Issue 82: Sunday, 19 June 2022

THIS WEEK IN DC – Mayor of Washington DC Adds 51st Star To American Flags Flying Above Pennsylvania Avenue As Democrats Continue To Push For The District Of Columbia To Be Made A State; Thousands Rally In Washington DC And Across US, Calling For Stricter Gun Measures After Spate Of Mass Shootings; Keisha Lance Bottoms To Join White House As Senior Biden Adviser; McConnell Boost Adds To Momentum Of Senate Gun Legislation; Joe Biden To Visit Middle East Allies Amid Strains; Senators Eye $45 billion Boost To Biden Defense Budget; Biden Signs Bill Boosting Security For SCOTUS Justices, Families; McConaughey Hires DC Lobbyists In Gun Control Push; DC Names Street Outside Saudi Embassy After Slain Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Happy Juneteenth
In Defense of Democracy and Pluralism

Happy Juneteenth

MPAC Commemorates First Federally Recognized Juneteenth

Today we observe the first federally recognized Juneteenth holiday. We remember and celebrate across the country this important day. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on our nation’s history of slavery and to celebrate its end. However, there is much more work to be done, and we are committed to the promise of liberty and justice for all.

Read full article→

In Defense of Democracy and Pluralism

By Jameel Subhan, MPAC Public Policy Fellow

“Whereas January 6, 2021, was one of the darkest days of our democracy, during which insurrectionists attempted to impede Congress’s Constitutional mandate to validate the presidential election and launched an assault on the United States Capitol Complex that resulted in multiple deaths, physical harm to over 140 members of law enforcement, and terror and trauma among staff, institutional employees, press, and Members”

That is the first clause of the instructions that created the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

Our country was founded, in part, with the idea that each and every one of us should have a say in how we are governed. With that, the founding fathers created what they deemed to be an experiment: democracy.

Read full article→

ICYMI

January 6 Hearings: Second Hearing on Investigation of January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol

The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol held the second of a series of hearings.

Watch the recording →

UPCOMING

Join us for the 30th Annual MPAC Media Awards

For the first time in 30 years of the MPAC Media Awards, the majority of this year's honorees are Muslim trailblazers. See how Muslims are changing the entertainment landscape. Learn more and register for our FREE live stream event on June 26 (5:00-6:30 pm PT).

With appearances by Oscar winners, past honorees, performances, and more, you won't want to miss this milestone event. RSVP now.

GOOD TO KNOW

- THIS WEEK IN HISTORY -

June 13, 1325 - Ibn Battuta begins his travels from Tangiers to Mecca; June 13, 1924 - Bene Barak Palestine is founded; June 13, 1956 - The last British troops leave the Suez Canal Zone in Egypt; June 13, 1978 - Israeli Defense Forces withdraw from Lebanon; June 13, 1982 - Fahd becomes king of Saudi Arabia; June 15, 1389 - Battle of Kosovo; Turks defeat Serbs; June 15, 1964 - Last French troops leave Algeria; June 16, 2000 - Israel complies with UN Security Council Resolution 425 after 22 years, which calls on Israel to completely withdraw from Lebanon. Israel withdraws from all of Lebanon, except the disputed Sheba Farms; June 17, 656 - Ali ibn Abu Talib elected the 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate; June 17, 1950 - Treaty of Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation Between the States of the Arab League was created: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, and Egypt; June 18, 1953 - Egypt proclaimed a republic, General Neguib becomes president.

June 12, 2016 - Gunman opens fire at nightclub in Orlando, FL, killing 49, injuring 53 - worst mass shooting in the US; June 13, 1965 - The Supreme Court rules in Miranda v Arizona that defendants must be reminded of their Miranda rights before questioning; June 13, 1971 - The New York Times starts the publication of the Pentagon Papers; June 13, 1997 - Jurors sentence Timothy McVeigh to death for his role in Oklahoma City bombing; June 13, 2002 - US withdraws from Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty; June 14, 1993 - Ruth Bader Ginsburg is nominated to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton; June 15, 1804 - Twelfth Amendment to the US Constitution, establishing the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, ratified in Congress; June 15, 1908 - World congress for Women's rights opens in Amsterdam; June 15, 1982 - Supreme Court rules all children, regardless of citizenship, are entitled to a public education; June 17, 1885 - Statue of Liberty arrives in NYC aboard French ship `Isere'; June 18, 1983 - 7th Shuttle Mission: Challenger 2 launches Sally Ride as 1st US woman in space.

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