In support of peoples uprising at Africa and Middle East

Call for Action

In support of peoples uprising at Africa and Middle East
Fight for freedom in solidarity against all tyranny

Encouraged by the successful Tunisian Revolution in the beginning of the year, peoples of Egypt,
Yemem, Libya and Bahrain rose up in Africa and Middle East and take to the street to show their
determination to fight against autocratic tyrants. While it is heartening that initial victory was won
by peoples of Egypt in ousting the autocratic ruler Mubarak on 11 February, it is also disheartening
that no less than 360 peoples lost their life to the then government's repression.

In Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, the autocrats in power crush the protesters with bloody repressions to hold on to their autocratic rule. Peoples with conscience cannot help but angered! We see the worst in Libya, the inhuman president Gaddifi massacred civilians with tanks, mortar guns, machine guns and fighter planes. Even worse, well equipped foreign mercenaries were deploy to slaughter his own peoples. It has already caused more than 300 deaths and over a thousand wounded. In Bahrain, the military patrolled the downtown with tanks, shower civilians indiscriminately with bullets from helicopters above, shoot the protesters sitting at the Pearl Square with live ammunitions. In Yemen, police open fire at peoples trying to occupy municipal council. However, when peoples are prepared to give their lives for their course, nothing could be accomplished by threatening them with death. Peoples risen were not deterred by the violent repression of their oppressors, tens of thousands of protesters took to the street again and again, taking over freed spaces and fight on with high spirit! Wherever there is oppression, there will be resistance. For years, African and Middle Eastern countries have taken the toll of imperialism. Bowing under the stick and carrot of the 1st World imperialists, these countries eradicate the grassroots for economical gains by the few, and they take away the peoples' rights to freedom and democracy to crush any dissent. Just like in Libya, Gaddafi used to talk big about revolutions from the African countries with anti-imperialism and twisted populist slogans has turned towards and submitted to the imperialists in recent years. In 2006, Gaddafi managed to restore relationship with United States. In 2009, he was highly welcomed by the French President Sarkozy during his state visit to France. He was even invited to camp at
Versailles. Coincidentally, the Mirage combat fighter plane used to bomb the protesters in the capital were purchased from France. In return for the imperialists' “loving kindness”, Gaddafi followed suit with neo-liberal policies. State enterprises were privatized and the energy market of the country was “opened up”. Application to join the WTO was even submitted in the beginning of last year. Being the 2nd largest oil producing country of Africa, Libya is the wealthiest among the North African countries. However, all these riches were only in the hands of a few, problems of disparity of wealth, housing and youth unemployment were serious. Libya's unemployment rate during 2004 has already reached 30%, about 1/3 of its population is living in poverty now.

Similar situations were shared by peoples of Bahrain and Yemen, and such were the backdrop to their struggles and revolutions. Decades of corruption, autocratic rule, social inequality, unemployment, disparity of wealth and increase in cost of living had become unbearable. Peoples realized that they cannot just sit and wait for the autocrats to topple. To take back their future, they can only rely on the solidarity of the peoples and take to the streets to confront the oppressors! In solidarity, we salute the peoples' resolute resistance of tyranny and we call on all peoples of Hong Kong to join us and voice our support for the revolutionary actions of the peoples of African and Middle East on 28 February.

Lastly, we strongly demand:

Resignation of the autocrats!
Stop all oppression of the protesters!
Stop all capturing of any dissidents and release all political prisoners!
Sanction all murderers who ordered and carried out bloody oppressions!
Stop all blocking and censorship of the internet!
Protect the livelihood of the peoples. Prioritize with peoples' livelihood for the rebuilding of the economy.
Stop all neo-liberal policies which caused unemployment, disparity of wealth and ever-increasing cost of living.

24 February 2011
FM101(Hong Kong)
Left21