CEASEFIRE NOW! 

There’s no business as usual for me as long as the US keeps sponsoring this genocide and dehumanizing Palestinians. I believe in a free palestine and the end to the occupation so that all people can live peacefully but right now I am fighting for the bare minimum which is a ceasefire. Even if we disagree on how we move forward, I think every human with a heart can see that the US-sponsored killing in Gaza is not effective for bringing hostages home nor is it proportional or strategic. I believe, as many experts have written, that we are witnessing a genocide. I am not interested in waiting around until enough people are killed for it to be the exact definition. 

 We can disagree on a path forward, on the framing of history, but violence is not the answer. This violence is INCREASING Antisemitism and Islamophobia. It’s only making our countries more volatile and unsafe. Liberation for one is liberation for all.

I don’t like using words about violence on my blog or. newsletters. I am fighting for a ceasefire and I invite you to do the same. 

Call, leave voicemails, write emails, fax, march, protest, do any little thing in your power. https://ceasefiretoday.com/ has all the resources you need both for Americans or for those overseas.🌿

Weaving with these branches, berries, herbs, and greens has been grounding. I am thankful for my work that keeps me connected to the natural world. Thank you to Flower Mob for the foraging.

Every morning and afternoon I either email or call my rep and senators. CEASEFIRE NOW! This form makes it easy. Consider donating to Standing Together, a peace movement for Israelis and Palestinians to work towards a peaceful future together.

It’s not business as usual here. In the face of horrendous government-sponsored violence, we must speak up. I don’t believe that business and art are separate from politics and humanity. I am pro-human, pro-nature, I am pro-peace, I am anti-violence. I believe in a free Palestine. I am anti-hate. I am against all Antisemitism and Islamophobia, I am anti-occupation, I am anti-colonial powers and anti-ethnically-cleansed countries. 

I am holding space for all of my friends and colleagues who are closer to this situation be it geographically, religiously, or who have been affected by violence in Israel or Gaza. I recognize your reactions and processing may be complex and nuanced and painful.

I believe in life and freedom for all humans. Our freedom is intertwined. If a population is living behind a wall or a gate and has limited voting rights, they are not free. If your safety depends on being violent to another group of people, that is not freedom.

I am fighting for a ceasefire as I believe that killing is not the answer for any kind of security or for any kind of safety for prisoners or hostages. Yes, I am far in distance from this situation but my government is sponsoring this violence. I have a right to speak up. When it comes to the details of peace and strategy, I believe in organizations like Standing Together, who are on the ground and have better answers for strategy and peace than anyone far from this.

I become a dove 

that holds a branch of olive and flies 

In the lands of God

Samih Al-Qasim, Palestinian poet

The olive tree is a symbol of liberation, peace, and environmental preservation in many cultures, including Palestine. You’ll see it pop up in Palestinian poetry, art, and film.

Every human has a right and duty to speak up against violence. I am still a US citizen and use my right to share my wish for a ceasefire. I call my reps and senators a few times a day.

If you are American, please echo the wishes of every human rights organization on earth and use your voice here to demand a ceasefire.There are always other ways.

Sending love and peace to all of my friends in this space.