Dearest Friends, 

I hope this finds you well amidst these difficult times. I am writing with the great hope that you will join us at events happening around the world. 
 
Together individuals and groups from over 85 countries have come together as a global solidarity campaign: RISE FOR AND WITH THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN. On Saturday, September 25, we will take to the streets in a global day of action during which activists, women’s organizations, human rights groups, and high profile individuals will mount in-person events in cities, towns, and areas across the globe.  
 
“We take our lead from our Afghan sisters – activists who have amplified the on-the-ground realities and needs for over twenty years, working tirelessly and creatively to support women and girls and their families amidst an endless, imperialist war. Women of the world and our allies stand with the women – and all vulnerable groups – of Afghanistan against imperialism, militarism, fundamentalism, and fascism. None of us are free until the women of Afghanistan are free. We stand with the women of Afghanistan who believe women have the right to education, to travel, to freedom of movement, to jobs, to security, just having freedom to be able to breathe and be.”  – joint statement from RISE FOR AND WITH THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN, Global Solidarity Campaign

Worldwide events are being led by local Afghan activists and informed by activists on the ground in Afghanistan. Already activists are planning events in Mexico, Croatia, Eswatini, Congo, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, South Africa, Italy, UK, Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Guatemala, Thailand, Nigeria, Portugal, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Zambia, Austria, and the United States.

In New York City, a RISE FOR AND WITH THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN rally and action will take place at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, in sight and sound of the United Nations as the General Assembly meets. Testimonies from Afghan women on the ground and RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan) will be read. It will be led by Afghan activists Fatima Rahmati, Leeza Ahmady, Farah Arjang Vezvaee, Matin Maulawizada, co-founder Afghan Hands, with women’s rights activists V (formerly Eve Ensler), founder of V-Day/One Billion Rising, Zainab Salbi, Jodie Evans, co-founder of CODEPINK, Alyse Nelson, President/CEO of Vital Voices and NYC Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, musicians Morley Shanti Kamen, Chris Bruce, Neel Murgai, Trina Basu, Arun Ramamurthi, and Broadway stars and additional speakers to be announced*. Visit onebillionrising.org/risenewyork

In Los Angeles, Afghan youth and activists will meet on the Sunset Strip and march to West Hollywood Park for a program featuring Hameeda Uloomi (Founder of Afg-aid), Madina Wardak (MSW/ACSW Outreach & Partnership Coordinator Afghan Women’s Mission), Ariana Delawari (Multimedia artist & activist), Arash Azizzada (Co-Founder Afghans For A Better Tomorrow), Sultana Parvanta, and Rina Amiri (Senior Fellow and Director of Afghanistan and Regional Policy Initiative at New York University’s Center for International Cooperation), with performances by legendary Ustad Farida Mahwash & Voices of Afghanistan, Samia Karimi (Afghan dance artist & activist, ARTogether), with Dylan McDermott, and additional speakers to be announced*. Testimonies from Afghan women on the ground and RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan) will be read. Visit onebillionrising.org/riseLA 

We cannot underestimate the power of our solidarity.  Bearing witness to the violence and fear the Taliban is unleashing on Afghanistan will send a powerful message to the Afghan people – and women specifically – that they are not alone.  Just as importantly, it will remind the Taliban that we see what they are doing and will not back down until all Afghan people live with the full human rights they deserve. 

Individuals and organizations signing on and spreading the word across their social media channels included RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan), Jane Fonda, V (formerly Eve Ensler) Rosario Dawson, Angela Davis, Thandiwe Newton, Lisa Joy,Pat Mitchell, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Annie Lennox, Zainab Salbi, Emma Thompson, Nina Turner, Naomi Klein, Glenn Close, Connie Britton, Heather McGee, Shabnam Hashmi, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Rosa Clemente, Bonnie Abaunza,  1 Billion Rising/V-Day, CODEPINK, Vital Voices, 350.org, Equality Now, FEMEN, SANGAT, African American Policy Forum, Gabriela, Jagori Rural, One Fair Wage, Women’s March Global, Revolutionary Love Project, Justice For Migrant Women,Planned Parenthood – LA, Miry’s List, Peace Over Violence, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas and many more. 
I hope you will join us and help us spread the word on social media & to your networks.
 
See you in the streets!

In solidarity,
V (formerly Eve Ensler)
 
RISE FOR AND WITH THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN: RISE WITH AND FOR THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN –
VISIT https://www.onebillionrising.org/afghanistan/
READ our list of demands and list of partners and about the 1 Sept Solidarity, ORGANIZATION sign on» Or email us at creative (at) vday.org
Access the social media toolkit here and spread the word on social media. Use the hashtags: #RiseForAndWithWomenOfAfghanistan #StandWithWomenofAfghanistan