Cori Bush

Cori Bush profile photo at Conscious Campus

Cori Bush wearing an Assata Shakur shirt

Cori Bush is married to Cortney Merritts. Her parents are Errol Bush and Barbara Blakney.

Background

Cori Bush is running to represent Missouri’s 1st congressional district. She is one of several prominent "Ferguson and St. Louis street-activists" to run for various political office, in addition to Rasheen Aldridge and Bruce Franks, Jr..

She was a 2016 Democratic candidate who sought election to the U.S. Senate from Missouri. Bush was defeated by Jason Kander in the Democratic primary.

She is Pastor of Kingdom Embassy International, which she started in 2011.

According to her biography at Conscious Campus, "Cori has been on the frontlines of the Ferguson movement as a protester, as clergy, as a medic and as a victim of police assault on the day of the announcement not to indict Darren Wilson."

Pastor Cori Bush was "the daughter of her politician father and a computer analyst mother. Cori is the proud parent of two amazing teenagers and the sibling of two."

Cori Bush was introduced to activism by her father, according to an article at the Toledo Blade:

"Social action is in Pastor Bush’s genes. Her father was a politician, and'early in his career it was all about social justice, so he taught us that,' Pastor Bush said. 'He took us around. We did all the marches, all the boycotts, but I did it because my father made me.'

Mobilize Missouri quoted Cori Bush as saying: "Growing up, my dad was involved in politics. I learned from him and the seeds were sown young."

A native St. Louisan, solely educated at local St. Louis schools and universities, Cori is a single parent, a registered nurse, an ordained pastor, an activist, and a community organizer. Her work crosses cultural, ethnic, gender, and religious lines. As co-director of The Truth Telling Project, Cori travels the country highlighting the voices of the voiceless bringing light to their stories. She's an international presenter on nonviolent conflict and has worked as a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with the King Center.

Through her activism, Ms. Bush was honored as a recipient of the 2015 “Woman of Courage” Award from the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, the 2016 Delux Magazine “Power 100” Award, named one of the ‘Top 50 Women of St. Louis” by Gazelle Magazine, and honored as an “Unsung Human Rights Shero” by the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights in 2017. She also received the 2018 “Community Activist” award from the Missouri Association of Black Ministers.

Cori emerged as a community leader through her work on the front lines of the Ferguson movement as a protester, as clergy, as a medic, and as a victim of police assault. Her work extends into the areas of mental health and sexual assault with efforts to co-found an emergency shelter for the unhoused community. Seeing firsthand the need for proper representation and better legislation for all, Cori ran a groundbreaking campaign for the U.S. Senate in Missouri in 2016, mobilizing thousands to engage in the political process, inspiring many to run for elected office. In 2017, she was elected the first vice-chairperson of the of the Missouri Democratic Party Progressive Caucus and was an organizer on the front lines of the St. Louis protests known as ‘Expect Us.’

Education

Pastor Cori Bush attended Harris-Stowe University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the Lutheran School of Nursing.

Biography

Cori Bush was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She is an ordained pastor and a registered nurse who supervises "nursing services for several mental health facilities in St. Louis city that serve the homeless, underserved, underinsured and uninsured."

From her bio at Mobilize Missouri:

"Born and raised in the St. Louis Missouri area, Cori is an ordained pastor, an activist & organizer with Ferguson Frontline, co-director of the Truth Telling Project (with David Ragland), an international presenter on nonviolent conflict, and a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with The King Center, and a part of Ferguson’s Women’s Caucus. She is an organizer with Michael Brown Sr.’s Chosen for Change Foundation and is the host of her own internet radio show titled ‘ground.ed’ on BlogTalkRadio produced by Tribe Family Channel and Gumbo for the Soul. Cori is also in the process of forming the new Ferguson/ St. Louis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), to help ensure that the Kingian philosophy on nonviolence is ever present in the St. Louis area."

Cori Bush is an activist and organizer with numerous organizations in the St. Louis area. She received a 2015 Woman of Courage award from the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation."

Cori Bush (right)

She is "a mother of two, a nurse, co-Director of the Ferguson Truth Telling Project...",

Working Families Party

In 2024 Cori Bush was the Working Families Party endorsed candidate for U.S. House, District 1 Missouri.

Waleed Shahid

For six years, Waleed Shahid was the spokesperson for Justice Democrats, which is known for helping launch the Green New Deal campaign and recruiting and electing working-class progressives like US Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee.

Justice Democrats Support

screenshot from Justice Democrats email

On January 27, 2024, Alexandra Rojas from Justice Democrats sent a mass email promoting Cori Bush's reelection campaign.

Excerpt:

"As someone who’s been unhoused, Cori knows the trauma and violence of being housing insecure and it informs her policy-making. She led a direct action on the U.S. Capitol steps to push for the reinstatement of the federal eviction moratorium in 2021, helping protect 11 million people from being forced out on the streets during the height of the COVID pandemic. The combination of the eviction moratorium and emergency rental assistance programs decreased evictions by 60%. And that’s because of Cori and our movement’s commitment to saving lives.

Cori’s been working to dismantle white supremacy long before she was first elected. As a Congresswoman, she’s taken on our broken criminal legal system which has disproportionately harmed Black and brown communities. Cori has been paving the path for a better, more holistic approach to public safety for years. From introducing the People’s Response Act, visionary legislation to help end police brutality, and introducing the End Solitary Confinement Act to end the cruel and torturous practice of solitary confinement, Cori is leading the way for a better, safer future for everyone.

And of course, Cori unapologetically stands for peace and humanity. That's why since October of last year, Cori has been leading the Ceasefire Now resolution in Congress, a call to action to end the violence in Gaza that the vast majority of Democratic voters and countries around the world support. But Cori didn’t advocate for this because of its popularity; she fought for this because it’s the right thing to do. Our government and taxpayer dollars should not be supporting mass atrocities anywhere, including in Gaza or the West Bank.

