MPower Change Action Fund (also known as MPower Action) is the lobbying sister affiliate of the organization MPower Change, a left-of-center advocacy group focusing on issues related to American Muslims. ¹

In the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries, MPower Action promoted the “uncommitted” movement which urged Democratic presidential primary voters to select “uncommitted” to pressure President Joe Biden to convince Israel to reach a ceasefire in its war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. ²

Related Organization

MPower Change, the charitable advocacy group of which MPower Action is the lobbying and electoral advocacy arm, was founded in January 2016 in New York. Linda Sarsour, Mark Crain, and Dustin Craun founded MPower Change. ³

Activism

In July 2020, MPower Change Action Fund called for the repeal of the Patriot Act and the increased surveillance powers it gave federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies. ⁴

In September 2020, MPower Change Action Fund shared on its Instagram a call to abolish the criminal justice system. ⁵

In September 2020, MPower Change Action Fund expressed opposition to the Countering Violent Extremism anti-terrorism program calling it “racist and Islamophobic.” ⁶

In June 2021, MPower Change Action Fund hosted a conference call explaining how Black Lives Matter and Palestinian-nationalist activism were connected. ⁷

In December 2023, MPower Change Action Fund signed a letter opposing a bill which included increased funding to support Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and increased security provisions on the U.S. borders. The letter called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ending all U.S. support for Israel, lifting most immigration restrictions and border security policies, and cutting defense spending and shifting the money towards more social programs. ⁸

In April 2024, MPower Change Action Fund signed a letter along with Working Families Party, IfNotNow Movement, Sunrise Movement, Movement for Black Lives, and Gen-Z for Change, Arab American Institute, Greenpeace USA, Justice Democrats, and other groups endorsing the student protests at college campuses supporting Palestinian nationalism and opposing Israel’s military response to the October 7 attacks. The groups praised the students for raising awareness of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and the fact that they were being conducted with American-made weapons. The groups announced that the protests came forth with clear demands that the universities divest from Israel and “demanding safe environments for Palestinians across their campuses.” The letter called upon people to support the student protests. ⁹

In June 2024, MPower Change Action Fund endorsed a letter by 70 Democrats in the U.S. Congress urging the Biden administration to admit more Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip who have immediate relationships with American citizens to the United States as refugees. ¹⁰

In July 2024, MPower Change Action Fund executive director Linda Sarsour gave an interview in which she called President Joe Biden a “war criminal” and demanded that Vice President Kamala Harris support a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, more aid for Palestinians, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and for Harris to signal her willingness to impose an arms embargo on Israel. ¹¹

In July 2024, MPower Change Action Fund denounced the speech to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for its supporters to protest the speech by wearing red, thereby drawing a “red line” against Netanyahu, whom the group called a war criminal. ¹²

In October 2024, MPower Change Action Fund urged its social media followers to pressure President Joe Biden to declare an arms embargo on Israel. The group also denounced Biden for sending American troops to aid in the defense of Israel without Congressional authorization. ¹³

On Election Day 2024, MPower Change Action Fund released a message claiming its work would continue regardless of who won. The message denounced former President Donald Trump for trying to reinstate the “Muslim ban” and Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting “Israel’s genocide in Gaza.” The group also denounced both for insufficiently supporting immigrants and refugees. ¹⁴

In November 2024, MPower Change Action Fund expressed opposition to H.R. 9495 which would give the IRS the power to terminate the tax-exempt status of groups which supported terrorism. The group described the legislation as “a dangerous bill that would give Trump new powers to unilaterally target and shut down nonprofit and activist groups in the name of national security.” ¹⁵

In November 2024, MPower Change Action Fund denounced the Biden administration for whipping against a vote to block arms sales to Israel. The group took offense to the Biden administration claiming that supporters of the vote were aiding Hamas. The group denounced President Joe Biden claiming that his legacy “will be one of complicity and partnership in Israel’s genocide.” ¹⁶

In November 2024, MPower Change Action Fund supported a move by self-described socialist U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to force a vote in the U.S. Senate to block what the group called $20 billion in sales of offensive arms to Israel. The vote failed overwhelmingly, and the group blamed the Biden administration and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for lobbying against the legislation. ¹⁷

