Feeling helpless at the sight of the war in Gaza, a group of 10-year-old Girl Scouts in Missouri began crafting bracelets with black, red, white, and green beads – the colors of the Palestinian flag. Their goal was to raise funds to support the people of Palestine.
In a controversial turn of events, Missouri Girl Scout leaders threatened legal action against the troop asking them to stop the fundraiser, Lockport Union Sun & Journal reported.
“We felt like we were targeted, unfairly belittled and unheard,” said Nawal Abuhamdeh, a first generation Palestinian Muslim American and the leader of Troop 149 in St. Louis, which has since disbanded from the Girl Scouts.
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“What do you think a group of 10-year-old girls would want to do if they felt helpless?” Abuhamdeh asked during a Zoom meeting promoted by Ceasefire for Kids, which advocates for children in Gaza.
“They would want to help. How do they want to help? They want to make bracelets. They’re 10 years old. That’s what they felt like they could do.
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Extraordinary Exception
The Girl Scouts of the USA clarified that no legal action was taken but acknowledged a mishandling of the situation by the local chapter.
The GSUSA policy permits funds raised by Girl Scouts to be used for scouting, except in “extraordinary circumstances.”
In this context, restrictions had been lifted for three months to allow fundraising for Gaza-related causes.
A petition signed by over 100 troop leaders demands an apology to Troop 149, a statement on the Gaza crisis, and assurance that no other troop will face repercussions for fundraising.
Abuhamdeh voiced concern about the Girl Scouts’ commitment to “girls like ours,” emphasizing, “We aspire to be part of an organization that does not only advertise its desired values but acts on them.”
The controversy, despite suspending bracelet sales due to overwhelming demand, has garnered significant support, with over $10,000 raised through public contributions and volunteer efforts.