But standing for Palestinian human rights has come at a cost: $100 million, to be exact. That’s the amount that AIPAC, a right-wing, pro-war super PAC funded by GOP billionaires is planning on spending against Cori and other Squad incumbents.

Resolution condemning socialism

February 2, 2023 House Republicans moved a Resolution condemning socialism and certain dictators.

The Resolution began:

Whereas socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships;

Whereas socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide;

Whereas many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues, including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Nicolás Maduro;

Eighty six Democrats voted no. Fourteen voted "present" and six didn't vote.

Representative Cori Bush voted "Nay".

Ceasefire Now Resolution

From an October 16, 2023 Cori Bush Press Release:,

Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2023) — Today, Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Andre Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03), alongside Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Nydia Velazquez (NY-07) announced a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.

“I am grieving for every Palestinian, Israeli, and American life lost to this violence, and my heart breaks for all those who will be forever traumatized because of it. War and retaliatory violence doesn’t achieve accountability or justice; it only leads to more death and human suffering,” said Congresswoman Bush. “Today I am introducing the Ceasefire Now Resolution, vital legislation that calls for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Occupied Palestine, and for humanitarian assistance to urgently be delivered to the 2.2 million people under siege and trapped in Gaza. The United States bears a unique responsibility to exhaust every diplomatic tool at our disposal to prevent mass atrocities and save lives. We can’t bomb our way to peace, equality, and freedom. With thousands of lives lost and millions more at stake, we need a ceasefire now.”

[...]

The Ceasefire Now Resolution is endorsed by 350.org, About Face: Veterans Against the War, Action Center on Race & the Economy, Adalah Justice Project, American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (AFRP), American Muslims for Palestine, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Arab American Institute, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Defense for Children International - Palestine, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Dream Defenders, EMGAGE Action, Freedom Forward, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Highlander Research and Education Center, Hindus for Human Rights, IfNotNow, Institute for Middle Eastern Understanding, Institute for Policy Studies New Internationalism Project, The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Just Foreign Policy, MADRE, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Movement Law Lab, MPower Change Action Fund, Pax Christi USA, Peace Action, Progressive Jews of St. Louis, Project48, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, ReThinking Foreign Policy, RootsAction.org, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team, Transgender Law Center, United Church of Christ, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), US Council for Muslim Organizations, Women Cross DMZ, and Working Families Party.

Endorsement Quotes

Endorsement quotes came from Brittany Ramos DeBarros, Army Combat Veteran and Member of About Face: Veterans Against the War, Sandra Tamari, Executive Director, Adalah Justice Project, Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, Executive Director American Muslims for Palestine, Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Mike Merryman-Lotze, Just Peace Global Policy Director, Ayah Ziyadeh, Advocacy Director Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Maya Berry, Executive Director, Arab American Institute, Nihad Awad, National Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Rachel Gilmer, Dream Defenders, Wa'el Alzayat, CEO, Emgage Action, Sunjeev Bery, Executive Director, Freedom Forward, Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director, Hindus for Human Rights, Stefanie Fox, Executive Director, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Erik Sperling, Executive Director, Just Foreign Policy, Yasmine Taeb, Legislative and Political Director at MPower Change Action Fund, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director, Peace Action, Hannah Rosenthal, Organizer for Progressive Jews of St. Louis, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, President & CEO Rainbow Push Coalition, Mitchell Plitnick, President, ReThinking Foreign Policy, Jeff Cohen, cofounder of RootsAction.org, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Iman Abid, Director of Advocacy, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Natalia Salgado, Director of Federal Affairs, Working Families Party.

No to China committee

Sixty-five Democrats in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday January 10, 2022, against creating a committee to investigate China and find ways to counter the communist country’s growing international influence.

The House overwhelmingly voted to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on a 365 to 65 margin, in one of the first votes since the Republicans took control of the chamber.

However, even though some members did not vote, all 65 lawmakers who voted against the committee’s creation were Democrats, including Cori Bush.

Korea Peace champion

CPC Deputy Whips

2021 Congressional Progressive Caucus Deputy Whips: Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush (MO-01).

Campaign Manager

Isra Allison is Cori Bush's 2020 campaign manager.

"Fact-Finding Mission" to Central America

April 1, 2022 Members of the U.S. Congress– Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) – as well as representation from the office of Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), joined U.S.-based solidarity organizations, including Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective, SOA Watch, the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, and the Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program, for a fact-finding mission to Central America. Upon return, the Congressional representatives issued a joint statement, saying:

“We traveled to Central America to investigate the root causes of migration from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, and the U.S.’ role in those causes. What we found is a resilient region where corporate interests, international development institutions, and the U.S. government have played a profoundly destabilizing role.

“In Honduras, we witnessed cautious optimism as newly elected President Castro and her administration work to uproot corruption and defend human rights. In Guatemala, however, we saw dangerous signs of regression toward authoritarian rule as civil society is persecuted and principled judges are forcibly removed from office. El Salvador is showing similarly worrisome trends. But the one constant we witnessed, no matter the political context, was the tireless work of organizers and dissidents defending Indigenous, environmental, and human rights.

“While we were overcome by people’s experiences of repression, criminalization, disenfranchisement, and persecution, we were also struck by the parallels between their struggles and those our own communities face. We return home determined and energized to advocate for a rights-based U.S. policy at home and abroad.”

