Despite Smalls having been profiled by every major media outlet in the U.S. when he successfully led the union drive at Amazon, not a single major media outlet has covered his violent detention by the IDF.

July 29 — On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces boarded the Handala, a ship associated with the Flotilla Freedom Coalition, that was attempting to reach Gaza with supplies for starving Palestinians. The IDF detained 21 activists, who had their hands held up, in graphic images that were captured by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

Among those on the ship was Chris Smalls, who gained fame when he led a successful union drive at Amazon in Staten Island in 2022. Former U.S. President Joe Biden even invited Smalls to meet with him at the White House to strategize on union organizing in 2022.

On Monday, details emerged that not only was Smalls detained, but he was physically beaten by the IDF. He was the only Black member of the Freedom Flotilla on the Handala.

“The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that upon arrival in Israeli custody, U.S. human rights defender, Christian Smalls, was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals,” wrote the Freedom Flotilla Coalition on Instagram. “They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back.”

Still, despite Smalls having been profiled by every major media outlet in the U.S. when he successfully led the union drive at Amazon, not a single major media outlet has covered his violent detention by the IDF three days ago.

In 2022, The New York Times even ran a Style section profile on his fashion choices among more than a dozen pieces that they ran on his organizing efforts, but the paper has not said anything about the detention and beating of a high-profile labor activist at the hands of the IDF. Only three smaller left-leaning outlets, Zeteo, The Grio, and Jezebel, covered it.

“This totally makes sense,” wrote University of New Brunswick Professor Nathan Kalman-Lamb on Bluesky. “A notable public figure in the U.S. (Amazon labor organizer Christian Smalls) is illegally arrested by Israel and subjected to severe physical violence while on a hunger strike… and not one U.S. media outlet of any type has decided that is news.”

Some union leaders have already begun to speak out about his detention.

“As a union, we are demanding the immediate release of Chris Smalls and all captured activists,” said the 29,000-member California Faculty Association in a statement late Monday. “We further call for an immediate end to the engineered famine and deliberate starving of the people in Gaza, labor complicity with genocide, and all U.S. military aid to Israel”.

Other unions are expected to denounce the beating and detention of Smalls by the IDF.

However, his international union leader, Teamsters union president Sean O’Brien, has stayed silent on the detention of Smalls, who founded the Amazon Labor Union, which is now an affiliate of the Teamsters.

Instead, the Teamsters President Sean O’Brien took to social media to advertise his upcoming interview with fascist commentator Vivek Ramaswamy and his 3 million right-wing followers.

Mike Elk is the senior labor reporter at Payday Report and member of the Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild.

Source: Common Dreams

Bill Dores speaking on behalf of PAL-Awda NY at the Stop Starving Gaza Now! rally outside the United Nations HQ in New York City. The protest was part of the International Day of Action for Gaza on July 25.

Transcript:

… And in September 1945, the United Nations was formed, supposedly, to prevent that from ever happening again. It was a lie because at that time, most of the world was colonized, most of Africa was colonized, and Harry Truman was able to make the UN ratify the genocide, the Nakba Holocaust in Palestine in 1948, and they used the cover of the UN for a holocaust in Korea in 1950.

But today, the overwhelming number of countries of the world are members of the United Nations, and overwhelmingly, the people of the world stand with the people of Palestine.

Because most people don’t like people who starve children to death. Today, Dachau Auschwitz is back, and it has a new name. It’s called Gaza. And Adolf Hitler, and Eichmann, and Bormann, and Himmler are back. Their names are Netanyahu, and Trump, and Gallant, and also Macron, and then Merz in Germany.

Because there is an international conspiracy by the most powerful forces in the world, the richest countries in the world, to exterminate the people of Palestine, to starve them to death, to eradicate an entire nation.

Like the people of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943, the people of Palestine, the people of Gaza, are fighting back. But they need the whole world to stand by their side. The UN is rigged because the United States, by being on the Security Council, can veto any effective international action.

President Gaddafi tried to change that, and they murdered him. But there is an instrument passed by the General Assembly, called Uniting for Peace, that gives the General Assembly the right to go around, to overrule the Security Council, and call for international action.

And we’ve had enough talk, we need action. We don’t need Qadri City recognizing the Palestinian state after the people of Gaza are dead. We need food and medicine to get into Gaza right now. We need an international military force. Only 12 countries have stood up.

They signed a declaration in Bogota calling for a complete arms embargo on the Zionist state. Countries like Cuba, Venezuela, South Africa, Colombia. And when I say the Nazis were trying to hide their atrocities, they were. This atrocity, this massacre, is being carried out in plain sight because, as the President of Colombia, President Petro, said, they want to send a message of fear to the entire world that we can kill anybody.

And murder and massacre anybody, so humanity has to stand up. We need an international force to go to Egypt to open the Rafah gate. We need the entire world, including the Arab regimes, who continue to pour money into the U.S. military-industrial complex.

We need them to BDS. And we need to be in the streets and whatever else we have to do again and again and again until this genocide stops. Because we need action right now. Next week, next week there’s a conference happening here sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia.

