We at ioby, like many in our communities, have felt helpless, angry and sickened by the recent violence in Palestine and Israel. This crisis is many miles from the neighborhoods where ioby works, and yet it has felt close to home for so many of us. 

Some of our neighbors have lost loved ones, or have lost sleep waiting to hear from those they care about. Our neighborhoods across the country have seen a spike in hate speech and violence against our Arab, Muslim, Palestinian and Jewish neighbors. Some have felt fearful for their safety, because their identities put them at risk of being targeted by hate in their own neighborhoods. And for many, the images of endless war, cruelty and oppression are as familiar as they are traumatic.

As ioby works towards being an anti-racist organization, we work intentionally with BIPOC and immigrant communities fighting for their own liberation and self-determination, understanding that their liberation is bound with ours.

We stand against racism and white supremacy in all its forms, and we call for an end to the violence against – and oppression of – the Palestinian people as an extension of these values. We see the oppression of the Palestinian people as deeply linked to the ongoing, systemic oppression of Black and Brown people within our own communities in the US. And we see this violence as inextricably connected to the violence and hate directed toward our Black, Indigenous, Muslim, Arab, Asian/Pacific lslander, Latinx, Immigrant and Jewish neighbors. 

The killing, silencing, intimidating and disempowering of any group of people is never a solution, and war and ongoing violence is never justice. In this moment, we choose to look to leaders who are working for peace, liberation, self-determination, healing, and cross-cultural understanding in their own communities.

Alongside our community, ioby will continue to work towards the world we want: a world where all our neighbors – down the block and around the world – can be free from fear, oppression, and violence. We invite you to join us in this work.

 

Projects led by our Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Jewish neighbors for peace, liberation, self-determination and cross-cultural understanding

The Refugee Translation Project provides free professional translation support to refugees seeking asylum in the New York metro area.

Plaza Power supports arts and culture programming for immigrant youth and communities in a neighborhood plaza in Kensington, Brooklyn.

The Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative is creating a physical space for racial justice education and training in Detroit.

Feminist Islamic Troublemakers of North America or FITNA is an online collaborative space for Muslim feminists and allies. 

QDEP supports trans and queer folks from Muslim countries who have come to the US seeking refuge and to be able to be their full selves without fear of violence.

Khūrākī is a celebration of Afghan food, music, and culture in Pittsburgh, co-created by RealTime and a group of Afghan refugee women.

The Pakistan Cultural Garden is the newest addition to Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens, a beloved cultural institution centering peace and learning.

Drastic Action explores the immigrant experience through site-specific dance and free dance classes in New York City.

Repair the World and Homewood Circles offer hot meals to low-income participants of Homewood Circles’ leadership training program in Pittsburgh. 

Preoccupations: Palestinian Landscapes is an exhibition of contemporary Palestinian landscape art at the Holding House Gallery in Detroit.

The Immigrant Family Legal Fund helps provide legal assistance to immigrant families impacted by ICE arrests and detentions.

The Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh unites young people from different cultures and geographic areas through the arts. 

The All for All Immigrant and Refugee Artisan Booth increases access to entrepreneurship opportunities for immigrant and refugee artisans in the Pittsburgh area.

The National Somali Bantu Festival brings Somali Bantus from all over the United States to join those living in Pittsburgh to celebrate food, soccer, dance, and share their vision of vibrant and welcoming community.
Digital Storytelling: Building Bridges helps African immigrant teens in Pittsburgh create personal digital stories which empower, teach and build empathy and bonds of friendship.