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AAI
Posted on Thursday September 20, 2007

Decision from IA, NH, SC, NV state chairs opens door for candidates to address Arab American conference

WASHINGTON – Sept. 20, 2007 – The Arab American Institute has learned that it will receive an exception from the Democratic parties in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, allowing presidential candidates to attend its National Leadership Conference in Dearborn, MI from Oct. 26 through 28. The national gathering, which takes place before every presidential election, was placed in jeopardy after Michigan moved up its primary date and candidates signed the “four-state pledge” promising not to campaign in any state that broke Democratic rules governing the primaries.

AAI successfully appealed to party leaders in the four states, urging them to grant an exception for what promises to be the most representative national conference of Arab American political leaders yet.

An Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman told the New York Times, “We believe the Arab American community is an important constituency and we are sensitive to their concerns. For this specific pre-scheduled national event, we find the Arab American Institute’s request acceptable.” A letter confirming the decision is expected this week.

“Arab Americans still remember a time when candidates refused our endorsements and returned our checks,” said AAI President James Zogby. “The four-state pledge was not meant to hurt our community, but the result would have been a return to darker times of political exclusion.”

“The critical issues facing our nation – the war in Iraq, as well as broader U.S. policy in the Middle East, and civil liberties here at home – are issues that we have a unique perspective on,” Zogby added. “This is a community that needs to hear from the candidates and the candidates need to hear from us. We made our case to the state chairs. They listened, showed concern, and we appreciate their decision.”

Community cosponsors of AAI’s National Leadership Conference include: Al Dala American Benevolence Association; American Arab Chamber of Commerce; American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine; Arab American Chaldean Council, Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services (ACCESS); Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services in Ohio; Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in the Military; Chaldean Federation of America; El-Bireh Palestine Society; National Arab American Medical Association; Network of Arab American Professionals; Palestinian American Women’s Association; Philadelphia Arab American Community Development Corporation; Syrian American Medical Society; Toledo Arab American Chamber; and the Tunisian Community Center.

For additional information about the National Leadership Conference, visit www.aaiusa.org/nlc07 or call 202-429-9210.