While in Honduras:

The delegation met with Honduran President Xiomara Castro, members of her cabinet, and the President and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Honduran National Congress. The members of Congress visited the grave of internationally recognized Indigenous leader Berta Caceres, who was assassinated in 2016 for opposing a U.S.-backed hydroelectric project, and heard from her organization COPINH about the continued impunity enjoyed by the powerful actors ultimately responsible for her assassination. Three of those found guilty for Caceres’ murder to date received training at U.S. military institutions.

During a visit with the Fraternal Black Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH), three members of the Congressional Black Caucus made connections about the impacts of the war on drugs, militarization, and state violence in Black communities. Leaders from OFRANEH shared how the ancestral lands of the Garifuna people have been affected by agrofuel plantations and tourist projects. A delegation from the Moskito people, who were victims of the May 2012 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) killings in Ahuas, joined OFRANEH in sharing their experiences with the delegation.

During a visit to communities organizing to defend the Jilamito River from a hydroelectric project to be financed by IDB Invest, a multilateral development bank of which the U.S. is the largest shareholder, the delegation saw firsthand how international economic development financing can benefit local elites and international corporations rather than those who need it.

The Agrarian Platform shared their many years of struggle to defend cooperative land titles in the Bajo Aguan region from powerful agri-business actors backed by military and paramilitary forces, often with U.S. training. Guapinol River defenders shared about their struggle against the Los Pinares mining project in the Carlos Escaleras National Park and that the eight water defenders who were recently released after 914 days in prison have only been granted provisional freedom. Bertha Oliva of the Committee of the Relatives of the Detained - Disappeared of Honduras (COFADEH) shared about the struggle for justice for victims of human rights violations following the 2009 coup and during subsequent U.S.-backed regimes.

While in Guatemala:

The delegation met with representatives from the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR), Center for Legal Action on Human Rights (CALDH), and Association of Relatives of the Detained-Disappeared in Guatemala (FAMDEGUA). They shared about current legal cases for crimes against humanity committed by the U.S.-backed Guatemalan state in the 1980s, including the Ixil genocide case and the Military Diary case, which includes charges for enforced disapeareance, sexual violence and other crimes against humanity.

Judge Pablo Xitumul spoke with the delegation about attacks on judicial independence, only two days after being removed from his position by the Guatemalan Supreme Court of Justice. This removal is widely recognized as a blatant act of criminalization towards Judge Xitumul, who issued historic sentences in the Molina-Theissen transitional justice case and the “Magic Water” corruption case against former Guatemalan Vice-President Roxanna Baldetti. His removal was the latest in a pattern of attacks against independent judges and prosecutors.

Members of the Peaceful Resistance La Puya met with the delegation at their permanent protest camp, which they have maintained for ten years at the entrance to the Progresso VII Derivada mine, owned by Nevada-based mining company Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA). Local community members expressed their commitment to defend already scarce water resources from the devastating impacts of mining, and shared experiences of criminalization and police repression. They underscored the injustices of the arbitration suit that KCA has brought against the Guatemalan government for over US$400 million under the terms of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States.

The delegation was welcomed by a large turnout of thePeaceful Resistance of Santa Rosa, Jalapa, and Jutiapa at the permanent resistance camp erected in 2017 to halt mine-related traffic to the Escobal silver mine, owned by Canadian-U.S. company Pan American Silver. It held meetings with representatives of the Xinka Parliament of Guatemala and Diocesan Commission for the Defense of Nature (CODIDENA). Community members discussed how the mine was violently imposed on them, how this led to forced displacement of one community, and called for the court-ordered consultation process underway with the Xinka People to respect their self-determination and be free of pressure, coercion, intimidation and violence.

The delegation met with Maya and Xinka Ancestral Authorities from across Guatemala, as well as several Guatemalan Congresswomen, who shared analysis on Guatemalan history and current events, including an analysis of systemic corruption, impunity, and racism and how extractivism and privatization are root causes of forced migration.

Representatives of the Maya Achi communities affected by the Chixoy Dam met with the delegation to discuss the ongoing effects of the dam’s construction and their leadership on the issue of reparations for Indigenous communities. In the 1970s and 80s, multilateral development banks funded the construction of the Chixoy Dam, which resulted in brutal massacres and mass displacement of Maya Achi Indigenous communities.

The delegation also had the opportunity to learn about the current political crisis in El Salvador, including rising levels of political persecution, militarization, threats of privatization of public services, and the ongoing role of U.S. foreign policy in creating unstable conditions in the country.

Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter

December 16 2021 , House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY), House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy Chair Bobby Rush (D-IL) led 114 Members of Congress in a letter to President Biden asking him to prioritize the well-being of the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history...

In the wake of this year’s protests, the members urged the administration to support the Cuban people by suspending U.S. regulations that prevent food, medicine, remittances, and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Cuban people...

Signatories included Cori Bush.

The Fight For Our Future

With Cori Bush, Marie Newman, Rashida Tlaib, Ed Markey, Mike Siegel.

RSL visit

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung - New York Office June 22 2021.

Yesterday Gregor Gysi’s visit continued. First morning meetings in the United Nations then an afternoon expert round table in our office with Adrien Salazar of Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Kate Aronoff of The New Republic, and Saul Levin staffer for Cori Bush.

Yonasda Lonewolf Connection

YoNasDa Lonewolf with Cori Bush

Yonasda Lonewolf posted on Facebook:,

This is why we push our own into political positions if we wanna see a change. I am absolutely soooo proud of my sister in the movement @coribush she is now the 1st Black Congresswoman Cori Bush ✊🏾 she fought hard you can watch her story on @Netflix with Knock Down The House!! When I needed help when my friend Rumain Brisbon (Phoenix) was murdered by police in 2014 it was Cori that helped me. She helped me mobilize nationally to get the word out. She is such an amazing, loving person and she loves our people. I’m sooo proud of you sis!!"

Brand New Congress

In 2020 Cori Bush was a Brand New Congress endorsed candidate for US Congress in Missouri.

