[Actress Susan Sarandon, center, stands with activists from the group CodePink outside the offices of Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., as they advocate for Gaza on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Susan Sarandon and CODEPINK Demand Ceasefire: How Much Longer Will AIPAC's Influence Reign?
“We have to change the narrative. We may not have as much money as AIPAC but we have more people.” Susan Sarandon
WASHINGTON, DC - Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, along with over a hundred peace activists, flooded the halls of Congress on Thursday, igniting a fiery call for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The action was a part of CODEPINK’s Congressional Days of Actions for Palestine.
Hailing from New York, Sarandon had sought meetings with key representatives, including Rep. Torres and Rep. Jeffries, prior to the event. Despite overwhelming public support for peace, both representatives opt to ignore their constituents' voices, and instead prioritize the interests of pro-Israel groups who have poured over a million dollars into their coffers.
Both Rep. Jeffries and Rep Torres denied requests for a meeting. Sarandon said they don’t want to have a conversation, mentioning that the over one million dollars they received from AIPAC donors makes it very difficult for them to listen to their constituents.
"The bulk of the United States wants a ceasefire,” she explained. "There's never been a peace that's been obtained through violence. We have to have a permanent ceasefire."
Undeterred by the stonewalling, Sarandon and fellow peace activists marched through the corridors of power, confronting lawmakers who callously continue to fund the atrocities unfolding in Palestine, disregarding the will of the American public.
Yet amidst the disdain, there were beacons of hope. Representatives like Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush, who have bravely championed the cause for peace, stood as symbols of integrity in the face of adversity.
With Israel's aggression escalating, evidenced by the recent massacre in Rafah, Sarandon and the rest of the world want to know: How much longer will these AIPAC-backed representatives dance to the tune of special interests, forsaking the lives of innocents for blood money?
"Our elected officials have turned a deaf ear to the cries of the people," CODEPINK’S Jodie Evans declared. "Their wallets may be fat with AIPAC cash, but their moral bankruptcy is on full display."
As the death toll rises and the violence intensifies, Sarandon and CODEPINK demand answers. How much longer will the world tolerate the daily massacre of the whole population? How much longer will a million dollars buy silence in the face of genocide?
For more information or media requests, please contact Melissa at [email protected]
Videos from the action will be available here!
Photos from the action will be available here!
