President's Message
Dear John,
In recent weeks, we’ve seen civil rights under threat at home and escalating violence abroad. As world leaders gathered at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, these critical challenges took center stage. From the House passing H.R. 9456 to profile Iranian and other immigrant communities, to the intensifying violence in the Middle East, our work at NIAC Action has never been more urgent.
The passage of H.R. 9456 represents a dangerous precedent that disproportionately impacts Iranian Americans and other immigrant communities. NIAC Action is fighting to protect our civil rights by opposing this discriminatory bill. On the international stage, tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point, with Israel’s strikes in Lebanon and Iran's missile response threatening to spiral into a broader regional war. NIAC is actively advocating for diplomacy to prevent further violence.
The Biden administration now stands at a crossroads, and we urge them to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran to prevent regional conflict and protect lives. As these crises unfold, our commitment to advocating for peace, justice, and civil rights remains steadfast.
Additionally, we’re excited to announce NIAC’s Post Election Symposium on November 12, 2024. We invite you to save the date to join us for critical discussions on the future of democracy, diplomacy, and civil rights in the next administration.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and please continue reading to learn more about NIAC's efforts and how you can take action today.
In Solidarity,
Jamal Abdi
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Save the Date: NIAC's Post-Election Symposium
[[link removed]] Stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox for official invitations to NIAC's Post Election Symposium, where we’ll dive into the critical issues shaping our future.
Peace & Diplomacy
NIAC Leads Coalition Urging President Biden to Halt Israel’s Escalation Toward Regional War [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] On October 3, 2024, NIAC, alongside over 80 diverse organizations, sent a letter to President Biden calling for urgent action to prevent a regional war in the Middle East. Following Israel’s expanded war into Lebanon and Iran’s missile strike, the letter urges the Biden administration to use its significant leverage to rein in Israel’s dangerous "de-escalation through escalation" strategy, which has cost countless civilian lives. The coalition advocates for diplomacy and a ceasefire to avoid dragging the U.S. into another unauthorized conflict. Read more about this critical appeal.
>> Read the full letter here. [[link removed]]
>> Read POLITICO’s coverage of our coalition letter here. [[link removed]]
Iran Strikes on Israel Underscore Urgent Need for De-escalation [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] NIAC responded to reports of Iranian missile strikes in Israel, expressing concern for innocent civilians caught in the conflict. The escalation highlights the failure of the Biden administration’s “escalate to de-escalate” policy, which has only deepened the crisis.
NIAC is calling for an end to blind support for militarism and urging policymakers to pursue diplomacy as the only viable path to reducing threats and restoring security in the region.
>> October 1 Statement: Iran Strikes on Israel Underscore Urgent Need for De-escalation [[link removed]] >> September 30 Statement: Lebanon and Gaza Wars Threaten to Ignite U.S.-Iran Conflict [[link removed]] >> September 24 Statement: NIAC Urges Diplomatic Action at UNGA to Prevent Escalation [[link removed]]>> Tell Congress to Oppose Regional War with Iran Here. [[link removed]]
>> Call your Members of Congress and tell them #NoWarWithIran! Find your call script here. [[link removed]]
Trump’s Threat to Blow Iran to “Smithereens” [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] In response to former President Trump’s recent comments threatening to blow Iran “to smithereens,” NIAC condemned this outrageous and genocidal rhetoric. Trump’s threats not only endangered millions of innocent lives but also undermined the potential for peace and diplomacy.
As tensions rose, NIAC remained committed to opposing warmongering and standing up for the safety and dignity of the Iranian people and all impacted communities.
>> Read NIAC’s full response to Trump’s threats here. [[link removed]]
Protecting Civil Rights
NIAC Sends Letter to Wells Fargo Bank Calling Out Discrimination Against Iranians [[link removed]]
In recent months, NIAC has received numerous complaints about Wells Fargo’s unfair treatment of Iranian American customers, including abrupt account closures and the requirement to sign an “Iran Declaration.” This declaration, which goes beyond U.S. sanctions, imposes an undue burden on the Iranian American community. On October 1, 2024, NIAC sent a letter to Wells Fargo demanding an end to these discriminatory practices. This action is part of NIAC’s ongoing fight for equitable banking access and the fair treatment of our community.
>> Read our full letter to Wells Fargo here. [[link removed]]
House of Representatives Passed H.R. 9456 Aimed at Racially Profiling Iranians [[link removed]]
Despite strong opposition from NIAC, the ACLU, the White House, and a majority of Congressional Democrats, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9456. This legislation targeted immigrant communities—especially those from Iran, China, and Russia—by imposing discriminatory restrictions on property purchases based on national origin.
H.R. 9456 was part of a broader effort to revive modern-day "alien land laws," which disproportionately impacted immigrant communities. NIAC is urging the Senate to reject this harmful bill and continues working to protect the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of their heritage.
>> Read the full statement here [[link removed]]
Human Rights Tracker
Two Years After the Murder of Mahsa Amini: The New Face of Iran and Efforts for Change [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] Two years after the death of Mahsa Jina Amini, Iran has been transformed by the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. Despite the government’s brutal repression, including violence and executions, the movement continues to simmer across more than 100 cities. Amini’s death has sparked widespread defiance against mandatory hijab laws, redefining female identity in Iran.
While President Pezeshkian has pledged to end the Guidance Patrol’s activities, repression remains prevalent, but Iran’s youth and society at large are pushing for fundamental change. The protests marked a pivotal moment, and Iran will never return to what it was before Mahsa’s murder.
>> Read the full article on our website [[link removed]]
>> Learn more about the Mahsa Movement and NIAC’s human rights advocacy here. [[link removed]]
Learn More
>> Visit our catalog of human rights trackers [[link removed]]
>> 📥 Subscribe to receive the Human Rights Tracker in your inbox [[link removed]]
Iran Unfiltered
[link removed] [[link removed]] Week of September 30, 2024 [[link removed]] | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council
*
Nasrallah’s
Death
Puts
Iran
in
Crisis,
Sparks
Internal
Debates
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>> 📥 Subscribe to receive Iran Unfiltered in your inbox weekly [[link removed]]
Community & Culture
Volunteer with us for the 2024 Election!
While NIAC Action has not endorsed a presidential candidate for the 2024 election, we strongly believe that our community needs to stay engaged with the political process, including exercising our right to vote! Throughout the month of October until Election Day on November 5, NIAC Action will be doing non-partisan outreach to Iranian American voters across the country. Our outreach will include phone-banking and text-banking - this is a great chance to connect with other Iranian American voters and volunteers !
Sign up here to become an elections volunteer with us. [[link removed]]
Constituent Lobby Meetings
NIAC headquarters and our grassroots volunteers have been working tirelessly to advocate for a ceasefire in Palestine, no regional war with Iran, UNRWA funding, conditions on U.S. weapons, human rights and the civil rights of Iranian Americans and all immigrant communities.
Throughout the month of August, local NIAC Chapters met with lawmaker offices as they returned home from Washington during August recess.
Our volunteers have met with 27 Congressional offices so far and are planning more through October! Join us for the next round of meetings!
sign up for a congressional lobby meeting [[link removed]]
Stay Engaged
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Follow NIAC on TikTok [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] , Facebook [[link removed]] , Youtube [[link removed]] , and X [[link removed]] for the latest updates.
Support Our Work
Your continued support is crucial. Donate today to help us make a difference. [[link removed]]
Thank you for standing with us as we navigate these challenging times and strive for peace, justice, and human rights.
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