The Brand New Congress elected slate for 2022 was Katie Porter, Andy Levin, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman.

Leader of Anti-Police Protest in Sept 2017

Cori Bush was cited as an organizer of protests that turned violent in the St. Louis suburb of University City after a police officer was found innocent of murder after shooting a heroin dealer who engaged police in a high speed chase.

"The message is simple: stop killing us," Cori Bush, a social worker and activist who helped lead marchers early Saturday evening, told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Black folks say, stop killing us."

BLM

Cori Bush is a Black Lives Matter supporter.

African Americans for Bernie

In June 2016, Pastor Cori Bush was featured in a Facebook video at the African Americans for Bernie Facebook page.

Platform

"Supporting a living wage for all Americans and Equal Pay for women and minorities; Expanding Medicaid and reducing the costs for prescription drugs; Fully funding public education and improving the quality of public schools; Fair Policing and Criminal Justice Reform; Eliminating the school to prison pipeline; Tax relief for blue collar workers and small businesses; Eliminating loopholes for corporate tax breaks; Reversing the damage done by Citizens United; Grassroots funding for political campaigns; Stabilizing Social Security for future generations; Mental Health reform aimed at reducing gun violence; Supporting veterans transitioning from deployment to the workforce."

Deleted Twitter account

A snapshot of Cori Bush's now-deleted Twitter profile

Cori Bush deleted her previous Twitter account, which has several days archived. In one tweet, she urges people to meet in Ferguson and to "wear masks." Another screenshot which was taken from a blog-talk radio program appears to show Cori Bush wearing a mask herself.

Cori Bush as seen on cover of BlogTalkRadio show

Brags about shutting down highway

A snapshot of Cori Bush's now-deleted Twitter profile

On Sept 10, 2014, Cori Bush bragged about shutting down a highway:"Successful hwy shutdown on 40 today at 4:30 pm. #Ferguson #msnbc #cnn @AntonioFrench @MariaChappelleN @TammieHollan" A local report described the scene:

"Protesters intent on shutting down Interstate 70 Wednesday afternoon as part of their calls for justice in the Michael Brown shooting case were met by a large contingent of law enforcement intent on stopping them.

Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Al Nothum said there were 32 arrests for unlawful assembly and four arrests for assaults on law enforcement officers.

[...]

Nothum said police were pelted with bricks, rocks, concrete chunks, filled water bottles and glass bottles during the nearly three-hour stand-off with demonstrators.

Views on 2016 election

Regarding the election of November, 2016, Cori Bush was quoted by Mobilize Missouri as saying that she is "[M]ortified to say the least. I can’t believe we will have five conservative statewide officials. And when you think about the regression all the way up to [President Donald] Trump it’s overwhelming. I can’t picture Missouri under [Governor Eric] Greitens and I anticipate heavy law and order rhetoric and expansion of police."

Kingdom Embassy International

Kingdom Embassy International is "a St. Louis-area church" that Cori Bush started in 2011, although it was "closed during a search for a new location" in August 2014, when Michael Brown, 18, was killed by a police officer who was later cleared of wrong doing. The tragic event was used as a cause célèbre for communist and socialist activists around the world, who continue to use the tragedy to create a narrative about institutional racism and foster anti-police sentiment.

“Mike Brown happened, and then ministry started right there on the streets,” Cori Bush was quoted as saying at the Toledo Blade in January 2016. “That became my ministry.”

Claims of being assaulted by police

Cori Bush claims that she was assaulted by police "on the day of the announcement not to indict Darren Wilson.",

Claims of death threats from the Ku Klux Klan

In October 2015, an article at TheHoya addressed the founding of the Truth Telling Project, where Cori Bush claimed to have received "violent threats, such as death threats from the Ku Klux Klan:"

"...Co-Directors Cori Bush and David Ragland spoke about their experiences on the frontlines of the police brutality protests in Ferguson, Mo. Friday morning in the Healey Family Student Center.

According to both Bush and Ragland, their participation in the movement came at a personal price. Bush said that she has received violent threats, such as death threats from the Ku Klux Klan, but she said that she refuses to back down in the face of adversity.

“We keep protesting because they keep killing us,” Bush said. “It’s not OK that I have to fight to be free the way a white woman is free. What makes my son different that I have to fight for him to be able to walk out of my home and walk to the corner store and come back safely? Why do I have to fear? That is a reality in my community every day. My son may not come home.”

"Circling neighborhood with flags and masks"

During a BlogTalkRadio show posted in August 2015, Cori Bush described the scene previously "shots rang out" from her position "on the ground" in Ferguson:

"I'm right on the ground. I'm right here in the middle of it so there's chanting behind me...As a matter of fact, I was riding in a car...circling the neighborhood with flags and with our masks on...so that night after the shots rang out...people did witness the police pursue...a young man...a high schooler...pursue him and shot him down..."

Truth Telling Project

Pastor Cori Bush appears to have joined the Truth Telling Project after it was started by David Ragland in November 2014. The Truth Telling Project was "inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa," which was headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"The Truth Telling Project is an initiative that promotes discussion of structural racism and injustice as a response to the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer in August 2014 and the subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson."

Rally in December 2015

An article describing a protest in December 2015 "one year after a grand jury decided not to indict former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for killing unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr." quoted Cori Bush:

"One year later we fought, we fought, and we fought! This night we stood up under this season greetings sign and we were tear gassed and hurt. And we are still being oppressed today of all days we are not only thinking about Mike Brown, we’re thinking about what’s going on in Chicago. We’re thinking about that young man that was shot 16 times. We’re also thinking about those five protestors that were just shot in Minneapolis. All of this at the exact same time we should be at least celebrating some type of victory but we are actually going the opposite direction," said Pastor Cori Bush of Kingdom Embassy International Church.

