Richard Becker, the author of the new book from PSL Publications “Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire,” has just wrapped up the first major leg of his national speaking tour.
 Richard Becker, author, “Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire” |
Between Oct. 19 and 30, Becker spoke at colleges, universities, community centers, libraries, bookstores, coffee shops and house meetings in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York State, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Kicking off the tour, Becker spoke at the Dudley Library in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston Oct. 19. Community activists, students, professors, and others interested in the movement for justice for Palestine attended the meeting hosted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Following the presentation, participants asked about his opinion on Holocaust denial, links between U.S. war policy and policies supporting Israel, and theoretical links between socialism and fighting for the Palestinian people. Participants also asked for advice regarding their own activism in the movement for Palestinian liberation.
The following night, Clark University Students for Palestinian Rights in Worcester, Mass., hosted an event at their school. Meetings were held on the next two days in Wellesley, Mass., and Providence, R.I.
Next, Becker spoke Oct. 24 in New Haven, Conn., at the New Haven Public Library. People from across Connecticut and from as far away as Rhode Island came to hear the presentation and join in the discussion hosted by the PSL. Most of the discussion focused on the roots of Zionist oppression in Palestine and the importance of building a movement in the United States to support the resistance. The attendees said they appreciated a chance to learn about the struggle of the Palestinian people from a perspective not provided by the U.S. media.
The New England portion of the tour wrapped up with a return to Great Barrington, Mass., for a house meeting and expanded class at Simon’s Rock College of Bard.
The largest event of the tour took place in New Paltz, N.Y., on the State University of New York, New Paltz campus. It was organized by Peace and Social Progress Now and co-sponsored by the Muslim Students Association (SUNY NP), Middle East Crisis Response and the Mid-Hudson chapter of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). Over 70 people attended the meeting, most of them students. The presentation was very well received, and students were offended by attempts by several Zionists to discredit it. One key message that came across very clearly was that people rarely get to hear a pro-Palestinian point of view, whether in the media, the classroom or public meetings. Students and other attendees were aware of the importance of this opportunity and deeply appreciated it.
From there, Becker traveled to Philadelphia, Pa., for a meeting at Robin’s Bookstore hosted by the PSL. Participants came from all over Pennsylvania, with some traveling several hours to participate. A fruitful discussion following the presentation focused on the origins of Zionism, the role of U.S. imperialism in the policies of Israel, and the continued resistance of the Palestinian liberation movement.
The last two days of the tour were spent in Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C. In Baltimore, the PSL hosted a meeting at the Sweet Tooth Dessert Shop. The following afternoon, Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a meeting at American University. The final event took place at the Justice Center in Washington, D.C., when over 50 people came to hear the presentation hosted by the PSL.
The next legs of the tour are in Southern California—with events in Los Angeles on Nov. 6 and Riverside on Nov. 7—and then the Midwest—with events in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Nov. 12; Chicago on Nov. 14; Yellow Springs, Ohio on Nov. 15; Columbus, Ohio on Nov. 16; Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 17; and Dearborn, Mich. on Nov. 19. In the coming months, Becker will be holding additional speaking engagements across the country, including in California, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
Click here for more information on the tour and to order the book.
Emily Macmillan, Chris Garaffa, Donna Goodman, Nancy Mitchell and Sarah Sloan contributed to this report.
