Fed Up Fest is an annual punk music festival in Chicago organized by a collective of radical queer and trans activists and musicians. We aim to center the voices of queer, trans, and intersex people in our communities, and particularly the voices of people of color. As queer and trans people in solidarity with Palestine, and who are firmly opposed to pink-washing, The Fed Up Fest Collective stands in solidarity with Dyke March Chicago’s decision to remove individuals from this year’s Dyke March (6/24/17) who explicitly identified as Zionists. Like Dyke March Chicago (DMC), we center and prioritize the safety of people of color and people affected by colonialism, including Palestinian folks bearing the brunt of Israeli Apartheid. We view the occupation of Palestine as inexcusably violent, and as a pervasive force of colonialism and oppression. DMC’s decision to remove Zionists marchers was based on long conversations with the marchers in question, organizers, and fellow marchers, including several marchers who identified as Jewish Anti-Zionists.



The Star of David has existed prior to the rise of Zionism, and it has a complex history which allows for its multiple meanings and interpretations. We also acknowledge the violent reality of Anti-Semitism that our Jewish queer and trans community members face, and hold space for these struggles, especially in light of our current political climate. Anti-Semitism is a real issue that groups like DMC and FUF organize to end through anti-racist and anti-colonial perspectives, which must include critique and opposition to Israel’s violent policies in the Middle East. It is not Anti-Semitic to disallow explicitly pro-Israel, Zionist voices to take up space at DMC. The actions taken by DMC reflect an attempt to uphold solidarity with Palestinian people. Furthermore, it is significant that one of the individuals asked to leave is employed by the pro-Israel organization, A Wider Bridge, which has focused organizing activities around making inroads with LGBTQ groups in Chicago to promote a pink-washed, Zionist agenda.

While we understand that no one is above criticism - including DMC - we support the decision that DMC made at the march. We are collectively enraged by the backlash and censorship that they have experienced over the past few months, particularly now in response to this decision. Fed Up Fest will continue in its efforts to resist the harmful impacts of Anti-Semitism, Zionism, and Islamophobia, and to challenge the perpetuation of racism, colonialism, and oppression at large.

Thank you to all of the organizers and writers who have shared their thoughts with nuance, and have risked becoming targets of Zionist criticism to develop and expand the conversation about this situation.