Paris court hearing for Anasse Kazib postponed, case dismissed
Under the intense sun of the Paris courthouse square, a crowd of around 400 activists, political organizations, and unions gathered on June 18, voicing their support for Anasse Kazib. This event occurred despite the postponement of his trial.
Who is Anasse Kazib? A railway worker, unionist, and a vocal advocate for the Trotskyist movement Revolution Permanente, Kazib found himself facing charges of apologizing for terrorism. This came after a complaint filed by the French Jewish Youth association in January 2024, following the October 7 incident. At the heart of the matter were tweets he posted in response to the Hamas terrorist attack. Alongside him, only one other individual was targeted.
Beyond his role as a railway worker for SNCF, France’s largest rail company, Kazib is known for his active involvement in labor efforts, such as during the 2018 railway strikes against privatization, and in significant movements like the Yellow Vest protests and pension reform strikes in 2019 and 2023. He's also a founding member and spokesperson for Révolution Permanente. In 2022, he launched a presidential campaign, becoming the first railway worker and candidate of North African descent in France’s Fifth Republic. While his candidacy was ultimately blocked by the country's sponsorship requirements, it inspired many workers and young people seeking alternatives to both neoliberal and far-right politics.
Kazib has gained international attention and stirred controversy due to his political activism, particularly his solidarity with Palestine. His expressions of support for Palestine, including tweets, resulted in felony charges of "apology for terrorism." Many view this case as an example of political repression, mirroring recent crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activists. Over a thousand intellectuals, artists, and activists—among them Angela Davis, Ilan Pappé, and Silvia Federici—have signed open letters demanding the charges be dropped. Kazib's trial was initially scheduled for June 18, 2025. The outcome is significant, as a conviction could deter pro-Palestinian activism and potentially other forms of anti-racist and political expression in France and Europe.
In response to the charges, there have been numerous public demonstrations. For instance, over 100 people gathered outside the French Consulate to demand his acquittal, showcasing broad support for him as a working-class figure and activist. His speeches emphasize internationalism, class solidarity, and opposition to war and exploitation. He advocates for organizing on an international scale with a revolutionary perspective, rejecting nationalist or imperialist justifications. His activism and the campaign around his case highlight the intersection of labor rights, anti-imperialism, and freedom of political expression in contemporary France.
- The political trial of Anasse Kazib, a railway worker and unionist who is also a vocal advocate for the Trotskyist movement Revolution Permanente, has gained attention in the general-news and crime-and-justice circles, as he is charged with apologizing for terrorism related to his expressions of support for Palestine.
- The June 18 gathering of around 400 activists, political organizations, and unions in Paris's courthouse square expresses solidarity with Anasse Kazib, showcasing wider support for him beyond just labor rights and demonstrating the intersection of his activism in politics, labor, and international solidarity.
