You already know this is a critical time, with so much at stake.

I’m new at USCPR and while I’m honored to be the next executive director, I’m humbled every day to think of how much you have already done to build USCPR and the movement for Palestinian rights. Thank you for all that you do for justice in Palestine.

I’m Palestinian, from a political family. But that doesn’t mean I was always political. To tell the truth, as a kid, I had no idea what it meant to be a Palestinian in the U.S. 

One way I found my place was when I was activated in college in response to the killing of young Martin Lee Anderson in Florida, which led to a group of students taking over the Florida Governor's office. After Trayvon Martin was killed, we came back together to found the Dream Defenders.

I’ve always been Palestinian, but it’s no exaggeration to say that my Black sisters and brothers led me to a deeper understanding of the possibilities for our collective liberation.

And that’s a big part of why I’m so excited to take over as executive director at this time. You have helped build USCPR into a movement leader with extensive policy, organizing, and media experience advocating for Palestine and deep connections with allied organizations struggling for racial, economic, immigration, and climate justice.

You’ll see what you’ve helped USCPR accomplish in the last 12 months below.

With your continued support, USCPR will continue to lead the push for a better future in Palestine in 2021 and beyond. Your commitment helps us transform what’s possible for Palestine and leads to the day where domestic and foreign policies are rooted in dignity and justice for all. 

Much of our organizing in 2020 was planned to be in person, from large national gatherings to visits with local organizers. COVID-19 changed all that of course. But despite the challenges, we helped organize the following rapid response campaigns in 2020.

As the first wave of the coronavirus hit the U.S., we released an online toolkit, Organizing for Palestinian Rights in the Time of COVID-19,  to help organizers take care of one another and keep fighting for justice in Palestine during the pandemic. 

The anniversary of the Great Return March in late March coincided with rising fears about the potential impact of COVID-19 in Gaza. To raise awareness, we organized a social media storm, #DefundGazaBlockade, to contact congressional representatives, Later, we organized youth network members in nine different states to attend trainings and plan campaigns focusing on Palestinian prisoners within the greater calls to #FreeThemAll, especially in light of the threat of COVID-19.

Charlie

In a world where so much needs to be done to allow people to live in peace and comfort I wanted to pick one cause to which I could dedicate help. The suffering of the Palestinian people seems closest to home for me.

I am getting on in years now and would like to ensure that change will happen after my time has expired. USCPR is one of the most important organizations which support the cause of Palestinian rights in the US. I fervently hope that after I am gone the Palestinian peoples will be able to "live, each under their vine and fig tree, and none shall make them afraid."

— Charlie Fisher, Emeritus Associate Professor Brandeis University.

ALINE

The mission and values of USCPR are in line with my values, the world I want to see, and the world I want my children to grow up in: a world where we are all free from oppression and discrimination.

The work of USCPR is critical in shifting policy and public opinion on Palestine and Palestinian rights, and I am proud that my monthly donation helps sustain this important work.

— Aline B., Olive Branch Club monthly donor

As the date for Israeli annexation of the West Bank approached, we led a digital week of action in June and organized a groundbreaking letter from 68 progressive organizations that denounced annexation plans and called for Congress to divest from militarism and policing from Palestine to the U.S. 

People’s Policy Roundtable and A palestinian letter to congress

In response to a groundbreaking letter in Congress led by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, which committed to introducing legislation for the first time that would condition military funding to Israel, we organized a roundtable to uplift Palestinian analysis and policy demands.

Later in the fall, we followed with a Palestinian letter to Congress, which reiterated demands of Palestinians in the U.S. and called for supporting H.R. 2407 and H.R. 8050, bills that would end U.S. funding of Palestinian child detention and prevent funding from being used for annexation. Signed by 22 Palestinian led organizations and 56 Palestinian movement leaders, the letter was also endorsed by dozens of our cross-movement partners.

COVID-19 changed our plans to send several constituent delegations to Capitol Hill. We pivoted to a video series to publicize and support the Freedom is the Future demands with constituent videos for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Omar, Rep. Porter, Rep. Carson, and Rep. Jayapal with over 9,000 views. Rep. Tlaib did her own video to support the campaign as well.

FIrst ever cohort of Youth organizing fellows

In October, we inaugurated a fellowship program for six rising activist organizers to advance Palestinian rights organizing in six key cities. These fellows are planning the initial stage of Congress-focused local campaigns on divest-invest justice demands (#InvestInJustice) or decarceration (#FreeThemAll).

2019 FINANCES

The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights is a nonprofit charitable organization. 

Every generous contributions to USCPR powers our work to advance Palestinian rights and demand and end to U.S. complicity in Israeli human rights abuses.

Thank you for your support!

These are preliminary figures; our 2019 audit is in progress.