In this 23-minute interview, Chris talks about the lack of support he has received from fellow progressives, ones who align themselves with the Democratic Party, over his recent mistreatment by Israeli authorities. How did this mistreatment come about? Well, in July, Chris was illegally detained along with his fellow crew members on the most recent Freedom Flotilla ship headed to Gaza to break Israel’s illegal siege by delivering food and medical supplies.
In his conversation with Briahna, Chris shares how he and the one Arab member of the flotilla were treated differently and how he was abandoned by the U.S. embassy, in sharp contrast to how other governments supported their nationals. Chris also talks about the betrayal by labor leadership and leftist leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) who, to date, remain silent on his capture and assault.
Finally, Chris reveals plans to develop a revitalized Labor Party that cannot be ignored by “Dem-captured labor leadership,” the need to leave the Democratic Party “plantation,” and why he won’t be supporting an AOC 2028 presidential run. All in all, it’s an interview well-worth watching.
See also the following Wild Reed posts:
• Chris Smalls: Quote of the Day – August 5, 2025
• U.S. Labor Leader Chris Smalls Joins the Crew of the Handala
• Jonah Walters: Quote of the Day – September 5, 2016
• Mike Figueredo on the “Political Malpractice” of the Democratic Party
• What It Means to Be a Leftist in 2025
• Ted Rall: Democrats Are Not “the Left”
• “No Kings”? Absolutely. But Also “No Oligarchy”
• Norman Solomon: Quote of the Day – June 16, 2025
• Peter Bloom: Quote of the Day – June 10, 2025
• Eric Fernández: Quote of the Day – May 14, 2025
• Progressive Perspectives on Bernie Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour
• Butch Ware on His Run for California Governor and the Wider Goal of Disrupting the Duopoly
• “The Moment Is Ripe”: Butch Ware on Building a “True Oppositional Alternative” to the Duopoly
• Building Solidarity on the Left
• Why the Democratic Party Is Not Going to Save Us From Fascism
• Democrat Talk on the Eve of Trump’s Return
• A Timely Conversation
• Progressive Perspectives on Where Democrats Went Wrong in the 2024 Election
• The “Green Smoothie” Option
• Jill Stein: “We Give Reasons for People to Come Out and Vote”
• At the Minnesota Capitol, a Show of Solidarity for Workers’ Rights in Wisconsin and Beyond (2011)
• Across America, “the Giant is Awake”
• General Strike for Peace (2007)
Related Off-site Links:
Chris Smalls on Bridging the Gaps Between Union Labor and Palestinian Activism – The Joy Reid Show (August 17, 2025).
Chris Smalls Exposes Bernie Sanders and AOC’s Shocking Gaza Hypocrisy – Kit Cabello (Hard Lens Media, August 16, 2025).
“I Rubbed Them the Wrong Way”: An Interview with Chris Smalls – Sabrina Salvati (Sabby Sabs, August 8, 2025).
Chris Smalls Is Coming Home; Will This Shake the U.S. Labor Movement Into Action on Gaza? – Mike Elk (Common Dreams, July 31, 2025).
Detainment of Chris Smalls: White Supremacy at the Core of Zionism – The Black Alliance for Peace (Popular Resistance, July 31, 2025).
Chris Smalls Beaten in IDF Custody; Teamsters President Silent – Due Dissidence (July 30, 2025).
U.S. Gaza Freedom Flotilla Members Say No Consular Support Given After Abduction by Israeli Forces – Brett Wilkins (Common Dreams, July 30, 2025).
Where’s the Outrage Over Labor Leader Chris Smalls’ Violent Arrest by the IDF? – Mike Elk (Common Dreams, July 29, 2025).
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