Dear John,

This International Women’s Day (IWD), CODEPINK chapters and ally organizations across the country made our demand for international solidarity clear: if anyone is going to talk about women’s rights then they must talk about the need for reproductive justice in Gaza! 

👉 If you live in the US, take our International Women’s Day message further–write to your representatives to pledge to vote “NO” on any bill that includes $$$ for Israel!

If you live outside the US, sign the petition to Congress, here! (If you live in the US you can sign the petition, too!)

We are insanely proud of CODEPINKers who took this opportunity to educate, agitate, and organize across the country with teach-ins, webinars, congressional advocacy, disruptions, banner drops, marches, rallies, and vigils through our International Women’s Day Campaign: Liberate Women Everywhere! 

CODEPINK Michigan unfurled a giant banner reading “Feminists Say No To War!” over the Washington and Jefferson overpass in Detroit to kick off the campaign on Saturday, March 2nd. Unfortunately, our banner was confiscated by the cops and kept as “evidence.” 

“The only evidence those in power need to grasp right now is the very straightforward evidence of the genocide happening in Gaza by Israel with the funding and support of the US government. The majority of America, the majority of Detroit, does not support this genocide.”  said CODEPINK organizer ‘Osk.

We kept the pressure the following Monday in DC where CODEPINK founders Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin, joined by a group of CODEPINKers, took on 24 women of the Progressive Caucus who had yet to call for a ceasefire. After a week of advocacy, the target list of 24 women was brought down to 17! Keep applying pressure on your representatives—it works! 

👉 Tell your representatives: Take the Pledge! Vote “NO” on any bill that includes $$$ for Israel! Or sign the petition to Congress and we’ll deliver it to them in person!

In Denver, CODEPINK members and our allies held an empowering teach-in on International Women's Day that educated folks on how our tax dollars perpetuate genocide in Gaza, with a particular focus on the profound repercussions for Palestinian women and children. A necessary conversation to have as tax season is in full swing in the US!

CODEPINK Michigan took our IWD message from the streets of Detroit straight to the Michigan State Capitol on Saturday. On Friday, they stood in solidarity with the Palestinian Feminist Collective during their International Working Women's Day march and rally in Detroit. Following that action, they held a Michigan Statewide Women's Appreciation Rally for Palestine at the State Capitol in Lansing, celebrating the contributions of Arab women globally. 

In LA, CODEPINK joined the Palestinian Feminists Collective for a short march and collective art build at its Third World Women Resist March and Rally. It was a nourishing community event that echoed our demands for a ceasefire and reproductive justice in Palestine. 

Our Fargo-Moorhead chapter brought an intersectional feminist perspective to the Kondial Kel Annual International Women’s Day symposium. This past Monday, CODEPINK Fargo-Moorhead passed their amazing ceasefire resolution in Moorhead, congrats y’all!

The women of Chicago united for IWD when CODEPINK Chicago joined USPCN, Palestinian Feminist Collective and more. On Friday, CODEPINK’s co-director Danaka Katovich spoke at the International Working Women's Day Vigil for Palestine where she highlighted how western colonial feminism uses condescension and disdain towards Muslim and Arab women in order to greenlight war, genocide and occupation. Later that weekend CODEPINK’s Palestine Campaigner, Nour, gave a speech at an IWD march and rally, making sure to highlight the crucial role Palestinian women have played in resistance against Israeli occupation. 

👉 Keep taking action in the US, write to your representatives to vote against supplemental money to Israel! If you live abroad, you can still sign our petition to Congress!

In Coachella Valley, we took our IWD message to the bridge when CODEPINKERs unveiled a large banner the chapter made earlier in the week that read: Feminists Say No To Genocide! Everyone who passed by received the clear message that in the face of relentless violence and loss of innocent lives in Gaza, CODEPINK refuses to remain silent.

“The torture and starvation, the deprivation of Palestinian women and children of the very basic needs for survival, the systematic destruction of their lives and families, all have to end; otherwise, peace is as endangered.” Coachella Valley member Janet Weill. 

CODEPINK San Francisco put on a beautiful march of Palestine solidarity across the Golden Gate Bridge. About 100 people joined together, some traveling from places as far as Fairfield and Sunnyvale,  to say that reproductive justice must always include the right of mothers and fathers everywhere to raise their families in a safe environment, without warfare or violence, with sufficient food, clean water, housing, jobs, education and healthcare essential to thrive! 

👉 IWD has passed, but the need for action remains–write to your representatives and ask that they pledge to vote “NO” on more $$$ to Israel! And sign our petition that we’ll deliver right to their office!

From the West Coast to the East Coast, from the Midwest to the mountains of Colorado, CODEPINK members showed up and showed out for reproductive justice and Palestinian liberation this International Women’s Day. 

Together, we showed the world what true international solidarity looks like last week and we know that there is so much more to come. To everyone in the streets, disrupting power, educating the public, and pressuring your elected officials - let's keep it up!

Towards Peace,
Ann, Danaka, Farida, Grace, Isra, Jasmine, Jodie, Marcy, Mark, Medea, Melissa, Michelle, Nancy, Nour, Nuvpreet, Ryan, Teri, Tim, and Ysa

P.S. Join us for the United National Antiwar Coalition Conference in April!

P.P.S. Order our "Feminists Stand for Peace" t-shirt!