocide against Palestinians continues to intensify, claiming the lives of over 46,000 since October 7th, 2023. Standing in solidarity with Palestinans who are asserting their right for liberation and self-determination is not radical. We cannot remain silent in the face of continued Israeli occupation of Palestine. Katherine Franke reminds us that we must speak out, no matter the cost. ]

Sent out by email the evening of January 24th:

New KYR for immigration justice advocates: Assessing Risks in Supporting Immigrants at Points of Intervention, Understanding the “Harboring” Non-U.S. Citizens Federal Crime, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)

In collaboration with Southern Coalition for Social Justice and National Immigration Project, the NLG’s Mass Defense Program has created a new KYR for people advocating with and supporting non-U.S. citizens. The new Trump administration has already stated its intent to use laws to prosecute “immigration-related violations,” which can extend to individuals who help and advocate on behalf of non-U.S. citizens. In the past, the federal government has utilized a federal crime against immigrant advocates, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A), “Bringing In and Harboring Certain” Non-U.S. Citizens. Understanding this very broad law can help assess risks at different points of intervention!

Read the full guide across our website and social media platforms:

Website

Instagram 

Bluesky

Facebook

Resources for non-U.S. citizens when protesting:

National Immigration Project Resources: bit.ly/nipresources

National Immigration Law Center's KYR: bit.ly/nilckyrimmigrants

Sent out by email January 15th in the afternoon:

Letter to Character and Fitness Committees Regarding Advocacy for Palestinian Rights

Dear [ ],

This morning, January 15, 2025, Unlock the Bar and Palestine Legal, joined by the National Lawyers Guild, Center for Constitutional Rights, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Palestinian American Bar Association, and the Climate Defense Project, have submitted a letter to each attorney licensing jurisdiction in the country, reminding the Character and Fitness Committees of their constitutional and legal obligations when evaluating applicants to the bar.

Both historically and currently, the attempts to utilize the Character and Fitness process in order to withhold licensure from social justice advocates engaging in liberative movements has been an unfortunate reality. In this moment of anti-Palestinian bias, there have already been examples of prospective applicants being subject to unfair and disparate treatment as they attempt to become lawyers. Character and Fitness Committees must be mindful to not allow such bias to affect their applicant review process.

With this letter, legal groups and advocacy organizations are reminding bar committees that, as government entities,  they must be bound to the First and Fourteenth Amendments, anti-discrimination laws, and constitutional jurisprudence.

"As in all other realms in the U.S., the Palestine exception to free speech is affecting lawyers. They are facing heightened scrutiny and punishment for a rational political position,” said Xavier T. de Janon, NLG Director of Mass Defense. “Character and Fitness evaluations are dated, onerous, and shadowy processes that have little to do with the practice of law.”

Full letter: "Advising on Your Legal Obligations to Ensure an Equitable Character and
Fitness Review Process in the Face of Anti-Palestinian Repression."

The letter is currently taking sign ons of support. If you would like to join as a sign on to this letter, please fill out the form here.