Listening to @robertsreport speak about his new book with @j_smithfinley, drawing the parallels between China's colonialism in East Turkestan, and European powers' colonial exploits.
Consistent opposition to imperialism means supporting the #Uyghurs' struggle for freedom.
Consistent opposition to imperialism means supporting the #Uyghurs' struggle for freedom.
The hypocrisy of the PRC state is stark - it poses as "anti-imperialist" and "socialist" - yet having inherited an empire from historic China, it refuses to acknowledge the right to self-determination of the indigenous peoples dominated by that empire.
Right-wing hawks in western powers take note - @robertsreport points out how the rhetoric and logic of the US-led "War On Terror" enabled, aided and legitimised China's racist repression of the #Uyghurs.
The way that the "War on Terror" casts suspicion on entire racialised populations is incredibly dangerous, as explained by @robertsreport
There is no serious evidence of organisations of Uyghurs within China's borders that can be legitimately described as "terrorist", says @robertsreport
Many of the incidents classed as "terrorist attacks" by the Chinese state appear not to be pre-meditated, but spontaneous outbursts of anger, usually in response to extreme violence and discrimination by the state - @j_smithfinley. And not targeting civilians - @robertsreport
Roberts charts the development of China's settler-colonialism in Xinjiang from 1949, leading up to the phase of repression that has significantly intensified since the 1990s
Roberts links the modern phase of repression to how Deng's economic policies changed the region's potential - from Beijing's perspective - from what esp pre-PRC China saw as a "buffer" frontier, into a more profitable area for development in its own right.
But this development has not really been for the benefit of the Uyghurs - rather, for the profit of the PRC and its ruling class.
It's not only about the internment camps but the atmosphere engineered outside them - one of constant fear that you will be whisked away if you do not maintain and display your loyalty. Leaked docs show many internees are taken directly from checkpoint stops - @robertsreport
The camps are therefore a tool for maintaining constant control of the entire population - for enforcing everything from forced labour to repression of cultural expression.
Roberts speaks about the determination of the Uyghur people to resist forced assimilation - but says it is possible that their culture and language, at least within China, could be suppressed and marginalised to an extent comparable to that of indigenous people in N America.
Roberts argues that the plight of the Uyghurs must not become subsumed into, or painted as part of, the present US government's push for a more general geopolitical confrontation against China.
The meeting closes with a call from @j_smithfinley for bottom-up action - get involved, act against the corporations whose supply chains are linked to Uyghur forced labour, and apply political pressure from below. We couldn't agree more. ✊
We're very much looking forward to reading @robertsreport's new book manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526147684/. Hopefully it will inform and spur a new growth of solidarity campaigning in support of freedom for the Uyghur people.
If you too are inspired and near London, please join our protest demanding freedom for the Uyghur people, this Saturday 6pm at the Chinese embassy building on Portland Place:
uyghursolidarityuk.org/2020/08/29/5-s…
uyghursolidarityuk.org/2020/08/29/5-s…