Other protesters were listed as "Anthony Shahid, Zaki Baruti, and Rev. Starsky Wilson, co-chairman of the Ferguson Commission and pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ in nearby St. Louis."

Communist Party connections

Building A Better 14th Ward

Building A Better 14th Ward March 3 2019:

I'm constantly amazed by the dedication of our volunteers. Thank you, everyone, for going above and beyond. Just two more days!

1. VoteMarch5th #BuildingABetter14thWard — with Karisa Gilman Hernandez, K. Nikki Overmiller, Tony Pecinovsky, Cori Bush, Madeline Buthod and St. Louis Young Democrats.

NARAL fundraiser

On March 6 2017, Cori Bush spoke at a NARAL fundraiser at the Workers' Education Society, which serves as the headquarters of the Communist Party USA in Missouri.

From Facebook:

"Grrls to the Front! A Workers' Education Society Benefit 4 NARAL" This was our most phenomenal event to date! Hearing from incredible community leaders like Alison Dreith (NARAL), Cori Bush (Ferguson Frontline), Zenobia Thompson (WES), and others, we learned tremendously with one another. All of the musical acts were woman/femme fronted, like Bates (FemCee Nation), Duck Brown, and Cara Louise. Together we built solidarity, reenergized for the struggle, and raised money. Thank you to all who attended!

Communist aunties

Cori Bush with Angela Davis and Fania Davis.

On July 20, 2015, Madeline Beckett from the Communist Party USA publication People's World published an article about an anti-police event keynoted by Angela Davis, who praised Fidel Castro held on June 27, 2015 sponsored by the Truth Telling Project and moderated by Cori Bush:

ST. LOUIS – As the one year anniversary of Michael Browns’ murder nears, St. Louis area residents gathered for the Violence in America: Exposure through Truth Telling presentation keynoted by Angela Davis, a long-time activist and outspoken critic of police violence. The event, held on June 27, was sponsored by the Truth Telling Project at Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School.

The sold-out event focused on building political activism and fighting institutionalized racism. Davis briefly reminded the audience that she had once been on the FBI’s ten most wanted list, that people actually feared her. Today, however, things are much different, she added. Perceptions have changed. Referencing Fidel Castro, the former Cuban president, she said, “History will absolve you.”

Davis is considered an icon by many today, a symbol of political resistance promoting radical, unapologetic social change. She, however, said she looks upon the protestors in Ferguson in admiration for their dedication to the struggle against racism.

Prior to the event, Davis, her sister Fania Davis (civil rights trial attorney and restorative justice practitioner) and event moderator Pastor Cori Bush, visited the site where Mike Brown was killed and touched the ground where he lay almost one year ago.

Throughout the event, the names of the black men and women who have suffered tragic deaths due to police brutality were echoed in remembrance. An outpouring of love was extended to the families of those who had been lost to racism and an unjust system.

Davis spoke of her global travels and how the people she encountered were inspired by the actions of the Ferguson protesters and the Black Lives Matter movement. Ferguson echoed throughout the world, as a “symbol of resistance” for oppressed people, she said.

“For me, as well as for people throughout the world, the very mention of Ferguson evokes struggle, perseverance, courage and a collective vision of the future.”

Due to the leadership of the Ferguson protesters, she added, many others have developed a much clearer understanding of systems of oppression and how people can assemble collectively to challenge and dismantle institutional racism and oppression.

Davis spoke directly to the female leaders of Black Lives Matter: “I love Martin. I love Malcolm. But this is the 21st century and we have learned that leadership is not a male prerogative. I know many of the brothers in this hall today know that women have always done the work…women should also be in the leadership!”

“When black women stand up as they did during the Montgomery bus boycott, as they did during the Black Liberation era, earthshaking changes can occur,” Davis concluded.

Davis also spoke in terms of strategy. She emphasized that entire systems of oppression must be challenged in order to bring about radical social changes.

She said, “…we also need to learn how to talk about race and racism. We don’t even have a vocabulary that permits us to engage in insightful conversations and it is precisely this lack of a vocabulary and the shallow consciousness of racism that is promoted by society that makes it possible for us to assume that for example changes in the law automatically bring about changes in the real world…”

Davis added, that a short paragraph in the Constitution does not do away with the hegemony of a country so incredibly saturated with racism. “The vestiges of slavery are still with us. Slavery was never fully abolished,” she continued.

On violence, Davis said, “…we could talk about multiple modes of violence, but a major mode of violence is the rearing of generations of black people who have not been allowed to imagine a future, who have not been allowed to have access to education that would encourage them to imagine a future.”

In conclusion, Davis added, “as radical activists we really have to begin to learn how to demand what we really want, not only what we think we can get,” to not lose sight of our goals. We have to learn to refuse to settle.

Communist/socialists at birthday event

Julie Salih, left Tony Pecinovsky

Julie Salih & Tony Pecinovsky speaking at a Cori Bush for US Congress campaign event at The Ready Room in St Louis on July 21, 2018.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

July 22 at 7:49 PM · Activists from many organizations and community groups, in particular Coalition for Truth in Independence and St. Louis Workers Education Society, spoke at Cori Bush for U.S. Congress, MO-01's birthday party July 21, 2018. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was the guest of honor at the event. Bruce Franks for State Rep 78th District also honored Cori for her outstanding community work and dedicated friendship.

Comrades

Annie Rice April 14 near St. Louis, MO.

With Richard Buthod, Cori Bush, John Theodore, Shelley Buffington Hoffman and Niles Zee.

