October 19, 2023
ICYMI: Congresswoman Bush Urges Immediate Ceasefire in Israel and Occupied Palestine
WATCH: Bush urges colleagues to “stand on the side of humanity”
Washington, D.C. (Oct. 19, 2023) — On Monday, October 16, 2023, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) delivered remarks after announcing the introduction of the Ceasefire Now Resolution, a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, and to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza. Congresswoman Bush was joined by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), André Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).
In her remarks, in addition to outlining her grief and sorrow about the lives that have already been lost and altered forever, Congresswoman Bush affirmed her commitment to humanity: “I want to affirm my strong belief that all human life is equally precious. A belief that above all else we must save lives; we must lead with love and solidarity; we must fight against violence and human suffering.”
Congresswoman Bush drew on her experiences as a pastor, an activist in the movement to save Black lives and as a Congresswoman, though she explained that people don’t need to have a particular background to understand the necessity and morality of a ceasefire. “You don’t have to be a pastor, or an activist, or a Congressperson, to understand the value of human life. You only need to be willing to choose the tougher course of love and peace over the easier path of hatred and violence. You must allow yourself to be consistent in your love and respect for humanity. You must not let yourself turn a blind eye to the mass murder of Palestinians, even as we strongly condemn Hamas for its appalling attack against Israelis last weekend. Together, we must work to end the violence in the short and long term.”
Congresswoman Bush concluded her remarks by calling on her colleagues to support a ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, expressing: “To my colleagues in Congress, I urge you to choose humanity. Choose peace. Choose love. Choose courage. Join this resolution now.”
Read, as prepared for delivery, Congresswoman Bush’s remarks HERE or watch her remarks HERE.
Watch the full press call HERE. Congresswoman Bush was joined by Congresswoman Tlaib, Congresswoman Pressley, Hussam Ayloush (Executive Director of CAIR California), Beth Miller (Political Director, Jewish Voice for Peace Action), Sandra Tamari (Executive Director, Adalah Justice Project), Rev. Frederick Haynes (Rainbow Push Coalition) and Emily Mayer (Co-Founder & Board President, IfNotNow).
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