MPAC Launches #ISpeakOutBecause Campaign

August 7, 2014


Today, MPAC launched a social media campaign called “#ISpeakOutBecause” to provide a platform for people of conscience to speak out for human rights. Speaking out in response to escalating violence and extremism taking place in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Myanmar, Nigeria and beyond is a critical step to spreading awareness and creating change.

SEE: “I Speak Out Because” Website

ALSO SEE: “#ISpeakOutBecause” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

In recent weeks, many public figures have spoken out against the ongoing injustices in Gaza, only to face sharp criticism and pressure to retract their statements. Intimidation has led many people to practice self-censorship on topics deemed taboo out of fear of ramifications. When we are intimidated into censoring ourselves, our right to free speech is threatened.

“Palestine is a dirty word in Washington and criticizing Israel's policies toward Palestinians is a political taboo,” MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati wrote in his recent op-ed, "President Obama’s Ramadan Slap at Muslims," published in CNN’s Belief Blog.

“Now more than ever, we must raise our voices collectively to speak up for human rights and freedom for all people facing violence and extremism,” said MPAC Hollywood Liaison Deana Nassar. “For decades, citizens of Middle Eastern countries have been silenced and threatened with persecution for speaking out against the dictators that ruled them. Today, those who speak out against violent extremism committed by nations or by extremist groups face backlash. It’s time to speak out with one voice.”

Intimidation and censorship have become our reality, but we can change that. Now is the time to speak out, so please join us in this campaign to raise our voices.

Here's how you can participate:

  1. Write “#ISpeakOutBecause” on a sheet of paper and complete it with your reason for speaking out against injustice.
  2. Snap a picture of yourself holding the sign.
  3. Post it on your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtag #ISpeakOutBecause.
  4. Tag your friends in your post and encourage them to join the campaign.



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