NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD

“An organization of lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers... in the service of the people, to the end that
human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.” Preamble to the NLG Constitution

November 20, 2018

Dear Representative-Elect Omar,

The National Lawyers Guild expresses its strong support for your recent principled stand
supporting the Palestinian-led call for boycott, divestment and sanctions as a nonviolent means of
putting nonviolent pressure on Israel until it complies with international law and acknowledging
the right to boycott as protected First Amendment speech. BDS enables everyone in the United
States to take collective action against injustice.

The NLG is an organization of attorneys, legal workers, law students and jailhouse lawyers
working to ensure human rights are regarded as more sacred than property interests. We have been
in existence since 1937 and have chapters throughout the United States, including an active chapter
in Minnesota. NLG has long had a substantial focus in working to pursue justice and
accountability for Palestinians living under brutal Israeli military occupation with no end in sight,
severe discrimination inside Israel and denial of refugees’ right to return. We have sent numerous
fact-finding delegations to Israel and Palestine and written reports on grave human rights
violations against Palestinians. We believe BDS is one of the most effective means to support the
struggle to end Israel’s colonial oppression of Palestinians.

We urge you not only to continue to stand firm in support of the right to boycott but also to use
your powerful and visible position to support the U.S.-based movement that is increasingly
targeted by unconstitutional anti-BDS measures, including legislation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you believe that we can be of any assistance.

Best regards,

Elena Cohen, President

National Lawyers Guild

Jordan Kushner, Palestine Subcommittee

National Lawyers Guild (Minnesota)

Contact:
Jordan Kushner, Minneapolis – jskushner@gmail.com
Elena Cohen, NLG President (New York) – president@nlg.org

Law for the People since 1937

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