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Advancing Peace & Diplomacy
NIAC Joins Afghans for A Better Tomorrow to Urge Increased U.S. Support for Refugees
This week, NIAC partnered with Afghans for a Better Tomorrow and a group of progressive organizations, including MoveOn and Win Without War, in calling on the Biden administration to help support Afghan refugees, including by by offering safe haven to refugees, increasing refugee quotas for Afghans, expediting Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) processing, and more.
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is a tragedy that puts countless lives at risk, including women, human rights defenders and journalists. The priority for the Biden administration and all nations must be to evacuate as many Afghans as possible, particularly those most threatened by the Taliban takeover.
In addition to urging the Biden administration to support Afghan refugees, we also call on the Iranian government to keep the borders open to refugees, ensure their rights, and counter the systemic discrimination that Afghan refugees have faced in recent years. The U.S. government and international community should offer assistance and resources to support the resettlement of Afghan refugees and lift any sanctions that may obstruct relief efforts.
For those eager to help Afghan refugees, here are a list of organizations and campaigns to support:
#SanctionsStory: The Human Impact of Sanctions on Iran
In May 2018, Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and re-imposed crushing sanctions on the Iranian people. Today, President Biden continues this maximum pressure campaign, further perpetuating the growing humanitarian crisis in Iran. That's why, we asked Iranian Americans to share their #SanctionsStory about the impacts on their loved ones abroad and to push the Biden administration to finally end their maximum pressure campaign on Iran. Learn More >
🎥 Watch and share the #SanctionsStory videos >>
📖 Submit your own #SanctionsStory video >>
✏️ Take Action: Sign our petition to Congress >>
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
Over the last week, Iran has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths as the country faces its fifth-wave of the deadly virus. According to reports, on Monday Iran hit a record high of 655 deaths in 24 hours, however, the death toll is likely higher than the numbers provided by officials and the total death toll will soon surpass 100,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Iran is facing its most devastating wave of COVID-19 yet, as hospitals and medical staff are overwhelmed and resources limited. A combination of gross mishandling of the pandemic by Iranian officials, the impact of U.S. sanctions, and, most recently, large gatherings for the holy month of Muharram have greatly exacerbated the suffering of Iranian people in a pandemic that has ravaged the world.
📖 Read more from our Human Rights Tracker >
➡️ Follow NIAC's Human Rights Tracker on Twitter >
📥 Subscribe to receive our Human Rights Tracker in your inbox >
Community & Culture
Collective for Black Iranians: We Are Here
The Collective for Black Iranians is a creative and critically conscious initiative proposing an Iranian culture that stands fully at its Black and African intersections. Hasteem: We are here هستیم - اینجاییم ما is an exhibition produced by the Collective for Black Iranians to further raise awareness on the intersection of being Black, African and Iranian. Through poetry, visuals, historical facts and using a myriad of other mediums, the Collective affirms the interconnectedness between Blackness and the Iranian identity.
This inaugural art exhibit from the Collective for Black Iranians brings you a sample of otherwise silenced ‘histories’. Histories such as that of Khyzran trafficked into slavery from Zanzibar to 19th century Iran to that of the Zang rebellion and the pearl divers. The show runs from September 3 - 24, with an opening reception on Saturday, September 11th from 5:30 PM - 7 PM ET. Learn More >
The Washington Post Wants to Hear Your 9/11 Stories
Ahead of the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks, The Washington Post’s Today’s WorldView is planning a newsletter series on the impacts the attacks have left on our perspective and perception of the world. If you're interested in sharing your story with The Washington Post, then check out the submission process here >
From Our Staff
#ICYMI: NIAC's Dr. Assal Rad Joins American Prestige Podcast
Assal joined Derek Davison to discuss her writing on U.S. foreign policy and the impact of sanctions on Iran and Cuba. The discussion looked at the role of economic warfare in U.S. policy and state of U.S.-Iran relations and the Iran Nuclear Deal. Listen here >
Iranian officials have characterized the Taliban’s takeover of most of Afghanistan as a defeat of the U.S. and have called for a “national government.” Several MPs have also talked about the JCPOA talks and said they will resume soon. Meanwhile, confirmed COVID death passed the grim milestone of 100,000.
📖 Read the latest Iran Unfiltered >
📥 Subscribe to receive Iran Unfiltered in your inbox >
Events
Never Forget: 9/11 and the 20 Year War on Terror
Saturday, September 11th 12:00 - 3:00 PM PT
NIAC Senior Research Fellow Dr. Assal Rad joins Medea Benjamin from CODEPINK, writer and researcher Vijay Prashad, whistleblower John Kiriakou, and others to discuss the watershed moment of the tragedy of 9/11, how it shaped our contemporary world, and the lessons of the last 20 years.
🎟️ RSVP here >
Beats and Backpacks Bash
Friday, August 20th 5:00 PM PT
On August 20th, the Child Foundation will be hosting a remote back-to-school event celebrating the return to the classroom. This is a fun opportunity to learn about the kids they support and raise much-needed funds to help children return to—and stay in—school. Thye plan to do everything they can to help children get back on track after a year of isolation and remote learning—and on their way to brighter futures.
🎟️ RSVP here >
L.A. Chapter Open Mic-Night
Thursday, August 26th 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET
Join us for our virtual open-mic poetry & storytelling night hosted by the NIAC Los Angeles chapter, on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 5pm PT/8pm ET! Attendees are welcome to share or just listen. We welcome poems & short stories in your language of choice! Folks who want to share will be given a five-minute time slot. We're thrilled to have writer and freelance translator Parisa Saranj who will kick off the event with a reading of her memoir about growing up in Iran in the 1990s.
🎟️ RSVP here >
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