Electoral Advocacy

In the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries, MPower Change Action Fund supported the “uncommitted” movement which urged Democratic primary voters to vote “uncommitted” or cast blank ballots to pressure President Joe Biden to push Israel into an immediate ceasefire in its war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In the New York State presidential primary, it was part of the “Leave It Blank” coalition which urged Democratic primary voters to leave the presidential ballot blank. ²

In April 2024, MPower Change Action Fund endorsed the reelection of controversial and far-left “Squad” member Summer Lee (D-PA). Lee won her primary and reelection. ¹⁸

In June 2024, MPower Change Action Fund endorsed the reelection of controversial and far-left “Squad” member Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) to the U.S. House. Bowman was defeated in his primary, and the group blamed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, claiming it was “one of the most destructive forces in American politics.” The group launched the “Reject AIPAC” campaign in response. ¹⁹

In August 2024, MPower Change Action Fund endorsed the reelection of controversial and far-left “Squad” member Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) to the U.S. House. The group claimed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee poured millions of dollars into her race to oppose her. Bush was defeated in her primary. ²⁰

Leadership

MPower Change Action Fund’s executive director is Linda Sarsour. She is the former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York and a former co-chair of the Women’s March.  ²¹

Yasmine Taeb is the legislative and political director for the group. She claims that she “grew up undocumented” and later became an American citizen. In 2016, she became the first Muslim woman elected to the Democratic National Committee. She previously worked at Demand Progress, Center for Victims of Torture, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and the Center for American Progress. ²¹

