FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2020
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | sonya@jvp.org | 929-290-0317
New York City, NY: Jewish Voice for Peace Action (JVPA) is proud to endorse Samelys López for Congress! A longtime community organizer in the Bronx and endorsed by a wide slate of progressive leaders including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Tiffany Caban and more, López’s track record proves her commitment to progressive values – convictions she’ll honor when representing New York’s 15th congressional district
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the South Bronx by her Dominican mother, Samelys has experienced firsthand the systemic injustices targeting communities in the Bronx. She is a long-time community organizer and activist, setting her apart from the other candidates running in the crowded NY-15 race. Samelys López is fighting for a working-class revolution that centers families, domestic workers, self-determination, and an end to mass incarceration and political cronyism.
Samelys López: “I am proud to join Jewish Voice for Peace Action on the path towards justice, equality, and dignity for all Palestinians and Israelis. We will always stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism and bigotry. Let’s amplify their struggles and triumphs, and stand in solidarity against antisemitism and bigotry because a harm to one of us is a harm to us all.”
Samelys is committed to housing as a universal human right, passing a Green New Deal for a sustainable future, Medicare for All, and to a foreign policy that centers dignity and freedom, including leveraging U.S. funding to countries that are committing human rights violations. “As a member of Congress, I will fight against all federal attacks on peaceful non-violent movements supported by the international community like BDS, condition funding to Israel on not being used for the detention and abuse of Palestinian children, and push for the recognition of Palestinian human rights. Oppressed people have the right to use free speech to organize for their human dignity. I stand against colonization and human rights abuses in every continent and will fight for liberation from occupation for all people.”
Stefanie Fox, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action: “Samelys López is such an inspiring community organizer – and she’ll make an ever better Congresswoman. She’s exactly the sort of candidate JVP Action loves to endorse. We’re proud to be building a Congress of progressive Democrats who are working to build a world that centers people, justice, and freedom.”
Local JVPA leader Noah Habeeb: “Samelys is a fantastic candidate, and I’m really looking forward to supporting her campaign! I know that she’ll bring the same passion and dedication to her work in Congress that she has shown for years working on the ground with local communities here. With Samelys, I know I’m supporting a candidate who fights for the rights of everyone – and will stand with us against all forms of white nationalism and racism.”
Beth Miller, Government Affairs Manager at Jewish Voice for Peace Action: “Samelys is running to represent NY-15 because she knows that communities in the Bronx deserve more. She’s a dedicated organizer and activist who will fight for the equality and freedom of all people – no exceptions. This is the kind of voice that we need in Congress, and JVP Action is proud to join the chorus of progressive champions endorsing her campaign.”
JVP Action staff and local leaders are available to speak with the media
JVP Action is an independent, non-partisan, 501(c)(4) organization formed as the political and advocacy arm of Jewish Voice for Peace. JVP Action is building a multiracial, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies to transform U.S. policy towards justice in Israel/Palestine.
Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 500,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.