Free Palestine: How to find your place in the movement
There is no longer any excuse to look away and do nothing. Over 30,000 martyred in 5 months, and what have you done?
In my last post I shared educational resources, so if you still feel like you don’t know enough you can pick your media of choice here (side note: you know genocide is bad and that’s all you need to know).
While we have all learned about genocides of the past, and a lot of us are aware that there are multiple genocides happening around the world today, this is the first time in history such inhumane violence has been broadcast in real time from the victims as it’s happening, while the perpetrator is not only getting away with it but is actively supported by our governments, corporations and broadcasters in the Western world.
Even for those of us already waking up to late stage capitalism and our interconnected struggles, this siege and the surrounding gaslighting has been shocking. Every day a new horrifying story. How can it continue so brazenly, so publicly? How can they ever expect us to forget?
Well, this is the thing. They do expect us to forget. They expect those of us who are paying attention to grow tired and lose hope and become distracted.
But we will never stop, for Palestine has woken us up and we have no interest in going back to sleep.
Contents
In Part 1:
“But what can I do?” How to find your place in the movement
Buy an eSIM and keep Gaza connected
Direct action - Divest from Genocide
Direct Action - Join a Demonstration
Share what you do and gently call people in
In Part 2 (coming soon):
Places to donate
Gift guide
Probably more things as I think of them!
“But what can I do?” How to find your place in the movement
The fantastic Climate Action Venn Diagram by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is applicable across all movements
While the above diagram focusses on climate action, it works for any activism that you want to become involved in sustainably.
Activism is not only for the loud who take to the streets, or seem fearless. There is room in every movement for everybody, and these movements are all connected.
I have seen people from all industries, passions, faiths, ages, countries, skillsets come together and do what they can to amplify the struggle of Palestinians in the last few months. Some have been doing this advocacy work for decades and some (like me) are only recently waking up to the violence of the Israeli occupation.
I have seen artists create beautiful illustrations, embroideries and prints and designers lend their skills to campaigns. I’ve seen writers share heart-wrenching poems, songs and stories, and content creators amplify injustices in accessible, satirical and digestible ways.
I’ve seen cooks recreating traditional Palestinian dishes, host supper clubs and online cook offs, and gardeners share knowledge on indigenous Palestinian plants.
I’ve seen parents join the School Strike for Palestine, parents who feel Palestinian mothers and fathers’ pain as their own and will not stop speaking up as they would speak up for their own family. Doulas and birth workers who cannot stay silent when miscarriages are up by 300% and birthing bodies are having c-sections without anaesthesia.
I’ve seen elders explain how history is repeating itself, pleading for our attention, and children flying kites and crafting in red and green.
I’ve seen the people marching.
I’ve also seen too many people turn away and do nothing at all.
This movement needs everybody. This movement needs you.
So what can you do? What are you good at? How can you amplify these injustices to your audience, your community or your friends and family in a way that will speak to them?
As well as these front facing creatives and storytellers, organisers and campaigners need lots of support behind the scene.
Can you offer admin time to your local organisers? Proofreading, email writing, research and fact checking, translating, social media support… if you’d rather be behind the scenes there are plenty of opportunities there.
Not sure where to find your local action groups or organisers? Start here.
Buy an eSIM and Keep Gaza Connected
A post from @connectinghumanity_ on Instagram
The people of Gaza have been experiencing a telecommunications black out for months now and the only way we know the reality of what is happening is through eSIMS. This is an incredible project and it’s so easy to support them.
eSIMS start from only a few pounds, and if you can’t afford to donate one now please share this incredible work with those who can! You can amplify them on Instagram at @connectinghumanity_, share their website in your newsletter or in your bio links, or even print off a leaflet to distribute locally and at marches.
Learn how it works at Gaza eSIMS.
Direct Action - Divest from Genocide
Direct action means using your individual power to affect change, something that too many of us believe we can’t do. It can be attending a demonstration, striking, or it can be divesting your money.
Divesting from banks, pension funds and investments that support the Israeli occupation is one of the easiest ways to have a huge personal impact.
If you’re not sure if your bank is funding genocide, give it a quick google. You can also see a list of banks and other companies to avoid on page 17 of this document by Don’t Buy Into Occupation.
You can also easily check if your bank is funding the climate collapse at Bank.Green, and see those that are involved with human rights abuses at Ethical Consumer.
These actions add so much pressure and uses a language that those in power understand - money! For example, Barclays Bank has poured billions of pounds into companies that supply weapons to Israel. Barclays also supported apartheid in South Africa until public pressure forced them to stop in 1986. Divesting and boycotting works.
