Arab Americans Can Help Write their Party’s Platform
In every election since 1984, Arab Americans have run for and won positions as delegates to state and national party conventions. In those states that provided opportunities for delegates to write platforms, Arab Americans won victories, securing platform planks for Palestinian rights and Lebanon’s sovereignty; against profiling and discrimination; and guaranteeing civil liberties.
This year is no exception. In several states, Arab American delegates to the state conventions are involved in platform work. But now, the Barack Obama campaign and the Republican Party have presented all Americans with an opportunity to participate in a platform writing process.
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Former Career Diplomat Sentenced Today for Sending Obscene and Threatening Messages
WASHINGTON – July 11, 2008 – Former American career diplomat W. Patrick Syring was sentenced today in federal court in Washington, D.C. On June 12, 2008, Mr. Syring pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights charge for threatening employees of the Arab American Institute (AAI) because of their race and national origin, and to a second charge for the interstate transmission of threatening communications.
Today, Syring was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 12 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of post-release supervision, 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly presided over the sentencing.
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Democratic and Republican National Convention Events
Since 1988, the AAI and its Foundation have successfully organized gala receptions at the Republican and Democratic national nominating conventions to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Arab Americans and their contributions to American political life and public service. The Arab American tribute reception has become one of the most popular events on the convention calendar of both major parties.
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