HELP place anti-racist subway ads to build solidarity

Download PDF of Anti-Racist Ad

The International Action Center has contracted with MTA to run 10 ads opposed to racism, anti-Muslim bigotry and war. The IAC ads will be in NYC subway stations in one week, starting Monday, Oct 8. They are in response to the racist ads posted in NYC subway stations — placed by Pam Geller from Stop Islamization of America and American Freedom Defense Initiative. Geller's ads refer to Muslim community members as being "savages" among other offensive language.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) publicly stated that in order to protect freedom of speech, they must accept extreme right-wing racist Geller's $6,000 for 10 ads in the largest mass transit system in the western hemisphere with 8.5 million daily riders.

The IAC is an all volunteer organization without funding, except many small individual donations. It has advanced the funds to undertake this campaign because we felt it was important to counter the 'hate messaging' of Geller. But we hope many people will step forward to help carry the costs.

Click iacenter.org/ad to donate to help pay for this response ad: 

 Tweet and spread widely the donate link: iacenter.org/ad

We are committed to raising $6,000 in order to pay for the 10 ads promoting unity and solidarity, which will be in subway stations as of October 8.

  The ads will read:

Resist Another War 
NO to Racism & Anti-Muslim Bigotry! 
Tool of 1% Rule 
We, the 99%, Need Unity & Solidarity!

 

Along with placing the ads denouncing racism, the International Action Center organized a protest at the MTA Offices and challenged the MTA policy in a public hearing on Sept. 26.

The large outrageously offensive signs displayed in transportation centers, subway stops and on buses are part of the growing drumbeat for war. They are intended to make a climate of division and hatred acceptable in New York City. Hate speech, racism and bigotry need to be challenged every time it raises its ugly head.

Swastikas and Nazi symbols would not be allowed on paid ads in NYC. KKK symbols and lynching symbols against Black and Latino people would not be permitted. This is because past peoples' struggles have challenged these hated symbols.

Two years ago around the 9-11 date Pamela Geller, in a well-funded media campaign, tried to whip up in NYC the same climate of bigotry and intolerance against Muslims with an ugly campaign against the building of an Islamic Center blocks from the World Trade Center.

The International Action Center with a broad coalition of forces challenged this campaign to demonize Muslims. Many thousands of people responded with mass rallies and meetings. A strong, united public challenge to the racist, bigoted forces helped to turn the ugly climate around.

It is essential that all those outraged by the racist, pro-violent message be able to see a different message.

DONATE HERE to help us raise the funds to pay for these ads to respond to racism.

        tweet and spread this donate page link:  iacenter.org/ad

The IAC is also intensely involved in building demonstrations against US wars on Oct 5-7 across the country, the anniversary of US war in Afghanistan.

See UNACpeace.org for a listing of protests in 45 cities nationally and internationally.
The IAC wants to help keep the struggle in the streets but we need to answer racism and anti Muslim bigotry on every front.

Please help us get out the message of Unity and Solidarity widely.