Jul 31

Amazon Workers Committee Condemns Israeli Assault on Chris Smalls and Demands Immediate Action

PRESS RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec – The Amazon Workers Committee at the Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC-CTI) stands in unequivocal solidarity with Chris Smalls, labour organizer and co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), who was violently attacked and arbitrarily detained by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on July 26, 2025, while aboard the Handala, the Freedom Flotilla ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Handala, sailing in international waters, was hijacked nearly 40 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. It carried essential life-saving supplies, including baby formula and medical aid, and 21 peaceful civilians. The ship was illegally seized and towed to Isdud (occupied name: Ashdod). All passengers were arrested.

Among them, Chris Smalls — a tireless Black labour leader and champion for workers’ rights — was subjected to brutal physical and racial violence by at least seven uniformed Israeli officers. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Smalls was choked, kicked, and left with visible injuries on his neck and back. When his lawyer finally gained access to him, he remained surrounded by six Israeli officials, continuing the atmosphere of intimidation.

This was not only a racist attack but a direct assault on a global symbol of worker resistance. For years, Smalls has represented the hope of thousands of workers across North America. His leadership in the historic unionization of Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island has inspired organizing efforts globally — including here in Quebec.

We are outraged by the silence of Canadian and international labour institutions, who have failed to respond to this blatant repression of a fellow worker and comrade. It is unconscionable that the governments of the United States and Canada continue to provide political and legal cover to the Israeli regime as it violates international law and human rights with impunity — including the targeting of our own leaders.

In one of his final public statements before being detained, Smalls urged “anyone with a heart” to remember that “resistance is our only weapon against evil.” We echo these words with deep conviction.

We invite everyone to listen to Chris Smalls’ powerful message to the world, recorded aboard the Handala before his arrest: Watch the video here

The Amazon Workers Committee at IWC-CTI calls on:

  • Canadian and Quebec labour unions to publicly denounce the assault and detention of Chris Smalls;

  • The Canadian government to demand Smalls’ immediate release and condemn Israel’s unlawful attack in international waters;

  • All workers’ organizations to rally in solidarity with Chris Smalls, the Handala passengers, and the Palestinian people.

We will not be silent. We will resist. And we will fight until justice and freedom are won for all workers — from Montreal to Gaza.

In solidarity,
Amazon Workers Committee
Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC-CTI)
www.iwc-cti.ca

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