Fanworkers International Coalition Statement of Solidarity with Palestine
We, the signatories of this statement, stand in solidarity with the peoples of Palestine currently facing genocidal violence from the Zionist settler-colonial state of Israel and its Western allies. We demand an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the long-term dismantling of the ongoing apartheid occupation of Palestine. We call for justice and liberty for Palestinians, and accountability and reparations from their oppressors.
We are fanworkers—creators of fanfiction, fanart, podfic, fan crafts, and other transformative works, and members of the communities built around sharing them. We believe that fanwork is a form of folk labour, and that fanworkers exist in every human community where some stories are elevated as more important than others. We maintain that the human urge to retell stories and transform shared narratives is a fundamental characteristic of our instinct to participate in culture-making. We want every human being to have the freedom and tools to be a fanworker, if they so choose to.
As fanworkers from all over the globe, communicating largely in a language we share because of the forces of colonisation, we recognise that the violence of capitalism, colonialism, and racism has profoundly shaped the fan cultures we participate in. While we celebrate the freedom that many of us have found in fanworks that expand narratives of sexual orientation and identity, we are aware of the way that fanworks can reinscribe and reinforce dominant oppressive narratives of bigotry and bias. We want to support communities of fanworkers who bring shared values of human rights, decolonisation and anti-racism to both their social interactions and their art.
We reject the premise that fanwork is apolitical, and believe that even escapist and fantasy-fulfilling art is situated in the political contexts that influence each fanworker. We see it as our duty to speak out against injustice precisely because fanworkers have often been denigrated or harassed for making and sharing our work. We cannot champion a diversity of stories without actively fostering a diversity of storytellers. Folk culture making is foundational in the shaping of society’s thoughts and beliefs, and fanworkers, collectively, have the power to influence as many people as we entertain. We must take responsibility for that power.
Fanworkers on the internet exist in communities where pseudonymity and commerce-free exchange provides freedom of speech that might not be available offline. When professional writers, artists and creators are putting their livelihoods at risk and being arrested, attacked or killed for speaking in defence of Palestine, we can, at the very least, join them in their advocacy. If fanworks are as valid, as valuable, and as meritorious as other folk and professional art, then fanworkers must be held to the same standards that any artist is: to uphold a liberatory vision for all of humanity.
We, the undersigned, pledge to do whatever we can, within our spheres of influence, to support the Palestinian struggle for freedom, and to counter Zionist propaganda in our cultural spheres.
We denounce the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) as a racist institution upholding colonial Zionism, and we repudiate its claim to ‘represent fans’.
We condemn the racism, ethnofascism, Islamophobia and pinkwashing accompanying the heinous Israeli war crimes, and we reject the false accusations of anti-Semitism used to silence Israel's critics.
We applaud the courage of every Palestinian and ally resisting the occupation through words or action.
And we mourn every Palestinian life taken by Israel and its allies.
At least 10,000 children have been killed since 7th October 2023, and each child was a creator, labouring in the imaginary play through which children write themselves into the stories of the world.
We will never get to share stories with each other, and the loss is immeasurable.
From the river to the sea, Palestine must be free.
