resist

From detention to freedom: Lessons from two detained fathers

#AdvancingJustice

#MPACconvention

family separation

mpac convention

muslim public affairs council

On November 15, 2018 By MPAC

The Avelica-Gonzalez’s are a Mexican-American Catholic family from Los Angeles, and the Jamals are a Bangladeshi-American Muslim family from Lawrence, Kansas. Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez and Syed Jamal have each lived in this country for over 25 years, their children are U.S.-born citizens, and both fathers were detained by ICE in the process of taking their daughters to school. Both cases roused allies and entire communities to advocate for their release, showing that political and community pressure works, and works most effectively when both sides advocate together. In a panel with immigration attorneys and activists, these two courageous fathers will inform us about how we can support and advocate for those currently detained or under threat of detention as we work toward a more just American immigration policy. Learn more at mpac.org/convention. ---------- Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national About the Muslim Public Affairs Council MPAC improves public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities.

Effective advocacy: Finding the sweet spot in activism

#AdvancingJustice

#MPACconvention

bayan claremont

On November 15, 2018 By MPAC

What is the most effective type of activism? Creating lasting change requires leveraging different tactics and strategies in tandem to effectively replace bigoted policies and perceptions of marginalized communities. Our panelists share their work and experiences in creating social change and addressing conflicts in strategy in pursuit of that change. Learn more at mpac.org/convention. ---------- Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national About the Muslim Public Affairs Council MPAC improves public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities.

United for America Rally Los Angeles

antonio villaraigosa

salam al-marayati

united for america

On March 9, 2017 By MPAC

Hundreds of people came together in a rally to fortify the diversity and inclusiveness of America. Organized by the Islamic Center of Southern California and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, we celebrate the rights and principles of religious liberty and pluralism of our great nation. *SPEAKERS* - Salam Al-Marayati - President of Muslim Public Affairs Council - MPAC - Najee Ali - Project Islamic Hope - Ann Burroughs - Interim President/CEO of Japanese American National Museum - Congresswoman Judy Chu - Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels - Beth Shir Shalom - Mike Farrell - From the TV Series M*A*S*H - Mike Feuer - Los Angeles City Attorney - Rev. Gwynne Guibord - The Guibord Center - Religion Inside Out - Jarin Islam - Bangladeshi Community - Nirinjan Khalsa (Sikh Community) - Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky - B'nai David-Judea Congregation - Max Kennedy - Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell - Los Angeles City Council - Mel Levine - Former U.S. Congressman - Steve Rhode - ACLU of Southern California - Julie Rodriguez - Granddaughter of Cesar Chavez and field director for U.S. Senator, Kamala Harris - Antonio R. Villaraigosa - Former Mayor of Los Angeles - Apolonio Morales Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) - Richard L. Zaldivar - The Wall Las Memorias *PERFORMERS* - Jesus Gonzales (National Anthem) - Japanese Taiko Group *THANK YOU TO OUR CO-SPONSORS* - Abrahamic Faiths Peacemaking Initiative - All Saints Church Pasadena - Bend the Arc Los Angeles - Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of L.A. - CLUE: Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice - The Guibord Center - Religion Inside Out - Holy Faith Episcopal Church, Inglewood - Jewish Voice for Peace - Los Angeles - IKAR - Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP) - Interreligious Council of Southern C.A. - Leo Baeck Temple - City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission - Muslims and Jews Organizing Relief - Muslims for Progressive Values - Pico Union Project - Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus - South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC)

George Takei fights back against #MuslimBan

american muslims

On March 8, 2017 By MPAC

After being forced into a Japanese internment camp as a child, George Takei vowed to never allow this travesty to happen to another group of Americans again. Following President Trump’s executive order banning immigrants from 7 Muslim-majority countries, Mr. Takei launched an online petition calling on Americans to “stand up for Muslims in the U.S.” The petition has been signed by nearly 320,000 people. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and other civic leaders joined George Takei to present the list of supporters to MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati as a gesture of support to Muslims from fellow Americans. We are grateful to George and to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who stand for a united and inclusive America. Our work does not end here. MPAC will present these signatures to Congress to advocate for the civil liberties of American Muslims. Learn more about us -- http://mpac.org