Friend,

Your inbox today will no doubt be filled with politicians, companies, organizations, and influencers paying somber tribute to the soldiers we sent to war who didn’t make it home.

But who do you remember on Memorial Day?

The horrible, unforgettable, unforgivable images coming out of Rafah right now demand our attention.

As an activist who has campaigned for peace my entire life, I am compelled to draw attention to the fact that soldiers are far from the only ones who pay the ultimate sacrifice in war.

In fact, every war in the modern era has led to far more civilian casualties than troop deaths.

But what’s happening in Gaza right now is no war. It is a genocide carried out by an apartheid state – funded and supplied by America.

What is the point of Memorial Day if not to remember them and commit to peace?

Today we remember the more than 36,000 Palestinians murdered since the start of the latest Israeli assault on Gaza – at least 15,000 of whom are children.

Today we remember the estimated 300,000 – likely more than 500,000 – Iraqi civilians who died during the U.S. invasion and occupation that began 21 years ago.

Today we remember the more than 70,000 Afghans killed during America’s so-called war on terrorism.

Today we remember the uncounted and unknown casualties of American imperialism through the ages.

We can never measure what was stolen from humanity when their lives were snuffed out in a war they didn’t start. How many shattered dreams, unfulfilled promises? How much untapped human potential did we lose?

War takes everything from us. It tears apart families and communities and countries. But the gravest thing war can take from us is our very humanity.

Three months ago, Aaron Bushnell performed an extreme act of resistance and gave his life to protest this genocide because “this is what our ruling class had decided will be normal.”

It is not and it cannot be. We will not allow this to ever be normal.

We will use our voice to expose the true and complete cost of war. We will recommit to peace. We will end this genocide. And we will free Palestine.

In solidarity and gratitude,

Jill

P.S. In lieu of contributions to our campaign today, please donate to UNRWA to support the people of Gaza and their continued struggle to survive Israel’s genocide.