ADVOCACY

FREE THE HIKERS
​(​2010-11)

After my imprisonment I was at the center of negotiations between the US, Iraqi, Omani, and Venezuelan governments and played a crucial role in procuring the release of fellow prisoners Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal.  

HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN
​(​2011-2015)

I have been a vocal advocate in support of Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal, stating that under this new deal Iran would have less incentive to hold Americans as hostages and both countries would benefit from direct talks and a warming of relations. I continue to weigh in on human rights issues in Iran, including calling for the release of Iranian political prisoners and/or American hostages such as Zahra Bahrami, Jason Rezaian, Nasrin Sotoudeh, and Kaila Mueller. 

ENDING SOLITARY CONFINEMENT & MASS INCARCERATION
​​(​2011-CURRENT)

I'm an internationally known advocate against the overuse of solitary confinement in prisons. I worked in 2016 with Senator Mark Leno to pass the Stop the Torture of Children Act, a law that ended the use of solitary confinement for juveniles in detention in California, limiting the amount of time juveniles can be held in isolation to three hours.

STOP THE WARS
​(​2003-2008)
Based in San Francisco, I organized direct action and street theater performances against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I facilitated meetings, did fundraising, and headed peaceful actions.

CHIAPAS SUPPORT COMMITTEE
​(​2000-2004)

I organized delegations from the US to Chiapas and raised funds for clinics, schools, and autonomous projects in Zapatista communities in Mexico.
​As Education and Art Coordinator, I helped write, produce, and perform several theater pieces in Oakland as report-backs from our delegations to autonomous Zapatista communities. We also painted murals, screen-printed T-shirts, and distributed zines.