John,

Remember when the only Palestinian American member of Congress, progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib, was formally censured by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle for calling for peace in Gaza last November?

This week, Republican Senator Tom Cotton suggested that fed-up drivers being inconvenienced by pro-ceasefire protests on roads and bridges should "take matters in their own hands" and assault anti-war protesters. He joins fellow GOP Congressmembers who’ve expressed similarly violent, anti-Palestinian rhetoric:

"Level the place" – Sen. Lindsey Graham
"We’re going to turn that into a parking lot" – Rep. Max Miller
“It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick” – Rep. Tim Walberg
"Goodbye to Palestine" – Rep. Chuck Fleischmann

But did Congress censure any of them for these vicious words? No.

Instead, Congress decided to spend its time voting on a resolution to declare the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as antisemitic. All but 43 Democrats and 1 Republican voted for it, with 162 Democrats joining Republicans to attack free speech and condemn a phrase that advocates for one thing: freedom.

Anti-war voices are being censored everywhere from Congress to college campuses, as student protesters (including Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter) are being arrested and suspended at Columbia University, and USC canceled its pro-Palestinian, Muslim valedictorian’s commencement speech in the past week.

All of this serves as a reminder that we cannot afford to lose ANY of our pro-peace progressive incumbents in Congress during this historic moment. The members of the Squad are some of the few leaders in Washington actually fighting for an immediate, lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and an end to the war crimes and mass starvation being committed against innocent Palestinians.

We’re currently trying to raise $100,000 for the five most vulnerable members of the Squad before April ends. Can you chip in any amount right now to directly support Summer Lee, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Justice Democrats?

Contribute $5

It’s absolutely critical that we protect our progressive incumbents from right-wing attacks in this year’s elections and keep them fighting for the human rights of ALL people in Congress.

Thank you for supporting our Squad and keeping up the movement for peace,

Justice Democrats