Two state solutions, you know, recognition down the wall.

We don’t need that. We need those countries. Do they have armies? Do they have navies? Do they have an air force? Do they have a merchant marine? We need those countries who say they are against the Holocaust to take action right now. And we’ve got to tell our government here, because the United States government wants the genocide, otherwise they wouldn’t be paying for it.

We’ve got to tell them, not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel’s crimes. Not another nickel, not another dime.

Almost beyond belief, the U.S.-Israeli genocide in Palestine has intensified to an even greater degree of brutality.

The Resistance News Network published a Gaza Update Summary (July 16 – 19, 2025): “The past four days have been defined by a dual crisis of escalating IOF massacres and catastrophic, deepening famine.” 

On Wednesday, July 16, Palestinian civilians were lured to U.S. aid distribution centers throughout Gaza, which the IOF then bombed and gassed. The IOF also bombed refugee shelters, a school in Bureij, and a church in Gaza City.

The following days were more of the same — massacres of starving families awaiting aid, babies and children dying of malnutrition, people collapsing of hunger in the streets. At the same time, fleets of trucks full of aid wait at Rafah Crossing. 

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship “Handala,” carrying only unarmed civilians (including labor leader Chris Smalls) and food, medicine, and baby formula, is on its way to Gaza’s shores. Israel stopped the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s first ship, the Madleen, in June 2025.

While most media outlets ignored the massacres at aid distribution sites, even mainstream bourgeois press could not conceal the famine unfolding in Gaza — likely compelled by damning UNRWA and WHO reports, along with harrowing eyewitness testimonies. Even The Times of Israel begrudgingly acknowledged it with the headline: ‘Israel blames UN for Gaza aid shortage, says Hamas exploiting famine claims at talks.’ The same tired propaganda, but this time, their lies had run up against undeniable reality.

The people respond

On July 20, the united Palestinian resistance called for action. The Palestinian Youth Movement called for an international day of action to Stop Starving Gaza on July 22.  

In Baltimore, on July 22, the People’s Power Assembly joined with the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Black Alliance for Peace to hold an emergency demonstration to denounce the U.S.’s primary role in the genocide.

Then, on July 24, the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Islamic Maryland Action Network, Jewish Voices for Peace, and the Baltimore Rapid Response Network called an emergency rally, demanding: “Let Gaza Live!” 

New Orleans, June 23 – “No war with Iran!” was the message of an emergency rally downtown during the evening rush hour. Gathered in the shadow of the Hale Boggs Federal Building, they chanted, “From Iran to Palestine, stop U.S. war crimes!” and “From the belly of the beast, U.S. out of the Middle East!” 

These views are pretty mainstream. An Economist/YouGov poll covering June 13-16 asked people in the U.S., “Do you think the U.S. military should get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran?” Sixty percent said “no.” Only 16% said “yes,” and 24% “not sure.” Even 53% of Republicans oppose direct U.S. intervention. 

The problem with the wording of the question is that the U.S. is already involved, because Israel’s real masters are in the U.S. Pentagon. Still, these results are clear enough. The people don’t want war. 

Today’s action featured speakers from multiple organizations, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and others. 

Some participants came from other towns in the region, including the Northshore. One participant, a Slidell mom new to activism, told this writer:

“I came out because I believe we have a duty to show up when power is used to harm — not just in our own backyard, but across borders. In the face of war, silence is not neutrality — it’s surrender — and I came to stand for peace, not as a bystander, but as part of a global refusal to accept violence.”

June 22 — Hundreds of people came to New York City’s Times Square on a few hours’ notice today to protest the U.S. bombing of Iran. Among the organizations that called the action were ANSWER, the National Iranian American Council, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the People’s Forum.

Speakers denounced Trump and Netanyahu as war criminals who’ve killed more than 400 Iranians so far, as well as over 50,000 Palestinians. PSL’s Sean Blackmon pointed out that the same U.S. ruling class that betrayed Reconstruction and imposed Ku Klux Klan terror on Black people is the same class that’s attacking Iran. 

Protesters took to the streets with signs, banners, and drums. Onlookers were friendly. They marched to the monument at 59th Street honoring the genocidal Christopher Columbus, where a brief rally was held.

Later that day, many of the marchers welcomed Mahmoud Khalil, who had just been released after being jailed by ICE for 104 days. The Palestinian activist addressed people in front of St. John the Divine Cathedral 

Protesters then marched to Columbia University, which was denounced for suspending students challenging the genocide in Palestine.

Activists are preparing more actions in New York City as well as a national march in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 28. Hands off Iran!

June 14 – The energy was electric at this year’s Baltimore Pride Parade, as activists in the Palestine contingent, led by the People’s Power Assembly and Struggle for Socialism Party, marched on the parade route for a mile on North Charles Street up to Wyman Park Dell near Johns Hopkins University. This marks the second straight year in Baltimore Pride’s history that such a pro-Palestine contingent has participated. 

