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Statement by DRUM- Desis Rising Up & Moving
The members of DRUM-Desis Rising Up & Moving express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with our sisters and brothers of the Sikh community after Sunday’s shootings in the Oak Creek Gurudwara
Connecting with the Arab Community
“Min wein anti?“
“I – um, ana bidee…”
“No, where are you from?”
“Uh, Michigan? Er, I mean, like, the United States.”
“No, no. Where are you from?”
“Oh. Well, I’m third generation… so… my dad’s German and my mom
Dissent in Morocco: Not all for one
by Samia Errazzouki, originally appears on Jadaliyya.
When Tunisia and Libya began exhibiting what appeared to be the early stages of a popular uprising, some analysts and commentators turned to Morocco, the only remaining kingdom in North Africa, and
MXGM Report on the Extrajudicial Killings of 110 Black People since January 1st, 2012 Released
“A human rights crisis confronts Black people in the United States. Since January 1, 2012, police and a much smaller number of security guards and self-appointed vigilantes have murdered at least 110 Black women and men. These killings are definitely
DONATE to Help AROC Meet with Arab and South Asian Base-Building Organizations!
(Image of DRUM in NY) Few organizations in the US are engaged in progressive political base building in Arab and South Asian communities. The Arab Resource and Organizing Center (SF), Arab American Action Network (Chicago), and Desis Rising Up and
AROC is Hiring An Immigration Program Coordinator
Legal and Outreach Coordinator (20-25 hours)
Description:
The Legal and Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for working with staff attorney to support case work, and administration of Arab American Legal Services (AALS), San Francisco’s first free immigration service for the
Aftermath Play Details Iraqi War Through Interviews
The documentary play Aftermath, based off interviews of Iraqis who had fled Iraq as a result of the violence that had infiltrated their country, recently debuted in San Francisco and will be running from June 7-30 at Stagewerx theater. Originally
AYO Releases Report on Lack of Arab Representation in Schools
After years of hard work, AYO (Arab Youth Organization) has printed and released their 2012 report entitled: “TURATH: Teaching, Understanding, and Representing Arabs Throughout History”.
The TURATH Report (1) documents the findings of a survey conducted among 350 high school
On the Ground in Basra: An Interview with Hashmeya Muhsin al-Saadawi
By Ali Issa, Originally Posted on Jadaliyya.com ~ Iraqi unions demonstrated yesterday on May Day 2012 at a difficult historical moment. Still operating without a labor law that sanctions their organizing, and under the consolidation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s
“Dual Excentrik” East Bay Express Article about Local Palestinian Musician
Tarik Kazaleh shores up individual identity in the guise of Palestinian activism. By Rachel Swan, East Bay Express
Anyone who knows Tarik Kazaleh as the bartender and cocktail-menu conceiver at The Layover would have a hard time believing that he
AROC Letter to UC Davis President Yudof
March 18, 2012
Dear President Yudof,
We are writing to express our concern about your response to the incident that took place at UC Davis on February 27th. We understand that Stand With Us (SWU) organized an event where students
APPLY NOW | Deadline to apply for AROC ED position: March 15
Please help AROC find qualified candidates for this position. Spread the word to your networks! AROC is a membership based organization led by a Collective comprised of paid staff and volunteer members. Volunteer members of the Collective and AROC General
AROC is Hiring: Immigration Attorney
Description: The Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing free immigration legal services to primarily Arab and Muslim clients through Arab American Legal Services (AALS), San Francisco’s first free immigration service for the Arab community. The Staff Attorney will also
Support Queer Feminist Arab Stories Going Global
A group of activists and feminists from the Bay, NY, Lebanon, and Egypt are working together to bring the performance of Bareed Mista3jil — a book of stories published by the queer feminist organization Meem in Lebanon — to the
Educators can’t stay silent about Israeli apartheid
(Mahfouz Abu Turk / APA images)
The Electronic Intifada 13 February 2012
Today the systematic dispossession of the Palestinian people continues unabated and largely unchallenged by the United States and the European Union. Barriers to Palestinian mobility, social and political
An Open Letter to LGBTIQ Communities and Allies on the Israeli Occupation of Palestine
We are a diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and trans activists, academics, artists, and cultural workers from the United States who participated in a solidarity tour in the West Bank of Palestine and Israel from January 7-13, 2012.
