MORRISVILLE, NC (3/20/2024) – The word “unprecedented” has become nearly meaningless in recent years, but for many alive today, there is no other way to describe the times we are in. The confluence of genocide and violence in Gaza – as well as Myanmar, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and beyond – alongside a pandemic, political divisions, and personal loss, has left everyone on earth in a place of unparallelled experiences. As individuals and nations, we are in a moment of global reckoning around imperialism, greed, hate, and colonialism. These experiences may not be falling on everyone in the same way, but make no mistake, they are happening to us all.
In this month of Ramadan, and in the days and months leading to the next chapter in the story of American democracy, we ask for healing for those observing the holy month in the Middle East and beyond. We also ask for urgent and swift action for those at risk and all those working toward liberation.
Because hope transcends our darkest moments, we are still filled with hope for a better tomorrow – for the lives of those in Gaza, for democracy and self-determination for all. But hope cannot sustain without action and accountability.
Without action, thousands – disproportionately of whom are women and children – will continue to perish, either due to violence, disease, or food insecurity. Entire generations of families have been killed or left traumatized by fear and loss.
Without accountability, nothing will change. The denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and funding of arms that have claimed more than 30,000 lives since October – returning a decades-long occupation to the spotlight – is a shameful stain on the soul of our nation. It is an ongoing reminder of past genocides committed on our shores, as well as complicity in funding imperialist movements abroad. The refusal to address either in this moment stops our ongoing struggle for liberation in its tracks. As Fannie Lou Hamer said more than 50 years ago, nobody’s free until everybody’s free.
It is not too late to choose a different path. To choose hope, accountability, positive action.
We acknowledge the catalyst and loss of life in this ongoing struggle which occurred in October and mourn those losses, as well as wish for the immediate return of those in captivity. And we can’t deny the horrific response which continues in front of us now. We rise with others who have said it before and those we hope will join us in the call to take action to end the occupation and our nation’s complicity in the oppression taking place in Gaza. Permanent ceasefire now.
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Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase civic participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and remove systemic barriers to voting and serving in elected office.