Linda Sarsour

Linda Sarsour is a Palestinian-American activist and organizer known for her work in civil rights, social justice, and women's rights. She is the former Executive Director of the Arab American Association of New York and co-founder of the first Muslim online organizing platform, MPower Change. Sarsour is also a prominent advocate for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to put economic and political pressure on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories and respect the rights of the Palestinian people.

Sarsour was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Palestinian immigrant parents and grew up in a working-class neighborhood. She has been involved in activism from a young age, working on racial and economic justice issues. In her early 20s, Sarsour became involved in the Arab American community, and in 2005, she was appointed as the executive director of the Arab American Association of New York. In this role, she helped to provide services to the Arab American community, such as immigration assistance, language classes, and community organizing.

Sarsour is also a co-founder of MPower Change, an online platform that connects Muslim activists and organizations and provides resources for grassroots organizing. She is also a member of the Justice League NYC, a coalition of activists working on police reform and racial justice.

Sarsour is a vocal advocate for the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and respects the rights of the Palestinian people. Sarsour has spoken at rallies, events, and conferences in support of BDS and has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians.

In addition to her work on BDS and Palestine, Sarsour has also been active in the Black Lives Matter movement and advocated for the rights of immigrants and refugees.

Sarsour's activism has earned her recognition and accolades from various organizations and figures. Still, it also drew criticism from some groups and individuals who disagreed with her views on Israel and Palestine.

Despite the controversy, Sarsour continues to be an influential and vocal advocate for social justice and human rights. She is a regular speaker and commentator on civil rights, women's rights, and the Muslim American experience.