Mixed Messages from the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee

Mixed Messages from the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee

by IPT News  •  Nov 3, 2010 at 12:53 pm

The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the "largest Arab-American grassroots civil rights organization in the United States," is well known for defending the rights of people of Arab descent while building bridges to other communities in common defense of civil and human rights. When those two objectives come into conflict, the ADC has placed ethnic solidarity before the common cause of respect for everyone.
On October 22, the ADC's Committee of Western New York held an event commemorating the Sabra and Shatilla massacres, entitled "Memory Lives, Resistance Persists." Resistance, a word that ADC has used interchangeably for terrorism in reports about the Middle East conflict, was celebrated on the flyer. A popular Palestinian cartoon character, Handala, is seen writing the Arabic words, "Revolution until victory."
In addition, the ADC recently decided to commemorate the career of Helen Thomas, a Lebanese American journalist whose career was ended abruptly in June over an anti-Semitic tirade. Thomas noted that the Jews of Israel should "go home" to Poland, Germany, and America, and "Get the hell out of Palestine."
The ADC sprang to Thomas' defense, thanking her "for her service" and quoting from far left Jewish activist Zool Zulkowitz and Paul Jay, whose defense of Thomas called Israel's founding colonialism. Instead of condemning Thomas' quotes, the ADC instead portrayed her as a victim, stating "that she [Thomas] will not be intimidated by the recent hateful accusations or deterred from her insightful questioning and reporting. Calls in support of Thomas were also echoed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which recently honored Thomas with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
 http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/441.pdf#page=11

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What is the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)?
ADC is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage.
ADC was founded by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk in 1980. Today, ADC is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S.
ADC supports the human and civil rights of all people and opposes racism and bigotry in any form.
ADC:

• PROTECTS civil rights and civil liberties of Arab Americans
• PROMOTES mutual understanding
• PRESERVES Arab American cultural heritage

Who can join ADC?
ADC welcomes the participation and support of people of all ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.
ADC's objectives are to:

1. Defend and promote human rights, civil rights, and liberties of Arab Americans and other persons of Arab heritage.
2. Combat stereotypes and discrimination against and affecting the Arab-American community in the United States.
3. Serve as a public voice for the Arab American community in the United States on domestic and foreign policy issues.
4. Educate the American public in order to promote greater understanding of Arab history and culture.
5. Organize and mobilize the Arab American community in furtherance of the organization's objectives.

Register to Vote!
Have you registered to vote? Not sure if you're registered?Click here to register to vote or check your status
Did you face discrimination at the polls?
Report it using our poll incident report form

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ADC Voter Protection Unit (ADC-VPU)

The ADC-VPU was established in October 2008. This special unit is dedicated to protect the Arab and Muslim American communities from attempts at chilling the communities‘ right to vote and responding to fear tactics designed to promote hate, division, and hostility against the Arab and Muslim American communities.
How can you volunteer?
ADC-VPU calls for volunteers to make a difference and help protect the rights of all voters. The ADC-VPU needs the assistance of those willing and available to become Election Monitors. Please email your information; including your name, email address, phone number, and voting district to vpu@adc.org. Upon receiving your information a member of the VPU will be in touch with you to explain the process.
Election Monitor District Representative:

• Will serve as the go-to person to election monitors across a voting district.
• Responsible for contacting the City or County Clerk should an issue arise.
• Set schedules across a district and be responsible for strategically placing monitors.
• Responsible for reporting to the ADC-VPU on the day‘s activities.
• Someone familiar with election monitoring, organized, familiar with the voting district.

Election Monitor:

• Primary responsibility will be to ensure the fairness of the election process.
• Will be placed at a polling station by the District Representative.
• Will be given specific instructions on what to look for on Election Day.
• Will be provided instructions on how to report any acts of voter intimidation
• Willing to commit to a 3-4 hour block and have be able to carry out the duties.

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Know Your Rights [PDF]
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 makes it illegal for any state or local government to discriminate against racial or ethnic minority groups by denying them the right to vote.
Know your state's requirements:

• Voter Identification and other requirements: visit the National Conference of State Legislatures' "Requirements for Voter Identification" or call your local Secretary of State's Office.

Where do you vote and when?

• Visit the League of Women Voters Education Fund Vote411.org or contact your Secretary of State's Office.

Treated wrongfully while voting?

1. Take down the poll workers name, the location of the poll, and any names of witnesses.
2. Email the ADC-VPU to vpu@adc.org or call 202-244-2990.
3. Contact the US Department of Civil Rights Division Voting Section by email at voting.section@usdoj.gov or call toll free at 1-800-253-3931 or 1-202-307-2767.

Myths vs. Truths
Myth: Poll workers can ask personal questions to determine my identity.
Truth: Poll workers are allowed to ask selected questions to determine the identity of a voter. They make ask for your address and some states require voters to present a valid form of identification (driver license included). However, poll workers are not permitted to ask questions pertaining to personal or political matters. Poll workers cannot intimidate voters and cannot ask for proof of citizenship if you are already a registered voter.
Myth: You can be denied access to vote and forced to leave the voting polls without casting a ballot.
Truth: All voters have the right to provisional ballots. If a poll worker challenges your eligibility to vote you can request a provisional ballot, which is researched after the election to determine the voter's eligibility. If eligibility is confirmed, the provisional ballot is opened, counted, and included in the official election results.
Myth: You cannot vote if your home is in foreclosure.
Truth: If your home is in foreclosure, you do not lose your right to vote. Some states, such as Michigan, allow those who have moved from their homes sixty days to vote in the same precinct. You do not need a home to vote.
Myth: You cannot wear campaign buttons, stickers, or t-shirts supporting a particular candidate or issue while voting.
Truth: Most states allow a voter to wear campaign attire to the polls while voting (note - a voter may not linger in the polling place area after voting). However, some jurisdictions, such as Virginia, have decided that such items are not allowed. It is best to contact your Secretary of State's Office to determine what is allowed.
Myth: An ex-felon cannot vote.
Truth: Not all states prohibit ex-felons from voting. Some states even afford those on probation the right to vote. A misdemeanor conviction does not affect your right to vote.
Myth: You cannot vote if you have unpaid parking tickets, traffic tickets, unpaid child support, or other fines.
Truth: Poll workers do not have information on unpaid fines or tickets. You cannot be turned away from the polls for the above mentioned.
Myth: Immigration officers will be at the polls to check your immigration status.
Truth: Government workers at the polls, and other poll workers, are not allowed to ask for citizenship status if a voter is already registered.http://adc.org/fileadmin/ADC/Pdfs/What_is_ADC_2011.pdf