On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with Ajamu Baraka of the Black Alliance for Peace about the organization’s call to boycott the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted primarily in the United States. The wide-ranging conversation examined the intersection of sports, politics, human rights, and international solidarity.
Baraka began by explaining the mission of the Black Alliance for Peace, describing it as an organization committed to advancing the internationalist traditions of the Black liberation movement. He argued that peace cannot be achieved without confronting systems of violence and oppression. Through its North-South Project for People-Centered Human Rights, the organization has focused significant attention on the World Cup and the implications of the U.S. serving as host.
According to Baraka, the Black Alliance for Peace initially called on FIFA to move the tournament from the United States. When that effort failed, the organization escalated its position and called for an international boycott. He contended that U.S. foreign and domestic policies—including support for Israel’s war in Gaza, sanctions against Cuba, and aggressive immigration enforcement—should have disqualified the country from hosting such a major global event.
“The U.S. no longer was eligible to host these games, based on FIFA’s own express values and their protocols,” Baraka said.
The discussion also touched on reports of athletes, officials, and fans facing heightened scrutiny and restrictions while entering the United States. Baraka cited incidents involving African and Middle Eastern participants as evidence that concerns raised by his organization were already becoming reality.
Davey D questioned why more international organizations, governments, and athletes had not joined the call for a boycott. Baraka acknowledged that building global movements takes time but stressed that public awareness is growing as incidents continue to emerge.
He emphasized that the campaign is about more than a sporting event. “We say this is obscene and immoral,” Baraka stated, referring to what he described as U.S. impunity regarding war, sanctions, and human rights violations.
As the conversation concluded, Baraka encouraged listeners to become involved through the Black Alliance for Peace and the Anti-Fascist Football Coalition, while also preparing for future organizing efforts surrounding the 2028 Olympics. The interview highlighted the growing debate over whether international sporting events can be separated from the political realities of the nations that host them.
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Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.
