Anarchists Against The Wall U.S. Tour, Berkeley, 1/16/11: audio

On January 16th, 2011, at La Pena in Berkeley, Abrasha Blum spoke about the Israeli non-violent direct action collective known as Anarchists Against The Wall. He discussed their history and their uncompromising commitment to a joint struggle with Palestinians for Palestinian freedom from Israeli colonial settlement and occupation. In cities such as East Jerusalem or in West Bank villages like Beit Ommar and Bil'in, Anarchists Against The Wall risk arrest, injury, and persecution from the Israeli governement as they stand in solidarity with Palestinians. During his talk, Abrasha Blum presented four short films: two set to music and featuring slideshows of photographs from the Activestills collective of which he is also a member; a third with an interview with Saed, a Palestinian from Ni'lin, who talks about life under occupation in his village, including Israeli Defense Forces night raids, the murder of a 10-year old who was shot in the head by the IDF, and the villagers' refusal to be intimidated as they peacefully resist; and the fourth a more light-hearted singing flash mob at the Tel Aviv opera house protesting a performance. While the U.S. tour is a fundraiser to cover AATW legal expenses, Abrasha Blum emphasizes that the struggle is not about anarchists; it's a Palestinian struggle for justice and freedom.