(WASHINGTON, DC, 5/4/17) – The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations visited Capitol Hill this week to participate in the third annual National Muslim Advocacy Day. During the two-day event, CAIR Georgia leaders joined over 400 American Muslims to promote greater political engagement, forge stronger ties with members of Congress, and express support for important legislation.
“We thank our congressional representatives for taking the time to learn about issues of importance to the Georgia Muslim community, including an end to religious and racial profiling, protecting DACA recipients, and permanently ending the Trump Administration’s limits on Muslim immigration,” said CAIR-GA executive director Edward Ahmed Mitchell.
“The massive turnout for this year’s National Muslim Advocacy Day was especially inspiring and reassuring in light of the ongoing increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes,” said Ruwa Romman, communications director for CAIR Georgia. “Such bigotry has motivated Georgia Muslims to become even more involved in the political process.”
The Georgia delegation also included CAIR-GA outreach director Asma Elhuni and members of the Muslim American Society, a national grassroots organization. and Georgia Constituents met with Congressmen on Monday and Tuesday to promote greater Muslim political engagement and stronger ties with congress. “This year’s National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill was especially inspiring because we had over 400 participants. Many of them, including our own delegation, were able to meet with Senators and Representatives directly,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR Georgia’s Executive Director. The Georgia delegation met with Rep. John Lewis, as well as with staff members in the offices of Rep. Rick Allen, Rep. Doug Collins, Rep. Drew Ferguson, Rep. Tom Graves, Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Sen. David Perdue, Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. David Scott, and Rep. Rob Woodall. This year’s 3rd Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill focused on three main issues
Protecting the Constitutional Rights of American Muslims
Constituents urged their representatives to support the SOLVE Act (HR 724) declaring the Travel Ban null and void, the Freedom of Religion Act (HR 852) prohibiting barring immigrants, refugees, and international visitors from entry solely on the religion they practice, and No Religious Registry Act (HR 489), which prohibits a national religious registry or monitoring certain US persons and other individuals based only on religious affiliation. They urged their senators to support the Access to Counsel Act (S. 349) which guarantees legal counsel to those detained upon entry to the US and provides basic rights to those detained, the Protect American Families Act (S. 54) which prohibits the creation of an immigration-related registry program based on religion, race, age, national origin, etc, and S.248, the SOLVE Act’s companion bill Georgia residents are locally attempting to defeat HB 452 that aims to create the beginning of such a registry. HB 452 targets immigrants detained, even if they have not been convicted.
Protecting Immigrant Communities Support DREAMers & NSRIE
Constituents urged their representatives to support the Bar Removal of Individuals Who Dream and Grow our Economy Act (BRIDGE Act, HR 496 / S 128) which protected undocumented young people brought to the US as children, known as DREAMers, should the Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals (DACA) be discontinued. They also urged their representatives to support the No State Resources for Immigration Enforcement (INSRIE Act, HR 1446), which prohibits state and local law enforcement officers from carrying out federal immigrant enforcement duties under the Secure Communities – 287(g) program.
SEE: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/senators-republican-democrats-dreamers-immigrants-232431
End Racial and Religious Profiling
Constituents urged their senators to support Senator Ben Cardin’s End Racial and Religious Profiling act of 2017 (S. 411) and its companion bill introduced by Congressman John Conyers end Racial Profiling Act (HR 1498). These companion bills would effectively eliminate racial, religious, and other forms of discriminatory profiling by law enforcement. This prohibition would be enforceable by declaratory or injunctive relief.
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CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: Ruwa Romman, CAIR-GA Communications
Director; [email protected]; 678-697-9684.