Announcing Staff Changes at AROC
After five years of hard work and true dedication, our Program Director, Lily Haskell, will be leaving AROC in the late Summer (Sept 2012). No words can truly express our appreciation for Lily’s dedication to the work, which has left
AROC is Hiring: Executive Director Job Description
Please help AROC find qualified candidates for this position. Spread the word to your networks! AROC is a membership based organization led by a Collective comprised of paid staff and volunteer members. Volunteer members of the Collective and AROC General
Proposed law would restore local control over intelligence gathering
(San Francisco, CA, 01/25/12) – Supervisor Jane Kim introduced legislation before the Board of
Supervisors today that would prohibit members of the San Francisco Police Department working with the
FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) from collecting intelligence on San
SF Supes Consider Local Oversight of FBI Terrorism Investigations
Article posted by Mina Kim to KQED News Blog January 24, 2012, 5:30 pm
San Francisco supervisors are considering legislation that will require local control and civilian oversight of terrorism investigations the San Francisco Police Department undertakes with the Federal
Aswat Youth: Arabic Music Classes
Aswat Youth introduces Arab and non-Arab children to Arab music and culture, helps bridge the gap between Arab cultural heritage and life in America, provides Arab musical training, and improves students’ aural skills.
From Occupation to “Occupy”: The Israelification of American Domestic Security
By: Max Blumenthal, Originally posted on Al Akbar
Published Friday, December 2, 2011
New York – In October, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department turned parts of the campus of the University of California in Berkeley into an urban battlefield. The
Statement on the September 2011 Declaration of Statehood
We, in the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), stand steadfastly against the proposal for Palestinian statehood recognition based on 1967 borders that is to be presented to the United Nations this September by the Palestinian official leadership.
“America, your 9/11… is our 24/7”, Ten Years of Fighting State Violence
Imagine one day, you oversleep your alarm clock by a few hours. You wake up, and the world is a different place. You leave your house and your neighbors look at you with suspicion. You walk down the street and
MEDIA ADVISORY: Oakland Museum Shuts Down Palestinian Children’s Exhibit
Repost from MECA website
For immediate Release: Sept 9, 2011
Berkeley, CA— The Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland (MOCHA) has decided to cancel an exhibit of art by Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. The Middle East Children’s Alliance
Rent 518 Valencia for Your Upcoming Event!
Dear 518/522 Valencia Community & Allies,
After months of planning, construction, hard work and patience the new community space (in the same building where AROC is located) – 518 Valencia – is now available for use!
CALL FROM GAZA: OPEN THE RAFAH CROSSING PERMANENTLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
AROC is honored to sign on to the below statement coming directly from organizations and civil society in Gaza.
Article 13 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that:
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement
The Black Liberation Movement and Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions: Lessons and Applications for the Palestinian Liberation Movement
By Kali Akuno, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement
The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions or BDS movement, launched in 2005 to uproot the zionist settler-colonial project and dismantle the Israeli apartheid state following the various setbacks to the Palestinian liberation
Why Is Carlos Montes Being Targeted By the FBI? And what does it have to do with immigrant Rights and International Solidarity?
UPCOMING EVENT! On May 17th, the SWAT Team of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and members of the FBI raided the home of Carlos Montes, a long time Chicano activist and leader of the famous student walkouts in East
AYO Summer Intensive Success!
Two weeks ago, AYO hosted a summer political education and leadership development intensive. Students participated in workshops to learn about racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, and other oppression.
A People’s History of the Egyptian Revolution
By:Rami El-Amine and Mostafa Henaway– www.leftturn.org
July 7, 2011
No matter how it unfolds, the Egyptian revolution will go down in the history books as a defining moment in the 21st century. Millions of Egyptians brought down one of the
Protest Against FBI Repression and in Support of Carlos Montes
About 75 people came to an Oakland, CA rally on June 16th to denounce the arrest of Carlos Montes in Los Angeles, and the subpoenas which are being resisted by 23 others in the midwest. A loud picket line at
ACTION ALERT: Drop the Charges Against Carlos Montes
From www.stopfbi.net Drop the Charges Against Carlos Montes, Stop the FBI Attack on the Chicano and Immigrant Rights Movement, and Stop FBI Repression of Anti-War Activists NOW!Call Off the Expanding Grand Jury Witchhunt and FBI Repression of Anti-War Activists NOW!