Backing Pecinovsky

Tony Pecinovsky January 15 2019·

I am happy to announce that the St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) has endorsed our campaign to Build A Better 14th Ward! I grew up in the CBTU family. They mentored me! To know that I have the support of the progressive Black leadership of our City (CBTU, Tishaura Jones, Clem Smith, Bruce Franks, Jr. and Cori Bush, among others) is truly humbling. Thank you! In solidarity, Tony.

WES connection

St. Louis Workers’ Education Society October 22, 2017.

With Celeste Ocana, Nicholas James, Scott Sandler and Cori Bush.

St. Louis Workers’ Education Society October 22, 2017.

With Elise Rose Kehle, Caitlin Morgan, Cori Bush and Erin Jameson.

St. Louis Workers’ Education Society October 22, 2017.

With Cori Bush, Scott Sandler and Niles Zee.

Second Annual WES Chili Cook Off

Second Annual WES Vegan Chili Cook Off by Niles Zee, Oct 17, 2017.

The Workers’ Education Society hosted the Second Annual Vegan Chili Cook Off Fundraiser on October 21st, 2017.

Nearly 100 people came, over 20 submitted chilis, and everyone tasted the best soups Saint Louis had.

Pizza Head, Rev. Cori Bush, and Lona’s Lil Eats are helped to judge the contest.

Thanks for coming, and if you couldn’t make it, we hope to see you next October!

Burleigh connection

Glenn Burleigh supported Cori Bush in 2018.

2019 Hershel Walker Awards

Missouri Women in Trades (MoWIT), an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women to enter and succeed in the construction and building trades, has been honored with a 2019 Hershel Walker Peace & Justice Award.

The award ceremony, sponsored by the St. Louis Workers' Education Society (WES), honors local Labor and community leaders for their work in creating a more just and equitable society. Walker was a St. Louis trade unionist and human and civil rights leader committed to the struggle for peace and justice.

About 35 people attended the May 25 event, which was held at WES headquarters, 2929 S. Jefferson Ave., in St. Louis. After the ceremony, guests were treated to a preview of the new St. Louis Mother Jones exhibit at WES headquarters.

Also honored with 2019 Hershel Walker Peace & Justice awards at the May 25 ceremony were:

• Michael Yates, former Operating Engineers Local 148 president, treasurer and business representative. Additionally, Yates has served on the executive board of the North County Labor Club for nearly 20 years and is currently the club’s treasurer.
• Cori Bush, an activist and a community organizer who is running for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 election for the U.S. Congressional First District seat currently occupied by U.S. Representative William “Lacy” Clay.

Introduced Bernie Sanders

During her failed run for the Missouri Senate, The Daily Kos wrote that Cori Bush "is running as an unapologetic Bernie Sanders supporter. She is running on his issues and his platform. When Bernie appeared earlier this week in Edwardsville, Illinois, Cori crossed the Mississippi to open for Bernie and she electrified the crowd of thousands."

Endorsements

Cori Bush is a Berniecrat, a term used for those democrats (generally) running for office who have expressed support of former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Kick Off Event Mobilize Missouri

Maria Chapelle-Nadal and Cori Bush both spoke at the Mobilize Missouri kick-off event in May 2016.,

Brand New Congress

In a mass email sent in April 2017, Cori Bush was identified as the "first candidate for Brand New Congress."

Justice Democrats

Cori Bush was endorsed by Justice Democrats as their "first official candidate."

The announcement was posted on April 21 2017:

"Friends, today we are proud to announce the launching of our first official candidate and their campaign: Cori Bush.

Cori isn’t just our first official candidate. She’s yours. At the start of our nomination drive, you recommended Cori numerous times. And she has responded to the call to challenge the Democratic establishment and become MO-1's next Congresswoman.

Cori’s the first of many candidates who we will be supporting in the 2018 primary and general elections. She embodies the spirit of St. Louis and represents the lived experience of both people in her community and around the country. She understands that leadership is needed to spark systemic change. She's served as a nurse and will be a strong advocate for Medicare For All when elected. She's stood on the frontline against police brutality and is unafraid to speak truth to power.

Like all of our candidates, Cori seeks to challenge the status quo of American politics. It's a challenge which will be unpopular in DC. But our work, our candidates and our success will be defined not be our detractors, by ourselves, our actions and our commitment to the people.

Sign up at Cori's site, RSVP for her rally, tell your friends in St. Louis, follow her social media, donate to her campaign, contact her to join her already growing volunteer base — do what needs to be done to show support for Cori's campaign and make Missouri's 1st the start of a historic movement to unseat the elites."

Gun Control

Pastor Cori Bush was a speaker at the "Faces Not Forgotten" exhibit in August 2014, which "remembers young victims of gun violence." The article describes "Pastor Cori Bush, of the nondenominational Kingdom Embassy International church in St. Louis, has been active in Ferguson, counseling and marching."

Going left

Stacey Abrams, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Benjamin Jealous and others appear to be part of a trend among minority candidates who have defeated moderate Democrats by campaigning on liberal policy priorities.

Key to that strategy is mobilizing people who don’t vote regularly, mostly people of color and progressive white voters. “You do that by organizing,” Jealous said. “We will build an army of organizers across our state to turn out voters by talking to them.”

Part of that strategy is recognizing the that there is often a gap between eligible Democratic voters and the margin of victory, said Steve Phillips, author of "Brown is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority".

In Maryland, he said, only 800,000 Democratic voters turned out for Hogan’s 2014 election, compared to about 1.1 million who turned out to elect former Governor Martin O’Malley.

Those voters, Phillips and others have argued, could be swayed to turn out with a progressive agenda of economic and social justice.

Jealous said that as the former president of the NAACP, he knows how to bring out voters.

Like Ocasio-Cortez, he campaigned on Medicare for all, as well as free tuition at public colleges and universities in Maryland, police reform and legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

Other Democratic candidates using this strategy include David Garcia, who is running for governor in Arizona, Chardo Richardson running in Florida’s 7th Congressional District and Cori Bush, running in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.

