Chris Smalls, the co-founder and former president of the Amazon Labor Union, says he’s not done fighting for Palestine’s fight for freedom. Over the weekend, Smalls took to social media to voice that he would visit Palestine as many times as needed until there is peace. This comes after the activist’s recent imprisonment by the government officials of Israel.
Chris Smalls vows to return to Gaza
On Saturday, Smalls tweeted that he’s willing to travel back to Gaza to help: “Damn right I will go back on another flotilla again and again until we break the illegal siege that Israel upholds and Palestine is finally free!” he tweeted on Saturday.
When the run-in with Israeli forces occurred and word spread about Smalls being apprehended and unfairly handled, critics called out the American government and media for not coming to his aid and covering the incident, which Smalls also noticed for himself.
“It’s amazing how with the Madleen with Greta they released so many propaganda pics and videos but with the Handala virtually nothing! 🤔 wonder why?” he questioned in a follow-up tweet. “Especially of my assault which they claim I was the aggressor I would love to see the footage!… it would shock the world đź‘€”
Smalls also didn’t hold back when recalling his confrontation with Israeli Occupation Forces, saying, “YES I did curse the IOF out straight to their faces for all the bloodshed it was worth every word. I told them without their guns and weapons they’re NOTHING they aren’t s**t! as an American who tax money pays for it f**k you! Especially for the Palestinians who can’t.”Â
Chris Smalls was arrested while delivering aid to Gaza
As Blavity reported, Smalls joined The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which takes a “grassroots people-to-people” approach for a “solidarity movement composed of campaigns and initiatives from different parts of the world, working together to end the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza,” according to the organization’s website.
While the activist and other FFC affiliates were aboard the “Handala” aid ship sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian goods and essentials, Israeli officers seized the boat. Witnesses on board the vessel shared that there was unfair treatment against Smalls. Out of everyone detained, Smalls was the only Black person among the group. It was reported that several authorities approached him aggressively, assaulted and choked him while he was in their custody before he was released days later and returned to America.
“I expected that,” Smalls told The Take podcast in an interview shortly after he was released from custody. “The racism and bigotry is embedded in Israeli culture. And that’s unfortunate because I got a glimpse of what Palestinians go through, and it’s nothing compared to what they go through every day. So, it’s not about me. It’s not about the Handala crew. It’s about the people of Gaza and the Palestinians that are suffering every day.”
