Reps. Omar, AOC, Tlaib And Pressley Launch ‘Squad Victory Fund’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Building on their "history of sisterhood" and progressive advocacy, Congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib on Wednesday announced their official endorsements of one another for re-election in 2020.

The legislators also announced the creation of the "Squad Victory Fund," a joint fundraising committee that will support their campaigns and their leadership PACs.

Since their election sin 2018, the four congresswomen — all first-term members, friends and women of color — have been dubbed "the squad." Omar and Tlaib are the first Muslim women ever elected to Congress.

The representatives say their continued leadership is especially critical as their communities struggle from the coronavirus crisis, racial injustices and inequities in health care, housing, education and the economy.

"In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Minneapolis inspired a movement," Omar said in a news release.

Following Floyd's death, Omar spoke at a racial justice rally and endorsed the movement to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.

Omar — who came to the United States as a refugee — represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and some of its suburbs.

"Right now, people across the country are taking to the streets to demand an end to our broken systems of injustice," she said. "The American people are demanding a comprehensive response to the public health and economic crisis we face. While GOP and corporate donors fight to silence us, we are building a multi-racial grassroots movement to take on entrenched systems of inequality. Our movement is for justice. Our movement is for equality. Our movement is for peace. And our movement is for a better future."

Omar is expected to win her August primary and retain her seat in Congress in November.