ADC

In June, Warren David became the new ADC president and the ADC has had quite a rich and active six months under his leadership. I’m ready to see what 2012 brings.

So far this year, the ADC has:
hosted its 31st National Convention, bringing together Arab Americans from across the US to strengthen the bonds in our community and to enhance the understanding of the issues that concern us all.

convened a Civil Rights Policy Conference to represent the views of Arab Americans on civil rights to policymakers in our nation’s capital. The conference was covered by C-Span, streamed around the world, and attended by representatives from the Justice Department, Capitol Hill and key nongovernmental organizations.

initiated the monthly Arabesque Lecture Series which gives Arab Americans and others a monthly forum through which to learn about and discuss issues of concern to our community. The first two lectures in the series discussed the role of Arab Americans in the Arab Spring and the inspirational role of Arab women in the Arab Spring uprisings.

launched the National Arab American Lawyers Association (NAALA), a network of Arab-American attorneys, legal practitioners, and law students, who will serve as a powerful legal backbone for the Arab American community.

organized the spectacular Turaath Cultural Event, which showcased the Meejana Dabkeh Troupe, Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, the fashions of Iraqi designer Hana Sadiq and music from the Michigan Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble. The event was attended by 1,200 people and was covered by major national media outlets, including National Public Radio (NPR) and the Huffington Post.

Oh, and they also resolved various civil rights, immigration, asylum and anti-discrimination cases and matters with a success rate higher than any of the past few years. ADC currently has nearly 500 open cases and, with diverse coalition partners, is taking the lead in addressing numerous federal policy directives and programs affecting the Arab American community.

The ADC plans to grow in 2012 by continuing its vital legal work to protect the civil rights of Arab Americans; convening a larger September Civil Rights Policy Conference; taking NAALA to at least 5 other cities so that wherever an Arab American’s civil rights are violated, ADC attorneys will be there to help; presenting 12 Arabesque monthly lectures; bringing the Turaath Cultural Event to at least two other American cities to highlight for even more Americans the splendor of Arab culture and expose young Arab-Americans to their rich heritage; and modernizing its website to better spread our message of human and civil rights for all.

We must stand with the ADC to reach these goals. You can support the ADC with your time and money. You can volunteer to help the ADC run these exciting and vital programs and you can contribute needed funds to continue the ADC’s vital work in protecting our civil rights and embracing our rich culture.

Please go to www.adc.org today to contribute online.