African and Black writers, poets, scholars, academics, and others have signed a statement in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
On October 7, Hamas attacked military bases on Israel’s border from Gaza and captured hundreds of hostages. In retaliation, Israeli authorities who control the region unleashed violence with carpet bombing of hospitals, churches and mosques, apartments, schools, and other civilian areas. As of writing this post over 8,000 people, many of them children, have died in the indiscriminate killings. Even more are injured.
There has been unparalleled outrage over the actions of Israeli authorities with millions across the globe marching in cities from not just Muslim majority cities like Istanbul, Tehran, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Amman. Images of dying children have pricked the consciences of even European and North American cities like London, Paris (where President Macron had banned protests), New York, Washington, and further afield. Even children who cannot take part in the physical protests have done their bit by joining marches on platforms like Roblox.
Social Media is a battlefield as outraged people and Zionists fiercely debated while bombs rained down on Gaza and hundreds passed away by the day. Artists have also joined in with many Hollywood players thanking US President Joe Biden for his leadership in the ongoing crisis; this is the president who has requested billions more to support Israel’s “work” in the region.
Another group of artists has taken another route putting out a statement in solidarity with Palestinian people. It reads in part;
We make this statement as Black people in solidarity with Palestinian people, committed to our collective liberation, in grief and in outrage at the catastrophic violence that the state of Israel is enacting on Gaza. As we write, Israel has killed more than 8,000 Palestinians in Gaza – including 3,300 children. Over 20,000 people are injured. We are coming together to demand:
- an immediate ceasefire
- the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and services, medical teams, supplies, and trauma care
- the immediate restoration of water, food, fuel, electricity, and internet
- ending the U.S. obstruction of Palestinian protections against genocide under international law
- the prevention of forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza outside of Palestine
- an end to the siege on Gaza and the occupation of Palestine, including U.S. support.
You can read the statement in full by clicking here.
African and Black writers, poets, and academics in their thousands have signed this statement in support of Palestinians. Some of the close to 3,000 signatories are Kadaria Ahmed, Ladan Osman, Leye Adenle, Lola Shoneyin, Molara Wood, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Warsan Shire, aja monet, Angela Y. Davis, Marc Lamont Hill, Zukiswa Wanner, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Chikè Frankie Edozien, Dionne Brand, Fatin Abbas, Ijeoma Oluo, Inua Ellams, Safia Elhillo, Tara M Stringfellow, Bisi Adjapon, Ijeoma Oluo, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, and many others.
Blacks4Palestine are still accepting signatures and you can add yours by clicking here.
Please also read
- African Writers Speak Out Against Violence in Palestine – Brittle Paper
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