Friday, October 20, 2023
The South Asian Network stands in solidarity with all oppressed and occupied people worldwide. We mourn the loss of all the innocent lives that have been taken over many decades of Palestinian occupation, land theft and ethnic cleansing, which has displaced many from their homelands, torn families apart, and taken the lives of so many. We are deeply troubled by the complicity of the US government in the violence that is currently unfolding in Palestine. We call on our elected officials to end the funneling of American taxpayer dollars into the Israeli occupation and the genocide of Palestinians. We urge US Ambassador for the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to align her values of justice with that of the majority of the UN and end violence against all civilians and to urge humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
The harmful rhetoric and irresponsible reporting of elected officials and the media is a direct contribution to the rising Islamophobia and anti-Arab rhetoric in the US. As an organization that has been at the forefront of addressing injustices since 1990, we have been rebuilding and supporting our communities throughout 9/11, the “war on terror,” the Muslim Ban, and the numerous incidents and crimes that have taken place over the last few decades. We will continue to be a resource to our community through this devastation.
We urge both the LA County Board of Supervisors and members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors to rethink and retract statements and resolutions that they have passed or shared over the last few weeks that have further exacerbated hate against Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and South Asians.
We’ve been hearing reports of Palestinian Americans and supporters of the Palestinian cause who have been approached by the FBI at places of worship, schools, and institutions where they are being questioned about various connections. This is eerily reminiscent of post-9/11 profiling and surveillance. Please remember that you have the right to remain silent. Please do not speak to anyone without legal representation. To be connected to free legal support, contact South Asian Network at saninfo@southasiannetwork.org.
To our community, we are here for you. We offer mental health resources, community healing, and support if you are a victim of any sort of violence, abuse or hate.
