Hi Sakina Rizvi in Brooklyn, NY!
At Emgage Action, we mourn all innocent lives killed and affected in Israel and Palestine. Countless Americans across the country have families and loved ones who have been killed and continue to be in harm’s way; all innocent lives are precious and should be viewed as such. Showing concern for the victims on only one side while completely ignoring the suffering and potentially much greater losses on the other is one-sided and serves only to otherize Muslim and Arab Americans.
We call upon our community members like you to make your voices heard by elected officials, urging them to offer support to Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Americans in equal measure as they do for Israelis and Jewish Americans. Urge your elected officials to:
- Address Islamophobia and Racism: Combat rising Islamophobia and racism by urging elected officials to consider Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian American perspectives alongside those of Israelis and Jewish Americans.
- Call for Unity and Equality: Advocate for government support without casting suspicion on traumatized Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Americans - who are reporting harassment, intimidation, and bullying - and encourage equal support for all impacted individuals.
- Maintain a Balanced Perspective: Emphasize the importance of showing concern for all innocent lives lost or threatened regardless of their background and support individuals in the U.S. connected to the affected region.
- Reject Stereotypes and Bigotry: Firmly reject stereotyping Jews or Muslims for the violence and condemn anti-Arab/Palestinian/Muslim bigotry and hatred in media and from elected officials.
- Distinguish Violence: Urge government officials to differentiate between Hamas and innocent Palestinians, extend equal concern for the safety of Jewish, Muslim, and Arab Americans, and treat all citizens as equals to uphold a pluralistic America.
Palestinians have endured decades of occupation, while Gaza has been under siege for 15 years, resulting in the tragic loss of thousands of Palestinian lives, including hundreds of children. Let your elected officials know that you stand for de-escalation, unity, equality, and support for ALL Americans who have been effected by this ongoing conflict.