Continuing support for cultural workers impacted by the war in Palestine

The Arts Union’s Points of Unity guide our work and clearly states: “We are fighting against all intersected forms of oppression: settler colonialism, whiteness, capitalism, patriarchy, cis-heteronormativity, sexism, ableism, ageism, xenophobia, neurotypicality, and environmental racism. We believe that land restitution, reparations for the descendants of slavery and the abolition of capitalism are imperative to our collective survival.”

We unequivocally support Palestinian liberation. We are heartbroken by the massacre and abduction of Israelis on October 7, 2023, the ongoing, incessant bombing of Gaza by Israel which has killed more than 10,000 Palestinians, and the forced displacement of more than 1.1 million Palestinians as demanded by Israel. What we are witnessing is catastrophic and a continuation of the Nakba, ongoing for the past 75 years. We call for an immediate ceasefire, the urgent and uninhibited passage of relief and aid for the citizens of Gaza, the safe return of hostages held by Hamas, an unconditional release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held without charge or trial in Israeli jails (including 147 children), and an end to the occupation of Palestine.

We reiterate our emergency statement from October 17: the Arts Union has been made aware of the silencing of artists, academics, students and others in our communities across the U.S. and around the world. We are following these events, and are aware that signatories of the Artforum letter of October 19, 2023 have received severe backlash, including death threats, intimidation, withholding of funds and opportunities, cancellation of events and exhibitions, and family rifts that may be irreparable. We are aware of the Penske media boycott that some of us have signed. Some of us are also supporters of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. We understand that there is a continuum of risk that artists, academics, and cultural workers can take, and we encourage you to show your support for human rights, free speech, editorial independence, and artistic expression when and where you can. We have started to assemble resourcesthat we will continue to update regularly.

We are here to support anyone who is experiencing backlash or being impacted by the ongoing war being waged in Palestine. If you need support, want to connect with others, or want to share any incidents of discrimination, please contact us by email artsinsolidarity@gmail.com or on Instagram @artsunionorg. We will be available in the coming weeks and months to speak with you.

-The Arts Union