ADC Welcomes Introduction of End Racial Profiling Act

ADC Welcomes Introduction of End Racial Profiling Act

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | July 16, 2010 - The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes the introduction of H.R. 5748, End Racial Profiling Act of 2010 (ERPA). House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced the bill on July 15, the bill currently has nearly 60 co-sponsors. ADC supports the introduction and passage of ERPA and thanks Chairman Conyers and Congressman Nadler for introducing the legislation. ADC, along with its coalition partners, has been working towards such legislation for the past decade.

The legislation will result in eliminating profiling based on race, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. As the Nation's largest Arab American civil rights organization ADC has been addressing issues pertaining to racial profiling for over 30 years. ADC believes that profiling based on race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin is ineffective. It diverts resources from the proper means of ensuring safety and national security and undermines the relationship between community members and law enforcement agencies. Prior ADC publications have outlined the profound negative impact of racial profiling on the Arab American community. These publications can be read by clicking here.

In the official statement from the House Judiciary Committee, it was outlined that the proposed legislation will do the following:
• Establish a prohibition on racial profiling, enforceable by declaratory or injunctive relief.
• Mandate training on racial profiling issues and the collection of data on both routine and spontaneous investigatory activities, as a condition of receiving Federal law enforcement funding.
• Authorize the Justice Department to provide grants for the development and implementation of best policing practices, such as early warning systems, technology integration, and other management protocols that discourage profiling.
• Require the Attorney General to provide periodic reports to assess the nature of any ongoing discriminatory profiling practices.
In his speech during the introduction of the bill the Honorable Chairman Conyers said, "Decades ago, this country made clear through the passage of sweeping civil rights legislation that race should not affect the treatment of individual Americans under the law. When law-abiding citizens are treated differently by those who enforce the law simply because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin, they are denied the basic respect and equal treatment that is the right of every American. With the cooperation of the administration, we have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to eliminating the practice of racial profiling. I hope that we do not miss this historic opportunity to heal the rift caused by racial profiling and restore much of the community's confidence in law enforcement." The full text of the speech can be found here.

ADC will continue to work with its coalition partners to ensure that the proposed ERPA legislation is voted for favorably by Congressional Members. ADC will continue to send updates tracking the legislation.

If you or someone you know is a victim of racial profiling or discrimination please contact the ADC Legal Department at 202-244-2990, or via e-mail to legal@adc.org. The services of the ADC Legal Department are offered on a pro bono basis.


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Contact: legal@adc.org
202-244-2990

NOTE TO EDITORS: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.

The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.

Fundraiser in Logan Square for Kartemquin Films’ Newest Documentary

***MEDIA/CALENDAR ADVISORY***

Fundraiser in Logan Square for Kartemquin Films’ Newest Documentary

WHAT:                       Fundraising event for Kartemquin Films’ newest documentary-in-progress, American Arab—all proceeds support production of the film.

The event will include:

·         Music by Black Bear Combo

·         Arab-themed entertainment

·         Middle Eastern food and cash bar (ticket price includes one drink)

·         Screening of footage from the upcoming documentary American Arab

·         Tickets $40 in advance, $50 at the door 

Advanced tickets are available online at http://americanarab.kartemquin.com/events/

           

WHEN:                       Thursday, August 5, 2010

                                    6-9 PM

WHERE:                     Stan Mansion

2408 N. Kedzie (Logan Square neighborhood)

Chicago, IL 

BACKGROUND:       American Arab is a project of Kartemquin’s first-ever Diversity Fellowship, sponsored by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The Ford Foundation.

In American Arab, Iraqi-American filmmaker Usama Alshaibi shares his own story in the aftermath of 9/11, and introduces the audience to other Arab-Americans, developing a frank dialogue about the identity of, and perceptions of Arab-Americans in this country.

Seamlessly weaving historical footage, animation, as well as real-life scenes of people living as Arabs in the U.S., the film will put a human face on the vague complexities of racism in post-9/11 America.

