 |
Fight Back! News Activism |
By Stephen
Lendman |
| Humanity faces a struggle for survival today like never
before. Lunatics in Washington risk mass annihilation in their quest for
world dominance. Minneapolis-based Fight Back! is on the front lines for progressive change. It publishes online and in print. It features "news and views from the people's struggle" for equity and justice. Community organizers and other activists are involved. "We are not 'neutral' or 'even-handed' in our coverage," it says. "We are opposed to exploitation, discrimination, and oppression." "We hold that the rich class of people who run the economy and government of this country are unfit to rule." "We support all movements that challenge their power and privilege." Ukraine, Palestine and Venezuela are three featured issues among many others. On February 21, Fight Back! covered 100,000 Russians rallying in Moscow against Ukrainian fascist junta rule on the first anniversary of Washington's coup. It's the largest mass protest so far against fascism's reemergence in Europe's heartland. It marked resistance to US imperial lawlessness. Washington's installed puppet regime continues waging war on its own people. Donbass residents reject fascist rule. Ongoing low-intensity conflict continues close to Russia's border. Donbass crisis conditions are Europe's gravest since WW II. US anti-war activists "came to Moscow to oppose the US/NATO inspired war, to express support for the great, anti-fascist struggle in Donbass, and in opposition to the efforts by the West to threaten Russia," said Fight Back! On March 18, tens of thousands in Moscow's Red Square celebrated the first anniversary of Crimea rejoining Russia. Vladimir Putin joined them. The commemorative event was called "We all together." It featured a rally and concert. Putin addressed the crowd, saying: "A year ago, the Russian people demonstrated amazing equanimity and patriotism in supporting the people of Crimea and Sevastopol in returning to their native land." "We, all together, then realized and felt with our hearts and minds how important the link of history and generations is." Crimeans voted near unanimously by internationally monitored referendum to rejoin Russia. They exercised their UN Charter recognized self-determination right. Fight Back! published a statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) following Israel's March 17 elections. It said "the results…reflect the nature and structure of the racist, fascist Zionist society…" Israel "engage(s) in the most open and extreme anti-Palestinian attacks on our people and their rights…" US-led "imperialist powers…provide cover for its crimes and rampant violations of international law…" "Confronting Zionist extremism and responding to these elections requires a clear and decisive Palestinian policy that casts aside the illusions of reliance on futile negotiations, and instead builds a unified national strategy to confront the enemy and struggle for the full rights of our people, based on our strategic path of resistance to build on all achievements." PFLP urges unified Palestinian resistance against ruthless Israeli repression no matter what ruling coalition governs. Venezuela is another key freedom and justice battleground. On March 16, Chicago anti-war activists rallied against Obama's ongoing political and economic war. Longtime local social justice/anti-war activist Joe Losbaker commented, saying: "Venezuela has never threatened the US people. But the Bolivarian revolution is a threat to US imperialist interests, in Venezuela and in Latin America as a whole." "That’s because imperialism sucks the wealth out of other countries." "The national democratic revolution, which continues under the leadership of President Maduro, intends to use Venezuela's resources to benefit the workers and farmers of their country." "The US government only wants to see profits going to US banks and corporations. The US should keep its hands off Venezuela." Fight Back! reported on Chicago activists pledging solidarity at Venezuela's Chicago consulate. Consul General Jesus Rodriguez-Espinoza addressed possible US military intervention against his government. He noted Latin American unity against Obama's actions. Local anti-war activist Kait McIntyre said: "The US has no right to accuse Venezuela of violating human rights." Washington "arm(s) Israel…" It supported its "massacre of 2500 people this summer in Gaza." "If President Obama cared about human rights, he would have imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, instead of sanctions against Venezuela." Community organizer Frank Chapman commented, saying: "What is Barack Obama going to do about the criminalization of dissent in Ferguson and the criminalization of Black people and other oppressed people of color in our country?" "Why isn’t he imposing sanctions against the DOJ declared lawless regime in Ferguson? Enough already with this hypocrisy!" Losbaker pledged support for Bolivarianism, Venezuelan workers, farmers and patriots. "Those who collaborate with the US in coup attempts against the government in Caracas are sellouts," he said. "They’re from the wealthy class that wants to keep things they way they were before the revolution, when half of the people lived below the poverty line." Obama continues waging war on Venezuela George Bush began. He imposed two rounds of lawless sanctions. He outrageously declared Venezuela a threat to US national security. It's a powerful threat of a good example against US imperial lawlessness. Last December, Congress passed S. 2142: Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 unanimously by voice vote. Not a single profile in courage opposed what demanded denunciation. On December 18, Obama signed the legislation into law. The world's leading human rights abuser targeted one of its staunchest defenders - constitutionally guaranteeing fundamental rights for all its citizens. All Venezuelans are considered "equal before the law." Polar opposite how America is governed - of, by and for its privileged elites alone. Democracy exists in name only. Venezuelans get the real thing. On March 20, TeleSUR reported thousands protesting Obama's sanctions through social media. A global petition against his lawless actions is circulating in Spanish and English. Global justice supporters are urged to sign it. Thousands already sent a message denouncing Washington's lawless interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. Its model democracy represents hope. It's polar opposite America's rage for conquest and dominance. Activists of the world unite against Washington's menace threatening everyone. Stand in solidarity for peace, equity and justice. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs. |
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