Crushing Colonialism’s Founding Executive Director Jen Deerinwater Joins Global Campaign Linking Palestine and Disability Justice

Crushing Colonialism is inviting you to participate in a campaign this October, linking Palestine and disability justice, through organizing a grassroots/community screening of the new documentary film, Severed (2025). The campaign will begin with a virtual screening and panel discussion on October 5, 2025, at 3 PM ET.

Severed (2025) tells the story of Mohamad Saleh, a teenager from Gaza who has survived five major Israeli assaults. Those attacks took his home, his close family members, his best friends, and—at just 12 years old—his leg. His story represents the wider lived reality of thousands of Palestinians whose disabilities result directly from Israel’s systematic violations of international law.

The October 5th campaign launch will feature a special panel discussion with:

Mohamad Saleh – protagonist and co-producer of Severed and Donkeysaddle Projects intern
Sandra Tamari – Executive Director, Adalah Justice Project
Dom Kelly – Executive Director, New Disabled South
Jen Deerinwater – Founding Executive Director, Crushing Colonialism

👉Register for the Oct 5  Severed campaign launch here!

Jen Deerinwater, citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, bisexual, Two Spirit, multiply-disabled nationally recognized journalist, organizer, and advocate for Indigenous and disability rights, will bring critical perspective to the discussion, situating Palestinian disability justice within broader struggles against colonialism, systemic violence, and ableism.

“Disability justice cannot be separated from the fight for liberation in Palestine or anywhere in the world,” said Deerinwater. “As Indigenous peoples, we know that colonization always brings devastation to our bodies, communities, and lands. Our struggles are deeply connected.”

Following the launch, dozens of grassroots screenings will take place throughout October in homes, community centers, and online spaces around the world, coinciding with both two years of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and National Disability Awareness Month in the U.S.

Screen Severed in whatever way fits your capacity/needs:

• Living Room Screening: Gather friends and loved ones in your home for a private, intimate event.
• Community Screening: Organize a screening in a community space, tailored to your audience.
• Virtual Screening:  Host an online screening to connect with audiences anywhere.

Interested in hosting a screening? Sign up to host screenings here.

Don’t forget to register for the October 5th virtual screening and panel discussion!

Crushing Colonialism invites communities to center Palestinian voices, build cross-movement solidarity, and act for justice and absolute liberation, from the river to the sea.