John,

Many U.S. Congresspeople have told us for years that they can’t find the money for healthcare, housing, childcare, education, or other basic things Americans need.

But now most Members of Congress want to send billions of our tax dollars to fund the genocide of Palestinians.

An overwhelming majority of Americans support a ceasefire, but people’s First Amendment rights are being wiped away for saying that children deserve to live. Congress (including 22 Democrats) voted to censure me this week for speaking out against war crimes.

We cannot let people suppress our voices. We must do everything possible to save lives.

Sign now to tell Democrats in Congress: Listen to the vast majority of American people demanding a ceasefire. No more war crimes in our names or with our tax dollars!

Most Americans are against oppression and human rights violations, and want the killing to stop. The answer to war crimes must not be more war crimes.

Let’s continue to speak up to say: Not on our watch. Not in our name! We won’t be intimidated, and we will not be silent.

In solidarity,

Rashida

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rashida Tlaib
Date: Thu, Sep 9, 2023
Subject: [add your name] Tell Congress: Don’t fund genocide with our tax dollars!
To: [email protected]

John,

I’m the only Palestinian American serving in Congress.

Amidst the U.S.-backed genocide of Palestinians, many of my colleagues in Congress singled me out for censure this week.

This bigotry from elected officials—including 22 Democrats—endangers their own Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim constituents. Instead of calling to end the violence, they act like we’re disposable, like our lives don’t matter.

Instead of supporting a ceasefire in line with the majority of Americans, most Members of Congress are rushing to send more than $14 billion U.S. tax dollars to fund the Israeli government’s destruction of Gaza.

Please sign the petition to tell Democrats in Congress: Oppose unconditional funding to Israel’s military! Listen to the vast majority of American people demanding a ceasefire.

Already, Israel’s military has dropped the equivalent of two nuclear bombs on Gaza. And war-mongers in our federal government want more bloodshed.

Yesterday, more than 100 U.S. congressional staffers held a vigil and spoke out for a ceasefire, saying: “Our constituents are pleading for a ceasefire, and we are the staffers answering their calls every day. Most of our bosses on Capitol Hill are not listening to the people they represent.”

In my home state, 71% of Michigan Democrats want a ceasefire, and a majority oppose sending $14 billion of U.S. taxpayer dollars to Israel’s military.

But most Congresspeople are acting against their constituents’ demands. Last week, a majority of Representatives voted to send Israel $14.3 billion in military aid, and many have advocated against a ceasefire. Instead of calling to end the violence, they’re punishing me for speaking up about it.

Some of my colleagues even want to ban and expel Palestinians from the U.S. Others have expressed horrifying and dehumanizing views, saying that there are no innocent Palestinians, or that they want to turn Gaza into a “parking lot” and “level the place.”

As an American, I am ashamed. How many more people have to die before our government says "Enough"?

Sign now to demand Congress represent their constituents and listen to the American people: No more war crimes in our names or with our tax dollars!

I care about human beings—with no exceptions. Everyone deserves to live. Everyone deserves safety, equality, and dignity. We must continue to remember our common humanity.

In solidarity,

Rashida