Published on 22nd December 2023
Last updated: 3rd May 2025
Number of signatories: 185
Kutti (Dhobi ki Kutti) | India | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer, Current OTW member |
xehzee | México | Fanworker |
c | Community Member | |
kallistei | Sri Lanka | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
Uma | India | Fanworker, Community Member |
Fel | Canada, on the unceded lands of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer, Former OTW member |
Doutzen Bachman | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Ria (yarnofariadne) | Fanworker, Community Member | |
uuuuutan | Fanworker, Community Member | |
cutputli | India | Community Member |
PC | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member | |
yuu1412 | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member |
Avni Shah | India | Community Member |
sr | india | Community Member |
fiercynn | United States | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer, Current OTW member |
H. M. | unceded indigenous land in so called "north america" | Fanworker, Community Member |
notevenyou | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
stitch | US | Fanworker, Community Member, Fanworks-Related Professional |
AO3- the_archivist_is_a_problem_child | India | Fanworker, Community Member |
Chris | Hong Kong | Current OTW member |
electrumqueen | Canada, Aotearoa | Fanworker |
notnacre | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
dahlia_moon | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
M | Thailand, America | Fanworker, Community Member |
growlery | united kingdom | Fanworker |
nebulia | united states, serbia, czechia | Fanworker, Community Member |
knightkneeler | United States, Canada | Fanworker |
Ivy W | United States of America | Fanworker, Community Member |
Griselda Gimpel | United States of America | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
smee | Canada | Fanworker |
Roo_jooce | South Africa | Fanworker, Fanworks-Related Professional |
Amatrainwreck | Republic of the Philippines | Community Member |
cage of bones | Vietnam | Fanworker, Community Member |
Quency W. | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Christie W. | United Kingdom | Fanworker, Community Member |
Hyeon E. | USA | Community Member |
Andy [splatoween-town on tumblr] | U.S. | Community Member |
paranatellon | UK, Bangladesh | Fanworker, Community Member |
sciencebluefeelings | America | Fanworker, Community Member |
bonnomiy | Philippines | Fanworker |
DS | UK | Fanworker, Community Member |
silverrmint (ao3) | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Pen | Uk | Fanworker, Community Member |
itrytowrite | India | Fanworker |
feza x. | Turkiye | Fanworker, Community Member |
partysize | Indonesia | Fanworker, Community Member |
clevermanka | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member |
lilly_c | Scotland | Fanworker |
Zuk | Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
lwjsimp | UK | Fanworker, Community Member |
prettyweirdideas | US | Fanworker, Current OTW member |
gloss | Occupied Turtle Island/Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
charons_boat | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Roofie | United Kingdom | Fanworker, Community Member |
JewelDragon | Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
no_detective | Macedonia, Serbia, USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member |
SNAAAKE | El salvador | Fanworker, Community Member |
Satsuma | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
ranalore | United States | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer, Current OTW member |
planetNamik | United States of America | Fanworker, Community Member |
naye | Sweden | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member |
Hope | South Africa | Community Member |
Enya/@shivasdarknight | Maine, USA | Fanworker, Former OTW member |
A | US, Mexico | Fanworker, Community Member |
Scribe | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member |
myloveshine | USA | Community Member |
stansayshi | Macedonia | Community Member |
izlightwoodwrites | Macedonia | Fanworker, Community Member |
southernhummingbird on ao3/bluelight on tumblr | Fanworker, Community Member | |
Bjorn | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer, Former OTW member | |
Apex54 | USA and Russia | Fanworker, Community Member |
nebula_punk | Pennsylvania, United States, parents came from Ireland | Fanworker, Community Member |
huntingthelioness | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
@jyndor on tumblr | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
soapsghosts | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
sherwood-forests | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Georgie Moon | New Zealand | Fanworker, Community Member |
pandorapromises | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Xuerle/XRLEAVT | United States | Fanworker |
Onesingularbean | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
youwerenevermeanttofeelalone | Mexico | Fanworker |
Khesi | Australia | Community Member |
Sam | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
cobraonthecob | United States of America | Fanworker, Community Member |
NoMatterTheOceans | France | Fanworker, Community Member |
Tansy Moon | U.S.A. | Fanworker, Community Member |
Misha @RedAdm1ral | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
swampbebe | New Zealand | Fanworker |
chariphrasis | USA, Mexico | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member, Former OTW member |
Antman | Canada | Fanworker |
Teaformonsters | Australia | Fanworker, Community Member |
