A Mother’s Wish
A wish for peace, a wish for freedom, justice, equality and safety for all of our children and families. The events that occurred on October 7th and since have been nothing short of devastating and horrific. We have witnessed atrocities that have left us grief-ridden, shocked, enraged, disappointed and heartbroken.
LUNA Birth & Wellness has always taken and will always take a stand against oppression, racism, violence in all its forms. My life’s work has always centered children and families, decades committed to nonprofit causes, academia and for the last 8 years, birth and postpartum work. Although always an ally at heart, in light of the humanitarian crisis happening in Palestine, I have felt a responsibility to make a statement about who and what I stand for.
As a mother and a birthworker, I stand in solidarity with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, indigenous Palestinians, and anti-Zionist Jewish communities.
As a mother and a birthworker, I denounce all systems of oppression, hateful and racist statements, and violence towards people based on race, religion, natural origin, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression.
As a mother and a birthworker, I mourn for the parents who have lost their children beneath the rubble, the orphaned babies who have survived, and all families who have been forcibly separated from their loved ones and being held against their will.
As a mother and a birthworker, I urge individuals, families, birthworkers, educators, community members, local politicians and world leaders who share a collective dream of peace, freedom, equality and safety for our future generations, to call for an immediate, full stop of aid and arms to Israel and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Here are some ways to take action:
Take a few minutes today to call your representative and President Biden. Demand a ceasefire and immediate stop in spending American taxpayers money to fund weapons to Israel. Then, send them an email.
Help bring awareness to what’s happening. Take part in protests: marches, rallies, and vigils are a powerful way to publicly demonstrate solidarity with Gaza. To make your message loud and clear, download and print free posters for Palestine. Jewish Voices for Peace and East Bay Families for Ceasefire are two local groups that organize regular events.
Donate to the Palestinian Feminist Collective, partnering with Middle East Children’s Alliance to send emergency aid to families in Gaza.
Learn more about Gaza and lift up Palestinian voices.
Hold corporations accountable for their role in violating the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.
Create safe spaces for mutually respectful discussions.
We all share the same love for our children, the pain and heartache we experience is the same.
Peace will never ever be achieved through hate or violence.
~in solidarity with mothers around the world,
Lenore
“Let us find the courage to speak the words that must be spoken. Let our words kindle sparks of possibility, and may they inspire us all to create the world we know is possible.” ~ Rabbi Brant Rosen