While candidates of color have embraced this strategy the most, Phillips said that white candidates “can and should” use it as well, citing New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, as examples of those who are.

“Unfortunately much of the Democratic white establishment does not believe in this strategy,” Phillips said. “They still harbor this notion that you can win back Trump voters without the empirical evidence.”

DSA connections

2023 - still a comrade

Our Revolution endorsement 2022

Our Revolution endorsed Cori Bush in 2022.

Solidarity with Amazon workers

Eric Hall March 6 2021.

Eric Hall is with Camilla Thompson and Kelsey McClure, Nicole Watkins, Richard A. Rice, Julia Siergiey Juarez, Cory Pettway, Martez Files, Jilisa Renee, Jamie Foster, Haley Mack, Johnny Scott, Majadi Baruti, Gabriel Samuel Rob Burton, Terri Rector Michal, Stephanie Hicks, Keith O. Williams, Ralph Young, AC Poteete, Jason Kobielus

I want to recognize the local organizations on the ground everyday canvassing, connecting with folk, providing security detail, putting up signs in the community.... you may not see them in the spotlight all the time but they work like hell in support of Amazon Democratic Socialist of America Birmingham Chapter 🌹, SWEET Alabama, Black Lives Matter Birmingham, Dynamite Hill-Smithfield Community Land Trust, Alabama Working Families Party, and, of course, Our Revolution Birmingham.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Rep Nikema Williams, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep. Cori Bush, Rep. Andy Levin.

Progressive Democrats of America

Progressive Democrats of America House endorsements 2024 Alma Adams, Becca Balint, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Greg Casar, Judy Chu, Debbie Dingell, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy Garcia, Raul Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Summer Lee, Joe Neguse, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib, Mark Takano.

In 2020 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Cori Bush's congressional run.

DSA in Congress

DSA NPC newsletter, August 20, 2020:

Congress, too, saw some DSA wins, with Rashida Tlaib’s re-election and Cori Bush’s historical win over a 50+ year political dynasty. They’ll be joining DSA members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, as well as our friend Ilhan Omar.

DSA comrade

Democratic Socialists of America July 31 2020·

DSA is proud to endorse Cori Bush for US Congress, MO-01 in St. Louis. Primary election day is this Tuesday, August 4th!!

Cori is a nurse, a pastor, a single mother, a member of St. Louis Democratic Socialists of America, and has been active on the ground and leading movements in the streets for years—from Ferguson to the latest uprising for Black Lives that has swept our nation over the last few months.

Common Defense endorsement

Common Defense endorsed Cori Bush for Congress in 2022.

Common Defense endorsed Cori Bush for Congress in 2020.

Bernie surrogates

Las Vegas Democratic Socialists of America February 16 2020·

🌹Another day of canvass launches for GOTC is underway at the #LeftistGarage! Remember, we’re doing this EVERYDAY until the caucus next Saturday. Check out our shifts: lvdsa.org/events or see our GOTC event on our FB events pages! ❤️🗳

Today we had plenty of comrades from Phoenix, LA, and Iowa joining us! Along with Bernie national surrogates Amy Vilela and Cori Bush and Educators for Bernie national surrogate Eric Blanc!

Cori Bush with AMY Vilela and AOC

Cori Bush with Amy Vilela and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Cori Bush Tweeted from SXSW Conference & Festivals held March 8-17, 2019: March 11 2019: "It was great to have this moment together @sxsw with my lovely sisters @amy4thepeople Amy Vilela and @AOC Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez! But it wasn’t the same without @paulajean2020 Paula Jean Swearengin, we missed you! #KnockDownTheHouse"

Las Vegas DSA

Bernie co-chair

Bernie 2020 co-chairs in Missouri were Rasheen Aldridge, Cori Bush, Megan Ellyia Green, Brandon Ellington, Jason Starr.

Midwest DSA training

Hannah Allison is with Cori Bush and Nathan Triggol, Rachel Johnson, Tony Pecinovsky, Maria Svart, Jill Young, JP Kaderbek, Lucie Macias, Anthony Walraven, Alex Sage, Doug Johnson, Sierra Cheatham, Joe Jay, Tyler Orton, Megan Ellyia Green, August 27, 2018 ·

What an amazing regional DSA training we had in Saint Louis. A big shout out to all the leaders from IL, MO, and IN who came! Many thanks to St. Louis Democratic Socialists of America for hosting and St. Louis Workers’ Education Society for providing us space and putting together an excellent panel on Socialism!

"What is socialism?"

Fiain Kvinna shared an event to the group: St. Louis Democratic Socialists of America. August 11, 2018 · This event is happening next weekend! The DSA National Director, Maria Svart, will be speaking, along with Megan Ellyia Green and Cori Bush.

Panellists on "What is socialism?" were DSA National Director, Maria Svart, Megan Ellyia Green, Cori Bush, Tony Pecinovsky, Cathy Sherwin president Missouri Coalition of Labor Union Women.

Hannah Allison August 27 2018:

With Don Giljum, Cathy Sherwin, Megan Ellyia Green, Cori Bush Tony Pecinovsky and Maria Svart.

Blunt sit-in

Resist - STL July 6, 2017 ·

LIVE: Sit-In to Save Health Care at Senator Blunt's Office in Clayton. Part 2 w/ Mobilize Missouri, St. Louis Democratic Socialists of America, Socialist Alternative St. Louis, St. Louis Worker's Education Society & Cori Bush.

