We Stand with Ilhan Omar - Poster of the Week
I Stand with Ilhan
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)
Digital print, 2019
United States
87479
U.S. House Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-D) has been subject to some of the most egregiously bigoted campaigns a sitting congressperson has had to endure. A Somali-American immigrant, refugee, and Muslim woman, Omar has been physically and verbally attacked multiple times since she assumed office in 2019.
In 2019 alone, Neo-Nazis and Islamophobes plotted to assassinate her. Two Republican congressional candidates called for her execution. Trump told her to “go back” to where she came from and falsely claimed that she had praised al-Qaeda and used the term “evil Jews.” In reaction to Trump’s remarks, #IStandWithIlhanOmar trended on social media in the U.S. and across the world—resulting in the creation of this JVP poster.
Earlier this week, agents of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit conducted a search at Omar’s Washington, D.C. home. Omar has been a U.S. citizen since 2000, and Trump’s administration is attempting to denaturalize and deport her. In this recent contemptible act of political intimidation, the administration is investigating Omar for immigration fraud, with some rightwing pundits absurdly claiming she married her brother. Trump has repeatedly abused the power of the justice system and federal agencies to attack his political adversaries and reward criminals who do his bidding. With less than 30 days to the midterm elections, this pathetic attempt at undermining a vocal opponent is as transparently corrupt as it gets.
Omar has been through more hardships than most Americans can imagine. She survived years of civil war and refugee camps as a child and in the past ten years received more death threats and assassination attempts than any congressperson on record. Despite the constant onslaught of hate and danger, she has refused to cower or mute her voice. She is the epitome of bravery and integrity. We could use more Ilhan Omars in this world.
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