Dear John, I’m going to give it to you straight up.
NIAC is able to remain the only Iranian-American organization dedicated to peace, diplomacy, and protecting civil and human rights because we are supported by our members. And unlike the massive lobbies we are competing with on the Hill, we are not backed by corporate interests, we don't take money from governments, and no defense contractors are propping us up. It’s just us.
Right now, there are a chorus of voices like Mike Pompeo and Mike Pence openly calling for the U.S. to bomb Iran [[link removed]] . There are pushes for states to ban people from the right to purchase property if they are of Iranian heritage. Members of Congress are cheering for the return of a Muslim Ban to prevent our loved ones from visiting us here, and an Iran ban to prevent us from visiting them there. And our country is heading into a presidential election with more divisions and uncertainty than any time in modern history. The work we are doing at NIAC, as an independent, grassroots, values-based organization that has never bent with the wind, is more crucial than ever.
But in order to do this work, we need your support right now. With our annual budget of just $1 million we are able to do big things, but if cannot fall behind on our fundraising. We need to raise $10,000 from online donations in February to stay on track, and so I'm asking you to please chip in today.
Below, you’ll find a list of some of NIAC’s accomplishments from last month. If you can make a donation to support this work today, you will ensure we can continue to fight for you. Take a look at our work from January — that is what you make possible — and please chip in $50, $100, or an amount that’s right for you so that we can continue to be the powerful, independent, effective voice that is needed at this crucial moment. [[link removed]]
make your contribution here [[link removed]]
Thank you
Jamal Abdi President, NIAC
NIAC Executive Summary for January 2024
Peace and Diplomacy 

Worked in Washington and mobilized thousands across the country to block funding for the war in Gaza, require US aid to Israel comply with international human rights standards, and continue pressuring the Biden Administration for a ceasefire

Statement on  Senate Supplemental Aid Package

NIAC Joins 80 Organizations Urging President Biden to Prioritize Diplomacy & Ceasefire

 Fought back against calls for the U.S. to bomb Iran

NIAC Statement on U.S. Retaliatory Strikes Following Loss of 3 American Servicemembers in Jordan 

Civil Rights:

Challenged the Florida ban against positions for Iranian students 

Discriminatory Florida Law Bars Certain University Offers to Iranian Nationals

 فرماندار فلوریدا ران دی‌سانتیس قانون تبعیض‌آمیزی را امضا کرده که دانشگا‌های این ایالت را از همکاری با دانشجویان ایرانی منع می‌کند.

Renewed our demand for reforms to protect our community on the four-year anniversary of the 2020 detainment of Iranians and Iranian Americans. 

Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties – 4 years after Iranian Detainments

Conducted briefings with lawmakers and Administration officials regarding discriminatory bank account closures targeting Iranian Americans and other immigrant communities

Joined California MENA Coalition to advocate for CA MENA Inclusion Act

Immigration:

Continued work to increase visas and refugee processing for Iranians to be able to come to the U.S. 

Iranian Visa Processing One Year After the “Woman, Life, Freedom” Protests

Worked with lawmakers on legislation to eliminate visa backlogs and block efforts to reduce green cards for Iranians

Media coverage and analysis:

 Al Jazeera Interview

Statement covered in Salon

Statement covered in Raw Story

Statement covered in Nation of Change

Statement covered in BNN

 Statement covered in Al Jazeera

Iran Unfiltered Publications:

NIAC published four digests covering key issues inside Iran including: 

Rouhani Disqualified from Participating in Assembly of Experts Election…

Escalation with a Nuclear-Armed Neighbor: Pakistan’s Counterattack…

Iran Detains an American Oil Tanker Five Months After the U.S. Seized Iranian Oil in Texas…

Tragedy Strikes Kerman: Soleimani Anniversary Ceremony Hit by Deadly Terror Attacks…

Human Rights Trackers:

As part of NIAC’s ongoing work monitoring human rights inside Iran, NIAC published three pieces in January including:

Mohammad Ghobadlou’s Execution: Disregard for Due Process and Human Rights

After 400 Days of Unjust Imprisonment, Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi are Released

The Defiance of Roya Heshmati: Lashes Fail to Break the Resilience of Iranian Women



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