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Our Updates
💎 Celebrating Our Community & Allies at NIAC's Ruby Gala 💎
Watch a highlight reel of NIAC's Ruby Gala in New York here >>
On September 26th, NIAC took New York by storm to host our annual Ruby Gala. From a diverse array of inspiring speakers to a lively cocktail hour, the evening brought together our dearest friends and our most valuable partners to celebrate the Iranian-American community’s successes this year.
The amazing speakers included MSNBC’s Ari Melber, New York Assemblyman Michael Blake, and Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani. NIAC also presented its Courage Award to NIAC friend and partner, J Street, for the organization's tireless dedication to peace, equality, and justice.
All of us at NIAC are so grateful to have the incredible support of our community. Only together—and of course assisted by good food and great friends—can we build political power for our community and ensure our voices are heard from New York to Washington DC.
✨ Missed the event? No problem! Read our event recap and watch the highlight reel here >>
And make sure to visit our events page to learn more about our upcoming galas in Washington DC and San Francisco!
In the Field
Last month, NIAC Action volunteers meet with Rep. Perlmutter's district office to ask him to cosponsor the NO BAN Act and Rep. Barbara Lee's JCPOA resolution. We're happy to share that Rep. Perlmutter has since signed onto the NO BAN Act!
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
Family of Iranian Activist Detained
 Last week, Amnesty International reported that Iranian authorities arrested three members of a prominent Iranian activist and U.S. resident, Masih Alinejad, who is known for her activism against compulsory hijab in Iran. The detention of Alinejad’s family underscores an all too common phenomenon of the Iranian government taking aim at activists’ families inside the country in order to silence individuals championing civil rights, both inside Iran and abroad.
NIAC calls on the Iranian government to immediately halt its practice of targeting the family members of Iranian activists and to release Alinejad’s family. We also call on Iran to respect the human rights covenants to which it is signatory and allow for free expression—including the right to express dissent without fear of reprisals
📍Read more about the case here >>
📍Check out our full Human Rights Tracker here >>
Community & Culture
#ICYMI: Persian Artifacts Returned to Iran
 We're excited to share that the Persepolis Tablets and other ancient Perisan artifacts that NIAC fought so hard to protect from being seized and sold off to the highest bidder are now returning to Iran!
For over a decade, NIAC spearheaded efforts to protect the tablets. Finally, in December 2019, Iranian Americans all over the country rejoiced when the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the seizure of the Iranian artifacts. We are overjoyed that these symbols of our history and heritage can be appreciated by all and will be enjoyed by the citizens of and visitors to Iran for generations to come.
📌 Read more about our past efforts to protect these artificts here >>
Transcending Borders - Talking Art & Identity with Kour Pour
 Some of the most renowned and celebrated figures in Iran’s vast history are artists and poets. Like many diaspora groups, Iranian Americans often preserve their culture and identity through art and literature. NIAC Research Fellow Dr. Assal Rad recently attended an art show in Los Angeles showcasing the works of Kour Pour, a British Iranian artist who lives in Southern California.
Check out Dr. Rad's full interview with Kour Pour as they explore the boundaries of identity, the aim of his art, and the connections we all have in spite of the invisible boundaries that divide us.
🎨 Read the full interview here >>
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Jamal Abdi in The New York Times: 
Jamal Abdi in The Los Angeles Times: 
Jamal Abdi in Al Jazeera English: 
Policy Director Ryan Costello in Wall Street Journal: 
Research Fellow Assal Rad in Fox News: 
Sina Toossi in Voice of America: 
