On October 14th, the Northeast Tennessee chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America formally adopted a Resolution to Commit Its Support to Palestinian Liberation and the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Movement.
While drafting of the resolution began in August, this month’s events have only reinforced our belief that achieving a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike requires first and foremost ending the state of apartheid and colonial subjugation that Israel daily imposes on Palestinians.
In pursuit of that end, we join our national organization in demanding No Money for Massacres, as announced by DSA’s national leadership on October 14:
We demand that no money be spent on massacres.
The Israeli government has openly called for the forced displacement of 1.1 million Palestinians living in Gaza. The defense minister has referred to Palestinians as “animals.” This is the language of genocide.
In the face of the imminent ethnic cleansing of over a million people, the US State Department has actively rejected calls for a ceasefire and an end to the violence. This is more than just complicity. The Biden administration is actively supporting the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. As democratic socialists, we demand that no money be given to fuel a massacre.
We call on every member of Congress to demand an immediate ceasefire and to vote against providing military aid to the Israeli state. Silence is not an option. Elected officials have a choice. You can stand on the right side of history in favor of peace and against apartheid. Or you can cheerlead a massacre.
History will remember which you choose.
#NoMoneyforMassacres Solidarity Phone Bank
We encourage members of Northeast TN DSA to join other DSA members in #NoMoneyforMassacres phone banks to end the siege on Gaza and decisively reject US military funding for war crimes. An up-to-date list of phone bank events is maintained here. As a DSA member, you can join any of the phone banks remotely. If you are not yet a DSA member, become a member today at dsausa.org/join.
We also call upon all who seek an end to violence to call on their congress members to demand an immediate ceasefire and to vote against providing further military aid to the Israeli state.
Northeast TN DSA’s Commitment
Per the resolution we have adopted, Northeast Tennessee DSA will be organizing at least one local introductory-level educational event on Palestine and BDS.
We will also be producing a list of products, companies, and institutions that are subject to targeted boycotts by the BDS Movement, which will be posted publicly at the Appalachian Liberation Library.
We are also updating our endorsement guidelines to ask that candidates seeking endorsement from the chapter pledge to refuse campaign support from pro-Israel and anti-BDS lobby groups, to use their elected position to divest any funds they oversee from apartheid and reinvest it in our communities, and to refrain from travel to Israel with the backing of the Israel government or affiliated organizations.
Other Ways to Help
Donate to Palestinian organizations providing crucial relief and services in Gaza and the West Bank:
- Middle East Children’s Alliance
- Medical Aid for Palestinians
- Al-Awda Health and Community Association
- Hebron International Resource Network
Get involved with the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Movement and join or support the End the Nakba Campaign organized by Progressive International. The aim of Progressive International is to combine forces across borders in order to reclaim the planet as our own. DSA joined Progressive International after our most recent national convention.
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