Canadian poet Rupi Kaur has turned down her invitation to a Diwali celebration at the White House from the Vice President in protest of U.S President Joe Biden’s administration's response to Israel-Gaza.
Kaur took to Instagram and Twitter sharing a post on her social media saying, “I refuse any invitation from an institution that supports the collective punishment of a trapped civilian population—50% of whom are children."
In her message, she called upon her "South Asian community" to hold the US government accountable.
The Brampton poet known for her critically acclaimed book Milk and Honey said she is "surprised this administration finds it acceptable to celebrate Diwali when their support of the current atrocities against Palestinians represent the exact opposite of what this holiday means to so many of us."
Gaza has been under attack by Israeli forces for nearly a month after an attack by Hamas on a music festival in Israel.
Vice-President Kamala Harris will be in charge hosting the Diwali event-taking place Nov. 8, and has yet to comment on Kaur's remarks. She's not the only celebrity to weigh in: Kid Cudi also took to social media to call for a ceasefire.
