#RadicalReadz: We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders

The Gathering for Justice
2 min readMar 12, 2020

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Our March selection for #RadicalReadz is Linda Sarsour’s first book, We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders: A Memoir of Love & Resistance. In this powerful and inspiring read, Linda takes us on a journey through her formative experiences that shaped the leader she is today — one that has been at the forefront of several of the largest mass mobilizations for justice over the past 10 years. We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders will be a legacy for young organizers for generations to come.

Linda is our sister in the movement, from the very first meeting of Justice League NYC to the creation of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington and so much more. It was a joyful honor to bring New York’s activist community together for Linda’s book launch during a live #RadicalReadz.

The program for #RadicalReadz included many notable activists, including rapper Mysonne, Council member Brad Lander, Rabbi Barat Ellman, Zakiyah Ansari, Sophie Ellman-Golan, Angelo Pinto, Ana Maria Archila, Tiffany Cabán, Winnie Wong, Faiza Ali, Bob Bland, Paola Mendoz, Tamir Judeh, Tahanie Aboushi, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Roger Waters, Shaun King, Murad Awawdah, Jay Jordan, Dr. Tamara Lee and others.

With so many people who love and support Linda on the program and in the building, the night was filled with emotion. Selections from her book were read aloud by people who Linda has inspired over the years, including NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Councilman Brad Lander, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Civil Rights Attorney Tahanie Aboushi, journalist Shaun King, and Linda’s own son, Tamir Judeh, among others.

Linda is overwhelmed with emotion during one of many surprise guest appearances for the evening.

Rev. Adophus Lacey, who was part of the 2015 March 2 Justice, opened the doors of Bethany Baptist Church to host the evening programming, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the warm welcome.

(From left:) Carmen Perez-Jordan, Linda Sarsour, Rev. Adolphus Lacey, and Tamika Mallory.

Linda is a tireless advocate for our most marginalized communities, an inspiration for young women everywhere, and a fierce force of love in this world. Pick up a copy of her book today and let us know what inspires you, by tagging @nyjusticeleague and using the hashtag #RadicalReadz!

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The Gathering for Justice
The Gathering for Justice

Written by The Gathering for Justice

Building a movement to end child incarceration & transform the justice system. #JusticeLeagueNYC | CashApp: $Gathering4Justice | www.gatheringforjustice.org/

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