Dear John,

Check out what we have been up to this past month and get #Emgaged!

Highlights:

• In a 407 - 1 vote, the US House of Representatives passed the historic Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. Because of your support, Emgage Action conducted nearly 100 meetings, in DC and in-district, to bring attention to the ongoing genocide against the Uyghur Muslim minority and get Congress to support sanctions against Chinese officials. But, our work is not done. We are now calling upon the U.S. Olympic Committee to boycott the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, unless China ends its arbitrary detention of over one million Uyghurs. Click here to sign our boycott. 
• On November 14, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, chaired by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA-2), held a hearing to examine the deteriorating human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Emgage Action held numerous meetings with members of Congress, human rights organizations and coalition partners to discuss the need for a legislative response to the ongoing crisis in Kashmir. Click here to contact your Congressional members and urge them TODAY to stand with Kashmir. 
• In November, the FBI released the 2018 Hate Crimes Statistics Report which shows a dramatic increase in assaults against minorities. However, the reporting is notoriously low. In 2018, out of 16,149 participating agencies only 2,040 reported any incidents. Click here to contact your Congressional members and tell them to IMPROVE hate crime data reporting. 
• Check out Emgage Action's NEW and IMPROVED Action Center. Stay up to date and contact YOUR members of Congress on issues that are important to you. 

Month Highlights:

• We did it! Emgage Action, with the help of voters and community organizers like you, flipped both the House and Senate in Virginia. Emgage VA endorsed 25 candidates, 23 of which won their bid including 6 Muslim canidates (Abrar Omeish, Harris Mahedavi, Lisa Zargarpur, Buta Biberaj, Ibraheem Samirah, and Ghazal Hashimi). Congratulations to our endorsees! Take a look at some of the achievements by Emgage VA.

Legislative Update:

• Emgage VA has made major headway with the co-sponsorship of the NO BAN Act by all Virginia Democratic Representatives - thanks to all the lawmakers who put their name on the right side of history!

Month Highlights:

• Emgage MI has been working with local representatives, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to advocate on crucial issues important to our community - conducting in-district meetings with the offices of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI 13th District), Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI 9th District), and many more to discuss the crisis in Kashmir, the Uyghur crisis in China, as well as the NO BAN Act. 

Contact:

Nada Al-Hanooti, Executive Director | [email protected]

Month Highlights:

• Miami, Orlando and St. Petersburg canvass launches joined forces to phone bank and canvass throughout their cities for the November 5 municipal races. Together, they exceeded 28,000 calls, knocked on over 9,000 doors, and texted more than 9,000 people. We are proud of the achievements by Emgage FL and their ability to move the community to the polls! 

• Emgage FL supported The Florida Muslim Bar Association as they welcomed long time Emgage supporter and keynote speaker, Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL 9th District), at their attorney weekend retreat November 2-3 in Orlando. 

• Emgage Chairperson Khurrum Wahid spoke at the Faith and Politics Forum at the 2019 Florida Democratic Party Convention. 

Candidate / Campaign / Election info:

• Emgage FL PAC endorsee Buddy Dyer, Orlando’s incumbent mayor, won the November 5 election by a large margin. 

Job postings:

• South Florida and Central Florida Coordinators: We are looking for dynamic community organizers for the tri-county and central Florida area. For more information about this position, contact Olivia Cantu: [email protected]   

Legislative updates/bills:

• The Emgage FL team and The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) met with the offices of Congresswoman Federica Wilson (D-FL 24th District), Kathy Castor (D-FL 14th District), and many others to educate Congress about the human rights violations in Kashmir, Burma, as well as the Uighgur 'cultural genocide' in Xinjiang, China. 
• The IAMC is currently circulating a letter to Prime Minister Modi, aimed at bolstering international awareness.

Month Highlights:

• Harrisburg hosted its first fundraiser - attended by the local community - to support Emgage PA's efforts across the state and grow our chapter in the Harrisburg area. Great job, Harrisburg Chapter!
• Thanks to the organizing efforts by our PA team, 21 out of 50 Nationally endorsed candidates were successfully elected from PA! Emgage PA would like to congratulate all endorsed candidates up for leadership during the 2019 election cycles.

• Emgage PA also conducted fundraisers in Breinigsville and Wayne, with special guest Keith Ellison who focused on the importance of  political engagement. 

Monthly Highlights:

• Emgage TX held their annual candidate forum on October 13 in Houston for mayoral and city council candidates - giving candidates an opportunity to discuss their vision for Houston and plan for addressing issues important to the community.

• The Emgage TX team ensured the Muslim community had the opportunity to make informed decisions before casting their vote on November 5. 

Emgage Texas GOTV Phone Bank:

• Emgage TX held four phone banks and used a new technology called OutReach Circle to implement relational organizing to get out the vote from the Houston Muslim community for city elections. Emgage volunteers reached out to their personal networks to remind them to vote and guided them to the polls.

Because of YOUR support, we have been able to accomplish so much this year. Please help continue our efforts by making a gift today!