# Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community


## Posts

- [The Wounds That Bind Us](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-wounds-that-bind-us/): Irish-Palestinian Solidarity by Moyra Michelle Nguyen The best thing about being Irish in America is the level of love that I feel from and towards my Irish community. I remember my first ever trip to America was spending a summer in New York in my early 20s.  It was like a home-from-home being welcomed without question by the Irish American community everywhere I went. I always thought that that was normal until amongst a group of international colleagues while living in London UK they shook their heads in puzzlement. No, that’s not how other countries do it, not understanding any […]
- [Black and Palestinian Solidarity: Like PB & J](https://clevelandpalestine.org/black-and-palestinian-solidarity-like-pb-j/): By Sara Fadlalla, Cleveland Sudan Network Many have heard the words, “First they came for the Communists, but I was not a communist so I did not speak out; then they came for the Socialists, but I was not a socialist so I did not speak out; then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out; then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me,” which was a poem written by a German Lutheran clergyman condemning the complicity and silence he saw within the […]
- [Zionism and Global Imperialism Must Be Destroyed](https://clevelandpalestine.org/zionism-and-global-imperialism-must-be-destroyed/): By The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party ZIONISM AND GLOBAL IMPERIALISM MUST BE DESTROYED The time has come for the masses of oppressed and exploited people around the world to learn that zionists  and imperialists tell lies all the time. The indigenous people of what is now the United States tell us that the settlers have violated every one of the nearly 500 treaties they made. This means they cannot be trusted to be honest and truthful. Kwame Ture never tired of saying, “The enemy does not lie some of the time, they lie all of the time”.  Recent events in […]
- [BDS Highlight: Coca-Cola Implicated in Israeli War Crimes](https://clevelandpalestine.org/bds-highlight-coca-cola-implicated-in-israeli-war-crimes/): Looking to quench your thirst? You obviously know water is optimal, but you just need that fizz of a pop/soda. While on your hunt for the best flavor, DO NOT reach for that Coca-Cola! And not because Pepsi is better – it’s not, and for the same reason. Not only are IOF soldiers pictured with Coke cans, Coca-Cola’s only franchisee in Israel, the Central Beverage Company, “operates a regional distribution center and cooling houses in the [Israeli] Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone.” To see other brands owned by the Coca-Cola company, ​click here​. The Global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement endorses […]
- [The Global Campaign for the Palestinians' right of return](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-global-campaign-for-the-palestinians-right-of-return/): By Amal Wahdan, Director, Sheikh Hasan Foundation for Culture and Science, Al Bireh, Occupied Palestine What we are witnessing today—the ongoing genocide perpetrated by the Zionist institutional system against our people in Gaza since October 7, 2023—is not an isolated event. It is a continuation of decades of genocide, displacement, war crimes, and crimes against humanity that began in 1948. Furthermore, eight refugee camps in Gaza have been totally decimated, and three refugee camps in the West Bank cities of Jenin and Tulkarm have been partially destroyed, with 45,000 people displaced. The genocide regime in apartheid Israel has closed all […]
- [2026: The year to revolt against occupation and impunity](https://clevelandpalestine.org/2026-the-year-to-revolt-against-occupation-and-impunity/): From ICE raids in Minneapolis to Israeli military policy and shifting U.S. arms strategies, the link between local and global struggles against systems that normalize killing without consequence becomes prominent. By Ruby Darwish Renee Good’s death echoes the fate of countless Palestinians who have been killed by state forces operating within legal and political systems built to protect those who wield violence, not those who suffer from it. Her life ended not only at the hands of an agent, but within a broader structure that consistently shields authority from meaningful accountability. On January 7, ICE agents fired three shots through […]
- [Jesus was a Palestinian](https://clevelandpalestine.org/jesus-was-a-palestinian/): By Sara Fadlalla While all across the world trees twinkle with lights and ornaments, we often forget just what Christmas truly represents. The birthplace of Jesus, may peace be showered upon him, is in Bethlehem – a city whose own Christmas trees laid barren the last two years to honor the martyrs in Gaza during this continuing genocide. Western media portrayals often try to frame the genocide as an endless religious disagreement between Muslims and Jews and “irreconcilable differences” have brought us to this point. This overgeneralization is inherently misleading, convoluted, and erases the vast history of Christianity in Palestine.  […]
