The Death of the Voting Rights Act and America’s Myth of Progress
Posted by Ryan Suto on August 07, 2018 in Blog
Another anniversary of the Voting Rights Act has passed without returning to the path it paved toward ensured civic opportunity. Getting back to that path will now require more work than ever.
The lifetime of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) is an important contemporary example of how America does not always improve over the course of history. The law, passed on August 4, 1965 with bipartisan support, provided for “direct federal intervention to enable African Americans to register and vote, and banned tactics long designed to keep them from the polls.” Key parts of the legislation targeted states and...
Read moreNational Commission for Voter Justice to Hold Hearings, Fight For Voting Rights
Posted by Guest on January 17, 2018 in Blog
By Mona Ahmed
“The National Commision for Voter Justice is a people’s commission and will be one that the people can see, understand and participate in.” That’s how Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes described the transparency and mission of the newly formed National Commission for Voter Justice (NCVJ) during a launch rally on the steps of the Supreme Court on January 17. Speakers included: NCVJ Co-Chairs Barbara Arnwine, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, John Nichols
A Year After 2016 Election: Rights Experts Address Challenges & Solutions to Advancing Voting Rights
Posted on November 06, 2017 in Press Releases
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Arab American Institute
A Year After 2016 Election: Rights Experts Address Challenges & Solutions to Advancing Voting Rights
Washington – Some of the nation’s most authoritative experts on voting rights will address current challenges and solutions to advancing voting rights one year after the historic 2016 election. The one hour briefing will take place on Tuesday, November 7, 10AM, at 121 Cannon House Office Building. Panelists will outline the barriers to enfranchisement that impacted the 2016 election, new challenges put in place since, as well as upcoming changes making their way through state legislatures and the courts. Participants...
Read moreA Year After 2016 Election: Rights Experts Address Challenges & Solutions to Advancing Voting Rights
Posted by Arab American Institute on November 06, 2017 in Blog
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Arab American Institute
A Year After 2016 Election: Rights Experts Address Challenges & Solutions to Advancing Voting Rights
Washington – Some of the nation’s most authoritative experts on voting rights will address current challenges and solutions to advancing voting rights one year after the historic 2016 election. The one hour briefing will take place on Tuesday, November 7, 10AM, at 121 Cannon House Office Building. Panelists will outline the barriers to enfranchisement that impacted the 2016 election, new challenges put in place since, as well as upcoming changes making their way through state legislatures and the courts. Participants...
Read more#YallaVote Campaign for National Voter Registration Day a Success
Posted by Guest on September 27, 2017 in Blog
by Sydney Roeder
“Any day upholding American democracy... is a day well spent.” Zane Alkoor with Davidson College noted about the #YallaVote campaign launched by the Arab American Institute Foundation last week.
September 26th was National Voter Registration Day. Like every other year since #YallaVote’s conception in 1998, AAIF took to the streets to register eligible voters. Nearly 30 organizations across 20 states followed suit, hosting their own #YallaVote tables or events.
Alkoor’s sentiment about voter registration was felt across other organizations as well. The Middle Eastern Cultural Organization at Denison University registered...
Read moreVoter Engagement in Underrepresented Communities
Posted by Guest on September 20, 2017 in Blog
By Sydney Roeder
Voting rights “has moved from a movement for equity to a movement for existence.” Rev. Yearwood with the Hip Hop Caucus stressed in a panel at the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Democracy (LCVEF) convening on Wednesday. The two-day training sought to cast light upon voter engagement in underrepresented communities. This parallels AAI’s current efforts in the #YallaVote campaign since-- as AAI’s field organizer, Heba Mohammad, stated-- “Yalla Vote is not only about getting people to vote, it’s also about keeping them engaged.”
John Gore’s Selection to Head DOJ Civil Rights Deserves More Attention
Posted by Guest on August 09, 2017 in Blog
By Kai Wiggins
Anthony Scaramucci’s tenure at the White House was akin to that of a roman candle exploding in the night. He was colorful. He was loud. He was made to entertain.
But he wasn’t here to stay. Like all good fireworks, the now-former communications director fizzled into the abyssal dark. He was luminous and ephemeral, and he captured the attention of us all. And perhaps that is exactly what he was meant to do to. For while everyone in this country knows the name Scaramucci, few have probably heard the name John Gore.
Gore recently replaced Tom Wheeler...
Read moreAAI's Questions for Sen. Jeff Sessions at Senate Confirmation Hearing
Posted by Arab American Institute on January 09, 2017 in Blog
Senator Jeff Sessions will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, January 10th at 9:30am. Watch online here Jeff Sessions is currently a Republican Senator from Alabama and member of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary which provides oversight to several federal agencies including the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Committee also plays a significant role in federal judicial nominations and legislation related to civil liberties, immigration and naturalization, and criminal law. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama from...
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