Week in Review

5/31/26

May 31, 2026

Urgent health update: Consequences of war on Gaza, the West Bank/East Jerusalem, and Lebanon - May 23, 2026

Three Spokane, WA community members face federal trial, seeking to criminalize nonviolent protest. They are Bajun Mavalwalla II, a US Army veteran; Jac Archer, Co-Executive Director of Spokane Community Against Racism and former PJALS Community Organizer, and Justice Forral, Spokane Human Rights Commissioner.

Last week, several federal and local law enforcement officers were called to testify, and Range media uncovered a racist social media account linked to one ICE officer. Body cam footage revealed that ICE intended to inflict harm on the protesters and press. Sign up for the SCAR weekly newsletter here.

I support Jac, Justice, and Bajun and our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech! I will always speak out for my immigrant neighbors, working families, and for a future rooted in freedom and solidarity - and oppose Trump’s aggressive, illegal attacks on protestors.

The Pleasure of Cruelty: We Are all Palestinians Now

Since October 7th, 2023, Israeli soldiers and civilians have posted videos documenting heinous crimes: murder and torture of incapacitated, disabled and blindfolded Palestinian detainees, murder of journalists and medical personnel, use of dogs as tools of abuse, destruction of civilian infrastructure, desecration of cemeteries and mockery of Muslim and Christian clerics and sacred sites, particularly in Jerusalem, Gaza and Lebanon.

And now we see the same kinds of dehumanizing behavior toward Gaza flotilla activists.

Zochrot program “Envisioning Return Amid Genocide”

a conversation with Angela Davis and Rashid Khalidi

Two points of note:

1. The support for Palestinian Liberation is at an all-time high around the world, but steps must be taken to take advantage of this moment.

2. These folks are making concrete and possibly practical proposals to push the conversation of return and de-colonization further along. Such a conversation intersects with a discussion of the BDS Movement.

Elliott Bay Books: Great book talk with Carolyn McConnell and her new book, Motherhood Discounted-smart analysis, personal, a needed conversation for these times. So excited that she and I are working together on a book exploring the history of the Seattle homebirth movement. Stay tuned!