by Yaminah Muhammad, Contributing Writer
HARLEM—In comradery with Palestinian victims of genocide in the Middle East, powerful chants to free oppressed people of the world reverberated through the walls of Harlem, New York’s historic Apollo Theater on Saturday, Sept. 28, as The People’s Forum, hosted the “Latin America Speaks: Solidarity Vs. Empire” event.
The solidarity event served as an opportunity to bridge members of Latin American and U.S. communities under their shared desire for world peace and liberation.
As the voices of this bridge, The People’s Forum founder and executive director Manolo De Los Santos, Palestinian Youth Movement member Lameess Mohammed, and Vijay Prashad of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research delivered remarks.
Joined by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, the event also highlighted the profound bonds of solidarity and friendship that exist across the borders of Latin nations.
To set forth a high spirit of resistance to their diverse audience of nearly 700 attendees, presenters verbally demonstrated a strong example of international solidarity with the people of Palestine.
“In the face of adversity, the people of Latin America stand up as a beckon of hope, offering us models of solidarity, and models of internationalism,” De Los Santos said, taking the podium first.
The People’s Forum functions as a support for grassroots movements committed to systematically transforming society toward one rooted in human equity, justice and dignity.
Driven by their commitment, the group works to build unity amongst communities with historic lines of divisions. In doing so, the organization’s leaders aim to spread a freeing sense of solidarity amongst oppressed people globally.
“We are part of an international movement, a community that is bound by our dreams for justice and dignity from here to every corner of the planet,” De Los Santos continued.
Taking place alongside the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), the “Latin America Speaks: Solidarity Vs. Empire” gathering came just one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
To the assembly, Netanyahu defended Israel’s ongoing genocidal operations against the Palestinian people and other Middle Eastern nations.
The theme for the UNGA 79 held on Sept. 24-30 was “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together For The Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity For Present and Future Generations.”
However, after nearly a year of what they call “passive responses” by the United Nations (UN) in the Middle East, Latin leaders took the stage at the Apollo Theater to question if the organization truly holds the values they centered on at this year’s assembly.
“Isn’t the United Nations an organization that was created to promote and safeguard peace, security and justice? Should we accept its continued inaction and inability to act because of the U.S government’s veto power?” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla asked the audience.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza have killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded nearly 100,000 others, according to October 2024 figures released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
These numbers do not reflect those who remain lost under the rubble. In addition to deaths and injuries, Israel’s military operations have also caused numerous catastrophic living conditions in the region, including famine, mass displacement and medical crises.
At the Apollo Theater podium, Parrilla described the devastation in Palestine as a reality that is “impossible to hide.” Courageously, he called on all those who know about the genocide to mobilize to cease wicked governmental forces. Thus, allowing the oppressed people of Palestine and all over the world to be freed.
While Israel has received consequential support from the UN and substantial military backing from the U.S., the Latin nations of Cuba and Venezuela have consistently denounced the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
As a result of their active engagement in international efforts to support Palestinians in their ongoing crisis, both nations now face additional severe U.S. blockades and sanctions. All of which the speakers described as having a disastrous effect on all aspects of livelihood in these nations.
Still, despite the severity of the sanctions, Cuba and Venezuela remain steadfast in their commitment to support oppressed communities worldwide.
“We are very much encouraged as revolutionaries because we see that people are willing to continue struggling. We will continue fighting, we will continue struggling because we feel that around the world, even in America, people are rising,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Pinto said.
Using Venezuela as an example, Pinto spoke on the prevailing spirit his people embody in the face of government-inflicted disparities, as did Palestinian Youth Movement member Lameess Mohammed.
“To rebuild Gaza, we will need doctors, we will need engineers, we will need people with a fervent commitment. And those doctors and engineers are being trained today in Cuba and Venezuela,” she said, making note of the deep-rooted spirit of prevalence in Latin nations.
Showing the heart of the struggle, the night ended on a high note, with energetic live musical performances from the La Colmenita of the Cuban Children’s Theater.
The young performers sang and danced to cultural music, instantly sending the audience into absolute awe and continual standing ovations. Through their astonishing art, the children displayed the precious value of the youth in the ongoing fight for humanity.
To take on the responsibility of safeguarding the precious and valuable lives of children, the event also served as a fundraiser for the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance to assist in the crucial aid efforts in Gaza.
In the face of a long-suffering fight for freedom, eventgoers saw the solidary event as a sign of hope.
“This event inspired so much hope in me. We often choose to look at the dark side of things and not have hope for the future, but tonight made me see there are so many people who are fighting for the liberation of all of us,” Amalia Blankenship, 19, student, told The Final Call. “So, it’s so much hope for the future,” she continued.
Echoing Blankenship’s revelation, Lalain Schoenstein, 84, graphic artist told The Final Call, “[Tonight’s event] was educational, successful and inspiring. I felt tremendous unity from everybody here and all over the world. This was important for the well-being and survival of humanity.”
