Rupi Kaur has declined an invitation from the White House. ‹ Literary Hub

November 6, 2023, 2:23pm

Rupi Kaur—the Canadian poetry phenom whose collections have sold more than 11 million copies worldwide—has declined an invitation from the Biden White House for a a Diwali event being held by the Vice President on November 8, citing the administration’s “support of the current atrocities against Palestinians” as the reason.

In a blazing, courageous statement published on Twitter earlier today, Kaur had this to say:

I received an invite from the Biden administration for a Diwali event being held by the VP on nov 8. I decline any invitation from an institution that supports the collective punishment of a trapped civilian population—50% of whom are children. pic.twitter.com/J3V5om89Se

— rupi kaur (@rupikaur_) November 6, 2023

Rupi Kaur, we salute you. Let’s hope more authors follow your lead.