My Interview w/ Dr. Francis A. Boyle on Palestinian Statehood

While in Rosemont, Illinois recently at the American Muslims for Palestine conference, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Francis A. Boyle, a scholar in the areas of international law and human rights. Dr. Boyle has written and lectured extensively in the United States and abroad on the relationship between international law and politics especially relating to the Palestinian struggle for statehood. Currently Professor Boyle lectures on international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. 

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Ashahed M. Muhammad: I enjoyed the forum as well as the panel discussion that followed. What is the most important thing you think the people should come away with leaving this conference after listening to your words relating to Palestinian statehood?

Dr. Francis Boyle: There are many issues that I could have talked about because it’s so complex, but the matter of fact is we need to let the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah know that we want them to go for full-fledged United Nations membership despite the enormous pressure that is being put on them by the Americans, the British, the Canadians, the so-called Quartet in the United Nations—that they have to do this. I think if all the supporters weigh in with Ramallah, with (Palestinian Authority) President (Mahmoud) Abbas with the PLO Executive Committee, hopefully they’ll do it. There are no legal obstacles to their membership. The votes are there in the UN General Assembly and President Abbas just needs to take the next step.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: So with the overwhelmingly supportive UNESCO vote recently with only a few abstentions and the number of nations who voted against only in the teens, you think that portends heavily in favor of official recognition.

Dr. Francis Boyle: Right. If this UNESCO vote was a test vote by the Palestinian leadership to see how many votes they’d get in the General Assembly and they need two-thirds to vote in the General Assembly not counting abstentions, no shows or ‘no’ votes. So if you look at the UNESCO vote they had two-thirds of those states voting either yes or no. So clearly the votes are there in the General Assembly. So it really—now—I’ve done all I can as a lawyer to set this thing up. Where we’re really now is (we need) people to say to President Abbas and the PLO Executive Committee—ignore the Americans, ignore the British, ignore their flunky Ban Ki-moon and go for that full UN membership and then we can launch and wage a legal intifada against Israel all over the world. That’s the most important message.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: Tell us a bit about the book ‘The Palestinian Right of Return Under International Law’ and why you wrote it?

Dr. Francis Boyle: I wrote it because when it was announced the peace negotiations were opening again—the new round—I knew at the heart of these negotiations would be the ‘Right of Return.’ I also knew that again, the usual culprits the British, the Americans, the UN, would put enormous pressure on the Palestinians to compromise on the ‘Right of Return.’ So I wanted to write a book that would provide counter pressure and counter information so that all Palestinians could understand the legal, political and diplomatic basis to the ‘Right of Return.’ So that’s why I wrote the book the way I did.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: Any final words or thoughts you’d like to add?

Dr. Francis Boyle: I just want to express my best personal regards to Minister Louis Farrakhan and all at the Nation of Islam. We’ll be having a convention—an organization that I work with in Chicago—I think in late April where I’ll be lecturing on African-American’s right of self-determination so, maybe Minister Farrakhan would be so kind as to come. It will be at East-West University in April.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: Thank you.

An Interview with Warren Ballentine "The People's Attorney"

The Truth About Black & White by Warren Ballentine

Ashahed M. Muhammad (AMM): The book. Why did you write it?

Attorney Warren Ballentine (WB): I wrote it because, honestly, we have not talked about race relations from an economic development standpoint, and the book is about how economics plays a huge role in race relations in this country. I’ll give you a perfect example: What I write in the book is that it’s just cheaper to be White in America than it is to be Black, because of educational advances, because of the police incidents, because of the poverty we grow up in as African-Americans. So, it’s just cheaper in this country if you’re born a Caucasian than being born a Black person.

AMM: Now, any outspoken individual who uses his considerable audience, popularity, or whatever faces retribution. Most of the time it starts with corporate retribution, it may extend to people in their personal life. How have you dealt with those challenges being outspoken and being someone who is not afraid to take what is considered the “politically incorrect” view, or position? How have you dealt with that? How do you maintain your integrity in a situation where a lot of things are judged by numbers, or how much revenue they generate?

WB: I pray everyday. And what I pray for is the spirit of humbleness, and, the spirit of me doing what God is asking me to do—not what I individually want to do. So, if I’m making a “politically incorrect” statement to the masses—this is what God put in me. I don’t worry about what anybody else thinks. As long as I’m doing His Will, then, you know, whatever anybody else thinks, I really don’t care, to be honest with you. I’m not afraid. And that’s the big thing: You can’t be afraid to speak the truth. If you’re speaking truthfully—no matter if you’re White, Black, Hispanic, Asian—if it’s the truth, it’s the truth! And if that’s what you’re telling, you have no reason to be fearful, or, worry about people trying to diffuse what you’re doing. Because, if you’re speaking the truth, they can’t beat the truth.

