The Freedom to Boycott for Justice and for Human Rights

Dear Elliott, Shabbat Shalom,

I am writing to express my deepest concern and objection to the decision taken by WJC to actively endorse legislation that in its spirit and in its specifics is unconstitutional and an assault on free speech. The call for a legislated ban or boycott of businesses that want to participate in a voluntary boycott of Israel until it ends the occupation and the ongoing violations of Palestinian human rights is hypocritical, and is a blatant effort to silence dissent. You do not even distinguish between boycotting Israel and boycotting settlement enterprises on stolen Palestinian land.  As a respected member of the business community for over 40 years, and as owner of a business for over 30 years, I have the right to participate and have my business participate in a nonviolent movement without fear of recrimination from my own government.

NY Wants to Tell You What You Can and Cannot Boycott

It is very disappointing that our local NYS Assembly Member David Buchwald is a co-sponsor of A8220.  I am trying to set up a meeting with him.  If you are in his district and would be willing to attend this meeting, please let me know.  In the meantime, please do be in touch with your state representatives on this free speech matter.  The NY State Senate passed a bill last week that will create a blacklist of individuals and institutions that are engaged in a boycott of a U.S. ally.  55 NY state senators voted in favor and 6 senators voted against

These six NYS Senators who voted against are all African American and Latino.

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7 days ago

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Join us online October 12, at 8:00 PM for a teach-in on the Beacon Pipeline and to learn what we can do to stop it coming to Westchester. Register for the meeting link: bit.ly/4ddjc9 ...
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7 days ago

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Dear Friends and Members of WESPAC,If concrete steps toward a peace deal aren’t taken before the midterm election, we risk the war against Iran spiraling into a permanent, multi-trillion-dollar quagmire.The administration has burned an estimated $2 billion a week on this conflict. These are funds that could build 4,000 new homes every single week or fix our failing roads and hospitals. Instead, our taxpayer dollars are being wasted on a war that a growing number of Americans do not want.We need decisive congressional action before the election.On Tuesday, October 20th, two weeks before the election, join a nationwide coalition to gather at U.S. House and Senate district offices, arriving 30 minutes before doors open to speak directly with lawmakers and their staff as they arrive for the day.Will you join our nationwide call to Congress outside your lawmaker’s office on October 20th to end the war against Iran?WESPAC will be outside of Congressmember George Latimer’s office located at 222 Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains.👉 RSVP and let us know if you’ll be outside your local congressional office.Check out the Action Kit with resources including social media posts, a customizable flyer, and a rally check list to make it easier to organize a rally! Comment endMore information about the nationwide Day of Action can be found here, including a growing list of rallies that are being planned around the country.In solidarity,Nada ...
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Dear WESPAC Members, Friends, and Supporters,In these extraordinarily challenging times, strong and independent community organizations are more important than ever. We invite you to renew your WESPAC membership—or to become a member for the first time—and help sustain our shared work for justice, peace, and meaningful social change.As we celebrate WESPAC’s 52nd anniversary, we remain inspired by our rich history and deeply grateful for the community that has sustained us. WESPAC continues to serve a unique and essential role as a hub for progressive organizing in Westchester County and throughout the Lower Hudson Valley. You can donate at wespac.org/donate ...
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