Over 2,600 Activists Arrested in the US Since Election: The Resistance in Obama Time
Article reposted from Counter Punch, by Bill Quigley
Since President Obama was inaugurated, there have been over two thousand six hundred arrests of activists protesting in the US. Research shows over 670 people have been arrested in protests inside
Arab Youth Leadership Summer Camp! July 18th- 24th, 2011
This summer, the Arab Youth Organization is putting on a week a long intensive workshop that is dedicated to develop leadership skills in organizing, activism, speaking skills for Arab youth who are between the ages of 14-22. You will also
Secret FBI documents reveal attack on democratic rights of anti-war and international solidarity activists
Article reposted from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression
Committee to Stop FBI Repression Statement (May 18, 2011)
FBI agents, who raided the home of Mick Kelly and Linden Gawboy, took with them thousands of pages of documents and books,
Entrapment and Racialization: The “Homegrown” Canard
Article reposted from Jadaliyya, By Eric Love. A new report out today from New York University School of Law’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) describes how American counterterrorism efforts have singled out Muslim Americans by “sending
Oakland Police tight-lipped on role in Joint Terrorism Task Force
By Ali Winston on KALW Informant
Oakland Police are keeping their cards close to their chest about the department’s participation in the Bay Area’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Northern California’s multi-agency counter-terrorism team headed by the Federal Bureau of
No peace without release of political prisoners
Sahar Francis
The Electronic Intifada
2 May 2011
Palestinian Prisoners Day was marked on 17 April, an opportunity for the world to reflect on the continuing incarceration and ill-treatment of nearly 6,000 political prisoners. On this day, Addameer Prisoner Support
Advocacy Organizations Welcome DHS Policy Change Regarding NSEERS
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | April 27, 2011 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), along with the Arab American Institute (AAI), the National Immigration Forum (NIF) and the Rights Working Group (RWG), welcome
Voices from the Arab Meedan Event Report
by Kate, originally appears on: blog.meedan.net
On Saturday March 26th, Meedan and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center co-hosted an “Voices from the Arab Meedan.” For those who aren’t familiar with the word, ‘meedan’ is an Arabic word that means
What you need to know about San Francisco’s Joint Terrorism Task Force
By Rina Palta, from http://informant.kalwnews.org
Should Bay Area cities continue supplying local police officers to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force? That’s a question that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors took on Tuesday, and one that privacy groups
Buy a NEW Liberation Ink Arab Revolutions t-shirt & support AROC at the same time!
Liberation Ink has produced a shirt in solidarity with Arab popular movements and revolutions! Not only is this a great way to show support for the revolutions, but it’s a great way to support AROC, as 50% of all profits
Occupying the Bases: April 9th and Iraq’s ‘Day of Salvation’
Originally posted: http://iraqleft.wordpress.com, by Ali Issa. On March 22nd, 5 Iraqi grassroots organizations announced an initiative that will target “the occupier and its agents”, that’s to say: US military bases and Iraq’s Maliki-led government.
Singing, Dabke, Maqam & ‘Oud Classes in the East Bay
Brought to you by ICCNC & ZAWAYA.
For inquiries, contact info@zawaya.org
SINGING FOR SELF EXPRESSI
ON
Learn basic singing techniques to help improve your singing. With this class, students will learn proper posture, correct breathing technique and
Statement on the 2011 Arab Revolts and Prospects for the Palestinian Youth Movement
Statement from the Palestinian Youth Network. The beginning of 2011 has become a milestone to a long anticipated and desired moment that has swept across the Arab world! Arab youth are revolting against their governments causing radical changes in the
Of Predators and Radicals: King’s Hearings and the Political Economy of Criminalization
By Robert Chlala on Jadaliyya.com
If King’s parade of hysteria succeed in one aspect, it is bolstering an expansive political economy of security – from ever-burgeoning prisons to expanded capacities for police and specialized intelligence agencies to new disciplinary technologies.
National Lawyers Guild SF Bay Area Condemns Hearings Targeting Muslims
U.S. Representative Submits Poster From Bay Area Workshop As An Exhibit
The National Lawyers Guild SF Bay Area Chapter (NLGSF) stands with civil and human rights organizations across the country in denouncing the “radicalization” hearings Representative Peter King (R-NY) is
How Palestine’s uprising inspired Egypt’s
Hossam el-Hamalawy, The Electronic Intifada, 2 March 2011
The Egyptian revolution, rather than coming out of the blue on 25 January 2011, is a result of a process that has been brewing over the previous decade — a chain
SF Human Rights Commission Passes Report on AMEMSA Communities
Last week, the SF Human Rights Commission passed a report based on testimonies of dozens of Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, and South Asian community members and our allies. This report includes recommendations for the City and County of SF to
Application Deadline Extended for Youth Program Coordinator Position!
