Freedom Summer Palestine is a grassroots organization run by young people at the Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank of Palestine. The situation for Palestinians is horrific, with daily experiences of restrictions of movement, deprivation of basic resources such as clean water and electricity, and more. Drawing on their knowledge of the African American struggles for human rights, Palestinian struggles for freedom and justice, and other freedom movements around the world, Freedom Summer Palestine wants to involve young people in activities—including theater, photography, art, field trips, music, and consciousness-raising group discussions—as a means to build community and foster critical awareness of the practical situation regarding the Israeli Occupation and its financial and military support by the United States. This project will be housed in the building of another non-profit organization in the refugee camp—the Al-Rowwad Cultural Center—and the latter will offer support and guidance in the form of an elder advisory committee.

This project provides a nonviolent and constructive way for young people to deal with the oppression, racism, and violence that they experience in their everyday lives. The opportunities for emotional and social healing are through understanding power and promoting images of change and visions of a more equitable society. The mental health benefits are a direct reflection of the connection to human rights perspectives through self and collective experiences.