Rupi Kaur has declined an invitation from the White House.

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.