750+ National Muslim Hill Day Advocates Lobby for Civil Liberties and Palestine

Delegates from 27 states met in Washington, DC, for the 10th Annual Muslim Advocacy Day, organized by the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), of which AMP is a founding member. Over a span of three days, more than 750 advocates held 210 meetings with congressional offices in the House and the Senate. The meetings addressed both domestic and foreign policy concerns, with a specific focus on Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip and the U.S. government’s complicity in it. Discussions related to Gaza centered on the following key demands:

Congressional Actions Requested:

1. Ensure a permanent ceasefire with guarantees for continuous humanitarian access.
2. Require swift entry of critical aid and eliminate barriers preventing timely aid delivery.
3. Condition all US military aid to Israel in full compliance with both US and international law—no exceptions, no blank checks for human rights violations.
4. Provide funding and support for the rebuilding of Gaza’s critical infrastructure.

Legislation to Support:

1. Sen. Peter Welch’s (VT) UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act (S.898): Supports humanitarian relief and emergency restoration efforts in Gaza.
2. Ongoing Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (House and Senate): Block the sale of billions of dollars in weapons to Israel due to violations of international humanitarian law. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Pramila Jayapal continue to introduce JDRs that Members of Congress should support.

On the domestic front, the Muslim advocates loudly supported freedom of speech by demanding the protection of students and the nonprofit sector.

While walking the halls of Congress, Muslim Advocates confronted Israeli Minister Ben Gvir. The viral videos show Ben Gvir viciously accosting Muslim Advocacy Day participants as they chanted “Free Palestine.” The Israeli minister, who had once been tried for terrorism in Israel, was on tour in the United States, which abruptly ended after the confrontation with the Muslim advocates.

This is the largest number of participants to join a Muslim Day on the Hill event since its inception. This further reinforces the necessity of continuing vociferous political engagement despite the climate of fear and intimidation. The numbers also show incredible strength and act as an expression of defiance against the current administration's efforts to attack and dismantle our movement.