Youth Leaders Have the Right to Protest without Retaliation

Over the last week we have seen the disproportionate toll the violence in Gaza and Israel has taken on young people and the leadership of young people coming together for peace and justice.The gravity and impact of the harm done these past few days, weeks, years, and decades is unmeasurable and horrific. It is not borne equally by all of us and we mourn lives lost and support those most impacted. 

Advocates calls on political leaders to end the devastating violence and to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of those living in the region. We condemn US politicians and others around the world who are using dangerous and even genocidal rhetoric that escalates tensions and promulgates hate. We call for a cease-fire to ensure humanitarian efforts are able to safely make it to the people in Gaza and we call for the safe release of all hostages. We call for an end to the violence once and for all.  Advocates for Youth envisions a society in which all young people are valued, respected and treated with dignity — which includes being protected from violence and granted autonomy.

Advocates condemns the harassment, threats, and doxxing of young Muslim activists working for the rights of Palestinians. Young people have the right to fight for justice. Targeting activists and driving them out of their jobs and schools is despicable. We stand with Muslim Youth Leadership Council members fighting for their beliefs. 

Young people and their families – regardless of their ethnicity or religion – deserve to live in a world where their humanity and identity is recognized and affirmed. We support young people who are organizing for a world without Islamophobic and antisemitic violence.