The month of October 2022 marked a month of international mobilization for the immediate release of Georges Abdallah, a Lebanese Communist resistance fighter for Palestine imprisoned in France since 24 October 1984. Gathered around an international appeal initiated by the Unitary Campaign for the Liberation of Georges Abdallah and supported by many organizations, including Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network and the Collectif Palestine Vaincra, various support committees organized rallies, solidarity stands, screenings of the film “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” , displays and distribution of leaflets, as well as other actions in support of the longest-held political prisoner in Europe. On Saturday October 22 in front of Lannemezan prison, this month culminated in the national demonstration for the release of the Lebanese communist struggler which brought together more than 1,000 people to demand his freedom.
Below are just some of the actions throughout France and internationally during the month, as gathered by the Collectif Palestine Vaincra:
FRANCE
Paris/Paris region
The Unitary Campaign for the Liberation of Georges Abdallah organized many initiatives during this month of October, in particular the organization of a Parisian bus for the Lannemezan demonstration. For the launch of the campaign, they organized a support meal on September 23 at the UL CGT trade union building in the 18th arrondissement, which brought together many people.
In addition, they organized other initiatives, including press tables at universities and during other events, as well as several gatherings in Ménilmontant and Château Rouge on 30 September and 7 and 14 October.
Samidoun Paris Banlieue organized several initiatives as part of the month of mobilization for the release of Georges Abdallah.
In particular, these activists organized a solidarity stand in Aubervilliers, a campaign of displays and distribution of flyers in different places in the Paris region as well as a presence in support of Palestine and Georges Abdallah in several demonstrations.
During Ivry Decolonial Week, Kathy Peltier expressed her support for the release of Georges Abdallah. She is the daughter of Léonard Peltier, activist of the American Indian Movement unjustly imprisoned in the United States since 1976.
During a rally organized by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine on 24 September, several speakers called for the release of Georges Abdallah.
On 10 October, the Collectif Boycott Apartheid Israel Paris-Banlieue and the AFPS Paris-Sud organized an information table in support of Georges Abdallah and the Palestinian prisoners on the campus of the University of Paris-Cité (Diderot).
A few days earlier, on 25 September, they had carried out an awareness and information campaign in Paris 13th arrondissement, highlighting these same issues.
On the occasion of the march against the high cost of living and climate inaction organized by the NUPES on 16 October, members of the Collectif 65 for the release of Georges Abdallah were present and visible to challenge the various left-wing parties and parliamentarians present on the case.
In Val-de-Marne, the Ligue de la Jeunesse Révolutionnaire reported that a banner had been posted demanding Abdallah’s freedom on the offices of the local council.
Toulouse
The Collectif Palestine Vaincra, a member organization of the international Samidoun network and a leading force in the campaign to free Georges Abdallah, organized numerous stands in the city center of Toulouse and in the working-class district of Bagatelle and at the University of Mirail, distributing more than 12,000 flyers. Despite the attempted intimidation by the municipal police, the numerous distributions of flyers made it possible to reach thousands of people.
During the mass labor union demonstration on 29 September, the Collectif unfurled a large banner above the demonstration attracting the attention of thousands of people.
On October 11 at the Maison de Quartier de Bagatelle, the Collectif organized its fourth local screening of the documentary “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight,” which brought together many people. In addition, the Collectif was also present during the Tadamun Festival in Montbrun-Bocage on the weekend of 15-16 October, holding a liberature table and speaking at an event on the case of Georges Abdallah. During this same weekend, the Collectif participated in anti-colonialist initiatives linking the fight of the Algerian people against French colonization to that led today by the Palestinian people in the face of Zionist colonization. Once again, Georges Abdallah was honored during these events.
At the same time, the CPV initiated a united local appeal for the release of Georges Abdallah which was signed by more than 30 local organizations. Finally, more than a hundred people from Toulouse took part in the demonstration on 22 October with the organization of a bus, a mini-bus and carpooling.
On the eve of the Lannemezan march on 21 October, the Collectif organized a closing event of the month of mobilization that brought together more than a hundred people in the Toulouse Bourse du Travail, which displayed for the occasion a large banner.
Comminges
In this region south of Toulouse, a new support committee for Georges Abdallah was founded thanks to the support of several unions and organizations (particularly LFI , the PCF and the Union Syndicale Solidaires). The latter organized several actions, in particular screenings of “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” in Soueich on October 13 and in Valentine on October 21. In addition, they organized several carpools from Saint-Gaudens and Cazère to participate in the demonstration on Saturday October 22 in Lannemezan.
Tarbes
Throughout the month of mobilization, the Collectif 65 for the release of Georges Abdallah organized multiple actions for the freedom of Georges Abdallah. For example, they held a solidarity stand for the release of Georges Abdallah at the Fête de l’Humanité 65 on 1 October in Tarbes.
Auch
Collectif 32 for the release of Georges Abdallah postered for the release of Georges Abdallah throughout the month of mobilization and participated in several demonstrations with signs and banners.