Kartemquin Films is a Chicago-based independent documentary production company. Focusing on people whose lives are most directly affected by social and political change and who are often overlooked or misrepresented by the media, the goal of Kartemquin's films is to open dialogue, both in communities and between the general public and policymakers. Since 1966 Kartemquin Films has produced documentaries that examine and critique society.  Kartemquin is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.  www.kartemquin.com

CONTACT:        Rachel Pikelny

rachel@kartemquin.com

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Students from Salt, Jordan and Flower Mound, Texas win international debate The week-long leadership and debate camp featured expert speakers and a trip to Jordan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2010
Contact: Houda Elyazgi
helyazgi@saxumpr.com

Students from Salt, Jordan and Flower Mound, Texas win international debate
The week-long leadership and debate camp featured expert speakers and a trip to Jordan

AMMAN, Jordan – Students from Salt, Jordan and Flower Mound, Texas were declared winners of a week-long leadership and debate camp hosted by retired Gen. Tommy Franks from July 1–10. Jeris Abuhoran of Salt, Jordan and Brit Woods of Flower Mound, Texas competed against 22 other teams debating whether the United States should support a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine at King’s Academy in Madaba, Jordan.

Four Star Debate: Developing Leaders with General Tommy Franks is hosted by the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute, the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and the Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University (OC).

“At Four Star Debate, we strive to teach students how to disagree without being disagreeable,” Gen. Franks said. “With the current conflicts plaguing our world, I am confident we’re in good hands with these 50 students leading the way. Jeris and Brit showed the kind of determination and teamwork that make great leaders.”

Guest judges for the final debate were Ambassador Robert Jordan, Jordanian Senator and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities HE Akel Biltaji, Michele Smith, Dr. Islam Azzam and Chris Burk. Also, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Lawrence C. Mandel was in attendance at the evening program.

Other winners:

• The second place team of Mohammad Oran of Amman, Jordan and Andrew McNair of Argyle, Texas won $1,000 scholarships.

• Andrew McNair of Argyle, Texas won a $1,000 scholarship for being voted the top speaker.

• Leen Hajjar of Amman, Jordan won the Jack Kemp Award and a $1,000 scholarship for being voted by her peers as the most helpful student to her fellow debaters.

• Mohammad Oran of Amman, Jordan won a $1,000 scholarship for being voted the most-improved debater.

During the camp, students have been trained in strategic thinking, planning, communication and teamwork. Participants received practical training in the art of persuasion, gained in-depth knowledge of the debate issues, gathered valuable team experience and developed relationships with other up-and-coming leaders. Students have used the knowledge and skills they learned and applied them in a free-style team debate.

Each U.S. student has been paired with a debate partner student from King’s Academy, which allowed students to wrestle with one of the most complex challenges that have faced global leaders for decades.

After the final debate, students took excursions to Wadi Rum and Petra to experience Jordanian culture and scenery first-hand.

For more information, please visit http://fourstardebate.ncpa.org/.

About the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum
The goal of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is to tell compelling stories of leadership, introduce historical topics in each exhibit, and to encourage study and debate concerning the leadership traits illustrated by the story. It is located in Hobart, Okla. For more information, visit www.tommyfranksmuseum.org.

About the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA)
With offices in Dallas and Washington, D.C., the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization, established in 1983. The NCPA's goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector. For more information, visit www.ncpa.org.

Academy of Leadership & Liberty
The Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University exists to uphold, teach, and strengthen the values that promote liberty, free enterprise, and servant leadership. To accomplish that mission, the Academy seeks to inspire leaders of character, vision, and courage while equipping them with the values that have a profound and lasting impact on individuals, families, communities, and nations. Guided by faith and the principles of servant leadership, character, and social justice, the Academy is committed to perpetuating the values and freedoms endowed by our Creator and empowered by the founding wisdom of our democracy. For more information, visit http://www.oc.edu/academy/.

About King’s Academy
Established in 2007, King’s Academy is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational boarding and day high school (grades 9 to 12) in Madaba, Jordan. The school, which integrates the New England boarding school experience in the historical and intellectual context of the Middle East, follows an English-language, Advanced Placement curriculum. The dynamic curriculum includes an integrated co-curricular program of athletics, activities and community service, and students live in a nurturing residential environment that allows them to flourish personally and intellectually. King’s Academy is situated 30 minutes from Amman on a 144-acre (575-dunum) site and is comprised of 23 buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. For more information, visit http://www.kingsacademy.edu.jo.

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