Friend --
As you may have heard, last week
a former diplomat was sentenced to 5 years
in prison for threatening my life, and my staffs’
lives, simply for fighting for our
community.
Unfortunately, this is not
the first time people have threatened me in my 50 years
of advocacy for Arab Americans and
Palestinian human rights. Throughout the
years, my office was fire-bombed and two
other additional people have been convicted and sent to prison from
threatening me and my family. While upsetting, this ordeal has
reminded me and everyone at AAI why the Institute exists: to promote
the full empowerment and civic engagement of
Arab Americans and to protect the right of our community
to advocate on behalf of Palestine.
The truth is that has meant we have faced a lot
but it has not deterred us. And while I’m not good at asking at times
like these, I want to share with you our work and ask for
your support,
today.In
that spirit, we continued working despite the recent years of
threats (more than five!), the trial, and the sentencing. Here is a
quick list of four important things we are working
on:
The Khaled
Jabara – Heather Heyer NO HATE Act, a bill currently
before Congress that will improve hate crime data collection and
reporting.In support of YallaVote,
we’re working on countering gerrymandering, securing access to the
ballot box for all, and ensuring our elections remain
secure. As part of our PalestineIs campaign,
we are working to prohibit American tax dollars from being used to
harm Palestinian children.And like past years, AAI is ensuring Arab
Americans are accurately counted in the 2020 Census so our
community can receive the representation and services we
deserve. Even though the amazing staff of AAI are willing to
take on any challenge that comes their way, they cannot effectively
advocate for our community without your generous
contribution. I’m writing today to ask you to show your
support for AAI and ensure that the Institute will be around for years
to come, regardless of anyone’s attempts to silence
us. Please donate
now.
Thank you,
Jim Zogby
http://www.aaiusa.org/