PYM DMV - Palestinian events

ALL OUT TO WASHINGTON DC: REJECT THE BOARD OF EMPIRE On February 19th, The Board of "Peace" is set to have its inaugural meeting in Washington, DC. Heads of states and billionaires from around the world will convene to strategize on how to strip the sovereignty of the Palestinians in Gaza and profit off of their suffering through resource extraction and real estate development. The hypocrisy of this board is highlighted by the inclusion of Benjamin Netanyahu, the architect of the genocide in Gaza, in the body that will govern Gaza. 📍U.S. Institute of Peace 2301 Constitution Ave. NW ⏱️ 10 am 📅 Thurs Feb 19

THE BOARD OF “PEACE” PUSHES FOR WAR: From Iran to Palestine to Cuba and beyond, the US and Israel are beating the drums of war. Here’s what to expect in the weeks and months ahead.

Weapons and war are the antithesis of love. We launched this campaign out of a place of deep love and hope for a liberated Palestine. We can only achieve that liberation by stopping the flow of weapons to those who seek to destroy it. Whereas the VRS invests in a future of destruction, the people of Virginia want a future driven by hope and solidarity. Join us in that path by demanding the VRS divest from death and invest in life: vrsdivest.org

TOURNAMENT POSTPONED The basketball tournament will be postponed to April. To support and donate to Dr. Bader Khan Suri’s lawyer fees as he faces unjust deportation, please visit: bit.ly/helpsuri

So you’re invested in the VRS, what do you do now? In many worker contracts, you can only opt out of the VRS within a short time period after you are first employed. If you are able to do so, definitely opt out! For most workers, this is not an option. So, organizing workplaces and leveraging collective power is the best path to demand the VRS change their investment policy. Swipe for ways to do so. Organize with us: vrsdivest.org/workers Sign the petition: vrsdivest.org Share the campaign: vrsdivest.org/outreach Endorse the campaign: vrsdivest.org/endorse

Washington DC - We are in front of the White House to make it clear that war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome here. As long as genocidares walk these streets, we will continue to confront them and demand a two-way arms embargo to sever the veins of genocide and endless wars.

An Al Jazeera investigation reveals that Israel has used thermobaric bombs to evaporate 2,842 Palestinians. These weapons burn at such a high temperature that the only remains left are blood spray and small pieces of flesh. As reported, the use of these bombs constitutes a war crime. The bombs used include the MK-84, BLU-109, and GBU-39 which are manufactured in the U.S. by General Dynamics, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and RTX. The VRS invests $184.2 million in these corporations. We will not stand by as our tax dollars and pensions are used to boost the profits of corporations profiting off these unimaginable acts. Arms embargo and divestment are critical to Palestinian survival. VRS DIVEST NOW! Sign the petition: vrsdivest.org

WHEN WORKERS FIGHT, WORKERS WIN! vrsdivest.org/workers On January 23rd, Minneapolis observed the first general strike in the United States in 80 years, catalyzed by weeks of ICE terror culminating in the murder of community member Renee Good. Grassroots organizing and labor movements have a long history of working together to advance liberation struggles. This history is a testament to the necessity of well-organized labor and community building in order to confront ever expanding militarism and fascism both inside the U.S. and exported across the world. From the Twin Cities to Virginia, our labor is our leverage against the war machine. As Israel continues to drop bombs on Gaza, an arms embargo is undeniably the only way to ensure a permanent ceasefire. The workers of Virginia must have a voice in where their retirement funds are invested. Workers get involved with the campaign by filling out the form at vrsdivest.org/workers.

After suffering a seizure in ICE custody, Palestinian political prisoner Leqaa Kordia was discharged from a hospital and immediately sent back into ICE prison where she has been unjustly detained for nearly a year. For over 72 hours, ICE blocked her family and attorneys from seeing or speaking to her, leaving them in the dark as to her health and condition. Leqaa is a Palestinian youth who was targeted by ICE for protesting the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza at Columbia University. Punished for speaking out against the same ongoing genocide which killed over 200 of her own family members, Leqaa remains unjustly held in ICE prisons. ICE attempted to hide Leqaa’s medical crisis and have now returned her to the cell where she has languished for hundreds of days. We demand Leqaa Kordia’s immediate and unconditional release. Visit bit.ly/freeleqaa to demand action is taken today. The struggle continues until Leqaa is free.