This is adapted from the original French report at Collectif Palestine Vaincra.
On Saturday, 18 January, activists and supporters of the Collectif Palestine Vaincra, an affiliate of Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, gathered for a Palestine stand for over two hours near the entrance to Metro Capitole in Toulouse, France. The stand came as part of the international weeks of action to Free Ahmad Sa’adat and all Palestinian prisoners, taking place from 15 to 29 January 2020 and marking the anniversary of the imprisonment of the general secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in 2002 – first by the Palestinian Authority under U.S. and British guard, and now by the Israeli occupation.
Collectif Palestine Vaincra has been hosting these outdoor stalls on a monthly basis and finding a warm reception among passersby in the city center. Participants distributed over 600 flyers and sold t-shirts, tote bags and calendars supporting Palestinian liberation.
The event also came as part of the call for an international day of action on 19 January for Ahmad Sa’adat and Georges Abdallah, the Lebanese Arab Communist struggler for Palestine imprisoned in France for over 35 years.
Participants in the stand launched dozens of discussions about the situation of Ahmad Sa’adat and took photos of solidarity with the imprisoned Palestinian leftists. Passersby also wrote about 30 cards and letters to Sa’adat and various Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The organizers also set up a display with cards highlighting the situation of Palestinian prisoners, the escalating use of torture, the imprisonment of children, administrative detention (imprisonment without charge or trial) and the targeting of Palestinian political leaders by the Israeli occupation, including the detention of Khalida Jarrar and Marwan Barghouti.
Many people stopped to read the explanatory panels and learn more about a situation that is still poorly understood and often distorted in France.
The stall also displayed a large banner highlighting the history of Zionist colonization of Palestine over the years, attracting much attention from passers-by.
Participants also live-painted graffiti images on large sheets of plastic stretched out in the area, highlighting the slogans: “Free Ahmad Sa’adat! Free Georges Abdallah! Freedom for all Palestinian prisoners!”
Further activities are being organized for the Week of Action, including events in Gothenburg, Brussels, Paris, Vancouver, Ann Arbor and more. To add your own event, use this form or email samidoun@samidoun.net. Let us know – whether you’re including this campaign in a larger action or organizing your own action, we want to make sure to spread the word!