ADC National Convention, Premier Arab-American Policy Event of the Year, a Sell-Out Success
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee concluded its annual National Convention, the premiere policy event on issues of concern to the Arab-American community, this weekend. With over 2,000 participants, this year’s Convention was a stunning success.
The Convention was headlined by former President, and Keynote Speaker, Bill Clinton. The President, who addresses a capacity crowd of over 1,000, spoke about the importance of the work of ADC and the role of identity in politics. In a 35 minute address President Clinton was interrupted by applause by the audience a number of occasions and was greeted with a standing ovation upon conclusion. The President was awarded ADC’s highest award for leadership, the Global Leadership Award.
The annual National Convention, themed this year “From the Grassroots to the Nation’s Capitol: Change for our Future,” focused on multiple foreign and domestic policy issues of concern to Arab-Americans. At the Annual Civil Rights Luncheon, keynote remarks were delivered by Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute. The Deputy Secretary committed to continue working with the Arab-American community, led by ADC, to ensure that DHS is not only protecting individuals, but is also safeguarding their civil and human rights.
Among other awardees were Congressman John Dingell, who received the ADC Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award, Anna Baltzer, who received the Rachel Corrie Award and many others. Other Awardees at the Convention included Yale Law School’s Human Rights Clinic and National Litigation Project for their work in exposing Operation Frontline, a sweeping round-up of Muslim American immigrants on the eve of the 2004 presidential elections. ADC also awarded Helen Thomas with a Lifetime Excellence in Journalism Award and dedicated a scholarship in her honor to the Department of Journalism at her Alma Mater, Wayne State University.
The Sunday Palestine Lunch opened with Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) showing a video from his recent trip with colleagues to Gaza and delivering moving remarks. He was followed by the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hilarion Capucci, who delivered an emotional speech about the Palestinian issue and his lifelong commitment to serving the people of Palestine and their pressing needs. The Archbishop was presented with the ADC Global Humanitarian Award.
Panels throughout the Convention were packed to capacity and addressed critical issues relating to foreign affairs, civil rights and liberties, and culture. A discussion on Foreign Policy in the Middle East was lead by Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), Professor John Mearsheimer, and Professor Saad Eddin Ibrahim, all providing important insights on this issue. An afternoon panel on civil liberties focused on the relationship between law enforcement and the Arab-American community and featured the Assistant Director of the FBI John Miller and Mike German and Preetmohan Singh representing the American Civil Liberties Union. A panel discussing the issue of Palestine featured Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD), J-Street Founder and Executive Director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, and Knesset Member Said Naffaa.
Join us next year when ADC will celebrate 30 years of dedication to defending civil and human rights at the 2010 Annual National Convention. ADC will work tirelessly to top this year’s remarkable National Convention and thanks everyone who helped make it a success!