Toulon
On 17 October in Toulon, the association “Les Varois pour la paix et la justice en Méditerranée” (VPJM) and several groups organized a rally to demand the immediate release of Georges Abdallah.
Bordeaux
The Collectif Libérons Georges 33 participated in the mobilization through the organization of its annual bus for the Lannemezan demonstration as well as through solidarity actions for Georges Abdallah, in particular on 18 October during a trade union demonstration and during of a Trio Joubran concert on 20 October. In addition, the UJFP Aquitaine devoted its radio program “Histoire(s) de Palestine” on 17 October to the subject of Georges Abdallah.
Clermont Ferrand
On 18 October, the AFPS 63 organized a distribution of leaflets during the trade union demonstration as well as a solidarity stand in the city calling for the immediate release of Georges Abdallah.
Niort
On Saturday October 22 in Niort, Action Antifasciste Deux-Sèvres and several organizations gathered to demand the immediate release of Georges Abdallah.
Annecy
The Collective for the Liberation of Georges Abdallah 74 mobilized on several occasions in Annecy, in particular during the one-day strike of 18 October by displaying a banner and flags of support in the trade union demonstration.
Marseille
In Marseille, several associations, political organizations and solidarity activists organized activities during this month of mobilization, in addition to the bus trip for the Lannemezan demonstration. For example, the Young Communists 13 organized a screening of a film on Palestine, as did the ANC, which again screened “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” in its office. A poster campaign also took place in many streets of Marseille, in addition to the growing solidarity of the UD CGT 13 which renewed its support for Georges Abdallah during its congress and during a rally.
Lyon
On Friday, 7 October during a football match in Lyon, two supporters of Georges Abdallah invaded the field to make his case widely visible.
On Friday, 14 October, in front of the Palace of Justice, the Collective 69 in support of the Palestinian people organized a rally in support of Georges Abdallah bringing together several dozen people. On the outskirts of the demonstration, people in solidarity were attacked by far-right thugs, underscoring their strategic alliance with supporters of the Zionist colonization of Palestine.
Saint-Etienne
On Saturday 22 October, several associations and organizations in the city (BDS 42 , JC de la Loire, LJR ) organized a support rally bringing together dozens of people. Several posters also demanded the immediate release of Salah Hamouri, a French-Palestinian lawyer imprisoned by the Israeli occupation since March 7.
On 2 October, the Young Communists of the Loire organized a new screening of “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” in front of an attentive public eager to better understand the political and judicial history of this case. This film was also screened on 24 September at the closing night of the Mahmoud Darwish fortnight.
Tourcoing
The CGT Tourcoing organized a screening of “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” on 30 September, with the presence of Saïd Bouamama, author of “L’Affaire Georges Ibrahim Abdallah” published by PMN editions.
Divion
On Friday 21 October, the Communist Party of France of Divion and Houdain organized a meeting in solidarity with Georges Abdallah in the presence of activists from various trade union and political organizations.
Grenoble
The Ligue de la Jeunesse Révolutionnaire created several poster collages in Grenoble neighborhoods in support of the release of Georges Abdallah. In addition, the Collectif Libérons Georges Abdallah 38 organized a new screening of “Fedayin” on 14 October.
Haute-Marne
In Chaumont and Langres in Haute-Marne, two screenings of “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” were organized on 29 and 30 September by the Palestine 52 Association in the presence of the Collectif Vacarme(s) Films and the Collectif Palestine Vaincra.
Rennes
In Rennes on 22 October, the Jeunes Revolutionnaires organized a screening of “Fedayin” in order to reaffirm their solidarity with the man who has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
Brest & Guingamp
Posters were displayed in these two Breton cities in support of the release of Georges Abdallah during this month of mobilization.
Lanester
During the Fête de l’Humanité in Brittany on October 22 and 23, displays on various stands called for the release of Georges Abdallah.
Limoges
The Student Union Federation and several associations organized a rally for the release of Georges Abdallah on 15 October.
LEBANON
Saida & Beirut
On October 22 and 23 in Saïda and Beirut, Lebanon, several rallies were organized for the release of the Lebanese communist Georges Abdallah, imprisoned in France since 1984.
These rallies were organized by groups including the Lebanese Campaign to Free Georges Abdallah and the Democratic Popular Party.
Many Palestinian and Lebanese organizations were present alongside the family of Georges Abdallah to denounce the continued detention of the longest-held political prisoner in Europe. Former prisoner and leader of the Lebanese resistance Anwar Yassine was also present in Saida.
TUNISIA
Tunis
On Saturday, 22 October a rally was organized in front of the French embassy in Tunis by the Tunisian Committee for the Liberation of Georges Abdallah.
USA
New York City
During a rally organized on October 13 in New York, activists from Samidoun NY/NJ unfurled a banner for the release of Palestinian prisoners, including Georges Abdallah.