- [The People’s Distro Steps Up Where the Government Fails Us](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-peoples-distro-steps-up-where-the-government-fails-us/): By Jenelle Vincent At the end of October, the federal government announced that people receiving food assistance though the SNAP program would not get their normal payments in November. The Trump administration stated that because of the government shutdown, there were not enough funds to last through the month. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had about $5 billion in emergency funding that it was refusing to use to cover the deficit. Last week, the government shutdown ended, and SNAP funds are scheduled to go out this week. Although SNAP is being restored, this situation illustrates how the government […]
- [CPAC Partners with Unitarian Universalists for Education on the Palestinian Struggle](https://clevelandpalestine.org/cpac-partners-with-unitarian-universalists-for-education-on-the-palestinian-struggle/): By Don Bryant If the faith communities in America practiced what they preached, our government would not fund wars and genocides like it does. I have witnessed a silencing about the capitalist war budget by religious organizations for decades, including my own.   Last month I worked with the Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community (CPAC) to present “Palestine: History Erased, Future Forbidden – What’s Our Connection to the Palestinian Struggle for Existence?” at my Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Southwest U.U. Minister Rev. Ali, congregation board president, Adrienne, Mike, the worship team liaison, Noelle with CPAC, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and I met together to plan the event.   CPAC comrades Candice and Patrick set up a display with the Israel Bonds divestment petition, literature, and crafts to benefit Ashraf’s Gaza Water Campaign. John, with CPAC and Cleveland United Against War, worked with Sharon, our U.U. video volunteer, to set up our PowerPoints.   Rev. Ali opened the event with the customary U.U. chalice lighting. John presented slides […]
- [BDS Highlight: Exposing SodaStream](https://clevelandpalestine.org/bds-highlight-exposing-sodastream/): SodaStream produces home sparkling water machines, CO₂ cylinders, and related accessories designed to reduce plastic waste. However, the company is based in Israel and is listed by the BDS movement for its involvement in the exploitation and oppression of Palestinians. Founded in 2005 by a coalition of Palestinian unions and civil society groups, BDS called for a boycott of SodaStream in 2011 due to its main factory being located in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, built on the remains of seven Palestinian villages. The company benefited from Israeli government tax breaks and lenient labor laws, reinforcing Israel’s occupation […]
- [URGENT ACTION REQUIRED: Demand Amnesty Now for Expelled CWRU Activist Students](https://clevelandpalestine.org/urgent-action-required-demand-amnesty-now-for-expelled-cwru-activist-students/): CWRU (Case Western Reserve University) is expelling pro-Palestinian student activists. Between November 2024 and February 2025, 11 students and activists at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) were arrested and charged with multiple felonies for their role in a demonstration for Palestine. The protest involved painting buildings and posting flyers to highlight CWRU’s complicity in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. For these actions, the university has claimed $400,000 in damages, causing substantial financial burden on the young activists and their families. The disciplinary actions taken by CWRU go beyond the courtroom. Three students have already been expelled. Other seniors now face expulsion despite being so close to receiving their degrees […]
- [Support CPAC Endorsed Candidates for Cleveland City Council](https://clevelandpalestine.org/support-cpac-endorsed-candidates-for-cleveland-city-council/): CPAC has endorsed six anti-genocide candidates for Cleveland City Council. At least 3,500 additional votes are needed to secure their win. All six candidates are actually fighting for Clevelanders, not the pockets of developers or special and foreign interest lobbies. Please support these candidates by visiting and sharing their websites, talking about them with your neighbors, and making your voting plans for Election Day. Ward 4: Rehan Waheed Ward 5: Rebecca Maurer Ward 7: Mo Faraj Ward 9: Alana Belle Ward 11: Nikki Hudson Ward 12: Tanmay Shah Find your new ward here
- [BDS Highlight: Exposing Reebok](https://clevelandpalestine.org/bds-highlight-exposing-reebok/): In early 2025, Reebok signed a sponsorship contract with the Israel Football Association (IFA), which includes in its official leagues teams in Israel’s illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land. The IFA actively advocates, together with the Israeli government, to maintain these teams. Palestinians are calling on Reebok to immediately withdraw from the contract, or face a global boycott campaign just as Adidas, PUMA, and Erreà faced before them. If you’re looking for footwear, try ASICS or Brooks for running shoes or Vans for a casual option. Read more in the Guide to BDS Boycott & Pressure here.
