From the Frontlines: State Repression and Anti-Imperialist Organizing w/ Calla Walsh
Apr 8, 2025
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Calla Walsh, an anti-imperialist organizer and member of the Merrimack Four, shares her gripping story of activism and state repression. She recounts the dramatic rooftop protest against Elbit Systems, a major arms manufacturer, sparked by violence in Palestine. Walsh discusses her personal journey from mainstream politics to radical activism, the emotional and legal toll of facing severe charges, and the unique challenges women and queer individuals face in these movements. The conversation emphasizes the resilience of activists amid repression and the urgent need for solidarity in their fight.
The arrest of the Merrimack Four highlights significant state repression faced by activists tackling U.S. complicity in global conflicts.
Calla Walsh's journey from electoral politics to radical anti-imperialist organizing illustrates a broader trend among young activists seeking effective change.
The interconnectedness of struggles for Palestinian rights with domestic issues emphasizes the need for collective action against all forms of oppression.
Deep dives
The Arrest and Its Aftermath
The arrest of the activists known as the Merrimack Four on the rooftop of an Elbit Systems facility led to significant ramifications for both the individuals involved and the broader community. The action aimed to disrupt operations of a major arms manufacturer linked to the Israeli military, coinciding with the surge of support for Palestine following the October 7th events. The aftermath saw heightened security measures at the facility, instilling fear among employees and prompting several to resign. This incident has altered the perception of safety among workers and has forced a reassessment of security protocols within the company.
Kala Walsh's Journey and Political Trajectory
Kala Walsh discussed her evolution from conventional electoral politics, influenced by early encounters with the Democratic Party, to a more radical stance focusing on anti-imperialist activism. Her political awakening was fueled by events like the Black Lives Matter protests and the global movement for Palestinian rights, particularly during the 2020 uprisings. As a young organizer, she navigated various movements, reflecting a growing radicalization prevalent among her generation. This transition highlights a common trajectory where individuals move away from established political avenues in search of more effective methods of enacting change.
Pal Action's Direct Action Tactics
Pal Action U.S. was established as a response to the escalating violence against Palestinians, seeking to directly confront U.S. complicity in that oppression through direct action. An early action involved disrupting an Elbit facility in Cambridge, which initially garnered no arrests but instilled a sense of urgency within the group. The motivation behind these actions stemmed from a desire to highlight the interconnectedness of U.S. domestic policy and international conflicts, particularly through the lens of settler colonialism. This culminated in the Merrimack action, which aimed not only to cause material disruption but to challenge the moral grounds upon which such companies operate.
Facing State Repression
The legal fallout from the Merrimack action led to severe charges against the activists, totaling up to 37 years in potential prison time, underscoring the state's response to dissent. Walsh emphasized the psychological toll of this repression, noting how the uncertainty of legal outcomes and the isolation that often follows can disband movements. Their experience revealed that legal advice often diverges from effective political strategies, emphasizing the need for solidarity among activists facing similar repression. The chilling effect of state violence and the subsequent divisions it could sow within activist communities highlighted the importance of unified responses against such tactics.
The Broader Context of Activism and Palestine
Palestine emerged as a crucial focal point in the fight against U.S. imperialism, as its struggles resonate with issues of systemic oppression within the U.S. The actions taken on behalf of Palestine serve to unify various liberation movements, emphasizing the importance of interconnected struggles against colonization and state violence. Walsh articulated that the U.S. must confront its own role as an imperial force, asserting that American activism must also target domestic injustices. This perspective argues for a broader understanding of resistance that incorporates historical frameworks and lessons from past revolutionary movements, reinforcing the need for collective action against all forms of oppression.
The moniker The Merrimack Four might be something you’re already familiar with—perhaps you saw the headlines in the late fall of 2023 about a handful of direct actionists being arrested on the rooftop of a facility owned by a major weapons manufacturer in New Hampshire. Maybe you heard about the multiple felony charges that were being pressed against these actionists, the concern about RICO charges…or maybe you haven’t heard about any of this at all. Regardless of how familiar you are with the Merrimack Four, you’d be hard-pressed not to be gripped by the story you’re about to hear recounting the events of November, 2023 from someone who was actually on that rooftop facing down US empire.
Calla Walsh is an anti-imperialist organizer and activist who was part of the Merrimack Four—a group of activists who faced severe state repression in response to an action organized by Palestine Action US against an Elbit Systems facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire—Elbit is one of the major arms suppliers to the IDF—or more accurately IOF—in Israel.
In this conversation, Calla tells us about the momentous event which changed her life forever. She talks about Palestine Action—an organization who you might be familiar with if you’ve been listening to our series on Palestine—and walks us through the action in New Hampshire, her arrest along with her fellow actionists, and the long and winding journey through the legal system which landed her in jail. We talk about state repression more broadly, looking at what is taking place right now under the Trump administration with abductions and deportations, talk about some cases that haven’t made it into the mainstream coverage, and end with a discussion about why Palestine is the tip of the spear when it comes to the fight against US imperialism.
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