We are fortunate and excited to be able to hire for a half-time program coordinator for AYO’s work. Please help us find a good candidate for the following position by sharing this announcement.
AROC is Hiring: Immigration Program Coordinator
Immigration Program Coordinator (20-25 hours)
Description:
The Immigration Program Coordinator will be responsible for working with staff attorney to support case work, and administration of Arab American Legal Services (AALS), San Francisco’s first free immigration service for the Arab community.
Middle East Unrest Continues: Morocco & Libya As Seen Via YouTube
Reposted from Mashable, click on link to see youtube videos.
http://mashable.com/2011/02/21/morocco-libya-youtube/
Today, our attention turns to North Africa, where protests staged yesterday in Morocco turned violent and fatal for some and unrest continues in beleaguered Libya.
Arab Uprisings: What the February 20 Protests Tell Us About Morocco
re-posted from the Nation, by Laila Lalami | February 17, 2011
With the ouster of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak, the Arab world has erupted in popular protests in favor of democracy and dignity. Morocco, long considered one
Palestinian queer activists challenge the ‘pinkwashing’ of the Israeli occupation
re-posted from Mondoweiss, by Maggie Sager on February 16, 2011
On February 16th, 2011 I attended a public forum entitled “Palestinian Queer Activists Talk Politics” in San Francisco’s Mission District. More than 20 groups including the National Center for Lesbian
The workers, middle class, military junta and the permanent revolution
[Reposted from www.arabawy.org] Since yesterday, and actually earlier, middle class activists have been urging Egyptians to suspend the protests and return to work, in the name of patriotism, singing some of the most ridiculous lullabies about “let’s build new Egypt,”
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MOBILIZATION IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE EGYPTIAN AND TUNISIAN REVOLUTIONS
PROTEST: 5 February 2011 Facebook Page Protest and march to stand in solidarity with the people of Egypt, Tunisia, and other countries in the region as they struggle against repressive governments. When: Saturday, February 5th, 2011, 1 pm.
AROC is hiring for AYO (Arab Youth Organization)
We are fortunate and excited to be able to hire for a half-time program coordinator for AYO’s work. Please help us find a good candidate for the following position by sharing this announcement.
Crisis in Egypt: Blogger/journalist first-hand stories
Interview with Hossam el-Hamalawy, originally appears on Washington Post
Monday, January 31, 2011; 12:00 PM
Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo who writes the popular blog Arabawy, was online Monday, Jan. 31, at Noon ET to
Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists Denounce FBI Infiltration
By Committee to Stop FBI Repression
The anti-war and international solidarity activists who are being called before a grand jury in Chicago have learned that beginning a few months before the protests against the Republican National Convention in the 2008
Upsurge in repression challenges nonviolent resistance in Western Sahara
Aminatou Haidar and Sahrawi activists
Written by Stephen Zunes, on www.OpenDemocracy.net
On November 8, Moroccan occupation forces attacked a tent city of as many as 12,000 Western Saharans just outside of Al Aioun, in the culminating act of a months-long
Al Jazeera: Tensions in Western Sahara:
VIDEO LINK: Al Jazeera: Tensions in Western Sahara
How will the deadly camp clashes impact UN-led talks between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front?
Inside Story Last Modified: 10 Nov 2010 13:59 GMT
At least seven people have been killed
Speaking out on Kashmir and Palestine in the US
Yasmin Qureshi, The Electronic Intifada, published 9 November 2010
The United States has become a battleground for both the struggles of the peoples of Palestine and Kashmir, for freedom from military occupation and for justice. Awareness amongst the US public
The Yemeni Toner Cartridge Bomb Story
By GARY LEUPP from Counterpunch
Jeff Huber on Antiwar.com wrote Monday about the Yemeni toner cartridge bomb story: “…if there’s a single substantiated syllable in that entire narrative, I have yet to encounter it in the New York Times. In
Israeli police shoot Arab legislator in back, Hanin Zoabi to Speak in Berkeley Nov 2nd
By Jonathan Cook, www.jkcook.net –
28 Oct 2010
Click here for details about the Berkeley event
Israeli police injured two Arab legislators on Wedensay in violent clashes provoked by Jewish rightwing extremists staging a march through the northern Arab town
Organizations Nationwide and Key Public Figures Tell FBI: Stop Your Witch-hunt!
