Dozens of Arab American activists and allies from Northern and Southern California attended a commemoration of the life of comrade Dr. George Habash, former leader of the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, in Anaheim, Calif., on March 30. Habash died of a heart attack on Jan. 26, in Amman, Jordan.
|
The event honoring Dr. Habash, also known as “Al-Hakim” (“The Wise One”), was somber in tone, but reflected the deep feelings of respect for this central leader of the Palestinian revolution.
Speakers included leaders of the Free Palestine Alliance, the National Council of Arab Americans, the Palestinian American Women’s Association, the Bethlehem Society, the Berzeit Society, and a niece of Dr. Habash, among others.
ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) leader and Party for Socialism and Liberation member Muna Coobtee also addressed the attendees. She delivered these words:
“The ANSWER Coalition joins with revolutionary and progressive people all over the world in mourning the passing of one of the truly towering revolutionary figures of our time, Dr. George Habash.”
“The Palestinian and Arab people and all those struggling for genuine liberation and socialism around the world have suffered an irreplaceable loss. Not only in Palestine and across the region, but in cities and countries all over the world, including here in the United States, people have joined together in mourning the death of Al-Hakim.”
Coobtee continued: “His uncompromising steadfastness and internationalist vision serve as an example for revolutionaries everywhere. Dr. Habash’s life, work, and devotion to the cause of national liberation and socialism must be made known to the new generation of activists.
“The struggle for the liberation of humanity from imperialist domination has lost a truly great leader, but the struggle must and will continue until final victory. Long live Palestine—free and united! Long live international solidarity! Comrade George Habash, presente!”
