On Sunday, January 28th, 2024, Nancy Pelosi claimed that activists supporting Palestine might be connected to Russia and, more specifically, financed by Putin. Besides being baseless in any sort of truth, and having zero evidence, her statement is harmful and potentially dangerous to activists. It also sends the message that Americans might be punished or probed by the FBI if they take a stand that their elected officials do not agree with. 

Pelosi stated, "...for them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message ... Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, and organic and sincere ... Some, I think, are connected to Russia and I say that having looked at this for a long time." Frighteningly, she has suggested that the FBI should investigate.  "I think some financing should be investigated," she stated. "And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.”

Nihad Awad, CAIR National Executive Director, replied by saying: "Rep. Pelosi’s claim that some of the Americans protesting for a Gaza ceasefire are working with Vladmir Putin sounds delusional and her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian."

The majority of pro-Palestinian activists are (or were) Democrats, which further complicates Pelosi's accusation, as she is, herself, a Democrat. 

It is imperative to demand an apology now, for our own safety and for the freedom of Americans to march, demonstrate, and protest injustice without being accused of collusion. This is AMERICA. We are supposed to be able to march without fearing that OUR OWN, ELECTED OFFICIALS will smear us with lies and FBI investigations, which could impact our personal lives, our jobs, our reputations, our friendships, and our activism itself.

For our safety, and in the name of American freedoms, WE DEMAND AN APOLOGY NOW.