Friend,

On my very first day of orientation to Congress, I got my first serious death threat—before I was even sworn in. And a lot more hate-fueled harassment followed, as part of being one of the first Muslim women in Congress.

Lately, several of my Republican colleagues in Congress have been calling me and my sisters in service the “Jihad Squad,” as a way to deflect criticism away from another right-wing Republican’s posting of an anime video depicting him killing one of us.  

Responding to an outrageous incitement of violence with more hate… it’s all meant to silence and intimidate women of color in office, and discourage marginalized people from running for office.

Receiving constant death threats hasn’t stopped me from speaking truth to power, but such hate and risk should not be the inherent cost of any woman or nonbinary person participating in politics.

That’s why last year I introduced a House resolution—and just led its re-introduction—calling on the U.S. government to adopt policies that promote women’s political participation and help mitigate violence against women in politics in the U.S. and abroad.

We deserve a seat at the table, and we’re not backing down.

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

Not surprisingly, the Republicans in Congress threatening our lives also tried to overturn 2020’s election results, including supporting the white supremacist militia in January 6th’s U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Before that, in Michigan we saw Trump egg on armed protestors to storm into our state’s Capitol and intimidate lawmakers in response to statewide COVID orders.

Then, some of these same men were caught plotting to kidnap and kill Michigan’s Governor. Records of their conversations showed them regularly referring to our Governor in sexist, derogatory terms.

Clearly, this toxic mix of racism and misogyny puts people’s lives—and our democracy—at risk.

Remember the armed protestors trying to intimidate and threaten nonpartisan election administrators as part of trying to overthrow 2020’s presidential election?

Election administrators are still receiving violent threats, and one in three election officials have reported feeling unsafe because of their job. To repeat: These are the people who conduct our democratic elections, and they do not feel safe doing their jobs.

This is extremely concerning. It makes clear that white supremacist violence has been and still is an enormous threat to our democracy.

By its nature, white supremacy is fundamentally at odds with democracy. It’s based on a poisonous myth of superiority and entitlement, which views our equal power as a threat. It’s the force behind the suppression of voting rights, particularly in Black communities like majority-Black Detroit.

Due to centuries of racist misogyny in this country, women—particularly women of color—are vastly underrepresented in politics. But more of us are running for office and winning, and we’re changing the status quo, in spite of the people threatened by our very existence.

Together, we’re building a world in which women and nonbinary people are free to fight for their communities and serve in government without fear of violence.

We cannot let up. Will you help show that we won’t be silenced, by chipping in now so we can keep fighting sexist, bigoted hate?

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:

Thank you for rising up against the hate.

- Rashida