Events | Call to Action | Take Action | Materials and Posters
Events and actions have already begun around the world for the Days of Action to Free Georges Ibrahim Abdallah from 14 to 24 October, the international week of action marking the 34th anniversary of the Lebanese Communist struggler for Palestine‘s arrest by the French state – and the beginning of his 34th year in French prison, despite his eligibility for release since 1999.
The week of action kicked off with an exciting action organized by the Greek Front of Resistance and Solidarity for Palestine “Ghassan Kanafani”,who raised a banner to free Georges Abdallah on Saturday, 14 October at the football game between Atromitos and Asteras Tripolis at a central spot beside the Atromitos fans.
Other early events were held in Bordeaux, from which participants will also join the large national march in Lannemezan on Saturday, 21 October. On Friday, 13 October, the Collectif Liberons Georges 33 organized an evening of solidarity with Georges Abdallah featuring a screening of “3000 Nights” about Palestinian political prisoners; the following night, the organizers held a dinner with Jacques-Marie Bourguet to support Georges Abdallah.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Samidoun in New York organized the first of two protests it will hold to demand freedom for Georges Abdallah and that the French state act to free detained Palestinian lawyer Salah Hamouri from Israeli jails. Protesters gathered at the French mission to the United Nations, carrying placards and distributing information about the cases.
In Belgium, the new appeal for freedom for Georges Abdallah has attracted over 100 signatures, including 20 organizations such as Intal, Palestina Solidariteit, Activist Child-Care, Mouvement Citoyen Palestine, Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine and the BDS Committee at ULB. Palestinians in Gaza issued solidarity videos expressing their support for the international campaign to free Georges Abdallah.
Many more events are being organized and will take place in Manchester, Brussels, Berlin, Den Haag, Toulouse, Marseille, Villeneuve, Lannemezan, Paris, Bordeaux, New York City, Tunis, Beirut and elsewhere. There is still time to join in the week of action! Organize an event or take a social media action by posting photos with signs calling for freedom for Georges Abdallah. If you are organizing another event for Palestine or other social justice issues, take a group photo with our materials to free Georges Abdallah.
Become a part of the campaign – organize events, actions and protests at French embassies and consulates around the world. Where there is not a French consulate, protest at U.S. or Israeli embassies and consulates and in public squares between 14 October and 24 October. Include Georges Abdallah in your actions and demonstrations during that time against war and racism and for Palestine and political prisoners’ liberation. Send us your events! Use this form or email [email protected]
Events for the Week of Action
BORDEAUX:
Friday, 13 October
Evening of solidarity for Georges Abdallah: film and discussion with Jacques-Marie Bourget and screening of “3000 Nights”
8:30 pm
Cinema Utopia
5 place Camille Jullian
Bordeaux
Organized by Le Collectif Libérons Georges 33, LDH and La Cle des Ondes
More information: https://sd-5b.archive-host.com/membres/up/29b72e7b8387d2014690b4aea20c293508c66477/docs/GA_Bx_2017.pdf
Saturday, 14 October
Meal of solidarity with Georges Abdallah and meeting with Jacques-Marie Bourget
12:00 pm
Athenee Libertaire
7 rue de Muguet
Bordeaux
Organized by: Le Collectif Libérons Georges 33
More information: https://sd-5b.archive-host.com/membres/up/29b72e7b8387d2014690b4aea20c293508c66477/docs/GA_Bx_2017.pdf
ATHENS:
Saturday, 14 October
Action to Free Georges Abdallah at Football Match
Municipal Stadium of Peristeri
Athens, Greece
More information: http://www.kanafani.gr/intervention-to-soccer-match-atromitos-vs-asteras-tripolis-for-george-abdallah-in-athens/
NEW YORK:
Monday, 16 October
Protest to Free Georges Abdallah and Salah Hamouri
5:00 pm
France Mission to the United Nations
245 E. 47th St, NYC
Organized by Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1897506840567283/
VILLENEUVE:
Tuesday, 17 October
Screening and discussion: “After War is Always War” by Samir Abdallah
8:30 pm
Villeneuve centre Culturel
Villeneuve, France
More information: https://sd-5b.archive-host.com/membres/up/29b72e7b8387d2014690b4aea20c293508c66477/docs/GA_Bx_2017.pdf
MANCHESTER:
Wednesday, 18 October
Free Georges Abdallah! Free all Palestinian Prisoners!
12:00 pm
University of Manchester Students Union
Manchester, UK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/529973637336876/
MARSEILLE:
Thursday, 19 October
Soirée Georges Abdallah/17 octobre 1961
6:30 pm
Dar Lamifa
127 rue d’Aubagne
13006 Marseille
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/372108329899692/
DEN HAAG (THE HAGUE):
Friday, 20 October
Freedom for Salah Hamouri and Georges Abdallah
2:00 pm
Embassy of France to the Netherlands
Den Haag
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/182938298942362/
TOULOUSE:
Friday, 20 October
Palestine: They can’t stop our solidarity!
