Free(d) Rümeysa!
Next Sunbirds Hour, eyes on Rümeysa, and meeting Hatem Aly
Hello, Story Sunbirds!
We’re working on an exciting new event that’ll take place in the fall. More to come! For now, we’re sharing information about next week’s Sunbirds Hour, what’s going on with Rümeysa Öztürk, and highlighting illustrator Hatem Aly.
One: A federal judge ordered Rümeysa Öztürk to be released from ICE detention on Friday, May 9.
Federal judge William Sessions found there was no reason for Rümeysa to remain in custody over her op-ed. Sessions said she's free to return to her home in Massachusetts and according to Boston’s WBUR “declined to put a travel restriction on Öztürk, despite the government's request.” He also felt “that ‘this is a woman just totally committed to her academic career’ . . . [and] found no evidence she was involved in violence or criminal activity and therefore presents no risk of flight.
She is still subject to removal proceedings (being deported) and has a trial on May 22 but her release demand is promising. This is still a win for not only Rümeysa but every voice seeking to speak out on injustice. We are elated to hear this news!
Two: ‘Libraries are Havens’ Sunbirds Hour
We had a great time at our last Story Sunbirds Hour where we discussed themes in Avatar: The Last Airbender and how they matched much of our global circumstances. There will be another children’s media discussion in June.
Our next Hour is on May 15, however, and in that session we’ll be discussing the Libraries are Havens Campaign! There we’ll discuss how you can be of help to it, what we’ve raised so far, and what our hopes are for the June 1 deadline. You can contribute directly here and don’t forget to register for the call itself!
Three: Meet-A-Sunbird!
There are quite a few of us so we’re meeting Sunbirds each newsletter!
Next up, we have Hatem Aly, an Egyptian-born illustrator living in Canada. Listen to his unique story and advice to others here:
Here are just a few things Hatem is involved in!
He’s a part of Coffees for Gaza.
He lives in a house with more pets than people.
He was number thirteen on our recent Read-Aloud!
Hatem is an illustration mentor for the We Need Diverse Books 2025 Mentorship program.
His newest book is "The Boldest White," written by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali. You can purchase it at any local bookstore of your choice or on Bookshop.
Thanks for joining us, Hatem!
Looking to be the next Sunbird we can meet? Have a nomination of a friend in mind? Please email us or message on Instagram.
Four: A few submission opportunities.
Do you want to win a prize or get published in a poetry collection? Take a look at these upcoming opportunities and on-going resources.
Lee and Low books are giving away their new Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection to five educators in a sweepstakes! Submit to win before May 11, 2025.
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture has extended the deadline (until June 10, 2025) for the Naomi Shihab Nye Prize 2025. Writers are invited to submit English-language middle-grade manuscripts celebrating Arab culture, imagination, and experience.
Artists Against Apartheid have made an open call for “Poetry for Palestine” due by May 30, 2025.
Final notes:
If you are able to support Story Sunbirds, please do! You can give a direct donation here.
Don’t forget to join us on Discord!
In the meantime, let us know your thoughts or questions on anything in this newsletter.
Love these submission opportunities—so helpful!