Is Macron Orchestrating a Coup? – Yasser Louati

Is Macron Orchestrating a Coup? – Yasser Louati

Byiizuu

By calling snap parliamentary elections, French President Emmanuel Macron took a political gamble: it resulted in the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, winning the most seats, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally failing to obtain a majority. Political analyst Yasser Louati breaks down Macron’s crushing electoral defeat and his undemocratic tactics in delaying the appointment of a new Prime Minister until after the Paris Olympics. The results reflect an increasing rejection of Macron’s neo-liberalism and anti-Muslim policies, such as his hijab ban for French female athletes at the Olympics.  

Weaponizing Antisemitism to Politically Assassinate the French Left – Sari Hanafi Pt. 1/2

Weaponizing Antisemitism to Politically Assassinate the French Left – Sari Hanafi Pt. 1/2

Byiizuu

Against all expectations, the left coalition, aptly calling itself the “New Popular Front,” was able to win the most seats – 182 out of 577 seats – in the final round of the French parliamentary elections. French-Palestinian sociologist Dr. Sari Hanafi explains how the left quickly formed a political alliance to keep Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, the National Rally, from gaining enough seats to govern in the French parliament. He delves into the weaponization of antisemitism to smear Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of France Unbowed, which is the largest leftist party within the New Popular Front. 

Left Alliance Challenging Far-Right Takeover in France – Renaud Lambert

Left Alliance Challenging Far-Right Takeover in France – Renaud Lambert

Byiizuu

In recent EU parliamentary elections, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party won 31.4% of the vote, while the coalition representing President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party garnered an embarrassing 14%. Renaud Lambert, journalist at Le Monde Diplomatique, contextualizes the rise of the far-right, and how President Macron’s decision to call snap legislative elections on June 30 and July 7 has prompted the left to form the New Popular Front, an unlikely coalition of four left-wing parties. Will this left alliance garner enough support to torpedo a far-right victory in the French parliament? 

Bellicose British Foreign Policy in Ukraine and Gaza – Tom Stevenson part 2/2
| |

Bellicose British Foreign Policy in Ukraine and Gaza – Tom Stevenson part 2/2

Byiizuu

In part 2, journalist Tom Stevenson discusses the nuclear threat posited by the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Russia recently staging tactical nuclear exercises close to the Ukrainian border, allegedly in response to provocative statements made by U.K.’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron endorsing Ukraine’s potential use of British-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory.  He also breaks down Israel’s destructive aims in Gaza and why certain bloody conflicts, such as the war in Tigray, have been forgotten.

Someone Else’s Empire: British Illusions and American Hegemony – Tom Stevenson part 1/2
| |

Someone Else’s Empire: British Illusions and American Hegemony – Tom Stevenson part 1/2

Byiizuu

The post-World War II era was characterized by decolonization in Asia and Africa, with resistance movements leading to the unraveling of the British empire in colonies such as former British Kenya, where the Mau Mau launched a lengthy uprising between 1952-1960, as well as in former British India, with the dissolution of the British Raj and creation of an independent India and Pakistan in 1947. Journalist Tom Stevenson provides historical examples illustrating how the rise of American hegemony following the decline of Britain’s imperial power was bolstered by British foreign policy at every juncture. 

Protests Against Police Brutality – What’s Next for France?

Protests Against Police Brutality – What’s Next for France?

Byiizuu

Yasser Louati, political analyst and Head of the Committee for Justice and Liberties, highlights the brutal practices of the French police, as well as the proximity of the police unions to Marine Le Pen’s right-wing ideology. He discusses how French secularism, or laïcité, has been instrumentalized against racialized groups and minorities. Furthermore, he argues that France is at a crossroads; as seen in the anti-pension reform protests, different groups from the fringes of French society are uniting to protest the neoliberal state, as well as its policies which sustain religious and racial discrimination and the increased alienation of the poorer classes. Will French society keep fighting for justice and rise up against the regime, as it has done in various movements in the past? 

Massive French Protests Continue – Renaud Lambert

Massive French Protests Continue – Renaud Lambert

Byiizuu

Renaud Lambert, journalist at Le Monde diplomatique, discusses the nationwide anti-pension reform protests in France, which have consisted of over a million people taking to the streets on more than one occasion. He underscores how French President Emmanuel Macron’s tax cuts for the wealthy have increased the current deficit, exposing how workers will now need to work longer to make up for the decreases in government revenue.

Can we save Assange? We will not give up! Abby Martin, Snowden, Chomsky & others speak out!
| |

Can we save Assange? We will not give up! Abby Martin, Snowden, Chomsky & others speak out!

Byiizuu

In this video, acTVism compiled past statements by leading intellectuals, journalists, whistleblowers, etc. that provide context to the Assange case and also warn of the consequences that the extradition of Assange will have on democracy. These statements were made before a British court ruled in favor of the U.S. to extradite Assange.

Clinton, Blair, and Obama Destroyed the Idealism of Politics – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 3/4
| | | |

Clinton, Blair, and Obama Destroyed the Idealism of Politics – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 3/4

ByPaul Jay

On Reality Asserts Itself, actor Gabriel Byrne says his journey as an Irish immigrant helped to radicalize him, as did his disillusionment with leaders who promised transformation and delivered conservatism with a “different tie” – with host Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced December 26, 2017.

The Miners Strike Taught Me to Think Critically – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 2/4
| | | |

The Miners Strike Taught Me to Think Critically – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 2/4

ByPaul Jay

On Reality Asserts Itself, actor Gabriel Byrne says that in the ’70s, being Irish in London was like being a Muslim now; PM Thatcher’s campaign to crush the miners union in 1984 helped him understand how the media were anti-working class and anti-union – with host Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced December 24, 2017.

From Priesthood to Actor to Activist – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 1/4
| | | |

From Priesthood to Actor to Activist – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 1/4

ByPaul Jay

On Reality Asserts Itself, actor and climate activist Gabriel Byrne speaks of growing up in a working-class family that was religious, Irish nationalist, and where joining a seminary made parents proud. He came to understand the injustice of the life working men like his father faced; with host Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced December 22, 2017.

Corporate Media Perpetuates Climate Science Denial – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 4/4
| | | |

Corporate Media Perpetuates Climate Science Denial – Gabriel Byrne on RAI Pt 4/4

ByPaul Jay

On Reality Asserts Itself, Gabriel Byrne says that mutant capitalism seeks only profit and corporate media’s agenda avoids the climate crisis; Byrne says its up to us, no superhero will save us – with host Paul Jay. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 27, 2017.