Oct 25, 2023
Contact: ubncomms@UndocuBlack.org
Washington D.C – UndocuBlack stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine, especially those in the occupied territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as they face brutal and fatal attacks during their ongoing struggle for justice, freedom, and the right to self-determination. Yesterday, we sent a letter to the Congressional Black Caucus urging them to sign on to the Ceasefire Resolution (H.Res 786) in the House of Representatives co-led by Reps. Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib. As an organization dedicated to the support and empowerment of Black currently and formerly undocumented people, we recognize oppression in its various forms and call for the Israeli government and its abettors including the U.S. government to end their attacks on the Palestinian territories and its people. Our collective liberation is tied to and depends on the liberation of the Palestinian people.
Historically, the U.S. military has been an active agent of destabilization and violence in our home countries in the same way that it is currently funding and supporting the settler state of Israel in its ethnic cleansing of Gaza and occupied Palestine. The current and ongoing violence in Gaza has resulted in an alarming loss of life, marking one of the highest death tolls in Gaza’s history. The dire situation has left many Palestinians without access to basic necessities such as food, water, and essential medicines and healthcare. No human should endure such violence or be deprived of their fundamental human rights.
What we are witnessing in Israel’s most recent set of war crimes and violations of international law, is inextricably linked to a long history of colonial powers, displacing and removing people from their land. Generations of Palestinians have been forced from their homes, experiencing profound trauma as they battle the emotional toll of being uprooted from their land and communities. An apartheid regime, marked by discriminatory policies coupled with systemic oppression has perpetuated a cycle of suffering and instability, leaving millions of people dead or in a state of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Our liberation as a community of Black immigrants is directly linked to the liberation of all marginalized people. It is not lost on us that the Biden administration's recent supplemental funding request of $106 billion to aid Israel, includes $13.6 billion in border funding. Along with potentially aiding in the killing of thousands of Palestinians, Biden’s supplemental funding package would expand immigrant detention and deportation, and fund programs that facilitate further surveillance of our communities.
The UndocuBlack Network follows the rich tradition of our Black liberationist ancestors such as Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X in saying that the continuous attacks on Palestine must stop. As advocates working within the United States, we are bearing witness to an increase of hate crime, islamophobia, and antisemitism correlated with the events abroad. We have learned from freedom fighters that the root of these dehumanizing ideologies is the seed of white supremacy and they serve as a tool of division.
It is crucial that anyone who believes in justice and freedom prioritize the demands of the people of Gaza and works towards preventing further deaths, displacement and suffering. We urgently call on the Biden administration to take immediate action to support a ceasefire in Palestine by:
Answering the stated demands in H.Res 786, co-led by Reps. Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib which include :
Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to the safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff
Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly
Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times
Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza
Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care
Withdrawing tax dollars from supporting the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the West Bank
We must foster a path of peace for all individuals in the region. UndocuBlack calls for the humanity of oppressed people to be honored and respected.
For additional resources visit bit.ly/StopGazaGenocide.
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