Author: directactionnovel

Luke Hauser is author of several novels as well as a lifetime of activist journalism. Books at DirectAction.org / Journalism at ReclaimingQuarterly.org
Activism, Direct Action, Justice, Middle East

Gaza Relief Flotilla Arrested and Abused

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Members of the Gaza Flotilla are being detained and harshly abused in Israel.

This report includes a disgusting video (seriously – think before you watch it – but know it exists) of detainees being forced to kneel with hands tied while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir waves a flag and taunts them.

This is not a secret video – someone in the Israeli Security Ministry apparently thought it was a good idea to film and release it. It is so disgusting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of a cabinet member he appointed, insisting that the national security minister’s conduct was not in line with Israel’s values.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-gvir-posts-video-of-himself-taunting-bound-and-detained-gaza-flotilla-activists

Canada, France, Italy, Belgium, and Netherlands have made official protests, and the governments of Spain, Ireland, Greece, UK, Germany, and South Korea have issued statements condemning the actions.

The US, of course, is silent and complicit.

UPDATE May 22 – most or all detainees have been released, and report abuse by Israeli captors.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/22/gaza-flotilla-activists-allege-sexual-assault-and-in-israeli-detention

Photograph: Remo Casilli/Reuters



Justice, Politics

Dreaming of the United Nations

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I saw a post where a British person was “dreaming” of a united Europe the UK could join.

It got me thinking.

What if there was some sort of international peace-promoting organization that every country belonged to, and it helped resolve disputes nonviolently, with the support of the whole world?

Countries would pay dues based not on population, but size of their economy. If your leader constantly brags that you have the greatest economy ever – you pay more dues. Fair enough.

I don’t know. Call me an old visionary. But doesn’t it seem like an idea worth trying?

Justice, Politics

You tell ’em, Pope!

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Pope Leo, addressing ‌tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, the celebration that opens the holy week leading up ​to Easter for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, stated emphatically that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have “hands full of ‌blood”.

The Pope called the Iran conflict “atrocious” and said Jesus cannot be used to justify any wars.

“This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo, the first U.S. pope, told crowds ‌in brilliant sunshine.

“(Jesus) does not ⁠listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands ⁠are full of blood’,” he said, citing Isaiah I:15.

Give ’em hell, Pope!

Reported by Joshua McElwee for Reuters.

Photo: Francesco Fotia

Activism, Culture, Direct Action, Resources & Downloads

People’s Park: Still Blooming – free download!

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This classic photo-history, edited by Terri Compost and published in 2009 by Slingshot Collective, is now available from Direct Action and Reclaiming Quarterly as a free downloadable PDF!

Visit our People’s Park webpage for PDF or links to print edition.

People’s Park: Still Blooming shows how a good cause can lead to good rallies, riots, concerts, and lasting friendships. This book reminds us not only to recount our stories and struggles, but to celebrate them too!

People’s Park: Still Blooming is our family heirloom, memories, scrapbook, the story of the courage and hope that freed and tended this sacred piece of earth. It is for us to remember, but mostly it is for the next to come. This book is an attempt to capture the spirit and story of the Park.

​​It was published with the hope that, like seeds, copies will find fertile ground in the hearts of young people and encourage them to try again. We are connected. The land wants to live. Let a thousand Parks bloom.

Numerous Reclaiming folks including editor Terri Compost were deeply involved in People’s Park over the years – we’re very glad to add this book to our website!

Politics, Satires

Putin’s Dog Demolishes White House?

directactionnovel

Suppose everything Trump is doing – invading US cities, harassing and deporting low-wage workers, demolishing the White House – is what Putin has ordered him to do?

Suppose he really is – as was widely suggested in 2016 – Putin’s lackey? Wouldn’t this be his game plan?

No, I don’t quite believe it. But as a short story idea, it certainly qualifies as “plausible.”

Party time at the new ballroom site.



Activism, Immigration, Justice

No Kings – Oct 2025 – Oakland

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Several thousand people marched in Oakland CA on the October 18, 2025 No Kings Day. Marches took place in numerous cities around the Bay Area.

And I heard there might have been protests in other places?

  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.
  • No Kings Day – October 2025 – Oakland CA. Photo by Luke Hauser/RQ.

Photos by Luke Hauser/Reclaiming Quarterly

Contact: ReclaimingQuarterly@gmail.com

Politics

Disheartened by Charlie Kirk Murder

directactionnovel

I’m disgusted and disheartened by the murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. 

I hate guns, I abhor violence, and I want Maga conservatives to live to see the fruits of their labor.

Even though I detested Kirk and just about everything he promoted, I will never support calling murder “politics.” It does nothing to build a movement or create a better world.

– George Franklin aka Luke Hauser