Fridays @ 12:00 PM EDT - Zoom
A Message from Jennifer Bing: “We’re taking a break from Zoom calls in August to strategize about how to improve the Action Hour. Please share your feedback with us by filling out this SURVEY! Don’t worry–we’ll see you back on Zoom on September 5th.
Reminder: In August, we’ll send out weekly Friday emails with ways you can stay engaged during the August recess. We’ll miss hearing from you, so please use this form to share your story with us if you engage in bird-dogging or take other action! You can also always access the agenda document.
Bob Sanders on Cycling for Gaza
On Friday, we were joined by Bob Sanders, a 70-year-old Jewish man who is biking across the United States to raise awareness of the genocide in Gaza and crimes in the West Bank. For those who have been following along with our mentions of Bob, he’s safely back on track after being hit by a car in Idaho and suffering minor injuries.
This is actually Bob’s second journey across the United States by bike, his first was 50 years ago, when he went on a bike journey of self-discovery. This time he wanted to ride for a cause, and decided to raise money for AFSC’s humanitarian aid work in Gaza as well as for Peace Action and Not In My Name.
Bob told us that in the interactions he’s had along his ride he’s encountered no open hostility and has even been able to drastically shift the perspectives of a few people he’s spoken with and convince them of the importance of justice for Palestinians. He said these conversations have been successful because he approached people first as a human and a biker, going beyond typical political talking points. Local newspaper coverage of his ride has also helped expand his reach and bypass the willful ignorance of mainstream journalism.
Bob shared that it’s been really gratifying to meet other activists on his journey and see all the incredible work that they are doing. On the more difficult days of his ride, he’s been inspired by the people working against injustice all across the country. He encouraged us not to minimize the action we take because it all adds up. He said that during this journey, he’s consistently felt that people are nicer and better than we give them credit for. He said he’s distressed that the US government is wasting this fundamental goodness of its people.
You can support Bob’s cause here.
Bird-dogging
We’ve developed a guide based on my many years of bird-dogging experience to help you with your advocacy this August! It, along with many other guides for action, live on our Action Hour homepage in the “Guides for Action” section.
Your members will be in-district for the Congressional August recess, presenting a key opportunity for bird-dogging. Remember that bird-dogging is not only about catching the attention of your members of Congress, but also about educating your community. Engaging your members of Congress is only one of the ways you can stay active this August, but as Beth Miller from Jewish Voice for Peace told us a few weeks ago, it is territory we should not cede.
Yousef’s Gaza Update
Each week, Yousef collects the stories and numbers of Palestinians killed in Israel’s genocide in Gaza and shares them with us in a report. You can find all of Yousef’s past Gaza updates on Gaza Unlocked. As news of Israel’s starvation of Palestinians in Gaza appears more and more in mainstream news, help those around you get the full picture with Yousef’s updates.
Artist Corner
On Friday, we featured Ruba Al Faleet, a poet and artist from Gaza. Read her poem, “While Others Bloom” about her life in Gaza.
How to Take Action Today
Contact your representatives. On Friday, we called our Representative and Senators to support H.R.3565, the Block the Bombs bill and to oppose a new sale of $510 million in weapons to Israel.
You can find the suggested script for calling on the final page of the agenda and additional actions you can take on page 3. To continue to make calls throughout next week, phone the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.
More Resources and Ways to Take Action
Watch the recording of an amazing webinar that featured Mahmoud Khalil, Rep. Delia Ramirez, and our colleagues Pedro Rios and Brad Parker.
Share this invitation with your friends, family, and social networks and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Twitter.”
In solidarity,
Jennifer Bing