The protest will include a vigil for the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost in the conflict.
WHAT: Multiracial coalition of South Bay constituents in sit-in at Representative Ro Khanna’s office.
WHERE: 3150 De La Cruz Blvd., Suite 240, Santa Clara
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9, at 11:00 a.m.
(Santa Clara, CA – 11/9/23) — A multiracial coalition of South Bay constituents is currently occupying Representative Ro Khanna’s office to demand his support for the “Ceasefire Now” Resolution (HR 786), led by Representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib.
Pressure has been mounting for Khanna to support a ceasefire. Two weeks ago, Khanna’s political director resigned over his refusal to sign the Ceasefire Resolution after protestors convened at his D.C. office with the same demand.
“We are overwhelmed with grief at the senseless genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Since Oct. 7, the Israeli military has murdered more than 10,700 Palestinians, including over 4,300 children. Palestinian people are displaced from their homesand have no access to food, water, electricity, or medical care. How many more people must die before our representative calls for a ceasefire?” – Kareem Elsayed, Ro Khanna Constituent and Palestinian
Over the last month, American Palestinians and American Jews have been organizing a wave of distributed actions across the country to call for a ceasefire. Jewish activists have organized actions in the U.S. Capitol Building, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, Washington D.C., and in other cities across the country.
“I have been so inspired by the Jewish voices around the world calling for a ceasefire and peace. My Jewish father was an ardent advocate for peace. I stand here today, in my representative’s office, asking Ro Khanna to be a megaphone for peace, amongst so much devastation and genocidal conditions. I ask him to sign on to HR 786 calling for an immediate ceasefire. ” – Jessica Salans, IfNotNow member and Ro Khanna constituent.
“Asian Americans, many of our peoples have resisted against colonialism and imperialism in our homelands. Young Asian Americans in the district are counting on Rep. Khanna to make the right choice and stand on the right side of history” – John Zhao, Co-Director of South Bay Youth Changemakers.
“The ongoing tragedy in Gaza and the West Bank demands our immediate and unwavering action. With the loss of over 10,000 innocent Palestinian lives, including a heartbreaking number of children, an immediate ceasefire is a moral imperative. As a nation, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the immense suffering of the Palestinian people, trapped in Gaza and the West Bank. The coalition of South Bay constituents occupying Ro Khanna’s office showcases our shared commitment to the principles of peace and human dignity. We implore Rep. Khanna to endorse the ‘Ceasefire Now’ Resolution so that we can bring an end to this senseless violence and restore the basic human rights, justice, and dignity the Palestinian people deserve.” – Musa Tariq, CAIR-SFBA Policy Coordinator.
In the past month, Israel ordered 1.4 million Palestinians to forcibly transfer to the south of Gaza This comes against the backdrop of a year in which the Israeli military and settlers have killed over 200 Palestinians, and settlers have carried out violent pogroms in Palestinian communities in the West Bank. In the past month, Israel has killed over 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza, over half of which are children. In spite of this, the Biden administration has since publicly committed to providing military assistance to Israel.
US lawmakers are feeling mounting public pressure against ongoing support of Israel. Biden’s approval rating has fallen 11 points this month, while over 65% of voters across all parties want a ceasefire in Gaza. There is growing concern among Democratic voters regarding the impact that Biden’s Israel-Palestine policy will have on his competitive fitness ahead of the 2024 election.