One Day before Grand Jury, organizations issue joint letter to US Attorney General Holder, FBI Director Mueller, US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Fitzgerald
MEDIA RELEASE: 10/18/2010
Just one day before community activists are expected to present subpoenaed
Letter Against Investigations of Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists
Dirksen Courthouse, Chicago
Over 68 organizations, and dozens of public figures, including academics and elected officials, sent a jointly signed letter today to the FBI, Attorney General’s office, and US Attorney. They called for an end to the FBI raids
Israel jails Palestinian activist
An Israeli court has sentenced a prominent Palestinian activist to one year in prison for organising non-violent protests against the barrier that separates the West Bank, the occupied territory, from Israeli territory.
Anti-War Activists Whose Homes Were Raided To Refuse Orders To Testify
Published on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 by the Associated Press
Anti-War Activists Whose Homes Were Raided To Refuse Orders To Testify
by Michael Tarm
CHICAGO – Anti-war activists whose homes or offices were raided as part of an FBI terrorism
We must exercise unity in the face of ongoing Racism, Islamophobia, and Occupation
The Arab Resource and Organizing Center acknowledges the increased visibility of Islamophobic violence, and the rise of all other racist and anti-immigrant hate speech and acts of aggression, as being inextricably linked to one another. We find ourselves in a
The Muslim Community Center at Ground Zero: a Manufactured Controversy
By ANTHONY DiMAGGIO (from CounterPunch)
A substantial racist uproar is taking place in conservative America, particularly in right-wing radio and television. Reactionary pundits are drawing increased attention to plans to build an Islamic community center in downtown Manhattan, near Ground
Join our staff at AROC!
Job Announcement
Organization: Arab Resource and Organizing Center
Position: Membership Coordinator
o App. Deadline: August 15, 2010
o Salary: $15-17/hour depending on experience
o Position Hours: Part-time, 20-25 hours per week, some weekends and evenings.
o 50% health insurance
Position
Discrimination at Macy’s
One Person’s Story of Discrimination– Assert your Rights!
Upon exiting the Macy’s store at Southland Mall in a hurry to meet her husband and two of their sleepy children, Samira and their three other kids were approached by security guards
AROC member and intern report on the USSF 2010
The beauty of the Forum is that each and every person had their own personal encounter with “it”, but we were also all in a collective space that emitted a productive sense of solidarity, unity, progressive voice and vision that
SF: Don’t let Israel be the Exception in Condemning Violations of Human Rights!
On Tuesday June 15th, the city of San Francisco was asked to unite with the global community by passing a resolution condemning the Israeli Defense Forces’ military attack on the Freedom Flotilla in international waters. This attack led to the
US Social Forum: A Victory for Palestine, A Victory for Justice
Dear Sisters and brothers:
In a historic accomplishment, the leadership of the US Social Forum voted this morning to cancel a workshop proposed by “Stand With US”, a Zionist organization <http://www.standwithus.com/> that sought to represent Israel as a safe haven
Announcement and Actions in Support of SF Resolution on “Freedom Flotilla and Blockade on Gaza”
On June 9th, 2010, San Francisco City Supervisors John Avalos and Sophie Maxwell introduced a historic resolution for human rights condemning Israel’s attack aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, and calling for President Obama to work to end the siege on
AROC delivers message of joint struggle at Malcolm X Jazz Festival
On May 22nd, AROC celebrated the life and work of Malcolm X, as well as our dear comrade Javad Jahi, at the Malcolm X Jazz Festival. AROC staff and members delivered a statement alongside the Bay Area Campaign to End
AYO!: Sick and Tired of Learning about “Arabs as Terrorists”
And they’re not going to take it anymore! AYO is about to launch into a survey to find out more about racism in the local school systems and educational inequities in teaching (or not teaching) about Arabs.
Through the surveys,
AROC now has a Full Time Immigration Attorney!
We’re so excited to announce that we’ve hired a Full Time Attorney to work with our Arab American Legal Services program. Nour Chammas comes to us with experience working in private practice as well as community based legal work. He
Due process for SF youth!
For the past year, AROC has participated as an active member of the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Defense Committee (SFIRDC). We’ve been fighting, along with over 30 other organizations, to curb youth deportations in the city of SF. In 2008,
AROC hires a Membership Coordinator!
AROC would like to welcome Dina Omar to our staff. Dina comes to us with years of activist and organizing experience within the Arab community in the Bay Area, and we are excited to have her join the AROC team.
AROC Launches Census Campaign!
April 1st of this year is officially “Census Day”, and in the days and weeks surrounding this date, households across the US will be filling out their Census forms to be counted in the countries population. There are two central