6:30 pm – 11 pm
Le Hangar de la Cépière
8 rue de Bagnolet, Toulouse
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1330369670424161/
BRUSSELS:
Friday, 20 October
Liberte pour Georges Abdallah!
5:30 pm
Regentlaan 42 1000 Brussels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1934882953418757/
HAMBURG
Friday, 20 October
Event and film on Georges Abdallah
7:00 pm
International Center B5
Brigittestrasse 5
St. Pauli
Hamburg, Germany
More information: https://www.facebook.com/detouteurgence/photos/a.881264881928183.1073741828.880931775294827/1434490609938938/?type=3&theater
LANNEMEZAN:
Saturday, 21 October
National Demonstration to Free Georges Abdallah
2:00 pm
Gare de Lannemezan (March to Lannemezan Prison)
Lannemezan, France
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/814700755345206/
Collective transport to Lannnemezan:
from Paris: depart Friday 20 October, 10 pm Place de la République(email: [email protected])
from Toulouse: depart Saturday October 21st at 12:00 at the metro Basso-Cambo (email: [email protected])
from Bordeaux: Saturday 21 October at 9am Place de Ravezies (email: [email protected])
from Marseille: Saturday 21 October – join the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/291271791355420/
DUBLIN:
Saturday, 21 October
Free Georges Abdallah Dublin
2:00 pm
General Post Office, O’Connell Street
Dublin, Ireland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1962801003963560
BERLIN:
Saturday, 21 October
Freedom for Georges Ibrahim Abdallah
12:00 pm
Pariser Platz 1
10117 Berlin
More information: http://palaestina-solidaritaet.de/2017/10/13/berlin-sa-21-10-2017-freiheit-fuer-georges-ibrahim-abdallah/
LYON:
Saturday, 21 October
Boxing event and “Soul Train” evening in support of Georges Abdallah
7:00 pm
Lyon 7th-Gerland
Email: [email protected]
Organized by: Dar Harraga (Lyon) / Jugurtha band’s (St Etienne) / Comité lyon sud/est pour la libération de Georges Ibrahim Abdallah
More info: https://rebellyon.info/Gala-de-boxe-et-soiree-Soul-Train-en-18143
TUNIS:
Saturday, 21 October
Freedom for Georges Abdallah
1:00 pm
French Embassy
Tunis, Tunisia
Assemble on Habib Bourguiba Street to march to French Embassy
More information: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154743879592085&set=a.10150282516337085.333967.730112084&type=3
BAALBEK:
Saturday, 21 October
Freedom for Georges Abdallah: 33 Years Without Compromise
5:00 pm
Martyr Basil al-Asad cultural Center
Baalbek, Lebanon
RAMALLAH:
Saturday, 21 October
4:30 pm
Manara Square
Ramallah, occupied Palestine
More information: https://www.facebook.com/Qutob.Tolabi/photos/a.614938068585564.1073741886.347197228692984/1612533825492645/?type=3
BEIRUT:
Sunday, 22 October
Lebanon demands the release of Georges Abdallah from French prisons
11:00 am
Al-Sham Street
Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth – USJ
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/131239200959946/
NEW YORK:
Monday, 23 October
Free Georges Abdallah and Salah Hamouri!
5:00 pm
Consulate General of France in New York
934 5th Avenue
New York City
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/888197914668181/
ATHENS
Tuesday, 24 October
Protest – Free Georges Abdallah!
6:00 pm
French Embassy
Athens, Greece
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/140702906553686/
BIRZEIT:
Wednesday, 25 October
Seminar and vigil for Georges Abdallah and Samir Abu Naameh
11:00 am
Bir Zeit University
Palestine
More information: https://www.faceb
SHATILA CAMP:
Friday, 27 October
Solidarity with Georges Abdallah – Organized by the Palestinian Chess Club in Shatila
6:00 pm
Palestinian Chess Club
Shatila Camp, Beirut, Lebanon
Call to Action
24 October 2017 marks the 33rd anniversary of the arrest of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, revolutionary Lebanese Arab Communist struggler for Palestine, by French police. Since 1984, he has remained behind bars, one of the longest-held political prisoners in the world. From 14-24 October 2017, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network joins organizations in France and around the world to call for a week of international actions to demand freedom for Georges Ibrahim Abdallah and all Palestinian prisoners!
Georges Abdallah has been committed throughout his life to the revolutionary struggle in Lebanon and the liberation of Palestine. He was involved with the Palestinian leftist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, resisting Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Later, he joined other Lebanese revolutionary leftists in the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions, pointing to a non-sectarian, socialist and revolutionary path to liberation for the people of Lebanon, faced with civil war militias and Israeli invasion and occupation in the south of Lebanon.
