Peoria RALLY for Palestine

10/12/2026

In collaboration with The Illinois Coalition for Human Rights, we ask that you Vote “YES” for the Advisory Question on the IL Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462).

This question will appear on the November Ballot for voters registered in Peoria, Medina, and Kickapoo Townships, in essence making this a City of Peoria referendum.

Because we really want to know, WILL HUMAN RIGHTS PLAY IN PEORIA?!

The vote's outcome is non-binding and will not change any laws. However, it will inform your state representatives of your position on the Act, which they will vote on after the midterm elections.

A vote of “YES” would advise your representatives that you support the IL Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462). This Act would REPEAL the current unjust and biased Illinois law that stifles free speech and prioritizes the interests of a foreign government over the financial stability and gains of Illinois workers’ and retirees’ pension funds.

Under current Illinois Pension Code law, the Illinois Investment Policy Board (composed of unelected members with no fiduciary or reporting responsibilities) restricts public-pension investments in companies engaged in politically-motivated boycotts of the Israeli government. It is worth noting that companies can boycott any other foreign government without penalty, making Israel uniquely immune from actions most would interpret as free speech. In fact, the landmark 1982 US Supreme Court decision in NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware ruled that non-violent, politically-motivated consumer boycotts are protected free speech under the First Amendment.

So please, vote “YES” and tell your state representatives that you want to expand and safeguard Illinois public-pension investment options, which is expected to generate greater returns for the Illinois pension fund. Tell your representatives that you want to protect a company’s right to boycott and restore Americans’ trust in basic human rights, including our First Amendment rights.

Please share with your family, friends, organizations, churches, etc.

We can provide handouts and flyers as needed. We can also provide a speaker to any group upon request. Just let us know.

Peace to All !

Free Palestine !

Save Gaza !

10/12/2026

NY Times is perhaps trying to finally atone for all its pro-israeli bias.

A top aide to Ambassador Mike Huckabee skewed information to portray the Netanyahu government in a favorable light, according to multiple officials and documents obtained by The Times.

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

It’s time to VOTE!

Greetings friends and supporters of democracy, free speech, and human rights:

In collaboration with The Illinois Coalition for Human Rights, we ask that you Vote “YES” for the Advisory Question on the IL Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462).

This question will appear on the November Ballot for voters registered in Peoria, Medina, and Kickapoo Townships.

The vote's outcome is non-binding and will not change any laws. However, it will inform your state representatives of your position on the Act, which they will vote on after the midterm elections.

A vote of “YES” would advise your representatives that you support the IL Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462). This Act would REPEAL the current unjust and biased Illinois law that stifles free speech and prioritizes the interests of a foreign government over the financial stability and gains of Illinois workers’ and retirees’ pension funds.

Under current Illinois Pension Code law, the Illinois Investment Policy Board (composed of unelected members with no fiduciary or reporting responsibilities) restricts public-pension investments in companies engaged in politically-motivated boycotts of the Israeli government. It is worth noting that companies can boycott any other foreign government without penalty, making Israel uniquely immune from actions most would interpret as free speech. In fact, the landmark 1982 US Supreme Court decision in NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware ruled that non-violent, politically-motivated consumer boycotts are protected free speech under the First Amendment.

So please, vote “YES” and tell your state representatives that you want to expand and safeguard Illinois public-pension investment options, which is expected to generate greater returns for the Illinois pension fund. Tell your representatives that you want to protect a company’s right to boycott and restore Americans’ trust in basic human rights, including our First Amendment rights.

Please share with your family, friends, organizations, churches, etc.

We can provide handouts and flyers as needed. We can also provide a speaker to any group upon request. Just let us know.

Peace to All !

Free Palestine !

Save Gaza !

10/09/2026

My life has become a tale of a thousand anniversaries. So I dare ask: Does remembering the date of a tragedy make it easier to name? To live with? How is recalling our trauma—and dedicating an anniversary to it—going to help erase it? How is reflecting on something still happening going to bring it to an end? If the moral urge behind marking this anniversary is to hold space for the grief that the past few years have inflicted, by no means should it say that we’re past grieving. Read more from Mohammed R. Mhawish: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/this-is-not-an-anniversary/

10/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19WV3z9MJD/

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

Greetings friends and supporters of democracy, free speech, and human rights:

It’s time to VOTE!

In collaboration with The Illinois Coalition for Human Rights, we ask that you Vote “YES” for the Advisory Question on the IL Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462).

This question will appear on the November Ballot for voters registered in Peoria, Medina, and Kickapoo Townships.

The vote's outcome is non-binding and will not change any laws. However, it will inform your state representatives of your position on the Act, which they will vote on after the midterm elections.

A vote of “YES” would advise your representatives that you support the IL Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723 / SB 2462). This Act would REPEAL the current unjust and biased Illinois law that stifles free speech and prioritizes the interests of a foreign government over the financial stability and gains of Illinois workers’ and retirees’ pension funds.

Under current Illinois Pension Code law, the Illinois Investment Policy Board (composed of unelected members with no fiduciary or reporting responsibilities) restricts public-pension investments in companies engaged in politically-motivated boycotts of the Israeli government. It is worth noting that companies can boycott any other foreign government without penalty, making Israel uniquely immune from actions most would interpret as free speech. In fact, the landmark 1982 US Supreme Court decision in NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware ruled that non-violent, politically-motivated consumer boycotts are protected free speech under the First Amendment.

So please, vote “YES” and tell your state representatives that you want to expand and safeguard Illinois public-pension investment options, which is expected to generate greater returns for the Illinois pension fund. Tell your representatives that you want to protect a company’s right to boycott and restore Americans’ trust in basic human rights, including our First Amendment rights.

Please share with your family, friends, organizations, churches, etc.

We can provide handouts and flyers as needed. We can also provide a speaker to any group upon request. Just let us know.

Peace to All,
Dr. Tara Wood
Peoria, IL

09/30/2026

Even Bloomberg is ringing the death knell for Tel Aviv.

The lobbying powerhouse seeks to retain its influence despite accusations of partisanship and Israel's declining support with voters