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Arab Americans Join National Campaign to Promote Civic Participation on 9/11 Anniversary
Posted on Wednesday September 4, 2002
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Arab Americans will join fellow citizens in promoting increased civic participation as part of National Civic Participation Week – a campaign promoting volunteerism, voting, and civic responsibility. The campaign, occurring as the nation marks the one-year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, will reaffirm America’s unity and commitment to constitutional democracy.
The week is sponsored by the Participate America Foundation and includes a pledge to contribute to the American political process by volunteering, making financial contributions to worthy organizations, communicating with city, state and federal government officials, and casting an informed ballot on Election Day.
The Arab American Institute (AAI) is among dozens of civic and business groups that have signed on as national partners. Working with AAI, Arab American communities and leaders in eight states will be conducting Participate America activities.
Commemorations and events during Participate America week will include vigils, symbolic Constitution signings and activities to educate the public about American democracy,
Participate America week will kick off with a Freedom Fair on the National Mall from September 12-15th. AAI, along with the Union of Arab Student Associations and the Network of Arab American Alumni and Professionals, will sponsor a booth on September 12 (11:00-4:00) that promotes Arab American civic participation. The Freedom Fair will be located on the northwest quadrant of the Washington Monument grounds, at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 17th Street, NW.
Participate America will culminate with the Red White and Blue Gala celebrating national civic participation held on September 14. AAI is a cosponsor of the event along with the Participate America Foundation, the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, and others.
“Participate America week gives our community the chance to demonstrate their pride as Arab Americans and supporters of American democracy as well as pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks” said AAI president James Zogby.
Constitution signing tables will be set up at the following events.
San Jose, California
The Arab American community in San Jose, California will be hosting a Victory 2002 event on September 13 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 600 Airport Blvd., Burlingame.
Former White House Chief of Staff John Sununu will speak.
Contact: Johnny Khamis 408-278-8355
Brooklyn, New York
On Sept 11, the Arab American Family Support Center in collaboration with the Arab, Muslim, and South Asian Communities of New York will host a candlelight vigil.
The event will be launched at 6 p.m. with a procession through the streets of downtown Brooklyn starting at the intersection of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue to the promenade where participants will gather for an interfaith prayer service for remembrance, reflection, and unity.
Contact: Arab American Family Support Center 718-643-8000
Paterson, New Jersey
Arab Americans in the Paterson area will host a constitutional signing during the week of September 11.
Contact: Yasmin Hamidi
973-253-6100
Yonkers, New York
Arab Americans in the Yonkers area will hold a Mass on September 11 at St. Mary’s Church, South of Broadway.
Contact: Majed Samarneh 914-966-3412
Gaithersburg, Maryland
The Gaithersburg High School Student Government Association, the junior and senior classes, and the parent community outreach representative will host a Constitution signing event on September 11 at the school. All social studies classes will sign the Constitution.
Contact: James Barse, David Kahn, or Samira Hussein 301-840-4700
Fairfax, Virginia
The Union of Arab Student Associations will host “American Pride,” a Constitution signing and other commemorative events, on September 11 at George Mason University’s main campus.
Contact: Mais Abousy 703-731-7267
Contact: George Gorayeb (410) 903-9026
Dearborn, Michigan
ACCESS will host an “I Signed the Constitution” event on Sept. 11 all day in the ACCESS Schaefer Building. Contact Hassan Jaber at (313) 945-8380 for more details.
The Arab Student Association of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor will hold an event called “Re-affirming our Commitment” at the University of
Michigans Diag. Contact Brenda Abdelall at (734) 945-4065 for more information.
Nashville, Tennessee
Arab Americans will host Constitution signings at various locations in the city during the week. Contact: Zainab Elberry, 615-356-5980
Celebrating the Constitution Civic Project
Nashville, TN Sept 1-Oct 5, 2002
Sept 7 10am – 8pm
Greek Festival
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
4905 Franklin Pike
Nashville, TN 37220
615-333-1047
Sept 8 10am -12:30pm
“Peace in the Park”
Sevier Park
12th Avenue S
Nashville, TN 37212
Sept 8 1pm – 5pm
Davis Kidd Booksellers (Second Story Cafe)
4007 Hillsboro Rd
Nashville, TN 37215
615-385-0043
615-269-7951
Sept 11 8am – 11am
Sen. Doug Henry’s Campaign Hqs.
242 White Bridge Rd.
Nashville, TN 37209
615-354-6302
12 noon- 6pm
Davis Cookware
Hillsboro Village
717 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212
615-298-4728
Sept 13 8am – 3pm
Masjid Al Islam
2508 Clifton Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
615-329-1646
Sept 14 11am – 7pm
The Mall at Green Hills
2126 Abbott Martin Rd
Nashville, TN 37205
615-298-5478
Sept 17 10:30am-1:30pm
Guest Luncheon for the Firemen of Station 17
Montgomery Bell Academy
4001 Harding Rd
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514
Students will be present to honor firefighters from neighboring Station 17.
Sept 18 5pm – 9pm
Mount Zion Baptist Church
7594 Old Hickory
White Creek, TN 37189
615-254-7296
Sept 19 11 am – 4pm
Members of the University Club of Nashville
Vanderbilt University
2402 Garland Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212
615-322-8564
Sept 19 5pm – 8pm
Altrusa Club International
University Club of Nashville
2402 Garland Ave
Nashville, TN 37212
615-322-8564
Oct 5 10am – 1pm
Arab American Institute TN Meeting
Loews Vandebilt Plaza Hotel
2100 West End Ave.
Nashville, TN 37203
615-320-1700
615-320-5019
Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.