AMM: How is it going around to different campuses? You are old enough to be respected, but young enough to still relate. What are you finding in the response that you’ve heard in some of these Black colleges. What is their response? How do they feel when they see somebody that’s your age, using the same terminology; talking about the issues?

WB: They love it. I mean, you know, it’s a great response. And they love the fact that—you know, what I’m finding to be surprising is that, especially on a college level, a lot of people are excited about the fact that I’m a lawyer, and not a rapper or a ball player, and coming, and speaking to them. And I think that it’s a lost generation out here, because nobody’s trying to connect that generation to the previous generation. And we have to bridge that gap. I mean, even with our generation—you and me. You know, you look at our elders, it’s a big gap there. Nobody has bridged that gap. And that’s the key: We’ve got to bridge that gap, because, we’re only one generation removed. If we don’t teach the next generation, then they will never know. So, the key is for us to remember: We want to be teachers; but, we want them to feel comfortable enough to understand that we’re their friends too.

AMM: What's coming up for you? What do you have going on next?

WB: I’m leaving here; I’m on my way to Tampa for the NABJ [33rd Annual Convention and Career Fair]. I’m leaving here, and going to Rev. C.T. Vivian’s birthday in Atlanta. Then, I’m going to Tampa; then I’ll be leaving there to go to New York. I’m going to be doing a lot with Black Enterprise and Our World with Ed Gordon, so, I’ll be doing some stuff with him.

AMM: Any books coming up? Possible TV shows? Or, you can’t tell me yet?

WB: I can’t tell you with the TV show, but, the book is out right now: “The Truth About Black and White”—Amazon.com. You can pick it up.

AMM: Real good. Excellent…Thank you.

(Visit Warren Ballentine "The People's Attorney" at http://www.thetruthfighters.com)

Roots of Resistance Concert a Success!

On April 12, I attended a Hip Hop benefit concert to raise money for the people of Gaza at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago.

Some of the best activist/performers were present to represent the revolutionary spirit of resistance that is the lifeblood of Hip Hop. M1 of Dead Prez, Rebel Diaz, Shadia Mansour, DAM, the group featured in the documentary "Sling-Shot Hip Hop" were all on deck. Some local groups also performed. Of course, there were many interviews that will be posted throughout the next few days on this blog, and in other places.

You have to support these artists who are truly "Keeping It Real" by placing their talents and networks to use to serve those who are in need.

The concert was put on by the Gaza Aid project. All proceeds go to provide medical and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza via the Middle East Children's Alliance. Visit them online @ http://www.mecaforpeace.org/. For more info on the Gaza Aid project, you can visit gazaaidproject.blogspot.com.


Check out SHADIA MANSOUR (www.myspace.com/shadiamusic)

Check out DAM (http://www.myspace.com/damrap)

Check out REBEL DIAZ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dr05tXktSo)

Check out DEAD PREZ (www.deadprez.com/)

KRS-One speaks on balance in Hip Hop

Atty. Malik Z. Shabazz meets w/ Mumia Abu-Jamal

Mumia Abu-Jamal, demonstrates ‘warrior spirit’ says Atty. Shabazz

In this exclusive interview, I spoke with Atty. Malik Zulu Shabazz via cell phone while he was travelling back from Waynesburg, PA after a three-hour meeting with Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Accompanied by NBPP National Minister of Justice Imam Akbar Bilal, Atty. Shabazz brought messages to supporters from the Death Row inmate who has been in prison for the last 27 years.

“Mumia is in remarkably good spirits considering his predicament. He’s hopeful for his legal outcome, but he’s also just in good spirits and very knowledgeable about the condition of our people,” said Atty. Shabazz adding that Abu-Jamal had positive words about Obama’s presidency and that he had followed his campaign closely.

Atty. Shabazz also said Abu-Jamal did not complain about his physical condition.

“He’s about 6’2”; and Mumia is big and strong, and more importantly, he has a warrior spirit,” he added.

In his legal work as head of the Black Lawyers For Justice and as the National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, Shabazz interacts with political prisoners often. Under his direction, the NBPP has a very active outreach program bringing attention to the plight of our political prisoners.

“I think (people) need to know that America has political prisoners. They’re prisoners of war. And they are reminders that our struggle continues in spite of a Black president, and Mumia wants the people to know that he needs them to help him in the way that he needs them to help him, said Atty. Shabazz. “Mumia has friends all over the world. Many of them have valuable information and research and resources. And he would like the people that support him to help in the way that he designates, instead of trying to do it their own way,” said Atty. Shabazz.

Atty. Shabazz gave the example of a couple of years ago when the human rights organization Amnesty International issued a very detailed report on Mumia’s case and his plight as a political prisoner however, many Black nationalist and socialist organizations refused to use the report in organizing or to cite it because they disagreed with some of the policies and politics of Amnesty International. Organizations should not put their views or politics ahead of solid legal information that could help free Mr. Abu-Jamal, he said.