Boycott! Divest your money by boycotting products and companies that are supporting Israeli war crimes. You can see an updated list of companies here.
Download the excellent No Thanks app on Google Play and Apple app store. This app makes it easy to scan the bar codes of products while shopping and tell you if your money will be funding genocide. It includes links to articles and resources explaining why that product or business is on the boycott list.
Check Ethical Consumer for legit boycotts, historically and recent successful boycotts and general info on how to shop more ethically.
Learn more about the BDS movement here.
And tell people! For example, don’t just shyly show up to a coffee with your friend at a Starbucks - tell them you are boycotting and want to meet somewhere else. Have the conversations, spread the knowledge.
Direct Action - Take Part in a Demonstration
Proudly holding the Gardeners for Palestine banner at a national march. People are encouraged to make their own Palestinian fabric flowers which are then attached to the banner. It is literally blooming as the moment grows.
If you’re able to take to the streets then do so. Don’t believe the messaging about “hate marches” and extremism. I’ve been to multiple demonstrations now and they have been peaceful, inclusive, and full of hope. I’ve seen people from every age, religion, faith, and country chanting together. There is no hate here, we are united for a common goal and that absolutely terrifies those in power.
Join the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to stay up to date with national actions and be informed of shorter, accessible routes.
Join your local Arms Factory Picket with Workers for a Free Palestine.
Good at being a calming and supportive presence? How about taking the free training to be a legal observer at a protest or offer arrestee support for after direct actions.
Strike! I know striking is not possible for everyone, but it doesn’t have to mean taking the full day off work (though, if everyone did this imagine the impact). When you know there is a strike action coming up you can join in by:
Taking time off work (be sure to tell your employers why)
Taking your kids out of school
Withholding your money (take cash out in advance in case of emergencies but otherwise don’t use your bank or buy anything)
Dedicating your social media feed to amplifying Palestinian stories and content
Wearing symbols of solidarity or hanging them in your window
Talk to friends, family and colleagues about it in advance and on the day. Tell them why you and how you are taking part, and why they should too
Bombard your MP as much as you can on that day by phone and email, and in person if possible! Find your MP’s contact details, and how they have voted on recent debates at They Work For You.
Got the creative skills? Create a poster for Flyers of Falastin, embroider names on medical gauze for Threads of Solidarity, design digestible content to share what you’re learning, or start your own fundraiser.
What ever you do, share it.
Even though we wouldn’t know the reality of what is happening in Palestine without social media, people still seem to think that they don’t need to share posts or talk about how they’re showing up. In the past it might not have been a fair assumption that if you’re not posting about it, you’re not paying attention, but is that still true now?
Everything you share makes it safer for the rest of us to speak up. When you are silent you permit those around you to stay silent too. We are telling you this matters, please listen.
Don’t be afraid to call people in
I know, it feels gross, but it doesn’t have to be done in anger or as an accusation. When I have done it, it has been as gentle as possible. I’ve asked questions in good faith rather than assumed the worst. I’ve gone into conversations with hope.
I’ve also tried to share relevant content with people to encourage them to start sharing (beautiful protest art with artists, embroidery projects with sewists, school strikes and child centred info with parenting networks… even stuff about Eurovision with someone who gets really into it every year!). This has felt like a positive way to start the conversation, and if it’s met with defensiveness or silence then you know what you’re dealing with.
I had a really disappointing conversation with an environmentalist that I have followed and supported (on Instagram, on Kofi and then Patreon). Her key message is about positive news, and I still really appreciate the round ups that she shares on a weekly basis, but when I asked her if she planned to share content about Palestine (especially considering the impact the genocide is having environmentally) she reeled off classic excuses; “we mustn’t be quick to judge others” (I waited 4 months to call her in), “a lot of my work happens offline” (she posts on social media very frequently, as well as regular newsletters, has a very intentional aesthetic, and surely when something is this urgent things should be reprioritised?), “you probably just didn’t see my posts because my engagement dropped” (I intentionally checked her account daily as I still had faith and couldn’t believe she really wasn’t going to say anything).
When I challenged these excuses and asked if she had content planned around this offline solidarity work, I got silence. I’ve now cancelled my financial support of her as I’d rather put that money towards people who are truly intersectional in their work.
Above all, don’t lose hope
Empires fall, apartheids end. Please keep going.
In Part 2 (coming soon):
Places to donate
Gift guide
Probably more things as I think of them!