1. “MPower Action.” MPower Action. Accessed December 10, 2024. https://www.mpoweraction.org/.
2. Seidman, Derek. “‘uncommitted’ Movement Reaches New York as Democratic Voters Cast Blank Ballots.” Truthout, April 2, 2024. https://truthout.org/articles/uncommitted-movement-reaches-new-york-as-democratic-voters-cast-blank-ballots/.
3. “Vision.” MPower Change. Accessed December 10, 2024. https://www.mpowerchange.org/about-1.
4. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘Amidst Mass Protest against Police Violence, Congress Can’t Decide Whether or Not to Stop Federal Officers from Spying on You and Me. Make the Decision for Them: Mpowerchange.Org/Stopthepatriotact #StopThePatriotAct.’” Instagram, July 28, 2020. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDM7KFLjEAZ/?img_index=5&igsh=MTU4d3pneTdmNjh2ZA%3D%3D.
5. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘As We Hold Each Other after Today’s Enraging Decision Re #BreonnaTaylor -We Uplift What Black Abolitionists Have Shared Time & Time Again: The System Is Working as Intended & Abolishing That System Is Justice. Start w/ This @prisonculture Piece, Link in Bio.’” Instagram, September 24, 2020. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFicDecgT4N/?igsh=ZHoweW1yeXo1aGNx.
6. “Mpower Action on Instagram: ‘Join the Conversation Tomorrow, Sep 28th @ 8PM ET, to Learn about the Origins of the Racist and Islamophobic #CVE Program and How It Targets Various Muslim Communities in the US. We Will Explain When #CVE Emerged, the Different Ways It Appears in Communities, and Why It’s so Harmful for Muslims and Other Marginalized Communities. #StopCVE #NoSurveillanceSeptember ➡️ Visit the Link in Our Bio to Register Now!’” Instagram, September 27, 2020. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpueHGAl0g/?igsh=MTgwa2hoamFvYWkzbA%3D%3D.
7. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘Learn How Our Shared Struggles for Freedom and Justice Intersect from Minneapolis to Palestine. We Are Calling for #collectiveliberation and We Will Stop at Nothing Less. See You Thursday at 6P ET and Find out How We Can Take Collective Action. RSVP Now ➡️ Bit.Ly/Mdcnypalestine (Link in Bio) #palestine #freepalestine #blacklivesmatter #collectiveliberation.’” Instagram, June 2, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPoMfYUDrmA/?igsh=ejhheHZ4ZzUzbTN3.
8. “Divest from Militarism, Invest in Life: From Palestine to the Border Wall.” Adalah Justice Project. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.adalahjusticeproject.org/updates/investinlife.
9. Harb, Ali. “US Advocacy Groups Back Palestine Solidarity Campus Protests amid Gaza War.” Al Jazeera, April 29, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/4/29/us-advocacy-groups-back-palestine-solidarity-campus-protests-amid-gaza-war.
10. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘We Commend @repcasar @repjayapal @repdingell & @senatordurbin for Their Leadership and for All the Members of Congress Who Signed This Letter Demanding That the Biden Administration Designate Certain Palestinian Refugees in Gaza Who Have Immediate Relationships to US Citizens. This Designation Can Save Lives and Our Political Leaders Must Also Ensure They Can Return to Gaza When It Becomes Safe to. There Is Much More Work and Advocacy to Do and We Cannot Do This without Our Members. Over 28,000 of MPower Members Took Action to Get Us to This Point! Let’s Stay Focused!’” Instagram, June 20, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cu-W8Or7c/?igsh=MWZzZm1kMGszemFnbw%3D%3D.
11. “MPower Change on Instagram: ‘“Activist Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) on What Voters Need to See from Kamala Harris on Gaza.” on @democracynow.’” Instagram, July 24, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C90ZNr4vAY5/?igsh=M3pkZXdocmg0dWV6.
12. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘The People of the World Stand with Palestine and against the Genocide Committed by Israel with Full Support of the United States. Join Us in Forming a People’s Red Line against Genocide around the Capitol Building! Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Genocidal State of Israel Should Be Arrested for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. in Fact, the International Criminal Court Has Requested Arrest Warrants for Him and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense of Israel. We Won’t Let a War Criminal Walk the Streets of DC. If Biden and the US Administration Refuse to Draw a Real Red Line against Genocide, We Will! We Are the Red Line! 🇵🇸national Mobilization! All out to DC! 🗓️july 24 📍the Capitol, Washington DC 🔴wear Red!’” Instagram, July 13, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/C9XpgimObgK/?igsh=NDd0a2xrZmc2dDVm.
13. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘Every Day, Innocent Lives Are Lost in Gaza as the U.S. Continues to Arm Israel. A Strong Majority of Americans Demand an End to This Support for Violence. Biden Isn’t Listening, He Has Sent U.S. Troops without Congressional Authorization to Aid Israel’s Horrific War. ✊ Tell President Biden: Arms Embargo Now! 📢 Take Action through the Link in @mpoweraction Bio.’” Instagram, October 28, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/DBr3BX3ueDn/?igsh=MWY1anQ0djN0eDFheQ%3D%3D.
14. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘💜 Today We Are Supporting Voters in Our Communities as We Build the Political Power We Need to Ensure Our Rights and to Work towards Freedom and Dignity for All People. 🗳️ Tomorrow We Work towards Those Same Goals. ✊.’” Instagram, November 5, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/DB__FxuRwhQ/?img_index=1&igsh=MXZ1MXdpczBoZDJwbg%3D%3D.
15. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘Last Week, 52 Dems Voted Yes on H.R. 9495, a Dangerous Bill That Would Give Trump New Powers to Unilaterally Target and Shut down Nonprofit and Activist Groups in the Name of National Security. We Were Able to Block the Bill, but Now It Is Back and Slated to Be Voted on Again This Thursday -This Time Requiring a Simple Majority Vote to Pass. If Your Representative Is on This List, Please Take Action; We Need Them to Change Their Vote to No. We Must Do What We Can to Stop This Dangerous Bill from Passing and Advancing to the Senate. Tell Your Member of Congress to Protect the Right to Dissent. Tell Your Member of Congress to Vote No on H.R. 9495. Please Note: You Can Only Take This Digital Action If Your Representative Voted Yes at Mpoweraction.Org/Nohr9495 If They Voted No, You Can Still Take Urgent Action from Our Bio.’” Instagram. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCkyUxyy9iO/?igsh=MTY5dWt2OG42OHE3ZA%3D%3D.
16. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘Shame on Biden. His Legacy Will Be One of Complicity and Partnership in Israel’s Genocide. We Will Be Updating How the Vote Goes Later Today. Let Us Then Thank Those in the Senate Who Are Pushing for a Break from Supporting Genocide by Voting to Block Arms Today in This Historic Vote. We Will Update You When We Have the Full List of the Senators Who Vote Yes. till Then Please Take Action at Mpowerchange.Org/Blockarms and Join Nearly 110,000 Others Today.’” Instagram, November 20, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCmt3DZSYzB/?img_index=2&igsh=eHNicHhlMjdkZWY5.
17.  “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘breaking: This Historic Vote Came about as a Result of the Millions of Americans Who Have for Months Been Calling on the Biden Administration to Simply Enforce U.S. Law and Suspend Offensive Arms to Israel – Used to Kill Tens of Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. Thank You to Sen. Bernie Sanders for His Continued Leadership and Efforts to Block $20 Billion in Offensive Arms to Israel. Thank You to the Senators Who Supported the Jrds despite the Vigorous Lobbying in Opposition by the Biden Administration and AIPAC. Join Us in Thanking Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-vt.), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Tim Kaine (D-va.), for Their Leadership in Spearheading the Vote and to All of Those Who Voted Yes. the Resolutions Did Not Pass but That Does Not Deter Us as We Continue to Build Congressional Support to End the “Blank Check” to Israel. Mpoweraction.Org/Thankyous.’” Instagram, November 20, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCnbQr-tjMe/?igsh=MWRyZWg4MjQ3bmk4Nw%3D%3D.
18. “Mpower Action on Instagram: ‘congratulations to Representative @summerleeforpa for a Huge Primary Win Yesterday Night! PA-12 Is Grateful to Have a Courageous Leader like @SUMMERLEEFORPA. in Her Own Words “Opposing Genocide Is Good Politics and Good Policy.” & as a Representative That Calls for a #CEASEFIRENOW We Congratulate Her and All Those That Made This Victory a Reality!’” Instagram, April 24, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/C6JwAPeuTnq/?igsh=MWhlNTJ6cnZqemNhZw%3D%3D.
19. “Ifnotnow🔥✡️ on Instagram: ‘Pep Talks from @lsarsour >>>> It’s Been One Week since AIPAC Showed Us More Clearly than Ever That It’s One of the Most Destructive Forces in American Politics by Pouring an Unprecedented Amount of Money into the NY-16 Race to Unseat Jamaal Bowman. It’s Never Been More Urgent- It’s Going to Take All of Us, the Power of the People, to Bring the #RejectAIPAC Campaign to Fruition.’” Instagram, July 2, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C87lljDPAk-/?igsh=MXBxY2pyb3czMzNhMA%3D%3D.
20. “MPower Action on Instagram: ‘🗳️Missouri: Today Is the Primary! Use Your Vote to Support Candidates That Are Calling for #ceasefirenow and to Stop Funding the Genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Make Sure to Head to the Polls and Cast Your Vote. Missouri’s 1st Congressional District Is Facing an Important Primary Today, Where Representative Cori Bush Is Being Challenged. AIPAC Has Been Pouring Millions of Dollars into Races to Defeat pro-Ceasefire Elected Officials. This Race Is Crucial. Our Votes Have a Massive Impact at the Congressional Level. Unlike Presidential Primaries, Congressional Candidates Must Be Accountable to Their Voters and Amplify Their Voices in DC. Let’s Make History Together to Show That We Will Not Tolerate Our Tax Dollars Funding Violence and Genocide While Our Communities Need Investment in Education, Health Care, and Housing. Every Vote Counts & Polls Close at 7pm! Find Your Polling Location Now at Http://Www.Mymuslimvote.Org/Voting #mymuslimvote.’” Instagram, August 6, 2024.  https://www.instagram.com/p/C-VMO4QOrK8/?igsh=MWsxMm16OGFnYWpmZQ%3D%3D.
21. “Our Team.” MPower Change. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.mpowerchange.org/team.