200 Call for Solidarity, End to Hate-Motivated Violence

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ — “We will not allow the brutal attacks of September 11 to divide our nation with hate and bigotry,” was the message delivered at a lunchtime rally at The National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in an event organized by a small grassroots group of South Asian and Asian Pacific American men and women. Following a moment of silence in respect for the victims of last week’s attack, Amber Khan addressed the rally, delivering a message of sorrow and solidarity. “We stand here together because we will not allow the perpetrators of violence to hijack our trust and faith in each other, we will not allow them to hijack our commitment to the principles and values that make our nation, a land of immigrants strong — tolerance for difference, belief in the inalienable human dignity and worth of each person, passion for creating a more justice society, and an unwavering commitment to liberty and freedom,” said Amber Khan, a Muslim activist of South Asian descent from Montgomery County, Md. More than 200 diverse community leaders, federal employees, grassroots activists, veterans and other concerned Americans stood shoulder to shoulder to call for unity in this time of great sorrow and to not allow bigotry and hate to tear the fabric of our society. The crowd, reflecting the diversity of America, included Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, African Americans, South Asians, Christian leaders and many others. Invoking the lessons of history from World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Karen Narasaki, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium and whose parents were interned, spoke passionately about the need for us to learn from history. “Standing here today, while we grieve the terrible loss of life and the awful toll on the families of the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks, let us take to heart the lessons of World War II when my parents and hundreds of other Japanese American families were herded behind barbed wire simply because they happened to look like the enemy,” said Narasaki. Sharing stories of fear and the isolation experienced by the Muslim, Arab and Sikh communities, Sharifa Al-Khateeb of the North American Council for Muslim Women, James Zogby of the Arab American Institute and Tejpal Singh Chawla expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support by the larger community and urged fellow Americans to remain united and vigilant against ethnic scapegoating by speaking out against all forms of bigotry. This theme was echoed by all speakers. “In the wake of the tragedy that occurred last week, I urge you — community leaders, parents, teachers, the media and our elected officials — to send the message that as Americans, we cannot and should not afford to condone or tolerate any incidence of discrimination or bias against anyone. Such acts go against the grain of the ideals of freedom and equality on which our country thrives and threaten our civil and human rights as Americans,” said Deepa Iyer, board member of the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow. The event concluded with the powerful image of Japanese American and Filipino American Veterans of World War II leading the rally in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. For press statements from the event see contact information above. Organizations represented at today’s event included: — American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) — American Humanist Association — American Muslim Council (AMC) — Arab American Institute (AAI) — Asian American Student Association, University of Maryland, College Park — Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum — Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies — Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) — Asian/Pacific Islander-Domestic Violence Resource Project (A/PI-DVRP) — Bharti Association of Montgomery County Maryland — Bridge 2050 — Coordinating Council of American Muslim Organizations — Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) — Democratic National Committee — Hmong National Development, Inc. (HND) — Human Rights Campaign — Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) — Iranian Student Association, U of MD, College Park — Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) — Japanese American Veterans Association — Korean American Coalition (KAC) — Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) — NAACP — National Asian Pacific American Bar Association — National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium (NAPALC), — National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum — National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development — National Council of Asian Pacific Americans — National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) — National Japanese American Memorial Foundation — Network of South Asian Professionals — North American Council for Muslim Women (NACMW) — Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) — People For the American Way — Project IMPACT — Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) — South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) — South Asian Bar Association (SABA) — South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA) — Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) — The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) — United Jain and Hindu Temple Association of Metro Washington — White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — Young Muslim Professional Women, Inc.