Palestinian para-cycling team launches merch collab with LA clothing company

A Palestinian para-cycling team and a Los Angeles social justice apparel brand are joining forces. For Your Viewing Pleasure (FYVP), led by a Palestinian-Native American designer, has released a four piece collection with the Gaza Sunbirds.

100% of the profits will go towards the Gaza Sunbirds’ aid and community projects in the strip as well as their international sporting missions.

The cycling team’s story

This collaboration tells the story of 20 athletes who refused to give up despite amputation, bombardment and famine.

After six years of training under Israeli occupation, the Gaza Sunbirds aim to make history by sending Palestine’s first ever para-cyclists to the Paralympics and FYVP will bring them closer to this dream.

A powerful part of the journey to the LA 2028 Games, working with the brand will build awareness of the cycling team’s mission in the US market.

FYVP holds a prominent position in the LA community and the significance of this project is in its reflection of grassroots efforts between two Palestinian-led groups to support the future of Gaza on the ground and on the international sporting stage.

The launch coincides with this year’s Giving Tuesday and its refocus on doing good following the frenzied spending of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, in order to encourage conscious consumerism.

FYVP designs pieces that spark conversations around Palestinian liberation, refugee solidarity, and LGBTQIA+ equality.

As a queer, female-owned brand committed to collective liberation, these values align deeply with the Gaza Sunbirds cycling team.

It is this intersection between solidarity, advocacy, and fundraising that brings them together. And it portrays an extension to FYVP’s mission that “what you wear is a platform for your beliefs”.

The collection

Featuring both a short and long sleeved t-shirt ($52 & $65), sweatshirt ($75) and two tote bags ($42), the collection holds the story of the Gaza Sunbirds team at its heart.

The designs embody the concept of resilience, the symbolism of the Palestinian flag, and the importance of amplifying the cause of mobility justice.

In tandem with this concept, the Gaza Sunbirds and FYVP hope to bring forward conversations about intersectionality and connect the struggles of oppressed groups in order to amplify their respective missions.

This shows in FYVP’s conviction in every step of the production process, where they work exclusively with immigrant-owned and run businesses in LA.

FYVP co-founder Lara Salmon said:

People of conscience around the world are now seeing the direct correlation between systems of oppression. I think social media and independent journalism has pulled back the veil on military and police brutality, from Palestine to the illegal ICE kidnappings unfolding across the U.S.

For the Gaza Sunbirds and FYVP, there are three pillars to the sporting mission tied to this collaboration: representation, resistance and recognition.

The impact of Israel’s occupation goes beyond permit refusals: the Israeli army has killed more than a thousand athletes during two years of attacks on Gaza.

Representation

Representation carries great significance, especially in the context of continued Israeli sportswashing such as the recent participation of the Israel Premier Tech cycling team at races across Europe this Summer.

For Palestinians, the sporting arena is one of the only global settings where their country is widely and officially acknowledged.

It is also a place where they can show their strength and resilience, inspiring the thousands of children in Gaza who have lost limbs and hope due to Israeli aggressions.

Gaza Sunbirds cycling team co-founder Karim Ali said:

The Gaza Sunbirds are showing the world that disability, bombardment, and a lack of resources will not hold them back and that they will continue to advocate for their community.

From world class cycling competitions to garments worn proudly by a supportive international community, their flag will fly proudly and always carry hope.

Featured image supplied