Beirut | April 18, 2025 – In a deeply personal and politically charged interview with Al-Manar TV, veteran activist Charlotte Kates paid tribute to the legacy of Martyr Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah while reflecting on her lifelong commitment to the Palestinian cause. Speaking from the martyr’s gravesite, Kates revisited the spiritual, ideological, and strategic influences that continue to guide her activism across decades.
Kates, the coordinator of Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, began by recalling her early years as a student in the United States, when she and her peers would wait for transcripts of Sayyed Nasrallah’s speeches—messages they saw not only as inspirational but essential to understanding the broader struggle against Zionism and imperialism.
“We waited for every word. He spoke to our condition even from afar,” Kates said, describing how Nasrallah’s clarity and conviction helped galvanize solidarity movements well beyond Lebanon and Palestine.
Strategic Insight and a Global View
Describing Nasrallah as a leader “of and for the Global South,” Kates praised his ability to speak on a wide range of interconnected struggles—highlighting his commitment to truth in the face of Zionist propaganda and imperialist domination.
She shared how his worldview helped shape her own, citing the impact of U.S. foreign policy and campus repression on her politicization as a young woman in North America.
The Ongoing Battle on U.S. Campuses
In response to questions about recent student-led protests, Kates emphasized the continuity between her generation’s experiences and the uprisings seen today across universities in the U.S. and Europe. She denounced the efforts by pro-Israel groups and Western governments to criminalize student activism and silence voices of dissent.
“Whether you’re a student, a lawyer, or an elected official—if you speak truth to power, they’ll try to break you. But we’re still here.”
Women at the Frontlines
A central theme in the conversation was the role of women in resistance movements. Kates honored generations of women—from Palestinian mothers to Lebanese fighters—who have stood firm in their demand for dignity, justice, and liberation.
“Women aren’t just supporters of resistance—they are resistance,” she asserted, reminding viewers that many of the most enduring sacrifices have been made by women who remain unnamed and unseen in media narratives.
A Personal Farewell to a Leader
Closing the interview, Kates offered a heartfelt message about Sayyed Nasrallah’s enduring legacy.
“Even in death, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah continues to guide us. His voice is now ours. His mission lives on in every act of resistance.”
About Charlotte Kates
Charlotte Kates is an international human rights attorney and the North American coordinator of Samidoun, a network advocating for the rights of Palestinian prisoners. Her work spans legal advocacy, international solidarity, and anti-imperialist education.
📰 This article is adapted from Al-Manar TV’s English-language coverage of Charlotte Kates’ April 2025 interview.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
