Bojana Novakovi? Instagram – Here’s another significant story being totally ignored by the @nytimes and most of the big media outlets.
My friend @chris.smalls_ was the only black man among the 20 activists on the @gazafreedomflotilla. He also appears to be the only passenger beaten, kicked, and violently assaulted by Israeli security forces after those on the boat were illegally abducted in the Mediterranean before they could deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to starving children in Gaza. The flotilla press office reported that seven soldiers “choked [Chris] and kicked him, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back.”
I demand the Israeli government keep its hands off Chris; release Chris and all those it abducted; allow the Handala to continue on to Gaza; end its policy of imposing deliberate starvation on the people of Gaza; and cease its illegal occupation of all Palestinian territories.
As you can see from the slides, I’ve had the honor to get to know Chris well in recent years. He’s a brilliant labor leader. He scares the heck out of the oligarchs. Jeff Bezos and Chevron used the same notorious law firm (@gibsondunnandcrutcher) to try to destroy both of us. Chris calls out Israel’s war crimes and apartheid system of governance with courage, moral force, and consistency. We met when he visited me in 2022 in my apartment/jail cell (third and fourth slides) while I was a corporate political prisoner serving 993 days of detention in retaliation for winning the $10 billion Ecuador pollution case. That was a special dinner 13 days prior to my freedom. Chris is powerful and compassionate and a great father and has all the qualities we want in our leaders.
Solidarity with Chris and the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. The world is with you. Credit to @hereswhykevin for the graphic. 👊👊❤️❤️ | Posted on 29/Jul/2025 20:19:07
