The scenes coming out of Tehran have been nothing short of apocalyptic. Israel and the US are reapplying the exact same playbook they used in Palestine, page for page, in Iran. They've targeted schools[x][x], parks, hospitals[x][x], and just recently a desalination plant[x]. Anything to eviscerate an entire civilization and their way of life[x]. And they're doing it all under the guise of helping the local population (you'd have to be living under a rock to fall for that one[x][x]). Sometimes, they're not even pretending it's for the greater good[x], because they know they can get away with it.
Iran is home to 29 UNESCO world heritage sites, some of which have already been damaged [x][x]. The city of Isfahan alone has been dubbed "Half of the world" because of the number and significance of its historical sites, and they are currently under fire[x]. Countries that are barely a couple hundred years old are destroying a country whose culture is thousands of years older.
On the first days of assault, the US bombed an all girls elementary school killing over 160 girls ages 7-12[x]. When their parents rushed to their rescue, they were hit again. A few days ago it was estimated that over 1000 Iranians had died (a gross under-count). Overnight an oil depot was struck[x][x], leaking oil into their sewers and causing flames to burn on the city's streets[x]. The updated casualty figures of last night's attacks are still pending, but it's estimated that 10k civilian units were targeted. The city of Tehran is now engulfed in a dark cloud raining acidic oil atop it's people[x][x][x][x][x][x].
To make matters worse, Israel hasn't stopped bombing Gaza since their supposed "ceasefire" and is now using Iran's retaliatory attacks to justify cutting off all humanitarian aid into Gaza[x][x] (and they were barely getting scraps to begin with[x]). Israel has also begun a devastating ground invasion into Lebanon after months of non-stop assaults on their southern borders, and have escalated strikes into Beirut. [x][x][x][x][x] And in a chilling display of utter depravity, Israel has also threatened Turkiye as their next target. [x]
None of this will ever be reported on in a manner that delivers justice to the victims of the west's demonic imperial project. Propaganda will be served by omitting pertinent information and casting doubt on the suffering of victims in subtle undetectable ways, as it has been over the last several decades:
This is the point where I would normally link a variety of relief programs where people can donate to help. The very grim and sad reality is I don't know where to send you this time. All relief programs taking donations for Iran are human rights organizations that support children, woman, and minorities against state violence- which is utterly irrelevant right now.
The reality is, YOU, the average North American and European are the most powerful tool to stopping any of this.
No amount of donations are going to help stop the root of this problem long-term, but your ability to boycott, and organize strikes is the most effective thing you can do without having to put yourself in a direct line of fire. But it'll only work if everyone collectively works together to do it. These wars are founded on the greed of the 1% and how it benefits them. The only thing they will ever respond to is a full economic collapse- a month long, strict, all hands on deck, strike. And YOU CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
1. "But not everyone can afford to strike for that long!"
Then you step in for those most vulnerable and provide what they're lacking as a community.
2. "But what if I get fired?!"
Your employer won't fire you if ALL of you strike. What are they gonna do? Put up a job posting for something that no one else is going to fill?
3. "But alternatives to what's on the boycott list are so much more expensive."
Again, that's what communities are for. We're supposed to help each other in hard times.
4. "I get that people are dying, but I have to take care of my own."
Short term, sure. But long-term? You're already seeing the ripple effects of our suffering in your cities. ICE agents are terrorizing your streets, IDF soldiers are training law enforcement in your cities, your tax dollars are funding wars and genocides across the globe when they could be going towards your city infrastructure and healthcare. The MENA has become a testing ground all manner of new and horrific weapons, and it's only a matter of time before they start pointing all that power inwards.
5. "But there's no way we can get everyone on board! That's so unrealistic, people have so many different views on the world."
This is why awareness is the first step. You don't understand how underrated and powerful it is just to initiate discussions that make people think. In an individualistic society where people are self-absorbed with their own issues day-in day-out, divided to believe their next door neighbor with varying views is a bigger threat then their own government, awareness is your most powerful tool. There's a reason all these censorship bills are coming up left, right, and center, and I promise you it has little to do with kids safety, and everything to do with controlling the narrative. It's been confirmed that censorship efforts have skyrocketed since the genocide in Palestine, because we could see in real time the atrocities Israel, the US, and all western nations were enacting.
Stay informed, but don't let the guilt of what you're seeing overseas paralyze you, instead lead that energy into action, build your communities, meet with local organizations that are already working double time to help. You'd be surprised at how empowering it might feel to surround yourself with people collectively working towards the same thing, to do some good.
I'm asking you to spread awareness, boycott, and do a strike, the bare minimum that will not only apply pressure to stopping wars overseas, but also improve your quality of life in America.
You don't have to put yourself at risk like these people: [x][x][x] But you can still have an impact.
Despite everything I've shared, I will still drop some relief programs that people can donate to if they're able to below. But please- I beg you, take everything I've shared above to heart, and don't let this be your one good deed for the day.
It breaks my heart to reiterate this, but I have no reliable links to provide here. I will update this post if anyone can point me in the right direction
Humanitarian Relief gofundme
Donate to PCRF to provide Palestinian children aid
Donate to Pious Projects to provide woman with feminine hygiene kits
Donate to any of the vetted gofundme campaigns on GazaFunds to help Palestinians trying to flee Gaza.
And if you or someone you know sees or experiences a hate crime and can afford it, SUE. This is a more effective use of your money than most realise. The reason zionists act with impunity is because of the normalization of white supremacy and oppression of ethnic minorities. Challenging that in any capacity tells them that there are consequences to their actions and makes them think twice before engaging in hate crimes and helps raise all of us up against the systems currently in place that let them get away with it.
If you can’t donate or spend any money, you can also:
Boycott targeted companies on the BDS list (if you’re like me and you don’t want a single dollar to go towards anything supporting Israel right now, you can use Bdnaash to double check what products are okay to buy, but the BDS list is sufficient as it is a strategic attack and proven very effective thus far)
Emergency relief carrds: [x][x]
Beitelbaraka to donate baked goods
Baitulmaal to donate a food package
Humaniti provides emergency relief
Islamic Relief USA or Canada
There’s also a shared google doc where activists are compiling a list of reliable groups/collectives working in direct relief in Lebanon (This was last circulating in 2024, so maybe verify the links are still up to date and working).
And just so I don't leave you with nothing but negative news, here are some more uplifting posts of the heart, resilience, and culture of Iran. Because I refuse to only sell you the narrative that the people of SWANA are nearly as oppressed, barbaric, or uneducated as the west would lead you the believe.
Of everyday life, resilience, education, and politics: [x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x]
Of breathtaking landscapes, architecture, culture, and heritage: [x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x][x]
