FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2020
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | sonya@jvp.org | 929-290-0317
Washington DC: Jewish Voice for Peace Action (JVPA) is proud to endorse Mckayla Wilkes for Congress! A rising progressive leader, Wilkes’ challenge to one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress is bringing a fresh perspective that truly reflects Maryland’s 5th congressional district.
A long-time progressive activist, Wilkes is taking on Rep. Steny Hoyer, the conservative Democrat who spent nearly 40 years in office fighting progressive domestic and foreign policy agendas – and prioritizing corporate money over people.
Mckayla is an inspiring example of juggling single motherhood, activism and service. She has experienced first-hand the systemic injustices of racism and capitalism that she is fighting to change. Mckayla is running to ensure housing for all, criminal justice reform, a robust public education system, and a sustainable and safe future for all.
Mckayla Wilkes: “Some of the first enslaved Africans touched base in my home district, and the legacy of slavery and white supremacy still lingers in our criminal justice system, education and housing policy. Creating safety for ALL people is deeply personal to me. I will do whatever is in my power to push legislation that meaningfully attacks white supremacy in all of America’s power structures.”
Wilkes is calling for massive cuts to U.S. military spending and wars abroad, including leveraging and cutting U.S. military funding for Israeli oppression of Palestinians. She will bring a fresh perspective and much-needed leadership as a young, working-class Black woman. “We must recognize human rights for all people, including Palestinians and Israelis, and use our leverage to achieve equality under the law for everyone living in the region.”
Stefanie Fox, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action: “We’re thrilled to support Mckayla Wilkes in her fight to unseat Steny Hoyer and get another powerful progressive voice into Congress! JVP Action is using our grassroots base to get Democrats into Congress who believe that all people – no exceptions – deserve human rights, dignity, and freedom.”
Ntebo Mokuena, local JVPA leader: “McKayla is running a grassroots progressive campaign pushing for Medicare for All and just foreign policy in a time when millions of people in the U.S. are at risk of losing health insurance and Trump has defunded the World Health Organization. Dem. Whip Steny Hoyer has no plan to expand health care access. And as the world faces this global pandemic, we need progressive leaders on the Hill who rise up to stop forever wars, support Palestinian rights, and represent disenfranchised Black and Brown constituents.”
Beth Miller, Government Affairs Manager at Jewish Voice for Peace Action: “Hoyer represents the corporate wing of the Democratic party that is holding us back from real change. Wilkes is part of the rising progressive left and would truly represent her district – and we’re proud to endorse her.”
Upon receiving the Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Wilkes said: “I am honored to be endorsed by Jewish Voice for Peace Action – a grassroots organization working to ensure that the principles of justice are always applied consistently, including when it comes to the rights of Palestinians. I will fight on behalf of marginalized communities across the country and the world, and I am grateful for the support from advocates like JVPA. We stand together in solidarity.”
JVP Action staff and local leaders are available to speak with the media
JVP Action is an independent, non-partisan, 501(c)(4) organization formed as the political and advocacy arm of Jewish Voice for Peace. JVP Action is building a multiracial, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies to transform U.S. policy towards justice in Israel/Palestine.
Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 500,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.