Montague Simmons

Director of Strategic Partnerships | Movement for Black Lives

Pronouns: he/him/his

Montague Simmons is a community organizer and human rights activist. He is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Movement for Black Lives. A native of St. Louis, Montague has worked to build movements locally and nationally that are rooted in building Black political power and self-determination, advancing the leadership of oppressed nationalities and gender identities and centering the most marginalized. During the Ferguson Uprisings, Montague was a co-convener of the Don’t Shoot Coalition and at the time led the Organization for Black Struggle (OBS).

Presentations from Facing Race 2024

Reflecting on Black-Palestinian Solidarity Ten Years After Ferguson

In August 2014, the shooting of Mike Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, MO, and the subsequent lack of indictment for his killer, brought attention to police brutality and militarization against Black communities in the U.S. This sparked widespread protests with "Black Lives Matter" becoming a rallying cry.

Palestinian American activist Bassem Masri, involved in the protests, drew parallels between the state's response in Ferguson and tactics used against Palestinians, like tear gas and militarized force. During this time, Israel was also assaulting Gaza, resulting in thousands of Palestinian deaths.

Solidarity between the Black and Palestinian liberation movements grew, with Palestinians offering advice and support to Ferguson protesters. This solidarity was visible in Ferguson, with Palestinian flags flown and Palestinians organizing a solidarity contingent to Ferguson in October.

These events in 2014 reignited joint efforts between Black and Palestinian liberation movements. This solidarity aimed to challenge oppressive systems globally and locally, emphasizing the need to confront racism, militarization, and injustice both abroad and within the United States.

In the past decade, this solidarity has only flourished. Two organizers from St. Louis who organized during the Ferguson uprisings, one Black and one Palestinian, will lead a conversation reflecting on a decade of renewed solidarity.

Speakers: Sandra Tamari, Montague Simmons