FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2020
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Robert Smith, Robert@HowieHawkins.us
Andrea Merida, Andrea@HowieHawkins.us
Hawkins Press Secretary and Activist, Kevin Zeese Has Passed Away

Kevin Zeese, pictured first on the right, alongside the other Embassy Protectors.
The Hawkins/Walker campaign is very sad to report that our Press Secretary, comrade-in-arms and brother, Kevin Zeese, passed away last night. He was 64 years old.
“I lost a friend. All of us lost a prolific, tireless, and principled advocate and activist for peace and justice. My condolences go out to his partner, Margaret Flowers, also a committed activist, his family, and the many people whose lives were enriched by Kevin and his work,” Howie Hawkins said.
Kevin was a giant in the world of activism, from peace and justice to cannabis legalization to healthcare to independent politics. He was a well-known scholar, attorney, and writer. He was co-editor of Popular Resistance, one of the left’s most popular sources for news and opinion from a left-radical perspective, which he led with his partner, Dr. Margaret Flowers. He served as Press Secretary for the Nader/Camejo campaign in 2004.
He was most recently in the news as one of the Embassy Protection Collective, one of the last four to protect the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C. against the forces of the illegitimate presidency of Juan Guaidó and the passivity of the secret service and federal security forces of the Trump administration. Kevin, Margaret and others nonviolently resisted the embassy’s takeover by puppets of the United States and tenanted the diplomatic building with the permission of the Venezuelan government for more than a month. Ultimately, they were arrested and after a trial plagued with restrictions against the defense, all federal charges brought by the Trump administration were dropped.
Kevin was also an active force of solidarity with several Latin American movements, causes and peoples against US imperialism and illegal intervention. He worked tirelessly to denounce US illegal sanctions and covert operations that affect the progressive efforts of the peoples of Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cuba, and beyond. His legal background only strengthened his conviction about the illegality of all these US unilateral sanctions that only increase the suffering of millions of Latin Americans.
“This unexpected loss of a compassionate and hugely intellectual friend is stunning,” commented Angela Walker, the Green Party nominee for vice president. “My thoughts are with his partner, his family and with all who love him,” she continued.
“Kevin leaves an enormous hole in his wake. He would want his legacy to be that we filled it by multiplying our efforts to bring about a better world,” Hawkins said.
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Every morning for the past year or so I have whispered a prayer on behalf of Zeese and Flowers, thankful for the work they do with Popular Resistance and other progressive efforts. Thanks to all who work for the common good during this time of crisis in our US government,
It was a shock to hear the loss of Kevin Zeese yesterday during a rally for residents of the Philadelphia encampments, so much so that when it was announced I reacted with an instinctual cry of; “NO!”. As I observed others in the crowd that appeared to know him, a solemn sadness overtook their expressions. As my shock subsided I immediately felt for his life partner Margaret Flowers. I am so sorry for your loss, Margaret.
I know of Margaret and Kevin from their excellent work at http://www.popularresistance.org, the terrific weekly podcast Clearing The FOG, The Popular Resistance School and a few face-to-face interactions during rallies in D.C. and NYC. It is with these experiences I write the following…
Kevin expressed the need for progressive movements to come together and create; “A Movement of Movements,” as this will wield the collective powers necessary to make systematic change. His ability to succinctly communicate complex injustices and tie each to the broader perspective was effective for me to see through the many distractions that plague our media today, and see through the Forces Of Greed. These gifts were offered freely by both Kevin and Margaret, and my spirit will be eternally grateful.
I was looking forward to learn more from Kevin and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the numerous struggles he and Margaret have exposed. Of course the knowledge he generously passed along will always be with me as I continue to push for systemic change.
Margaret, my solemn condolences to you.
ALOHA: My condolences to all of the friends and family of both Kevin’s and Margaret Flowers. It is a sad day for the planet, the activist community, the Green Party and all who knew Kevin.
Sad in Sonoma – Kevin and Margaret and the Embassy Protection Team visited us a couple of years ago. He — and they — are portraits in courage, vision, and commitment. Kevin was super active with the Green Party nationally, always engaged, always future-oriented, always positive, always in there pitching.
It is doubly sad to have just lost David Graeber: his peer in many ways, including as a founding inspirer of Occupy Wall Street.
We have their work and their examples to carry on. May we all be as useful.
Sending loving support for you, Margaret, and all Kevin’s dear ones and comrades.
DC Statehood Greens add their deep condolences to the family of Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers – and to all those who stood with them in struggle. Kevin was our Maryland neighbor, longtime activist for social justice in foreign & domestic issues. He will be greatly missed!