Get Involved!
Arab Americans Can Help Write their Party’s Platform
Posted on Monday July 14, 2008
In every election since 1984, Arab Americans have run for and won positions as delegates to state and national party conventions. In those states that provided opportunities for delegates to write platforms, Arab Americans won victories, securing platform planks for Palestinian rights and Lebanon’s sovereignty; against profiling and discrimination; and guaranteeing civil liberties.
This year is no exception. In several states, Arab American delegates to the state conventions are involved in platform work. But now, the Barack Obama campaign and the Republican Party have presented all Americans with an opportunity to participate in a platform writing process.
Here is how you can participate:
1. Depending on your political preference, go to one of the websites listed below and follow the simple process they outline. Invite your family and friends to join you.
Democrats: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/listening/
Republicans: http://www.gopplatform2008.com/intro.aspx
2. If you choose to engage the Barack Obama site, they will ask you to host a small platform-writing event at your house, club, church, mosque, or wherever you choose. This can be both a fun and rewarding experience and it will be easy to do. You can invite family members, friends, coworkers, etc. to join in.
3. Whichever site you choose:
• Sign up, as requested, and let AAI know that you have signed up, so we can send you buttons, stickers, and other materials to support your event.
• When submitting planks to the platform, consider using the simple language taken from our Yalla Vote National Declaration. It has already been endorsed by thousands of individual Arab Americans and over 50 Arab American organizations. To read the Declaration and add your signature, please visit:
www.aaiusa.org/YallaVoteDeclaration. Read about the Yalla Vote initiative at www.yallavote.org.
• Also send to AAI details about whatever you do, so we can follow what Arab Americans can do. We are preparing a special, Yalla Vote “Arab Americans Help Write the Platform” story for our website, so please include your name and location, a summary, and photos of your event.
Please send AAI a copy of the platform you submitted and details of your event:
By e-mail: cr@aaiusa.org
Subject line: Write the Platform
Or send your summary, platform, and a copy of your photos to:
Write the Platform
Arab American Institute
1600 K Street, NW Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
If you would like any Yalla Vote materials, including buttons, T-shirts or fliers, please call (202) 429-9210 or e-mail cr@aaiusa.org. We would be happy to facilitate your request and overnight material to you.
We urge you to consider taking this opportunity to make your voices heard in this election year.
Sincerely,