- [Global Sumud Flotilla Launched More Than 40 Boats to Gaza](https://clevelandpalestine.org/global-sumud-flotilla-launched-more-than-40-boats-to-gaza/): By Don Bryant The Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza was a courageous feat that gave a huge boost to the morale of our movement. It was also a global embarrassment to Bibi Netanyahu, further exposing the inhumanity of the Zionist Israeli regime. At least 42 civilian boats carrying over 400 activists from 37 countries launched with the mission to establish a maritime corridor into Gaza, where the 18-year military siege and two years of accelerated genocide have left Gaza barely clinging to life. Apartheid Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007.  All 42 boats […]
- [Effective Letter Writing for BDS](https://clevelandpalestine.org/effective-letter-writing-for-bds/): By Patrick Madison, MBA When we, as consumers, use our purchasing power to practice Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions (BDS), we assume that we are beingheard, but this is not always the case. For example, while McDonald’sdid attribute its drop in 2024 sales in the Middle East to Israel’s War inGaza, it blamed much of its drop in U.S. sales to a 2023 strategy toincrease prices. How can corporate leaders better gauge theimpact of BDS on their bottom lines? We must tell them. Despite all of the advances in digital communication, the old fashioned,handwritten letter remains one of the most effective […]
- [The Sunbird Tribune: September 2025](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-sunbird-tribune-september-2025/): The People’s Conference for Palestine CPAC contingent The people’s Conference Debrief By Jenelle Vincent & Don Bryant Last month, the Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community joined organizers from across North America for the second annual People’s Conference for Palestine. We spent three days in Detroit learning from leaders in the Palestine movement and networking with other people and organizations in the struggle. The Cleveland contingent of over 250 people joined a crowd of 4,500 to strategize and unify our movement. Some of our own organizers provided security, facilitated check-ins, and even planned the children’s programming. The theme for this year’s conference was […]
- [The People's Conference for Palestine](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-peoples-conference-for-palestine/): By Don Bryant & Jenelle Vincent Last month, the Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community joined organizers from across North America for the second annual People’s Conference for Palestine. We spent three days in Detroit learning from leaders in the Palestine movement and networking with other people and organizations in the struggle. The Cleveland contingent of over 250 people joined a crowd of 4,500 to strategize and unify our movement. Some of our own organizers provided security, facilitated check-ins, and even planned the children’s programming. The theme for this year’s conference was “Gaza is the Compass.” Gaza is the measure of our […]
- [Introducing: Feed Cleveland, Feed the World](https://clevelandpalestine.org/introducing-feed-cleveland-feed-the-world/): The People’s Distro is launching their first ever initiative rooted in connecting local and global struggles for food sovereignty, with a special spotlight on Palestine and Sudan. The next People’s Distro is on September 25 in Ward 12, which is home to may Palestinian and Sudanese families. These communities came here as refugees and asylum seekers, escaping war, genocide, and political violence. They are part of the fabric of Cleveland. What we have in common is food insecurity, and with this, our fight for justice. Cleveland is not hungry – it’s made hungry. Here in Cleveland, 30% of residents face […]
- [The Sunbird Tribune: August 2025](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-sunbird-tribune-august-2025/): TRAVELING TO THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK By Don Bryant I arrived at the Jordan-Palestine border on March 13, 2025. Apartheid Israel’s border control can be challenging. I deactivated my social media accounts and removed apps from my phone days ago. I answered questions about my purpose for traveling – tourism, of course; where I was lodging, and when was I here last? After I got a visa, I accepted the help of a young Palestinian man to wheel my luggage out  and hail a taxi. I was the sole rider, so I paid more for a ride that is usually […]
- [Gaza Needs you: Action Asks](https://clevelandpalestine.org/gaza-needs-you-action-asks/): Here are some actions you can take today to oppose the starvation and genocide Israel is inflicting on Gaza: Donate to Ashraf’s Campaign Ashraf Abu Hamda is a 20-year-old aspiring nursing student who has been using money fundraised by CPAC to provide water trucks to the community in Gaza. He has helped more than 1,000 families thus far. Ashraf’s work on the ground in Gaza is extremely important, and we are honored to support him. You can donate to help Ashraf provide water to families in Gaza here. Call Your Elected Reps and Demand Aid for Gaza Call your elected […]
- [Traveling to the Occupied West Bank](https://clevelandpalestine.org/traveling-to-the-occupied-west-bank/): By Don Bryant I arrived at the Jordan-Palestine border on March 13, 2025. Apartheid Israel’s border control can be challenging. I deactivated my social media accounts and removed apps from my phone days before. I answered questions about my purpose for traveling – tourism, of course – where I was lodging, and when I was here last. After I got a visa, I accepted the help of a young Palestinian man to wheel my luggage out and hail a taxi. I was the sole rider, so I paid more for a ride that is usually shared. The main road to Bethlehem […]
- [The Sunbird Tribune Special Edition: Gaza is Starving](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-sunbird-tribune-special-edition-gaza-is-starving/): At Least 101 People, Including 80 Children, Have Died from Hunger in Gaza, Most in the Last Few Weeks According to this article from Aljazeera, at least 101 people, including 80 children, have died from hunger and malnutrition since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in October 2023. Most of the deaths have come in the last few weeks. The article says, “The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that the 15 starvation-related deaths over the past 24 hours included four children and that the overall toll of 101 included 80 children. […] The starvation crisis comes amid a nearly five-month […]
