This week, Executive Director Michael McPhearson attended the Presbyterian Church's General Assembly that was based in St. Louis. He testified on one of a number of resolutions the church was hearing in regards to Palestine. Check out the video!
Here is his testimony:
My name is Michael McPhearson. I am a veteran and anti-war activist, and I urge you to vote in favor of this overture to help protect our right to boycott for Palestinian rights.
Americans have effectively used boycotts as a nonviolent tactic for change from the American Revolution to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Boycotts are constitutionally-protected free speech, as well as a basic right to decide how to spend your own money. Those rights are being threatened in an attempt to make an exception for Israel.
The Palestinian call for boycotts is a nonviolent response to the extreme violence of Israel's occupation. It asks us to end our complicity in an oppressive system.
As a veteran against war, I know people must have the right to speak and act in accordance with their conscience. President Kennedy wisely told us, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
This attempt to suppress dissent and speech if successful sets us on a road towards more violence. Vote for peace. Please vote in favor of 12-01. Thank you.
For more background on church divestment issues, check out this great summary from US Campaign for Palestinian Rights:
For years, through leadership from the Israel Palestine Mission Network, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has taken bold stands on boycotts, divestment, sanctions, water justice, Israel’s apartheid wall, protection of children, administrative detention, collective punishment, torture, home demolitions, and more. At every General Assembly, the Presbyterians take it to the next level. This year is no exception. This year's GA in St. Louis will be considering resolutions that include:
1. Affirming the right to boycott by opposing federal and state anti-BDS legislation
2. Equality for all citizens of Israel, including Palestinian citizens of Israel
3. Urging boycott target RE/MAX to stop facilitating the property sales in illegal settlements
4. Responding to the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine call urging the World Council of Churches to “recognize Israel as an apartheid state,” to refuse Christian complicity in Israeli oppression, and to defend and intensify BDS campaigns.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a perfect example of how civil society is pushing back against draconian repression of Palestinian rights activism, and pushing forward a frame of freedom, justice, and equality for all Palestinians, with no exceptions. With each new vote and breakthrough in discourse at assemblies like this, we can see the needle move closer and closer to a free Palestine.