CANADA
Vancouver
On the occasion of a screening of “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” organized by Samidoun Vancouver on October 18, supporters took a solidarity photo calling for Abdallah’s liberation.
Toronto & Montreal
The Palestinian Youth Movement – PYM, Palestinian and Jewish Unity, SPHR McGill, the Arab Left Forum, Actions 4 Palestine and various organizations organized rallies in support of Georges Abdallah on October 22 in Toronto and Montreal.
GERMANY
Berlin
During October, Samidoun Deutschland organized several information stands in the streets of the German capital, highlighting its support for the release of Georges Abdallah.
Hamburg
On October 7, Bündnis gegen imperialistische Aggression (BgiA) in Hamburg organized a rally with Samidoun Deutschland in a popular district of the city in support of Georges Abdallah.
The evening before, the Network for Freedom for all Political Prisoners organized an evening of information and discussion in solidarity with Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. A representative of Samidoun and a representative of Ak Palestine intervened at the event.
Cologne
Samidoun Deutschland postered in the streets of Cologne to demand the immediate release of Georges Abdallah and to call for the March for the Return and Liberation of Palestine organized in Brussels on October 29th.
SPANISH STATE
Madrid
During an anti-colonial demonstration on 12 October in Madrid, the contingent of Samidoun España displayed several banners in support of Palestine and posters for the release of Ahmad Sa’adat and Georges Abdallah. In addition, Samidoun Spain also organized a new Madrid screening of “Fedayin: Georges Abdallah’s Fight” on 8 October with CGT Metal, the metalworkers trade union.
NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam
At the end of a screening of “Fedayin” on 14 October in solidarity with Georges Abdallah, supporters of Samidoun Nederland took a photo to reaffirm their solidarity with the Lebanese communist activist unjustly imprisoned in France.
BELGIUM
Charleroi
The Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine , a member organization of the international Samidoun Network, organized an awareness-raising action for the release of Georges Abdallah on the Place de la Digue on 21 October.
Namur
During an event of the Anarchist Federation of Belgium, solidarity with Georges Abdallah was displayed.
SWITZERLAND
Zürich
The Revolutionary Youth of Zurich – RJZ produced a mural calling for the release of Georges Abdallah as part of the month of international mobilization.
Geneva
On October 11, during a conference organized by Secours Rouge Geneva with Mohammed Khatib, the European coordinator of Samidoun , solidarity with Georges Abdallah was reaffirmed as part of the international mobilization of October 2022.
ITALY
Bologna
Giovani Palestinesi d’Italia organized a contingent for the release of all Palestinian prisoners during a demonstration in Bologna on 21 October. On this occasion, posters for the release of Georges Abdallah were displayed along the route as part of their participation in theInternational Week of Support for Palestinian Prisonersinitiated by the Palestinian Youth Movement.
GREECE
Athens
During the month of international mobilization for the release of Georges Abdallah, several initiatives were organized in Athens. On September 22, the organization Action Populaire unfurled several banners in support of the Lebanese communist in the Greek capital.
On October 7, the Anti-Imperialist Front organized a screening of “Fedayin” in the presence of Mohammed Khatib from Samidoun and Jalil Muntaqim, a former political prisoner of the Black Panther Party for 49 years, bringing together more than 170 people.
On October 19, the Network in Solidarity with the Palestinian Resistance organized a conference in the presence of sociologist Saïd Bouamama on the occasion of the Greek release of his book “L’Affaire Georges Ibrahim Abdallah” . Several speeches were also read or listened to on this occasion, in particular by the United Campaign for the Liberation of Georges Abdallah, by Georges Abdallah himself and from various political prisoners imprisoned in Greece.
The next day, Friday October 20, a rally was organized in front of the French Embassy in Athens with the support of many organizations. This brought together over 100 people who chanted slogans in Greek and French to free Georges Abdallah, who has become a symbol of the anti-imperialist struggle in the world.
IRELAND
Arklow
Irish socialists from the town of Arklow took a solidarity photo for the release of Ahmad Sa’adat and Georges Abdallah.
ENGLAND
Manchester
On Saturday, 1 October, Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! (FRFI) Manchester organized a stand in a main street highlighting support for Georges Abdallah and the Palestinian prisoners.
TURKEY
Istanbul
The Friends of Palestine Against Imperialism and Zionism organized a screening of “Fedayin” in the premises of the DIP in Istanbul on 22 October. On this occasion, the participants wrote several support cards and took a photo to underline their commitment to the liberation of the Lebanese communist.
This overview of actions and initiatives for the release of Georges Abdallah during this month of October 2022 is certainly incomplete. Nevertheless, it shows the immense diversity of support for the Lebanese communist struggler for Palestine throughout the world. The month of international mobilization for his release is coming to an end but the initiatives will multiply until his release, including in Brussels on 29 October, where thousands marched through the European capital to support the Palestinian resistance and its imprisoned fighters, including Georges Abdallah!
