John,

I am the only Palestinian American serving in Congress. My perspective is needed here now more than ever.

But last night, the House voted to censure me in an attempt to silence and intimidate our movement for peace. It’s a shame my colleagues are more focused on silencing me than they are on saving lives, as the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 10,000 people.

I told them they can censure me, but they can’t silence the voices of the majority of Americans who support a ceasefire now. Our movement is growing every single day.

Donate today to stand up to those who seek to silence us as we work to ensure no one has to suffer or live in fear of violence.

There are millions of people across the country who are done watching our government support the collective punishment of Palestinians. I can’t believe I have to say this, but Palestinian people are not disposable. We are human beings.

My grandmother (my sity), like all Palestinians, just wants to live her life with the freedom and human dignity we all deserve.

Speaking up to save lives―no matter faith, no matter ethnicity―should not be controversial.

The cries of Palestinian and Israeli children sound no different to me. However, many of my colleagues in Congress seem to hear the cries of Palestinians differently, or not at all. The majority of Representatives have voted to send billions of dollars more to the Israeli military to continue the indiscriminate bombing of civilians—including illegally using white phosphorus, which burns skin down to the bone.

We cannot lose our shared humanity.

I am proud to work alongside advocates of all backgrounds in our demands for peace. I am inspired by the courageous survivors in Israel who have lost loved ones, yet who are calling for a ceasefire and the end to violence.I am grateful for countless Jewish Americans across the country who are speaking out and lovingly saying, “Not in our name.”

Two recent polls show that strong majorities of the American people support a ceasefire, including 71% of Democrats in my home state of Michigan.¹

With your continued support, we will not rest in our demands for a ceasefire and for the immediate delivery of critical humanitarian aid to Gaza including food, medicine, and clean water. We will not rest in our demands for the release of all hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and for every American to come home.

I know that, like me, you believe that the answer to war crimes must not be more war crimes.

Will you donate today as, together, we work for a just and lasting peace that upholds the human rights and dignity of all people, that centers peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, and that ensures no one has to suffer or live in fear of violence?

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Each day that passes without a ceasefire brings more death and destruction upon innocent civilians. Congress and the Biden administration must stand with the majority of Americans and support a ceasefire now to save lives. Together, we will not be silenced.

In solidarity,

Rashida

¹ Most U.S. voters join Rashida Tlaib’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to polls