cereal-abyss-mage | Poland | Fanworker, Community Member |
rebel_ren | US, India | Fanworker, Community Member |
a_chaos_born_in_candlelight | US, India | Fanworker, Community Member |
er-umbra-sumus | Austria | Community Member |
xandromedovna | US, Canada, Treaty 6, Turtle Island | Fanworker, Community Member, Fanworks-Related Professional |
CloudyDaffodil | United States, India | Fanworker, Community Member |
Tikkimania | Bangladesh | Community Member |
acedott | United States of America | Fanworker |
Gav (pparadoxa) | U.S. | Fanworker, Community Member |
Jamie L. (username Sharysa) | United States of America | Fanworker |
Michelle S. | The United States of America | Fanworker, Community Member |
glitterinthedarkness | India | Community Member |
threewolvesinatrenchcoat | United Kingdom | Community Member |
telyn | england | Fanworker, Community Member |
Lunas waxing | US | Community Member |
Thesilliestcake | Chicago, Illinois, USA, Mexico | Fanworker, Community Member |
nikkiismywife | Philippines | Fanworker |
asapearls | Community Member | |
xancredible | Germany | Fanworker, Community Member |
Elendraug | United States, Ireland | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member, Former monthly recurring donor for 8 years |
tigrrmilk / alwaysalreadyangry | UK | Fanworker, Community Member |
Rhea314 | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
caitlin-circuit | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Neil W. / droneheads (ao3) | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Tord | Croatia, Serbia | Fanworker, Community Member |
Lolory | USA | Community Member |
Genarti | United States, Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
Alys Humfleet | USA | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
the_cherry_sky | Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
FlamingDragon02 | Australia | Fanworker, Community Member |
mysteriousunset | Fanworker | |
whatislife | aotearoa, england | Fanworker, Community Member |
Daniel P. | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Chester S. | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Alastair Koch | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
awsok | uk | Fanworker, Community Member |
Thirsty_witch13 | Canada | Community Member |
TheNugKing | Wales | Fanworker, Community Member |
Luna | Fanworks-Related Professional | |
bonniehbunny | Fanworker | |
Isobel KF | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
RebootGrimm | America | Community Member |
anotherslashfan | Germany | Community Member, Current OTW member |
Rose | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
kit | Brazil | Fanworker, Community Member |
@fangirlsovertoomanythings (AO3) | Brazil | Fanworker, Community Member |
catnby | Fanworker | |
Jago | Born and living in Poland | Former fanworker |
Tinyel | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Walkstheages | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Toma | Ireland | Fanworker |
Achi | United States of America | Fanworker, Community Member |
WyvereWings | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Katherine H. | Fanworker, Community Member, Current OTW member | |
gupdoo3 | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
lefemmerouge | United States | Fanworker |
noworldlymatter | Indonesia | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer |
jos-teh-psyk0-45 | Italy | Community Member |
Nathan_Nino | Canada | Community Member |
Victoria Dzienis AO3: CakeMadeOfBacon1342 | United States of America and Poland | Fanworker, Community Member |
Cheshiure | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
blue k (cassie_inasky_fullofstars) | Canada (on the unceded territores of the Anishinabek Nation), the Netherlands | Fanworker, Community Member |
Katie C | United States | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW volunteer |
Ghost | Fanworker | |
ghoulishjoy on ao3 | Unceded Lenape land | Fanworker, Community Member |
Blue | Bangladesh | Fanworker, Community Member |
Prachi Singh | Kolkata, India | Fanworker |
roxast | US | Fanworker, Community Member |
96percentdone | USA | Fanworker, Community Member |
Sunny | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Viliandre | united states | Fanworker, Community Member |
Lleu | USA / Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
arorabbit | Ireland | Fanworker, Community Member |
Ryssa | Indonesia | Fanworker, Community Member |
badreligion | colonized land currently known as USA | Community Member, Current OTW member |
pocketsizedquasar | US | Fanworker, Community Member |
spacebeyonce | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
jelllicent | United States of America | Fanworker |
Iwa | Fanworker, Community Member | |
kaliya / himejoshikaeya | south africa | Fanworker, Community Member |
Josephine L | The US | Fanworker, Community Member |
Sketchingstars03 | Canada | Fanworker, Community Member |
AJ S | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Newt | Idaho, USA | Fanworker |
Silver Feagin | USA | Fanworker |
KirisakiMei | Germany | Community Member |
YoursG | India | Fanworker, Community Member |
SofaKills (ao3 handle) | Sweden | Fanworker, Community Member |
ab chohan | Pakistan | Community Member |
JACKOFALLSPADESMASTEROFACE | On Kaurna Yarta in the settler-colonist empire of so-called "Australia"; From the River to the Sea, Always Was Always Will be; Land Back everywhere! | Fanworker, Community Member |
azusasguitar | United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Jacks | India, United States | Fanworker, Community Member |
Sphinx | United States | Fanworker, Community Member, Former OTW member |
Sophie | America | Community Member |