- [Empty Plates to Empty Cannons & the Fast for Gaza initiative](https://clevelandpalestine.org/empty-plates-to-empty-cannons-the-fast-for-gaza-initiative/): The purpose of the empty plates to empty cannons project in solidarity with the Fast for Gaza is to raise awareness of the intentional starvation of people in Gaza, to help raise money for our mutual aid campaign, and to encourage people to call their representatives and demand aid be let into Gaza. By joining this campaign you agree to;  Suggested Video Script My name is [NAME], and I’m part of [ORGANIZATION], talking to you from Cleveland, Ohio. Today, I am fasting along with thousands across the globe as part of the Fast for Gaza initiative and the Cleveland Palestine […]
- [Palestine FAQ](https://clevelandpalestine.org/palestine-faq/): Looking for more basic information on Palestine? Here are some frequently asked questions and how we respond. We also recommend the website DecolonizePalestine.com for more information. What does Palestine have to do with us in the United States? Our tax dollars are funding the genocide in Gaza. Many local and state governments invest in Israel bonds, which are unrestricted funds to Israel that are often used to support violence against Palestinians. On the federal level, the U.S. sends billions of dollars to Israel specifically for weapons. Why should Black people care for Palestine? The injustices that Black Americans and the […]
- [The Sunbird Tribune July 2025](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-sunbird-tribune-july-2025/): The Global March to Gaza By Ann Marie Ghazy On June 13th, 4,000 people from over 80 countries gathered in Cairo, Egypt, answering a global call to march to Gaza. This was a grassroots movement—ordinary people uniting for the people of Gaza, who have endured nearly two years of war and over 75 years of displacement and occupation by the Israeli government. In Islam, speaking up against oppression is a duty. The march was intended to be peaceful—an international demand for humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing, where aid has been blocked and suffering has intensified. Palestinians in Gaza are […]
- [The Global March on Gaza](https://clevelandpalestine.org/the-global-march-on-gaza/): By Ann Marie Ghazy On June 13th, 4,000 people from over 80 countries gathered in Cairo, Egypt, answering a global call to march to Gaza. This was a grassroots movement—ordinary people uniting for the people of Gaza, who have endured nearly two years of war and over 75 years of displacement and occupation by the Israeli government. In Islam, speaking up against oppression is a duty. The march was intended to be peaceful—an international demand for humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing, where aid has been blocked and suffering has intensified. Palestinians in Gaza are facing starvation, relentless bombardment, and […]

## Pages

- [About](https://clevelandpalestine.org/about/): Our coalition is made up of many independent organizations working for a free Palestine. Support our work by joining any of these organizations: PYM Cleveland The Cleveland branch of a transnational, independent, grassroots movement of young Palestinians. Our belonging to Palestine and our aspirations for justice and liberation motivate us to assume an active role as a young generation in our national struggle for the liberation of our homeland and people. AMP Cleveland The Cleveland chapter of a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the movement for justice in Palestine by educating the American public about Palestine and its rich cultural, […]
- [Gaza Mutual Aid Projects](https://clevelandpalestine.org/gaza-mutual-aid-projects/): Help Ashraf Evacuate & Serve His Community in Gaza For almost a year, CPAC has partnered with Ashraf Emad as he provided clean water and food to his community in Gaza. Now, we are raising funds for his family to evacuate so he can continue his nursing education. He will also continue to use these funds to provide for his community as he can. He has recently provided schawarma and entertainment for local orphans. Here is a note from Ahsraf: “My name is Ashraf Emad, I am 20 years old. I completed my high school education in August 2023 with […]
- [Blog](https://clevelandpalestine.org/blog/): BLOG
- [Member Organizations](https://clevelandpalestine.org/member-organizations/): Our coalition is made up of many independent organizations working for a free Palestine. Support our work by joining any of these organizations: PYM Cleveland The Cleveland branch of a transnational, independent, grassroots movement of young Palestinians. Our belonging to Palestine and our aspirations for justice and liberation motivate us to assume an active role as a young generation in our national struggle for the liberation of our homeland and people. AMP Cleveland The Cleveland chapter of a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the movement for justice in Palestine by educating the American public about Palestine and its rich cultural, […]
- [No New Bonds](https://clevelandpalestine.org/no-new-bonds/): Who Are We? We are building a statewide movement to divest from Israel Bonds. If you are an Ohio resident we want you to join us! This page is meant to give you an overview of our work and to help you get involved. Some of the organizations affiliated with our movement in Ohio are: What Are Israel Bonds? Israel Bonds are unrestricted loans to the Israeli government. The state treasury and fifteen counties across the state currently own over $330,000,000 dollars worth of Israel Bonds. This means that Ohio taxpayers are lending the Israeli government $330,000,000 to economically sustain […]
- [Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community](https://clevelandpalestine.org/): The Cleveland Palestine Advocacy community is a coalition of intersectional, intergenerational community organizations in Northeast Ohio that see a free Palestine as an important part of a future where all people can thrive. 


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