The American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition (Coalition) is a pro-Palestinian organization operating within the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The Coalition posts about upcoming rallies and posts a “Palestine Playlist” with the controversial “From the River to the Sea” slogan as its tagline on its website. ¹ The Coalition also posts chant sheets, pictures of rallies, and encourages phone calls to elected officials. The Coalition has called for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel and private companies deemed to support Israel. ²

Purpose

The American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition was formed in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois to support pro-Palestinian protests in the City of Chicago. ³ Its goal is to bring pro-Palestinian awareness, increase civic engagement, and notify supporters of upcoming protests, rallies, and events. ⁴

Events

The American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition posts the time and location of rallies throughout the suburbs of Chicago. ⁵ Most rallies have occurred in Schaumberg, but rallies have taken place in other suburbs such as Hoffman Estates, Elgin, and Hanover Park. ⁶

The Coalition provides chant sheets for pro-Palestinian rallies. ⁷

The Coalition has met to discuss preparations for rallies in Schaumberg, posted photos of rallies, and prepared a phone banking list to call all Illinois U.S. Representatives and the White House. ⁸ The Coalition posts a “Palestine Playlist” with the controversial “From the River to the Sea” slogan as its tagline on its website, a slogan which both the Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee have called antisemitic. ⁹

The American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition endorsed the national March on Washington for Gaza alongside numerous radical-left and anti-Israel groups. ¹⁰

Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions

The American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition has called for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), a Palestinian-led campaign that targets companies that do business in or with Israel. ¹¹

Among the boycott targets are McDonald’s, Burger King, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Hewlett Packard, Siemens, Re/Max, Puma, and Wix. Divestment targets include Hyundai, Volvo, Chevron, Barclays, and CAT. The coalition’s list of companies to pressure includes Disney, Google, Amazon, Expedia, AirBnB, and Booking.com. ¹²

1. “Palestine Playlist.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://amcivic.org/music;
2. “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS).” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/bds.
3. “Our Story.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/about
4.  “Our Story.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/about.
5. “Our Rallies.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/rallies.
6. “Our Rallies.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/rallies.
7. “Chant List.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://amcivic.org/chants.
8. “Phonebank for Palestine.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://amcivic.org/phonebank; “Board Meeting Minutes.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://amcivic.org/minutes; “Gallery.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://amcivic.org/gallery.
9. “Palestine Playlist.” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://amcivic.org/music; “Slogan: ‘From the River to the Sea Palestine Will be Free.” Anti-Defamation League. October 26, 2023. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/slogan-river-sea-palestine-will-be-free; “From the River to the Sea.” American Jewish Committee. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.ajc.org/translatehate/From-the-River-to-the-Sea.
10.  “Endorsers.” March on Washington for Gaza. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/endorsers/.
11. “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS).” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/bds.
12. “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS).” American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://amcivic.org/bds.