The following is an English translation of a 15 January 2025 statement in defense of Anasse Kazib issued by our French fraternal organization, le Comité de Défense sociale. Drop the charges now!

The Committee for Social Defense (CDDS), together with the Trotskyist League of France, joins Révolution permanente's call to fight back against the new attacks by the state on Anasse Kazib, the main spokesman for Révolution permanente and a union activist at SUD-Rail. Like hundreds of other activists in the country, he is being prosecuted for "glorifying terrorism" because of his support for the Palestinian cause. This accusation is grotesque and sinister. His trial will take place on 18 June. He faces up to seven years in prison, thousands of euros in fines and ineligibility. Anasse himself said it in a January 8 statement: "By prosecuting me, the state is testing the limits of what it can do on the repressive terrain and sending us a message." That's right.

In the face of escalating "anti-terrorist" repression, i.e., anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian, and the rise of the far right, it is vital for the labour movement to stand up for all those targeted by the witch hunt, regardless of their political or religious views. If the state can do this to a militant as well-known in the country as Anasse, it will have carte blanche to put thousands of trade unionists and young people from the neighbourhoods in prison! We must close ranks in defence of Anasse Kazib and all the pro-Palestine activists who have been indicted!

The CDDS calls on trade union activists and all left-wing parties and organisations and anti-racist collectives to work together in a united defence front. Drop the charges! Immediate freedom for imprisoned pro-Palestine activists! Hands off Anasse Kazib!