Congressman Gerry Connolly at Viva Vienna

The Connolly Campaign is looking for a few good volunteers!

This weekend - Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31 - at their Viva Vienna booth. They will be there from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Please contact Hannah Molofsky at hannah.molofsky@gmail.com or 703.267.6888 to help.

Congressman Jim Moran Recipient of ADC Award

Congressman Jim Moran Recipient of Legislative Achievement Award

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) announced that Congressman James P. "Jim" Moran (D-VA) is the recipient of the 2010 ADC Legislative Achievement Award. The ADC is recognizing Congressman Moran for his outstanding leadership in Congress and his dedication to his constituents.

The award will be presented to Congressman Moran at the Saturday evening Gala Banquet on June 5, 2010, from 7:00 to 10:00, at the ADC's 30th Anniversary National Convention. This historic Convention will be held from June 4 through 6 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC.

Congressman Moran, who is serving his tenth term as a US Representative from Virginia, has demonstrated tremendous leadership in support of the environment, women's issues, fair and open trade, and fiscal discipline. In addition to several other leadership positions, Congressman Moran is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and chairs its Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment; he also serves on the Defense, and the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittees. Among many other achievements, Congressman Moran has secured millions of dollars in federal grants for local roads, educational programs, law enforcement, low income housing, and social services; and he has been very active in human rights issues, particularly those involving women in the developing world.

Congratulations, Congressman Moran!

Wow!

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is appalled and offended by the discriminatory campaign tactics and messaging of Dan Fanelli, Republican Congressional candidate for the 8th District of Florida. In videos posted on his website, two Arabic speaking actors are depicted as terrorists. In a statement posted on his website, Mr. Fanelli states that, "all passengers are NOT created equally;" he then goes on to advocate for the use of illegal racial profiling at airports.

ADC has expressed concern directly to Mr. Fanelli, as well as the Republican National Committee and the Florida Republican Party. Our letter can be read by clicking here. ADC National President, Ms. Sara Najjar-Wilson, states, "Mr. Fanelli must act more responsibly in conducting his campaign and must be held accountable for his inappropriate actions. ADC condemns his hateful messaging and asks that the Republican National Committee and the Florida Republican Party immediately distance themselves from such harmful tactics."

Florida has a significant Arab and Muslim population, some of whom reside in the election District that Mr. Fanelli is seeking to represent. Many Arab and Muslim community members have been in Florida for generations -- they are Americans and many speak the Arabic language; they are also major contributors to the economic and social well being of the people of the State of Florida as well as our Nation. Many in the community are politically active; and, in fact, many Arab and Muslim Americans in Florida identify themselves as Republicans.

ADC will continue to monitor the situation in Florida and calls upon all community members within the 8th District of Florida to contact the Fanelli campaign, by e-mailing contact@electdan2010.com; and expressing their concern with the campaign and its messaging, and urging that such bigoted ads be immediately stopped.

Free Lebanese Film Festival

May 13 through 16
American University Museum
Washington, DC

Get the schedule and film descriptions here

New Art from Lebanon

New Art from Lebanon

From 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday, May 16

American University Museum
Katzen Arts Center
Washington, DC

Admission is free. For more information, call 202.885.ARTS

The exhibition includes nearly 50 paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and media-based art by 29 artists—more than a third of them women—based primarily in Beirut.

Presented under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Antoine Chedid, Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States, and organized by the Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon.

Sixth Annual Arab American Service Day

Saturday, May 15th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Arab American Service Day is a national day of service to highlight Arab American commitment to serving the communities where we live.

The AAI Foundation is taking the lead for the Washington, DC area on behalf of the National Network for Arab American Communities. This year, we are working with Old City Green, an urban garden and nursery that provides plants, garden supplies and information about gardening.

The project is to beautify the tree boxes on N Street between 8th and 10th Streets, to promote urban gardening and raise awareness for environmentally sound practices that even city-dwellers can utilize.

We are calling on our vibrant local Arab American community to:

Volunteer at Old City Green,
Donate supplies (mulch, low-maintenance plants, or garden tools)
Provide refreshments for the volunteers
Offer your gardening tips and expertise

No gardening experience is necessary—just sign up here or send an email message to Paul Brown at pbrown@aaiusa.org
Volunteers from past Service Day projects will be the first to tell you that it’s a fun and rewarding way to spend your Saturday, you get a free T-shirt, and you let Washington residents know that Arab Americans care and want to help keep our city clean and beautiful!