Linda Sarsour

Linda Sarsour born 1980 is an American political activist She was cochair of the 2017 Womens March the 2017 Day Without a Woman and the 2019 Womens March She is also a former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York She and her Womens March cochairs were profiled in Time magazines 100 Most Influential People in 2017 A Muslim of Palestinian descent Sarsour first gained attention for protesting police surveillance of American Muslims later becoming involved in other civil rights issues such as police brutality feminism immigration policy and mass incarceration She has also organized Black Lives Matter demonstrations and was the lead plaintiff in a suit challenging the legality of the Trump travel ban Her political activism has been praised by some liberals and progressives while her stance and remarks on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict have been criticized by some conservatives and Jewish leaders and organizations Sarsour has advocated for Palestinians in the Israelioccupied territories and expressed support for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions BDS campaign against Israel Sarsour Bob Bland and Tamika Mallory stepped down from the Womens March organization in September 2019 following a controversy over the organizations handling of accusations of antisemitism