As Artists and Activists, we strongly condemn the ongoing occupation and systematic human rights violations being perpetrated against the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara. We call for the reversal of U.S. recognition of Morocco’s illegal annexation, and we call for the recognition of Western Sahara’s right to self-determination. 

Western Sahara, a country in North Africa and the homeland of the Sahrawi people, has endured decades of brutal occupation by neighboring Morocco. Since 1975, Morocco has subjected the Sahrawi people to exploitation, violent repression, and forced displacement to refugee camps. The Moroccan Occupation still enjoys the diplomatic support of the US, even after violating the United Nations led ceasefire in 2020 - a huge reason why Western Sahara remains Africa’s last occupied colony. #AfricasLastColony 

In 2020, as part of a deal for Moroccan recognition of Israel, President Trump agreed to proclaim that the Western Sahara belonged to Morocco, undermining the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Trump’s proclamation has no legal basis under international law, disregards the basic tenets of human rights, and leaves the United States out of step with the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Justice, the African Union, the UN General Assembly, and the UN Security Council. During his presidency, President Biden never followed through on his promise to revisit Trump’s decision.  Now, in his second term, the Trump administration and US government must rescind its recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara! 

We, the undersigned, hold a unique position to influence and inspire great change! Artists are  invested in the liberation of Western Sahara because art has the power to transcend borders, translate the human condition, and transform societies in ways that politics and law simply cannot. We know that none of Us are free until All of Us are free. As writers, actors, musicians, performers, poets, and other creatives, we unite and raise our voices together to support the people of Western Sahara in their pursuit of freedom and dignity. We therefore affirm our demands for: 

1. The reversal of the United States baseless recognition of Morocco’s sovereign claim over Western Sahara; 

2. The immediate cessation of all U.S. aid and sale of weapons to Morocco; and 

3. US recognition and respect of Western Sahara’s right to national self-determination, dignity, and human rights.

In solidarity, 

Artists for Western Sahara