Dear John,
Welcome to our October 2019 newsletter - check out what we have been up to this past month and get #Emgaged!
Month Highlights:
- Muslim Ban Hearing:
- We are proud to have been part of the effort - along with a broad coalition of partners - in urging Congress to hold the FIRST public hearing on the Muslim Ban. The hearing highlighted the human impact of the policy and its discriminatory intent and effect. It also exposed the irrational and arbitrary nature of the visa ban waiver process.
- Kashmir Crisis:
- On October 8th, the House held a highly successful briefing on the ongoing Kashmir crisis with a team of experts and Kashmiris. As India's revocation of Article 370 and subsequent crackdown on the people of Kashmir - a complete communications blackout - moves into its third month, possible legislative action from the House of Representatives is expected to drop within the next few weeks. Emgage is immensely proud of this development, after months of advocacy efforts on the Hill and in-district meetings with Representatives by Emgage State chapters (TX, VA, PA, MI, FL).
- Uyghur Crisis:
- The State Department has finally announced that certain Chinese and Communist Party Officials - linked to the torture and arbitraty detention of China's Muslim minorities - will be barred from obtaining visas to the United States. Additionally, Chinese tech and surveillance companies - linked to the surveillance crackdown on Muslims minorities in Xinjiang - will be barred from doing further business with American companies. The entire Emgage team has worked hard on this crisis and welcomes this first in taking a stand for the Human Rights of China's Muslim minorities. Emgage will continue to work for the passage of H.R.649 (Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019) in the House to match the already passed Bill in the Senate. Click here to read all about this story.
Emgage in the news:
Contact:
Aysha Ahmed, Programs Manager | [email protected]
Iman Awad, Legislative & Policy Director | [email protected]
Hashim Syed, Policy & Communications Fellow | [email protected]
Virginia Chapter Updates
Month Highlights:
- We are 4 weeks away from election day! Our endorsements are out and we are looking to flip the State House and Senate so that we can advocate for policies that are representative of our community during the 2020 Legislative Session!
Our September endorsees include:
Contact:
Michigan Chapter Updates
Month Highlights:
- Emgage Michigan has been working with local Representatives, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to advocate on crucial issues important to our community. They have conducted numerous in-district meetings over the past few weeks on the crisis on Kashmir, the Uyghur crisis in China, as well as the NO BAN Act. To support all of our work in defending the rights of subjegated people at home and around the world, please register to join Emgage Michigan's in-district meetings, providing you with an opportunity to meet the office of your elected official directly. Register below:
Virtual Phone Bank:
- Let's Get Out the Muslim Vote - from the comfort of your own home! #GetEmgaged from your couch through November 5. Call anytime between 11am-8pm. It's simple! Follow the instructions below:
- 1. Pick one of the following phone banks you would like to participate in: Dearborn Heights or Southfield.
- 2. Create an action ID (it only takes 30 seconds!) and call from any state.
- Note: This is a non-partisan phone bank specifically targeted to Muslim-Americans.
Contact:
Nada Al-Hanooti, Executive Director | [email protected]
Florida Chapter Updates
Month Highlights:
- Emgage Florida registered 500 new voters in Broward and Miami Dade County. Thank you to all our canvassers and volunteers who made this possible. See you at the polls!
Upcoming events:
- Join us, from now until November, for municipal races door-to-door canvassing in Miami Dade, Broward, and Orlando. We plan to knock on 2,500 doors within our community to make sure people are informed and headed for the polls.
- Phone Bankers have a goal of 27,600 calls to make in the next two months. Come and be a part of the team! Contact: Olivia Cantu.
Job postings and new hires:
- South Florida Coordinator: We are looking for a dynamic community organizer for the tri-county area. For more information about this position, submit your inquiries and resume to, Olivia Cantu.
Legislative updates/bills:
- The Emgage Florida Team and The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) attended the following legislative meetings in an effort to educate offices about the human rights violations in Kashmir. The discussion included highlighting the atrocities that the Muslims, Christians, and Dalits are suffering, a resolution Emgage National is circulating in Washington, and a letter to Prime Minister Modi, which IAMC is circulating to bolster international awareness:
- Senator Marco Rubio: September 24, 2019
- Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz: September 11, 2019
- Congresswoman Lois Frankel: September 12, 2019
- Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell: September 18, 2019
- Congresswoman Donna Shalala: September 25, 2019
  
Contact:
Pennsylvania Chapter Updates
Month Highlights:
- Emgage Pennsylvania, Delaware County hosted a Meet & Greet with Candidate for Court of Common Pleas Judge Beth Naughton-Beck. The event was a huge success with many members of our community attending.
 
- Emgage Pennsylvania, Chester County hosted a successful fundraiser for Candidate for Recorder of Deeds Chris Pielli and the entire Chester County Democratic slate. The event was co-sponsored with Congresswoman Chrissty Houlahan.
 
Upcoming events:
- Join us, as we spend time learning about the great work that has been happening in Pennsylvania and provide support for us to continue fighting for our community! Hope to see you at one of our upcoming events:
- Saturday, November 2nd 2PM - 5PM (Chester County)
- Saturday, November 9th (Harrisburg)
- Saturday, November 16th 5PM - 7PM (Montgomery & Delaware County)
- Saturday, November 23rd (Leigh Valley)
Contact:
William Dunbar, Executive Director | [email protected]
Texas Updates:
New Hire: Emgage Texas welcomes Sobia Siddiqui!
- Sobia Siddiqui, a local activist who has been doing grassroots organizing in the greater Houston area for years, has joined the Emgage Texas team as a Census Organizer. She will be mobilizing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian communities around the Census to ensure that these historically “hard to count” communities do not get left behind in this upcoming Census. We are lucky to have her!
Upcoming Events:
- Emgage Texas, with the support of community partners, is hosting its annual Candidate Forum for the upcoming Mayoral and City Council elections. Come join as we continue our work to build bridges between the community and candidates running for office.
Contact:
Sana Shahid, Executive Director | [email protected]
We are looking for interns in our D.C. office and state chapters - Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan - to work across our various political, legislative, communications, and field functions. Emgage is an ideal opportunity for people interested in careers on Capitol Hill, in politics, government, and public service.
If you are interested, please contact Aysha Ahmed, Programs Manager | [email protected]
For more details on the scope of work, click here.
Because of YOUR support, we have been able to accomplish so much this year. Please help continue our efforts by making a gift today!
|
|
