Crusaders Of Justicia

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Friends of Congo 07 Oct 2020

AFRICOM’s real aim was never peace nor stability but rather, strategic US interests.

“With the election of Barack Obama in 2008, the resistance to AFRICOM became exceedingly difficult.”

On October 1, 2007, the United States under the presidency of George W. Bush and the military leadership of the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, launched the Africa Command (AFRICOM). The command was based in Stuttgart, Germany. In the same vein as the 1884/85 Berlin Conference, AFRICOM was a wholly external concoction to be imposed on Africans without their input or consent. In fact, when African leaders first heard of the establishment of an African command, they overwhelmingly rejected its intent to expand U.S. military presence on the African continent. Even during President Bush’s trip to the continent in 2008, African leaders roundly rejected US military expansion  on the continent. The only country that was amenable to the presence of AFRICOM on African soil was Liberia under the leadership of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. 

Although Bush appointed Morgan State University graduate, Kip Ward, an African American four-star general to head up AFRICOM and continued to claim that the intent of AFRICOM was not to establish US military bases in Africa, he still faced stiff resistance. Kip Ward waxed eloquently  about AFRICOM being established to support humanitarian assistance efforts in Africa, build wells and prevent conflict.

“African leaders first overwhelmingly rejected an expanded U.S. military presence on the African continent.”

In order for otherwise reasonable and critical people to buy the deception of the US military having as its main aim humanitarian assistance support and peace and stability in Africa, they have to already subscribe to certain preconceived notions about Africa and Africans. In essence, the US military has traded in the notion that Africa is a poor continent in need of charity. The opposite is true — Africa is a rich continent, in fact the richest continent on the planet in natural resources that has been plundered for the past 500 years, starting with the trafficking in African bodies and today with the super exploitation of oil, copper, cobalt, coltan, diamonds, gold, bauxite, timber and myriad other natural riches. The charity propaganda combined with the command being led by a Black man and then to be championed by a Black president with the election of Barack Obama in 2008, the resistance to AFRICOM became exceedingly difficult. The path was cleared under the Obama presidency to the point where the US military presence on the African continent expanded nearly 2,000 percent  under his presidency. In addition, under the Obama administration with Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and Susan Rice as US Ambassador to the United Nations, AFRICOM led the bombing of Libya in cahoots with NATO to effect “regime change” in Libya by removing Muammar Gaddafi from power. Hillary Clinton infamously stated on her visit to Libya after the murder of Gaddafi, “We came, we saw, he died.”

Today, Libya and the surrounding countries in the Sahel, particularly Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali are a living hell due to the fall out from the Nato/AFRICOM bombing campaign and subsequent government overthrow in Libya. 

“AFRICOM led the bombing of Libya in cahoots with NATO.”

Should one make an objective assessment of one of AFRICOM’s signature claims at its inception –-“to bring stability and assist in advancing peace and stability in Africa” — one would have to conclude that AFRICOM has been an abject failure. However, knowledgeable people know that AFRICOM’s real aim was never peace nor stability but rather, strategic interests. The United States uses its military throughout the globe to bring about full spectrum domination and Africa is no exception. A case in point is the United States’ recent push to acquire permission from Kenya to conduct drone strikes  in its territory. Should Somalia serve as an example or model where US drone strikes have killed civilians, Kenyans would be forewarned to categorically reject this request from the US.

This article previously appeared in the Friends of Congo blogspsot .

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Hosted by Justice For Jacob and Peace In The Streets

March from Kenosha to Milwaukee to call attention to social injustices and the importance of voting. We will unite our communities as we march for 35 miles and demand action to #VoteTrumpOut.

On the first day of early voting, we recognize the great importance of the voices and votes of people in Southeastern Wisconsin, and we call you to join us. Whether you march the full 35 miles, drive in our caravan, join us as we pass through your community or watch our march from home, we need you there! Masks and social distancing required. Food will be provided.

Please support the march at cashapp $AERFoundation and by signing up to volunteer at https://docs.google.com/…/180avqdj12tIPkjn0vGQL…/edit…

Hosted by Justice For Jacob and Peace In The Streets

Never Stop Media LLC

In 130 days, Milwaukee Freedom Fund volunteers have responded to 120 requests for support (tickets, bail, bonds, legal support, attorney fees & more). Here’s what we’ve learned in the last 4 months of advocating for protesters.

The most at-risk of arrest and being charged are protesters who have records, open warrants, are carrying weapons/drugs, and/or are trans or non-binary individuals. If this is you or someone in your group, be extra careful.

There are a variety of tactics used against protesters. Have a spare tire or two in your car, charge phones and have a code on your phone, write the name of an attorney and/or your contact person on your arm or body to call from jail. Record police interactions, if safe to do so. The National Guard is here (a state or county ask) Be prepared for tear gas. Be prepared to be arrested.

People are arrested all the time and most do not need bail. Many are arrested, ticketed and released. If there are a lot of arrests, like in MKE in June, this process can take hours. In Milwaukee, you can be held in jail for several days before seeing a judge to hear the charges and have bail set. If bail is over $200 and needed for protest-related charges, we will help (touchpay is easier for bails under $200). Generally, we pay bail between 8am-5pm. The best way to request help is to fill out the form, it helps us have the right information to pay bail and let a contact person know when someone will be released; and helps us keep track of the dozens of people who may need help at one time. The form is here: https://bit.ly/MFFArrestHelp.

General Info: You can find an arrested person by calling the station or searching the inmate search. The numbers for all the districts in Milwaukee are here: https://city.milwaukee.gov/police/Contact-MPD.htm. If you believe they are being detained and it has been more a couple hours, you can try looking for them here: http://www.inmatesearch.mkesheriff.org/

The Milwaukee Freedom Fund DOES NOT have the capacity to go to the stations when people are arrested. We are not lawyers; we are volunteers that will help.

And in case you forgot why people are upset. Each year in the United States, somewhere between 900 and 1,000 people are shot and killed by police. According to the Police Integrity Research Group’s data, since 2005, only 98 non federal law enforcement officers have been arrested in connection with fatal, on-duty shootings. Only 35 of these officers have been convicted of a crime, often a lesser offense. Only 3 officers have been convicted of murder during this period and seen their convictions stand. Wauwatosa Officer Mensah has killed three young men of color in five years. Our current system does NOT provide justice.

Lastly, remember who is elected & has power- hold them accountable. What can Milwaukeeans do that will have the most impact? How can we make sure that the budgets (city, county, state) represent what our priorities are and don’t reinforce this system? How can we make sure our elected are representing what we want and providing the justice we have been asking for?

District Attorney Chisholm: (414) 278-4646 Email: milwaukee.da@da.wi.gov

Mayor Barrett: 414-286-2200 Email: mayor@milwaukee.gov

City Council: www.city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil

County Executive Crowley: (414) 278-4212 www.county.milwaukee.gov/EN/County-Executive/Contact

Governor Evers: www.evers.wi.gov/Pages/Connect.aspx

State Representatives and State Senators: www.legis.wisconsin.gov

More protester advice: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MKEFreedomfund/photos/?tab=album&album_id=118166329929290

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 3 P.M. – 821 W State Street, Milwaukee (Safety Building)

On October 7 Milwaukee County D.A. John Chisholm will announce the decision on Alvin Cole’s case, 2020, The families of the victims are requesting your presence and support when Chisholm announces his decision. Bring your signs and announce your support! All power to the people!

AND

Call 414-278-4646 to demand Chisholm indict Officer Joseph Mensah be fired, arrested, indicted and convicted for the murders of Alvin Cole, Antonio Gonzales and Jay Anderson.