The Palestinian Movement
in Bakersfield
The United Liberation Front for Palestine (ULFP) is the first Palestinian liberation movement established in Bakersfield. ULFP prides itself in leading the mission of platforming Palestinian resistance in the Central Valley, using its three pillars: Education, Community Outreach, and Direct Action. From the heart of American imperialism, ULFP recognizes the interconnectedness of struggles between Palestine and other oppressed nations. By upholding the Palestinian Thawabet and unequivocally standing with Palestinian resistance, ULFP's responsibility lies with ensuring Palestinian voices in the diaspora accurately mirror the voices currently engaged in active confrontation against the oppressor.
Since its inception in December of 2023, ULFP's mission from the very beginning was to create a platform for honest Palestinian voices to engage with local communities and tie the worldwide struggle for liberation together. For Bakersfield, ULFP fills the void of inactivity by fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and building solidarity around Palestinian issues within the local context. It provides a space for education, advocacy, and cultural exchange, ensuring that the voices of Palestinians are heard and their stories are accurately shared, while connecting their struggle to broader movements for liberation and justice globally.
Through our events, actions, and community organizing, ULFP empowers Bakersfield residents to take action and stand in unity with oppressed communities everywhere.
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THE FIRST PROTEST
In an effort to disrupt and shock the community into attention, ULFP organized the first-ever march for Palestine in Bakersfield's history—a march that took participants into Valley Plaza Mall on the second busiest day of the year. Echoes of "Palestine Will Be Free" rang throughout the building as hundreds participated in this historic demonstration. Since then, ULFP has organized more than 20+ marches/rallies throughout 2024 in Bakersfield and has participated in multiple marches throughout California.
POETRY NIGHTS
Poetry plays an incredible role in the Palestinian zeitgeist, especially when it comes to preserving identity, resisting oppression, and expressing collective hope and resilience. For Palestinians, poetry is not just an art form but a powerful tool of resistance and a means of documenting history. With ULFP's Poetry Nights for Palestine events, the goal was to showcase some of those pieces through the voices of local poets and volunteer performers.
CHILDREN’S EVENTS
Whether it was the Palestinian Children's March organized by ULFP youth members or a family-friendly kite day meant to highlight the martyred children we lost in Gaza, ULFP understands the importance of engaging the entire family structure if we are to build a strong coalition of supporters across the community.
By creating spaces where children, parents, and elders can participate together, we foster intergenerational solidarity, strengthen communal bonds, and ensure that our movement remains rooted in the lived experiences and collective resilience of our people.
CITY COUNCIL
In order to combat voices in the community who demanded that we take the "politically acceptable" approach, ULFP ran a campaign to petition the local City Council to pass a ceasefire resolution. Instead, the City Council was exposed to be a pro-Zionist, pro-genocide institution, unwilling to acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinian people or take even the smallest step towards justice. This revelation further solidified ULFP's commitment to grassroots organizing, direct action, and community-led resistance, rather than relying on institutions that uphold systems of oppression.
LETTER WRITING
In addition to uniting our community, ULFP launched the Letters for Palestine initiative—a powerful act of solidarity that amplifies the voices of those resisting oppression in Palestine. Through our “Dear Palestine” events—writing to Lama Jamous, Bisan Owda, Hind AlKhoudary, Ahed Tamimi, and many others, this initiative provides a platform for community members to express their unwavering support for the Palestinian people through heartfelt messages of resistance. By sharing these letters locally and internationally, we not only break through the isolation imposed by colonial violence but also strengthen the bonds of global solidarity, reminding our people in Palestine that they are never alone in this struggle for liberation.
The October MarcH
Bringing together hundreds of people from across the Central Valley, ULFP, alongside several allied coalition groups, converged in Bakersfield to honor the martyrs we've lost over the course of 12 months.
Dubbed the "Glory To Our Martyrs October March," this powerful gathering was more than just a demonstration—it was a defining moment for Bakersfield, transforming the city into a focal point for the Valley's growing Palestinian movement.
AND THAT’S NOT ALL…
In addition to the multitude of actions it has put together, ULFP has also organized several movie nights, community discussions, and other events meant to highlight Palestine and its right to resist occupation by any means.
All of this is meant to serve the mission of providing a greater understanding of why Palestine must be liberated, and only through our interconnected solidarity will that be possible.