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AAI Kicks Off Week of Iowa Events

AAI
Posted on Thursday August 9, 2007

Arab American Institute to Kick Off Week of Iowa Events With Workshop in Cedar Rapids

WASHINGTON – Aug. 10, 2007 – The Arab American Institute (AAI) will kick off a series of civic and political empowerment workshops for Arab Americans in Iowa this Sunday, Aug. 12, with a workshop in Cedar Rapids featuring elected officials, local activists, and political and campaign staffers. The workshops are part of AAI’s national Yalla Vote 2008 campaign, designed to mobilize Arab Americans across the country for the 2008 presidential campaign season.

AAI has made Iowa a priority in its national campaign, hiring an Iowa Field Organizer to connect and coordinate an already visible and politically active Arab American community. The field organizer is working with Iowa Arab Americans to ensure that presidential candidates address issues of importance to the community as they campaign throughout the state.

AAI will also hold workshops in Cedar Falls on Tuesday evening and in Des Moines on Thursday evening. James Zogby, president of AAI, toured the state in April and will return in September to speak at the University of Iowa’s International Mondays seminar and at Iowa State University’s World Affairs lecture series.

WHAT: AAI Civic and Political Empowerment Workshop, organized by AAI Director of Community Relations Valerie Smith and AAI Iowa Field Organizer Emily Holley.

The workshop will feature elected officials and presidential campaign representatives, as well as educational and political training components.

WHO: Local representatives of John Edwards’s and Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns.

State Rep. Tyler Olson (D-38th) and the district representative for U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D).

The district director for former U.S. Rep. Jim Leach (R) will run a session offering advice for effective private meetings with elected officials and candidates.

Sue Dravis and Pat Minor of Concerned Iowans for Middle East Peace will speak about the work their organization is doing.

WHERE: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Additional workshops will be held later in the week in Cedar Falls and Des Moines.

WHEN: Sun., Aug. 12. 1:30-5 p.m.

INFO: Visit www.aaiusa.org/iowaworkshops for additional information on speakers, locations and times.