Advocates for Youth opposes H.R. 9495, the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act”. This bill would give the executive branch the authority to strip any nonprofit organization of its tax exempt status for providing “material support” to a “terrorist group,” without any due process or evidence. Ultimately, H.R. 9495 could hurt the status of any nonprofit with a mission in opposition with the Trump Administration. 

This is not about safety, it’s about suppression of dissent. Post 9/11, the U.S. government has initiated many discriminatory “material support” investigations against Arab, Muslim, Palestinian and other people and nonprofits. H.R. 9495 would further restrict our communities’ right to organize for justice. This legislation is clearly a response to pro-Palestine and anti-war student protestors. We recognize and deplore the disingenuous use of charges of antisemitism to advance H.R. 9495. We know the rights of Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ, and all young people are intertwined. We are committed to an intersectional approach that reaches across identity and issue area silos towards greater solidarity and allyship. 

U.S. government attacks on any minority rights eventually harm us all. Advocates for Youth recognizes the importance of fighting for Arab, Black, Muslim, and immigrant rights in the broader fight for reproductive justice and against facism. 

Young people deserve to advocate for their rights and beliefs without the threat that the nonprofits supporting their efforts could be shut down. This harmful legislation will have a chilling effect on the organizing and advocacy essential to the fight against fascism and for reproductive justice. Advocates for Youth calls upon Members of Congress to oppose H.R. 9495. Vote no to protect youth organizers’ and advocates’ right to free speech, dissent, and progressive advocacy.

For Immediate Release: November 20, 2024

Contact: Eleanor Naiman, eleanor.naiman@advocatesforyouth.org

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Advocates for Youth is a 501(c)3 organization that champions efforts that help young people make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates for Youth boldly advocates for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health, focusing its work on young people ages 14-24 in the U.S. and around the globe.