Friend,

My sister in service Rep. Ilhan Omar has the courage to call out human rights abuses, no matter who is responsible. She wants to build a peaceful, just world where all of us can live with safety and dignity.

But because Ilhan is a Black Muslim woman, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are policing her words and targeting her in a way that is not being done to other colleagues.

It is painful to watch Ilhan being held to different standards. It is simply wrong and dangerous. Now, Islamophobic attack ads are being spread in her district and have already lead to an inundation of death threats.

As the first Muslim women in Congress, Ilhan and I have had to defend our very existence. And we need grassroots support in fighting back against increasing attacks. Will you chip in now?

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately, split between Rashida & Ilhan's campaigns:

Thankfully, we’re not the only members of Congress willing to challenge a racist, unjust status quo. However, when white Congressmen, too, have spoken up, and been critical of Israel’s occupation of Palestine—they haven’t faced the same attacks. When asked about why he’s been treated differently, Rep. John Yarmuth noted: "I'm neither Black, nor female, nor a Muslim."¹ Thank you Rep. Yarmouth!

It’s unacceptable that our colleagues from both parties enable and support hateful rhetoric, and engage in relentless tone policing, silencing, and harassment of Congresswomen of color. It threatens our safety as human beings, but it is also an attempt to silence the communities we represent. Our districts and communities deserve to have their members of Congress speak up against injustices without intimidation.

On my very first day of orientation to Congress, I got my first serious death threat—before I was even sworn in. And many more threats keep coming.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen a rise of violence towards women in politics—not just in other countries, but right here in our own backyard.

That’s why I helped introduce a U.S. House resolution calling for action to stop violence against women in politics. It doesn’t just affect those of us in public office. It also deters other women from participating in politics at all levels. And it harms young girls and feminists who look to us as inspiration.

Women of color and Muslim women deserve to have our voices heard. We deserve to have a seat at the table. And we will not be silenced.

Please donate to Ilhan’s campaign and my campaign now to help us fight back against increasing threats. Let’s show that women of color and Muslim women belong in politics and in power. Will you chip in today?

Thank you for rising up against the hate.

- Rashida

¹ https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1404900121385525251