Illinois for Bernie People's Convention

Northern Illinois Democratic Socialists of America July 15 2019 ·

Dear comrades-

My name is Shana East and I am the lead organizer of the Illinois for Bernie People's Convention taking place in Rosemont, IL on Saturday, July 27th. Similar to the convention we had around the same time back in 2015, this will be a day of networking with fellow Bernie supporters, and an opportunity to have conversations around how to build this grassroots campaign and our movement. There will also be awesome speakers like Brand New Congress endorsed candidate and star of the Netflix hit, 'Knock Down the House,' Cori Bush and DSA endorsed (as well as BNC endorsed) candidate Anthony Clark.

I am a member of Chicago DSA and am extending invites to all the DSA chapters and organizing committees in Illinois. We will have a DSA table there for lit and for members to talk to folks about the organization. If you are interested, I would like to set two spots aside for any delegates you might want to send to represent your chapter. And if there is any way to send a general notice out to your full membership that would be greatly appreciated! For more information about the event, here is our Eventbrite registration page (bit.ly/IL4B-2019-convention) as well as the Facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/611483639370293/).

We really hope you can make it! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have, or just to learn more.

In Solidarity,

Shana East, Steering Committee Member, Illinois for Bernie.

Liberation Road connections

Seed the Vote, 2024

People's Charter endorser

The People's Charter was released by the Working Families Party shortly before the 2020 election.

Endorsers included Cori Bush.

The People's Charter Launch

October 8 2020.

WFP PEOPLE’S CHARTER LIVE LAUNCH: We know that defeating Trump is a doorway, not a destination. Join us for the live launch of a #PeoplesCharter—a new, ambitious roadmap out of our current crisis, to an America that works for all of us. Featured speakers include Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Chuy Garcia, Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush. (via act.tv)

Moderated by Nelini Stamp and Maurice Mitchell.

Honoring Percy Green II

On July 14 2018 Inclusion activist Percy Green II was honored at a ceremony organized by Alderwoman Sharon Tyus and Alderman Terry Kennedy at Gateway Arch National Park’s Tucker Theater – the 54th anniversary of his climb up a leg of the partly constructed Gateway Arch (along with Richard Daly) to protest the absence of black workers on the public project.

Following the controversy over the official reopening of the Gateway Arch grounds with an all-white photo op, followed by a diverse “people’s ribbon-cutting” in response, the person who embodies the issue of inclusion at the Arch was honored.

U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, Jr., state Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr., Clay’s primary challenger Cori Bush, Green’s son Percy Green III, and activist Jamala Rogers (Green’s wife) spoke at the event.

“Thank you for being an example and not just talking, not just making notice, but showing us how to effectively fight and what civil disobedience really looked like,” state Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr. said directly to Percy Green II at ceremony honoring him on the 54th anniversary of his climb up a leg of the partly constructed Gateway Arch.

“Achieving economic justice is not a short-term battle,” Clay said. “It’s a long, still-emerging struggle which demands our absolute commitment, courage, and willingness to get into good trouble by making people uncomfortable sometimes.”

Franks, one of the organizers of the “people’s ribbon cutting” that countered the #ArchSoWhite photo op, recognized Green as a protest ancestor.

“Thank you for being an example and not just talking, not just making notice, but showing us how to effectively fight and what civil disobedience really looked like, what protesting really looked like, what fighting and standing up really looks like,” Franks said directly to Green.

Green thanked the younger man and his generation for picking up the torch.

“Civil disobedience is a nonviolent technique on bringing attention to various issues,” Green said. “I want to thank Bruce Franks for energizing it and the other young folks for keeping it alive.”

Rogers expressed her dismay that white officials could organize a Gateway Arch ribbon cutting ceremony so close to the anniversary of Green’s climb and not include him.

“I want some new fights,” Rogers said. “I don’t want to be fighting about the same thing. We’ve been doing that for 50 years, and young people don’t want to be fighting about this old stuff. They want some new fights.”

Bernie 2020

Kat Brezler, Cori Bush, Roy Tatem, Rose Ann DeMoro.

Muslim Left connections

Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children Act

April 2021—U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, or H.R. 2590, provides that no U.S. funds to the Israeli government may be used to support the military detention or ill-treatment of Palestinian children; the seizure, appropriation, or destruction of Palestinian property and forcible transfer of civilians in the occupied West Bank; or to facilitate further unilateral annexation of Palestinian land by the Israeli government in violation of international humanitarian law.

The bill establishes annual certification and reporting obligations on the Secretary of State to show that no U.S. funds have been used by the Israeli government to support the prohibited activities included in the legislation. The McCollum bill also requires oversight reporting detailing the Israeli government’s human rights violations against Palestinians.

Initial co-sponsors were Reps Bobby Rush, Danny Davis, Andre Carson, Marie Newman, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Raul Grijalva, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jesus Garcia .

Sponsoring organizations included Adalah Justice Project, Al-Haq, Americans for Peace Now (APN), American Friends Service Committee, American Muslims for Palestine, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Center for Constitutional Rights, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine, Churches for Middle East Peace, Church of the Brethren – Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, CODEPINK, Defense for Children International – Palestine, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Democratic Socialists of America BDS and Palestine Solidarity Working Group, The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Eyewitness Palestine, Freedom Forward, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, IfNotNow, Institute for Policy Studies – New Internationalism Project, J Street, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, Justice Democrats, MADRE, Massachusetts Peace Action, Middle East Children’s Alliance, MPower Action Fund, National Council of Churches USA, New Generation for Palestine, NGP Action, Norwegian Refugee Council, Palestine Legal, Peace Action, Presbyterian Church (USA), Progressive Democrats of America, Reformed Church in America, Sacramento Democrats for Justice in Palestine, Tree of Life Educational Fund, U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East, United Church of Christ, United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network, United We Dream Network, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), US Palestinian Council, Veterans for Peace, Win Without War, Working Families Party.