Happy Revolutionary New Year!

Weaving our Worlds is ringing in the new year by honouring a people’s history of revolutions and uprisings

Haitian Independence on Jan 1 1804
Cuban Revolution of Jan 1 1959
Al-Intilaqa on Jan 1 1965
Zapatista Uprising of Jan 1 1994

While the legacies of some rebellions remain incomplete, thwarted, co-opted, punished, or complex, these people’s histories of anti-colonial resistance inspire us and remind us that we stand on ground laid by brave freedom-fighting ancestors. We honour all those who lost their lives in these revolutions.

And in 2025, our new years resolution is to keep up the resistance until collective liberation!

Haitian Independence

Haiti declares its independence and becomes the first free Black republic on Jan 1, 1804. This is the culmination of the Haitian Revolution abolishing slavery and gaining freedom from colonial rule. Maroons, rebels and fighters like Toussaint L’Ouverture, Jacques Dessalines, Dutty Boukman, Cécile Fatiman, and Makandal fought in a 12-year long Revolution that began as a rebellion of enslaved people in August 1791.

The Haitian Revolution was the first time enslaved people fully defeated French, Spanish and British colonizers. The Haitian Revolution was a world-altering revolution and has been punished for two centuries. Haiti was forced to pay reparations to its former enslavers. And, today, imperialist countries and their puppets continue to plunder, extract, invade and militarily intervene in Haiti.

Cuban Revolution

Fulgencio Batista, the US-backed dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by revolutionary forces of the 26th of July movement on Jan 1, 1959. A few days earlier, Che Guevara’s column began their journey to Santa Clara, where they captured Batista’s armored train and won the final Battle of Santa Clara.

The Revolution occurred at the height of the anti-communist Cold War and overt US interventions. The CIA overthrew the Mossadegh government in Iran in 1953. Then the US intervened to overthrow the democratically elected and pro-agrarian government of Guzman in Guatemala in 1954, supported colonial French military operations in Vietnam in 1954, and intervened to bring right-wing dictator Francois ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier into power in a coup in Haiti in 1959.

Al-Intilaqa

Al-intilaqa refers to the launching of a new front in the Palestinian armed revolution. A communique was issued on Jan 1, 1965 declaring the intent of armed guerilla actions against Israel with the stated purpose: “the armed revolution is the way to Return and to Liberty.” Al Asifah launched operations against settlements and infrastructure. Bottom right has artwork by Nawal Traboulsi, this postercard marks the tenth anniversary of the launching of the Palestinian revolution in 1965.

The Intilaqa, 1965, Poster and translation from Arabic by the Palestine Poster Project:

The launching
Our roots are embedded in the soil, our heads touch the sky
And our weapons are facing the enemies

Zapatista Uprising

EZLN (Zapatista Army of National Liberation) uprising in Chiapas, Mexico launched on January 1, 1994. It coincided with implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Indigenous Zapatistas articulated their opposition to capitalist globalization in the context of 500 years of resistance to colonialism.

Zapatistas demanded “work, land, housing, food, health, education, independence, liberty, democracy, justice and peace.” When they reached San Cristóbal de las Casas, EZLN freed 230 mostly Indigenous prisoners and demolished colonial land records. Zapatistas continue to self-govern through caracoles implementing popular democratic infrastructure including healthcare and education, and communal Indigenous control of the land.

Image Descriptions for Instagram posts:

Slide 1: Orange background with dark red text reads: Revolutionary New Year Greetings! Weaving our Worlds is ringing in the new year by honouring a people’s history of revolutions and uprisings: Haitian Independence on Jan 1 1804, Cuban Revolution of Jan 1 1959, Al-Intilaqqa on Jan 1 1965, Zapatista Uprising of Jan 1 1994. Bottom middle is Weaving our Worlds Logo

Slide 2: Orange background with dark red text reads: While the legacies of several rebellions remain incomplete, thwarted, co-opted, punished, crushed, or complex, these people’s histories of anti-colonial resistance inspire us and remind us that we stand on ground laid by brave freedom-fighting ancestors. We honour all those who lost their lives in these revolutions. And in 2025, our new years resolution is to keep up the resistance until collective liberation! Top right corner and bottom left corner have images of Zapatista and Palestinian fighters with text Ya Basta! and Intifada!

Slide 3: Orange background with dark red text reads: Haitian Independence. Haiti declares its independence and becomes the first free Black republic on Jan 1, 1804. This is the culmination of the Haitian Revolution abolishing slavery and gaining freedom from colonial rule. Maroons, rebels and fighters like Toussaint L’Ouverture, Jacques Dessalines, Dutty Boukman, Cécile Fatiman, and Makandal fought in a 12-year long Revolution that began as a rebellion of enslaved people in 1791. Bottom left corner has art from Free Haiti campaign.

Slide 4: Orange background with dark red text reads: The Haitian Revolution was the first time enslaved people fully defeated French, Spanish and British colonizers. The Haitian Revolution was a world-altering revolution and has been punished for two centuries. Haiti was forced to pay reparations to its former enslavers. And, today, imperialist countries and their puppets continue to plunder, extract, invade and militarily intervene in Haiti.

Slide 5: Orange background with dark red text reads: Cuban Revolution. Fulgencio Batista, the US-backed dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by revolutionary forces of the 26th of July movement on Jan 1, 1959. A few days earlier, Che Guevara’s column began their journey to Santa Clara, where they captured Batista’s armored train and won the final Battle of Santa Clara. Middle of slide has image of ordinary Cubans joining the revolution in 1959.

Slide 6: Orange background with dark red text reads: The Cuban Revolution occurred at the height of the anti-communist Cold War and overt US interventions. The CIA overthrew the Mossadegh government in Iran in 1953. Then the US intervened to overthrow the democratically elected and pro-agrarian government of Guzman in Guatemala in 1954, supported colonial French military operations in Vietnam in 1954, and intervened to bring right-wing dictator Francois ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier into power in a coup in Haiti in 1959.

Slide 7: Orange background with dark red text reads: Al-Intilaqaa. Al-intilaqaa refers to the launching of a new front in the Palestinian armed revolution. A communique was issued on Jan 1, 1965 declaring the intent of armed guerilla actions against Israel: “the armed revolution is the way to Return and to Liberty.” Al Asifah launched operations against settlements and infrastructure.

Slide 8: Orange background with dark red text reads: The Intilaqa, 1965, Poster and translation from the Palestine Poster Project. Slide contains a poster from 1965. Translation of script in poster reads: The launching. Our roots are embedded in the soil, our heads touch the sky. And our weapons are facing the enemies chests.

Slide 9: Top of slide has image of Zapatista uprising. Orange background with dark red text reads: Zapatista Uprising. EZLN (Zapatista Army of National Liberation) uprising in Chiapas, Mexico launched on January 1, 1994. It coincided with implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Indigenous Zapatistas articulated their opposition to capitalist globalization within 500 years of resistance to colonialism.

Slide 10: Orange background with dark red text reads: Zapatistas demanded “work, land, housing, food, health, education, independence, liberty, democracy, justice and peace.” When they reached San Cristóbal de las Casas, EZLN freed 230 mostly Indigenous prisoners and demolished colonial land records. Zapatistas self-govern through caracoles that implement democratic infrastructure like healthcare and education, and communal Indigenous land stewardship.Slide has image of Zapatista art reading Celebrate People’s History. Tierra y Libertad with pictures of Zapatistas, corn husks, and Emiliano Zapata.