On this day in 1959, Congolese residents of Stanleyville rebelled against Belgian colonizers, demanding independence after a speech by Patrice Lumumba. Police suppressed the riot, killing ~70, imposing martial law, and arresting Lumumba.
The day prior, Lumumba called for a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience in a speech to the MNC congress, also ordering Congolese people to not collaborate with the Belgian colonial government and announcing that the party would not take part in the upcoming December elections.
The rebellion began on October 30th when the police arrived at the suburb of Mangoba to arrest Lumumba. The uprising was suppressed with military force, including two companies of infantry.
In total, approximately 70 people were killed in the fighting, and up to 200 were wounded. Lumumba himself was arrested by police as the government imposed martial law and banned gatherings of more than five people.
Congo would achieve independence from Belgium on June 30th, 1960, with Lumumba serving as its first Prime Minister. He was assassinated by Belgian forces and their collaborators on January 17th, 1961.
Megathreads and spaces to hang out:
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reminders:
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Links To Resources (Aid and Theory):
Aid:
Theory:
- β€οΈFoundations of Leninism
- β€οΈAnarchism and Other Essays
Good morning, comrades, it's Saoirse again. I'm stuck in traffic on my bus to work, keeping warm and giving myself a pat on the back for making sure I had my morning coffee.
I'm seeing a lot of despair out there on the comments. I want to say to all of you struggling to believe that any good can yet come that I understand how difficult it can be to keep your head up when it forces you to bear witness to great suffering. Always remember that despair is one of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of oppression, and one that capitalists and imperialists employ consciously and often. What comes may not look the way we want it to, and the better future may come from places we do not expect, but it does come so long as people strive for it.
Stay warm, and talk to one another often, and look out for each other. Each day we live is a victory.