The ongoing devastation within Palestine (and many other areas of the world impacted by oppressive, colonial, and imperialistic rule) is beyond heartbreaking. Although the conflict between Palestine and Israel is far from new, the current escalation in violence and loss of life is indisputably nothing short of genocidal. There are almost no words to describe the sadness, rage, anxiety, depression, paralysis, grief, and sense of hopelessness many of us feel in response to what we have the privilege to choose to witness and process from afar. Although the pain those of us at varying levels of distance may be experiencing does not compare to those who are currently enduring unfathomable levels of endless trauma and destruction within Palestine, that does not mean it is insignificant. It is our duty to self-care in whatever ways we can so our contributions to change can be meaningful and sustainable. We must utilize our privileged positions for the betterment of others. One of Lena’s central principles of wellness is that it should be accessible to all. In an effort to offer aid to those who are experiencing debilitating panic and loss of sleep that often results from constant exposure to horrific news (and other levels of involvement in current events), the wellness teas will be offered at 50% off price until 11/27 (full moon of November) with code FREEPALESTINE50. Furthermore, 100% of proceeds from wellness tea sales will be donated to Palestinian Youth Movement, an independent grassroots, transnational organization led by Palestinian youth (both within Palestine and displaced Palestinians as a result of Zionist colonization and occupation) that is dedicated to promoting justice, advocacy, social awareness, and liberation by way of participation in conferences and events seeking to end colonization and challenge racism, the organization of youth-led workshops across the US and Canada aimed at promoting leadership development and critical analysis, the development of various forms of solidarity with other developing nations and under-resourced allies to build relationships amongst oppressed indigenous communities all over the world, and more.
Below are some local resources and ways to become further educated, informed, and involved in standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
My ongoing prayers go out to anyone directly and/or indirectly impacted by this horrific ongoing conflict within such a beautiful and sacred area of this world. May peace and justice prevail.
With love,
Lena
Resources
Taken from: https://www.indybay.org/
CALL TO ACTION
Contact the White House, your Senators, and your Representative to:
1) Ask for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
2) Prioritize the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza
3) End US taxpayer dollars to Israel
White House Comment Line
Open Tuesday-Thursday 11 am-3 pm EST
(202) 456-1111
Email Contact Page: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
You can use this CALL SCRIPT to contact your Senators and Representative: https://act.uscpr.org/a/callforgaza
Senator Alex Padilla
(202) 224-3553 DC office
If the voicemail box is full, try Senator Padilla's other office locations: (415) 981-9369 San Francisco office; (916) 448-2787 Sacramento office, (559) 497-5109 Fresno office; (310) 231-4494 LA office; (619) 239-3884 San Diego office
Email Contact Page: https://www.padilla.senate.gov/contact/contact-form/
Senator Laphonza Butler
(202) 224-3841
https://www.butler.senate.gov/
Congressional Switchboard
(202) 224-3121
Contact your congressperson: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
The following are links to EMAIL Congress:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-ceasefire-now?source=MC_ceasefire
https://secure.everyaction.com/hmMRwOU7ek6fs7vyOunUkw2?contactdata=fusJYG3KXTrRWID304YGwafqCwvYZSVIlMh5TLM7a63ZpfXGIL%2fcZFp98veSTOFh4F+aBa4q+EDGsCyAKtNw5gPW8ryviJ+B4uM7lemrTGY+T3OgtEIQ5UcOKrSFCnm7TiC2P6k6uzsTZsLqggD3kX3ckKR3SkBR+GMUlFicFNxhDIaix49u3w1p+fkHf1zcxuynm+0aVPPY457EWYF4Ug%3d%3d&emci=0d65531a-5f67-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=7f192579-9967-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&ceid=307880
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US Campaign for Palestinian Rights' ACTION TOOLKIT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hpHkM9KlH5Yn3xq7nk9xfPtIkWZDblWnCKD8xt5DBx0/edit
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LEARN more about Palestine at:
- US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR)
- American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
- Adalah Justice Project
- Eyewitness Palestine
- Grassroots Al-Quds
- BDS Movement
- Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA)
- Rebuilding Alliance
- We Are Not Numbers
- teachpalestine.org
- decolonizepalestine.com
- gazaincontext.com
- palambassador.org
- https://www.gazaunlocked.org/
- https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/
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READ the following books:
1) Palestine: A Four Thousand-Year History by Nur Masalha
2) Palestine...it is something colonial by Dr. Hatem Bazian
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WATCH the following films:
1) "1948: Creation & Catastrophe" at https://www.1948movie.com/
2) "The Price of Oslo"
Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ism-ctaSbw0
Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgFWEVQTeHM
3) "Gaza Fights for Freedom" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnZSaKYmP2s