Statement of Support for Rima Barakat Sinclair

Citizens of Israel and Human Rights Advocates from throughout the world,
Condemn the Recent Religious and Ethnic Attacks Targeting a Colorado State House Candidate.

Rima, an American with Palestinian ethnic background, was selected to run for the Colorado State House seat. In Colorado, she's known for her interfaith participation to bring about better understanding among members of the Abrahamic faiths. She is an advocate for a just and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has spoken against targeting civilians.

Soon after Rima's nomination to run for office, Christian right and Jewish extremists have launched a character assassination campaign against her. She has been called "a Palestinian cockroach", "a terror apologist" and worse. The silence of religious moderates and secular organizations has magnified the influence of this small group.


We deplore such bigoted statements against individuals on the basis of their faith or ethnicity, be they Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or members of other faiths. We stand in opposition to those who advocate intolerance. We condemn those individuals who insist on perpetuating destructive stereotypes that aim to divide the communities and create suspicion and hate among members of different faiths and races.

Holding to our democratic ideals and our human rights values, we believe it is imperative that faith and political leaders, in Colorado and elsewhere, send a strong message of rejection to those voices of extremism. Understanding and respecting our diversity is key to building bridges and working together peacefully for a better future.

We call on people to join us by signing this petition denouncing personal attacks and character defamation based on racial and religious prejudice.

(this petition was created initially by Elana Wesley and over 80 signatures collected separately. If you sent Elana your signature before and do not see it here, please go ahead and sign.)