On Friday, 24 September, the Collectif Palestine Vaincra, a member organization of the Samidoun Network, organized a Palestine Stand at the Bagatelle metro station in Toulouse, France. The stand was organized during the outdoor market in this working-class neighborhood. This action was part of the kick-off of an international month of action to free Georges Abdallah, a Lebanese Arab struggler for Palestine imprisoned in France since 1984 and eligible for release since 1999. The U.S. government has worked hand in hand with the French government and the Israeli state to deny George’s return to his homeland, Lebanon.
https://twitter.com/CollectifPV/status/1441321492696891397
For over two hours, participants in the stand distributed more than 1,000 flyers calling for Georges Abdallah’s release. They spoke with hundreds of passers-by about the political and judicial harassment and oppression of Georges, who has become the longest-held political prisoner in Europe. During the stand, activists were able to observe that an increasing number of people know Georges’ name, his cause and want to get involved in supporting his liberation. They understand that supporting Georges Abdallah is also supporting the Palestinian people and their right to resist colonization and occupation.
The participants in the stand also distributed a large number of stickers and flyers to people wanting to get involved, while more people signed petition cards to call for Georges’ freedom or registered for the bus to come to the national demonstration on Saturday, 23 October in front of Lannemezan prison.
Several people also expressed interest in attending the upcoming Toulouse screening of “Fedayin, the Struggle of Georges Abdallah,” scheduled for Thursday, 21 October at 8:30 pm at the American Cosmograph Theater.
The activists also informed visitors to the table about other key campaigns the Collectif is organizing and leading, including the boycott of Israel and the companies and products that support or profit from Israeli apartheid.
Dozens of people took solidarity photos to show their support for the release of Georges Abdallah and salute the incredible determination and ongoing resistance of this Lebanese Communist struggler who is facing decades of official state revenge policies.
This first initiative for the solidarity month with Georges Abdallah received warm and widespread support. The Collectif invites all to join in the upcoming solidarity initiatives, especially the Palestine picnic on Sunday, 26 September at 11:30 am at the Parc de Fontaine Lestang in Toulouse, near the Mermoz metro station.
This event followed a Twitterstorm in support of Georges Abdallah on Thursday, 23 September, in advance of the meeting between new Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and French President Emmanuel Macron, to demand France immediately release and repatriate this Lebanese political prisoner. Over 500,000 people received the messages during the Twitterstorm.
Upcoming Events in Toulouse:
- Sunday October 26 · Palestine picnic
From 11:30 am at the Parc de Fontaine Lestang. In case of rain, contact us: [email protected] - Saturday October 2 · Stand Palestine
Details to come - Saturday October 2 · ANC party in Gémenos
Stand of the Collectif Palestine Vaincra - Tuesday October 5 Contingent at the inter-union demonstration
Departure at 10:30 am, place Arnaud Bernard - Sunday October 10 · Stand Palestine
Details to come - Friday October 15 · Screening of the documentary “The only hero, the people”
Details to come - Saturday October 16 · Stand Palestine
Details to come - Sunday October 17 Commemorative rally for October 17, 1961
Details to come - Thursday, October 21 · Screening of the documentary “Fedayin, the fight of Georges Abdallah”
8:30 pm at the American Cosmograph with the Collectif Vacarme (s) Films and Saïd Bouamama, sociologist and author of “The Georges Ibrahim Abdallah affair” - Saturday 23 October · Demonstration
From 2 p.m. from the station to Lannemezan prison (65).
Bus from Toulouse, registration: [email protected]
