Saturday, October 8th, Dr. Hatem Bazian headlined a half-day at AMP SoCal Conference and gala dinner in Southern California. Hosted by American Muslims for Palestine called Palestine: Action Towards Liberation. Alongside other pioneers of the Palestine movement in America. Like Taher Herzallah and Osama Abuirshaid, he spoke on the progression of the Palestine movement in the U.S. and internationally. This event was co-facilitated by the Palestine Youth Movement. Dr. Hatem Bazian is a renowned leading Palestinian advocate on the West Coast and spoke on the different actions. As well as campaigns toward liberation at a local and national level.
AMP SoCal Conference Coming to Southern California
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) stated regarding the event. “Our last major conference in Southern California was in the winter of 2013… A lot can change in 9 years—Palestine advocacy organizations with an office in the nation’s capital. With your support, AMP’s grassroots education and advocacy work now reach[es] nearly every major city in the US. More Palestinians and Muslims are outspoken and bringing Palestine to the halls of power than ever before. Expanding our work to Southern California is a crucial part of our strategy. All to bring more community members into Palestine advocacy work nationally.”
These events gather community members, families, youth, activists, and community leaders to reflect on the growth of their collective work. They allow collaboration, networking, development, and connection among people with similar interests. When speakers reflect on the job, campaigns, and grassroots organizing initiatives they’ve led over the years. Their contribution to the Palestine advocacy movement inspires youth seeking direction to start this work.
Dr. Hatem Bazian’s Role in Founding Pro-Palestine Organizations in America
Dr. Hatem Bazian is also a co-founder of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). AMP is an organization that works to educate the American public about justice in Palestine from within the American policy context and under human rights and international and American law. Since its founding in 2014, this organization has experienced exponential growth in size, chapters, and impact.
Dr. Hatem Bazian is considered a pioneer of the Palestine movement in America. He is a co-founder of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the leading organization on college campuses across America that organize and mobilize students to advocate for Palestine.
The National Students for Justice in Palestine page defines the group’s purpose as seeking to empower, unify, and support student organizers as they push forward demands for Palestinian liberation and self-determination on their campuses, building on the legacy and impact of the student movement in occupied Turtle Island (U.S. and Canada).
The Emergence of the Student Movement for Palestinian Liberation in North America
The student movement for the liberation of Palestine began in the 1950s through the formation of the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS). From the U.S. to Palestine, GUPS chapters galvanized thousands of students toward a liberated Palestine. The 90s wave of corrupt politicians and faulty deals changed the liberation movement as we knew it, and many institutions, including the student movement, collapsed.
Without a Palestinian student movement, organizations such as SJP emerged across occupied Turturle Island (U.S. and Canada) to educate, advocate, and mobilize in support of Palestinian liberation.
Nearly two decades after the formation of the first SJP, the movement for Palestine has taken colleges and universities across North America by storm. With over 200 campus Palestine solidarity organizations across the continent, students have been leaders in uplifting demands for freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people.”
