Free Palestine. I believe in the liberation of all oppressed people and the dismantling of the unjust colonial patriarchy. The genocide that is underway is stomach-churning, horrific … and is happening on our watch. I get that it can feel overwhelming to stay informed, grieve, and find ways to help all while simultaneously living life “as normal.” But nothing about this is normal. Please don’t turn away.
The collective is waking up with a nasty hangover. World events are loud & uncomfortable. It can feel tempting to want to pull the covers back over our eyes and a pillow over our heads, but we’ve been born into these dynamic times and are tasked with dismantling our unjust and dysfunctional systems. We are hospicing a dying paradigm and we are doing it together. You are supported.
Please… Be vocal. Use your influence. Use your privilege. Use your heart. Stay informed. Keep talking.
Here are a few effective, meaningful, and impactful actions you can take in support of peace & equality:
Illustrator unknown (please reach out, if you know who to credit!)
provide E-SIMS for palestinians
Israel has created severe communications blackouts throughout Gaza in an attempt to hide their countless war crimes and terrible atrocities. Thankfully, with the use of eSIMS, many brave Palestinians are filming the truth and sharing with the world. eSIMS are digital SIM cards that allow users to activate a cellular plan. Connecting Humanity (@connectinghumanity_ on Instagram) is an NGO that collects and distributes donated eSIMs directly to Gazans. Mirna El Helbawi (@mirna_elhelbawi) launched the grassroots initiative in October, and to date, she and Connecting Humanity have connected over 50,000 Palestinians via donated eSIMs. As you can imagine, connecting to loved ones during this incredibly stressful and terrifying time is of the utmost importance! Here is a link to learn more about how to donate eSIMS. If you would like to donate money for eSIMS, but don’t wanna go through all the steps, I will be happy to process your donation and make sure 100% of your donations goes directly toward eSIMs for Palestinians in Gaza. My venmo is: @Natalie-Menacho (last 4-digits of my phone #: 0046) or you can send me a message at the bottom of this page and we can work some other way out.
BE INFORMED & BOOST POSTS
Mainstream Media is biased and funded by advertisers and special interest groups. Social media algorithms are suppressing many Pro-Palestinian voices. Liking and sharing their content benefits the Good of All. We mustn’t look away. We ALL need to be aware of the atrocities that are happening. It sucks and it’s painful (and enraging), but ignorance begets apathy. Empathy will change the world.
Here is a short list of a few of my Instagram recommendations. (Talk to your radical friends for more!!)
Note: You can cut and paste the below links into any social media post to make them accessible to your followers. Hey, why not send them in an email to your loved ones as well?
Press & Individuals inside Gaza: @wizard-bisan1 @motazazaiza @joegaza93 @hindkhoundary @solimanhijjy @alhelou.y @belalkh @lama_jamous9 @ahmedhijazee @hossam_shbat @anasjamal44 @bayanpalestine @aborjelaa
Amplifiers: @joyannreid @jenanmatari @amandaseales @abnormalize.being
Educational, Grassroots, News, & Non-Profits: @protectpalestine @jewishvoiceforpeace @mecaforpeace @palestine.academy @ampalestine @eye.on.palestine @middleeasteye @palestineanyouthmovement @wolpalestine @eyewitnesspalestine @thepcrf democracynow @altruisa_org @mirna_elhelbawi @connectinghumanity_
CALL YOUR REPS & Attend Actions
Click here to go to a page on 5calls.org that provides a handy script and phone numbers of our reps to urge them to support de-escaltion and ceasefire….as well as any other campaign that requires representative action. Remember: The literal JOB of our reps is to REPRESENT their constituents. Be heard!
Click here to go to ceasefiretoday.com for a list of links for petitions and actions.
Click here for the US Campaign for Palestinian Right’s list of upcoming protests and actions. Can’t make it to an action? Posting about it on social media, making a flyer for local bulletin boards, and emailing your community members helps!
ProtectPalestine.org also has an excellent resource guide.
DONATE
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians in the Near East. The situation is dire and direct aid is needed for the people of Gaza. Be the beacon of hope for Palestine refugees. Giving to UNRWA today will help provide vital food, and cash assistance to thousands of Palestine refugee families.
GAIN PeRSPECTIVE
Here are a few links to links I recommend checking out:
Decolonize Palestine - Reading List
BE VOCAL
We create our culture by voicing our opinions and demonstrating our values.
We are co-creating the world we are living in.
We each have influence individually and collectively. Let’s use it.
Please….keep talking about Palestine. I try to bring the Genocide up in almost every conversation I have. We are the culture keepers of our communities and of the world. Together we can shift perspectives and lift each other up. I stand with the oppressed. I hope you do too.