Historically, the People’s Power Assembly has strived to set the more political tone at Pride amidst the endless sea of rainbow capitalist sponsors, which was especially crucial for this moment, as Israel continues its all out genocidal assault on the people of Gaza and now is trying to initiate a fully U.S.-backed regional war against anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist Iran. 

A large Palestine flag was held front and center alongside three main banners: “No Pride in Genocide, $$ for Gender-Affirming Healthcare, not War,” “Stonewall Still Means Fight Back,” and “Black Trans Lives Matter — ‘Be yourself, the world will adjust’ – Manabi Bandyopadhyay.” Drummers flanked each side.

Connecting the current migrant liberation struggle in L.A. (against ICE raids and National Guard / Marines terror) to the roots of the queer liberation struggle, participants chanted “Stonewall was a riot! We will not be quiet!” and “Power to the people! No one is illegal!” which drew roaring cheers from the crowd. Local rapper and activist Slim Rob also performed a solo rap during the march, which further hyped up both the contingent and the crowd.

People in the contingent distributed copies of the Struggle-La Lucha paper, which contained flyers advertising both the “Free Kilmar! Free Them All!” Car Caravan happening in the city on June 28, as well as the Defend Black History Petition to Rename the Francis Scott Key Bridge to either the Frederick Douglass or Harriet Tubman Memorial Bridge. So many people wanted copies because they were drawn by the cover page depicting the current struggle in L.A. against ICE raids; the folks distributing had to keep running back to the supplies wagon to grab more papers until they eventually ran out! 

The crowd response was overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Some participants even noted the increase in onlookers wearing keffiyehs in solidarity and signs reading “ABOLISH ICE” or “ACAB.” Now imagine if all those supportive people in the crowd took to the streets with us and joined in the struggle! 

On May 24, the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice in Los Angeles hosted a fundraising exhibit to support the people of Gaza. The event was titled “A Night of Witness and Art.” 

The art displayed included incredible paintings by children who have survived the genocide and are now residing in Egypt at the Meera Kindergarten (Center). Also shown and for sale were photos by photojournalist Mahmoud Abusalama, who spoke to the crowd via Zoom.

All of the young artists had lost some or all of their family, and Abusalama had lost 30 members of his family to the barbaric Biden / Trump / Netanyahu genocide.

Fatin, of Unmute Humanity, conducted and translated an hour-long Q&A with Abusalama. In addition to the devastating loss of his family, Abusalama’s computer — containing much of his work — was destroyed when his home was bombed. This made the contribution of the few photos that were saved and used to raise funds for Gaza, especially moving.

It was clear that the exchange with supporters at the exhibit lifted his spirits.

The event, organized by Unmute Humanity, Riverside4Palestine, and the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice, raised nearly $5,000.

New York, May 29 — Hundreds rallied in Manhattan’s Foley Square against the Trump regime’s attempt to deport Yunseo Chung. The ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Gestapo wants to kick her out for protesting the genocide in Gaza.

The 21-year-old Columbia University student, who was born in Korea and has lived in the U.S. since she was six, is a permanent resident. The so-called legal proceedings against her are an attack on everyone’s First Amendment right to free speech.

The attempted deportation of Yunseo Chung is part of a government round-up of activists, including fellow Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk.

The deportation hearing against Ms. Chung was being held next to the rally in the same federal courthouse where Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg were framed and sentenced to death. 

The protest was called by Nodutdol for Korean Community Development. Speakers connected the U.S. occupation of Korea with the occupation of Palestine.

Millions of Koreans were killed by the U.S.-instigated Korean War, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and starved in Gaza. Nodutdol proclaims, “Korea is one!”

People chanted, “From the river to sea, Palestine will be free!” Chants were accompanied by drums and even a bagpipe. Messages were read from student groups in South Korea.

Among the rally speakers were those from Nodutdol, PAL Awda: the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation, Palestinian Youth Movement, the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, Columbia University Apartheid Divestment, CUNY for Palestine and The People’s Forum.

The rally closed with a survivor of the U.S. war against Korea describing how his village was bombed and strafed by U.S. Air Force planes in 1950, injuring him and his sister. He said he remembers that when he thinks of the people of Gaza being bombed and massacred by Israel’s U.S.-made planes, and is determined to fight for a free Palestine.

Hands off Yunseo Chung!

Zionists in the Israeli American Council of Los Angeles organized an event at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood to celebrate 77 years of their murderous occupation of Palestine. The well-heeled attendees had to walk past a group of loud protesters who kept Palestinian flags and protest signs aloft, and chanted until their voices were hoarse. 

They were a young crowd that reflected the multi-national character of L.A.’s population. Judging by the Keffiyehs worn by many, and the many t-shirts with a variety of anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist messages, these were participants in the powerful movement that has grown up on campuses and in cities across the country during the horrible genocide against Gaza. 

The Dolby Theater is centered in the area of Hollywood where thousands of tourists crowd the sidewalks each day, and the anti-genocide action was warmly received by the great majority walking by.