“A united front of political support. That’s what he wants. Some of the fractions and divisions amongst some of his supporters—those divisions do not help him,”said Atty. Shabazz.

And of course, there was one more message that Mumia wanted to send, “He told me to send greetings and “thank you” to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, for taking time out of his schedule and for visiting him and supporting him. And he says he’ll never forget that and he thanks The Final Call newspaper for publishing his articles.”

(Recordings of audio messages from Mumia Abu-Jamal are available at http://www.prisonradio.org/. You can also get more information regarding the case at http://www.freemumia.org/)

Take Another Look at Human Rights: An Interview w/ Mazin Qumsiyeh

The Right to Return: An interview with Mazin Qumsiyeh

Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD is an author, professor and human rights activist. He was recently in Chicago as a member of coordinating committee of the Palestine Popular Conference. He sat down with the Final Call’s Assistant Editor Ashahed M. Muhammad to discuss the complexities of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and the very successful Wheels of Justice Tour which sheds light on the realities on the ground in the occupied territories and passes through the midwest during the last two weeks in September.

The Final Call (FC): Can you tell us a little bit about the Wheels of Justice Tour?

Mazin Qumsiyeh (MQ): The Wheels of Justice bus tour has been going on for about 5 years. It has traveled around the country to over 48 states and over 2,000 colleges and universities and over 250. It’s not too political unless questions arise in the Q and A session. These are people who are telling stories of what they observe in Iraq and Palestine. That is why I think it has been a very successful project.

FC: At the same time, there is a companion movement going on dealing with the boycott of Israeli produced goods and companies that do business in Israel, can you talk about that also?

MQ: Well, the Palestinian Civil Society called to action about three years ago and was initially signed by 107 organizations. It has since expanded to include over 5,000 organizations that support the call to action. It basically calls for boycotts, divestments and sanctions to be applied to Israel in the same way they were applied to South Africa during apartheid until Israel complies with International Law. That includes the right of refugees to return, ending the occupation and allowing Palestinian self-determination. Those Palestinian constants are what guides the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement around the world, which is growing very rapidly. It is a wonderful movement. We try to practice it as individuals by boycotting companies that support the occupation, for example, Motorola or Caterpillar that support the occupation and oppression of Palestinians.

FC: Now this conference focuses on the many sides of the discussion of the two state solution, the one state solution and the complexities and varied views. Talk to us a little bit about the purpose for the conference.

MQ: This particular conference is to empower Palestinians in the U.S., to assert our narrative and assert our rights with part of the Palestinian collective. There are some 300,000 Palestinians in the U.S. We believe that we are part of and parcel of this Palestinian nation, the Palestinian population. As such we have a right to participate in the decision making process. That is the focus of this conference and that includes the diversity of views. It’s just like there are diversity of views in Palestine itself. But we assert that we have the right to express this diversity of views. One panel addresses the one state solution. I myself wrote a book in support of the one state solution but I do not oppose people who support the two state solution as long as it complies with International Law and human rights. Meaning, the right to refugee should be respected (whether) you support the two state solution or you support the one state solution, Palestinians refugees have the right to return to their homes and lands.

FC: You mentioned that you were going back to live in Palestine, many are calling it a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip and the West Bank—terrible conditions. Your decision to go back there is based on what?

MQ: The conditions are very difficult, I would not say they are terrible. They are very difficult (but) they are not the most difficult. We have had more difficult times during 1948 and the massacre and killings in Palestine and the massacres that were being committed just about every week to drive the Palestinians out. There have been more difficult times in our history, but nevertheless this situation being difficult is actually more of an inducement for us to exert even more effort to correct it and acquire the justice and human rights that we all see.

FC: Is there is one thing that you think the Western world here, people who want to help who find solidarity with the struggle for self-determination for the Palestinian people, what would you like to get across to them that they may not know?

MQ: For people in the United States, especially, they need to know that without really facing up to the reality of what is going on in Palestine, the U.S. as an economic super power will be finished. It is already being diminished significantly. The AIPAC and Israel lobby in Washington has pushed us into a war in Iraq which cost us three trillion dollars. This is by the estimate of the Harvard economist who won the Nobel Peace economy prize.

Now they are talking about Iran—which will be even more costly. Our economy here has already gone down the drain from the housing crisis, with the dollar decline and all these things. That is what is relevant for people in this country to understand. The reality of how these things connect to them and not just because Palestinians are suffering—I do not want them to just feel sorry for us because there are a lot of people suffering around world.

I want the American public to see that unless they really face-up to the hijacking of the United States foreign policy by AIPAC and the Right wing extremists who are bent on the destruction of the world to create personal wealth for themselves—that the average American taxpayer is going to be basically fleeced.

FC: Thank you.

(For information about Mazin Qumsiyeh visit www.qumsiyeh.org. For more information about the Wheels of Justice Tour, visit www.justicewheels.org.)