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Blog — Massachusetts
Wednesday February 27, 2013
Today, the Supreme Court hears arguments on one of the most important legislative initiatives from the Civil Rights era: the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The VRA ensures that all eligible American citizens are able to vote, unimpeded by processes or regulations— from literacy tests and English-only ballots, to moving polling places and redistricting— that could effectively disenfranchise ethnic minorities. Read More »
Posted by AAI at 1:36 pm / / Leave a comment
Tuesday February 12, 2013
There is a problem with the way federal law enforcement tracks hate crimes aimed at the Arab American community: they don’t. In the past ten years, there have been more than 800 incidents involving “violence, threats, vandalism, and arson against persons perceived to be Muslim or to be of Arab, Middle Eastern, or South Asian origin.” Federal charges have been brought in only a handful of cases, with only 45 convictions as of March 29, 2011. Read More »
Posted by Omar Tewfik at 2:55 pm / / Leave a comment
Saturday November 03, 2012
There are only three days left before the election on Tuesday, but there are still ample opportunities to have an impact. Make no mistake, every vote counts. And because this election is so close, Arab Americans can and will make a difference in it. But remember, the Presidential election is not the only contest this year. There are plenty of other races you can also have an impact on. Read More »
Posted by AAI at 11:27 am / / Leave a comment
Wednesday October 10, 2012
A Texas- based group, True the Vote, plans to mobilize millions of poll watchers around the country. But some fear that its real intention is to intimidate minority voters. Their fears were confirmed last month when True the Vote’s national election coordinator told poll watchers that their aim should be to make for voters feel “like [you’re] driving and seeing the police following you.” Read More »
Posted by AAI at 1:38 pm / / Leave a comment
Monday October 08, 2012
As we head into the 2012 elections, it is important for the community to know that our voice counts and that we can make a difference this election. In a number of ways, we already have. The Arab American community has worked tirelessly in many states throughout the nation to register new voters and become more integrated into the political process. Today, not only are Arab Americans voting in record numbers, they are helping to influence the outcome of races like never before. Read More »
Posted by Omar Tewfik at 11:07 am / / Leave a comment
Tuesday September 18, 2012
The Arab American Institute (AAI) and the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) have adopted a logo for National Voter Registration Day on September 25. The Logo, designed by Nabil Ahmed Khatri, a high school student from Queens, New York with his own graphic design business, will be worn by thousands of Arab American volunteers across a number of states participating in efforts to register voters for the upcoming November elections. Read More »
Posted by Omar Tewfik at 10:35 am / / Leave a comment
Tuesday September 11, 2012
With the primaries over, the Massachusetts political season moves into full swing. The Senate contest between incumbent Scott Brown and challenger Elizabeth Warren has been making national news for months. In fact, it was national news when Brown, a Republican, won the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat in a surprise 2010 upset. Congressional leaders from both parties viewed it as a referendum on both Obama and his proposed healthcare reforms, and a portent of a broader national shift. Read More »
Posted by AAI at 2:10 pm / / Leave a comment
Thursday August 16, 2012
Complaints of racial profiling at Logan International Airport have revealed that Boston might not be the model of Transport Security Administration practices after all. Even more surprisingly, the complaints came from over 30 federal officers within the TSA itself. Read More »
Posted by Emily Manna at 10:57 am / / Leave a comment
Monday July 30, 2012
The 2012 elections are heating up, and AAI has been working to keep you informed of key election developments in your state and nationwide. Now, we need your help to ensure that the Arab American community has a voice in the lead up to November. Read More »
Posted by AAI at 2:14 pm / / Leave a comment
Thursday July 05, 2012
When the US Supreme Court struck down much of Arizona’s controversial immigration law last week (which essentially mandates racial profiling to curb illegal immigration), strong reactions weren’t restricted to border states, but came from all across the country. Read More »
Posted by Omar Baddar at 10:13 am / / Leave a comment
Tuesday July 03, 2012
Protecting the voting rights of disadvantaged and minority Americans has been a challenge in the United States since its first elections, and despite widespread laws to prevent racism and discrimination at the polls, the problem of voter suppression persists today. Read More »
Posted by Emily Manna at 2:39 pm / / Leave a comment
Monday June 18, 2012
Mirza’s advice to Arab Americans who are interested in becoming more politically active is to begin locally: “All politics are local, and if you want to get anything done, that’s where you begin.” Mirza encourages Arab Americans to join political parties and participate in campaigns, including “door-to-door canvassing, phone-banking and so on,” to attend town halls and city council meetings, and to build up from there. Read More »
Posted by Omar Baddar at 3:46 pm / / Leave a comment
Monday February 06, 2012
On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the Arab American Institute hosted a town hall on racial profiling and immigration enforcement, with a special focus on the Arab and Muslim American communities in Massachusetts. The town hall was held at Boston University, allowing community members, students, and other faculty members to join in the discussion. Read More »
Posted by Hilary Robertson at 3:38 pm / / Leave a comment
Looking at Iran by James Zogby
Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala - April 16, 2013