Georges Abdallah was originally arrested for allegedly carrying false documents; his detention was repeatedly extended as French intelligence searched for information to charge him with involvement in armed actions that killed a U.S. diplomat and an Israeli representative in Paris. Even one of his lawyers was reportedly involved in spying on Abdallah for the French intelligence agency. While he was supposed to be exchanged with prisoners held by Arab revolutionaries, the French state reneged after obtaining their own prisoners, keeping Abdallah as a prisoner.
In 1987, when Georges Abdallah was sentenced, he was expected to receive a lengthy sentence of ten yearsor less – as recommended by the prosecutor in his case. Instead, he received a life sentence, as argued by a private lawyer representing the U.S. government.
Today, Georges Abdallah remains behind bars. Despite being eligible for release since 1999, his applications have been denied repeatedly. Even when they have been approved judicially, French officials have intervened at the highest levels to block his release, such as former Prime Minister Manuel Valls. U.S. officials like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have also intervened in an attempt to block Abdallah’s release. In essence, Georges Abdallah is a prisoner not only of the French colonial state but also of U.S. imperialism and the Israeli occupation. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has failed to live up to its responsibility in seeking the freedom of its imprisoned countryman.
Despite being held in Lannemezan prison for over 33 years of his life, Georges Abdallah is an active participant in struggle. He has written letters and issued statements in response to revolutionary struggles around the world and always maintains a special eye toward the Palestinian prisoners, who have declared him one of their own.
His words continue to inspire generations of revolutionaries, strugglers and freedom fighters. And his participation is not limited to words – indeed, he has refused meals and organized his Basque and Arab fellow prisoners in Lannemezan to do so as well, in solidarity with the hunger strikes of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Georges Abdallah expressed his solidarity with imprisoned Palestinian national leader, Ahmad Sa’adat, the General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, wearing a shirt demanding his release. In return, Sa’adat issued a public letter to Abdallah from Ramon prison:
We are chained by the common injustices manufactured in the United States of America, which are the same ones used in Palestine, and I do not doubt that there are many examples in all of the strongholds of imperialism.
You and those who unite with you in support and solidarity, the true comrades in France, Lebanon, Palestine and all over the world, are the natural extension of those who once carried hammers, stormed the Bastille and broke into the prison walls…the extension of those who turned the cells of the Zionist occupation into revolutionary schools from which successive generations learn the meaning of will, determination and commitment…the extension of all of the forces and movements for liberation in the world who resist for true democracy and a world free of exploitation, tyranny and subjugation, where the values of social justice, liberation and dignity prevail.
Until we meet one day in the world of freedom, you remain a symbol and a model for us to follow.
This year, on 14-24 October, we call on you to join us, in your cities, communities, neighborhoods, camps, towns and campuses, to organize events, protests, marches and activities to demand freedom for Georges Ibrahim Abdallah and all Palestinian prisoners. Events are already being organized in France, including the mass annual march to Lannemezan prison, in Ireland, in the United States, in Germany, in Spain, in Belgium and in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine, among other locations.
Georges Abdallah is not alone; his imprisonment comes alongside that of Ahmad Sa’adat and over 6,200 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails and the prisoners of Palestine in U.S. and other international jails. They are imprisoned in an attempt to silence and suppress the anti-colonial struggle of the Palestinian people for justice, liberation and return – yet their leadership remains a symbol of hope and inspiration to all those who struggle for freedom. Join the movement to free Georges Abdallah, free Palestinian political prisoners and free Palestine, from the river to the sea!
1. Organize events, actions and protests at French embassies and consulates around the world. Where there is not a French consulate, protest at U.S. or Israeli embassies and consulates and in public squares. Send us your events! Use this form or email [email protected]
2. Join the broad national protest in Lannemezan on 21 October. Every year, hundreds arrive to demand George’s freedom, raising a call so loud the prisoners can hear us inside. Don’t miss this year’s action!
3. Distribute this call to action and take media actions, like posting photos with posters calling for freedom for Georges Abdallah and other Palestinian prisoners.
4. Endorse this call! Join in the call for events and actions for the prisoners this October. Use the form or email [email protected]
Posters and Materials
New posters have been designed by the Free Georges Abdallah Campaign! Get them below, in French, English and Spanish:
English (Download full size image) 
French (Download full size image)
Spanish (Download full size image)
Flyer for distribution: Click here to Download PDF
Posters for Georges Abdallah Protests
Poster 1: Click here to Download PDF
Poster 2: Click here to Download PDF
Poster 3: Click here to Download PDF
Poster 4: Click here to Download PDF
Resources on Georges Ibrahim Abdallah
