Salaam,

Spring is fully underway for many of us, and we hope that you are able to enjoy the changing weather. Here at Emgage and Emgage Action, things are heating up! Below are just a few of the many highlights from the last several weeks:

We were among a group of leaders representing the American Muslim Community Coalition, a body of approximately 50 organizations, who attended a meeting with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Ambassador Susan Rice, Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement Mayor Stephen Benjamin, and Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Joshua Geltzer. In the meeting, our group, which included survivors of anti-Muslim hate crimes, raised the need for a national strategy to combat Islamophobia in public spaces and in government policies.

The meeting was highlighted on the White House's official Instagram account -- take a look!

We launched the Florida chapter of the Muslim Civic Table convening program and announced the launch of the program’s new website.
We kicked off Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by celebrating our AAPI staffers, board members, and volunteers.
Our Emgage Florida team accepted a Muslim Heritage Month proclamation from Sunrise, FL, Mayor Mike Ryan and the Sunrise Commission.
Our Emgage Action Texas team attended the "We Won't Go Back" rally for civil rights.
Our Emgage New York Metro team attended Governor Kathy Hochul’s iftar, at which Governor Hochul thanked Dr. Debbie Almontaser in her speech.
Our Emgage Action Michigan team celebrated the introduction of the Drive SAFE bill package in the Michigan legislature.
Emgage Pennsylvania has started its Get Out The Vote efforts, including door-knocking, for the upcoming Philadelphia election.

Upcoming events include:

May 23: Join Emgage Pennsylvania and CAIR-Philadelphia for Muslim Day at Philadelphia City Hall. This is a great opportunity to learn more about engagement and meet elected officials. RSVP here.
June 1: Register now for the Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy’s annual conference, titled “Why the US should Support Democracy?” CEO Wa’el Alzayat is one of the speakers. RSVP here.

Recent coverage, press releases, and statements include:

Coverage: Emgage Action Michigan Policy Legislative Associate Rex Nazarko spoke with Fox 2 Detroit about the introduction of the Michigan Hate Crime Act and the Institutional Desecration Act
Coverage: New York Mayor Stands with Muslim Women
Coverage: Michigan lawmakers aim to set 5 new state holidays
Coverage: Bills propose state holidays for minority faiths in Michigan
Statement: Emgage’s statement on Louisville shooting, which left four dead
Statement: Emgage responds to attack on New Jersey Imam
Statement: Emgage responds to mass shooting in Alabama that left four dead, 28 injured
Press release: Emgage Florida announces launch of Muslim Civic Table chapter
Press release: CAIR-Pennsylvania and Emgage Pennsylvania urge support for HB789-790 Eid Holiday Bill Package

Have suggestions of things you’d like to see in these newsletters? Let us know! Write to us at [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you!

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