American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee

In response to the extraordinarily painful and difficult circumstances for the Arab-American community created by the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, ADC has been working overtime to provide services to the community and reach out to the rest of American society. This timeline of ADC activities is intended to provide the members and supporters of ADC a sense of the activities ADC has engaged in to respond to this unprecedented crisis for our community. This list is by no means exhaustive, and is designed only to provide an indication of the kinds of efforts the organization has engaged in to address the needs of the community. Not specified thoroughly in this document are the constant efforts of the Legal Department to provide legal advice and guidance to community members, continuous communication between the Organizing Department and chapters and members around the country, and numerous media appearances by ADC spokespersons in the media (detailed in a separate list to be sent shortly). Also please note that this timeline currently reflects only the efforts of the national office of ADC, and not the many splendid efforts of local ADC regions and chapters throughout the country, which will be documented as soon as possible. This timeline will be updated in coming days.

Tuesday, September 11

ADC released a statement condemning the attacks, urging the public and the media to proceed with caution and to resist rushing to judgement.
[http://www.adc.org/press/2001/11september2001.htm]

ADC established a worldwide Arab-American and Arab fund drive for donations to the victims of the attack.
[http://www.adc.org/press/2001/15september2001.htm]

The Organizing Department contacted local chapters and presidents with advice and guidance for how to handle the crisis.

The Communications Department began to deal with the huge response from the news media for Arab-American feedback and perspectives.

Wednesday, September 12

ADC President Dr. Ziad Asali released a statement on behalf of ADC and the Arab-American community condemning Tuesday's attacks. The statement expressed the emotions of Arab Americans regarding the attacks, denounced anti-Arab hate crimes, committed ADC to defending the rights and interests of all Arab Americans, and explained the role of ADC in the extraordinary circumstances created by the September 11 attacks.
[http://www.adc.org/press/2001/12september2001v002.htm]

ADC sent a letter to President Bush asking him to urge all Americans not to blame the Arab-American community for the September 11 attacks and to denounce hate crimes against Arab Americans. The next day President George W. Bush declared that "...we must be mindful that as we ... seek to win the war, that we treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with the respect they deserve." [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/13september2001.htm]

Leaders of Arab-American and American Muslim groups met at the ADC national office and issued a statement condemning Tuesday’s attacks. This meeting included American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Arab American Institute (AAI), American Committee on Jerusalem (ACJ), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslim Council (AMC), Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine (CPAP), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Islamic Institute and decided on a strategy to face up to the challenges facing their communities. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/12september2001.htm]

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) called Dr. Ziad Asali to express his concern and support. ADC began to work with a number of Senators on crafting a Senate resolution condemning attacks on Arab Americans, which passed on the 13th.

Washington, D.C. Police Chief Ramsey provided protection to the national office.

The Legal Department received reports from around the country regarding hate crimes against Arab Americans, and gave advice and assistance to countless victims of harassment and hate crimes. They also started compiling a list of these incidents, as well as the numerous threats and hate mail ADC is receiving (we should note that messages of support, compassion and reassurance now outnumber hostile and threatening communications to ADC).

Thursday, September 13

ADC received word that Senator Kennedy had issued a statement of support for American Muslim and Arab communities. ADC also received massages of support from Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John Edwards (D-NC).

ADC President Ziad Asali and representatives of the Arab American Institute met with representatives from the FBI, the Justice Department, the Assistant Attorney General and other law enforcement officials to discuss the rising tide of hate crimes and threats against the Arab-American community. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/13september2001.htm]

William Burns, Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East, met with Dr. Asali and other Arab-American leaders to discuss recent events.

The Legal and Communications Departments worked on messages of appreciation for the large number of the supportive mail ADC received.

The Education Department worked on materials to send to educators, advising them on harassment prevention issues. It also responded to calls from educators and guided them towards larger networks. It circulated ADC statements to various organizations opposing hate crimes and petitioning signatures.
[http://www.adc.org/education/advice.htm]

The Organizing Department responded to chapters’ questions and provided contact information of local chapters. It helped to compile a list of hate crimes and mail to be sent out to the press. It discussed security issues with local chapters and answered questions.

ADC issued a statement pledging support for a national day of mourning on the 14th. [http://www.adc.org/action/2001/13september2001.htm]

Friday, September 14

ADC placed ads expressing condolences to the victims of the September 11 attacks in the New York Times and Washington Post.
[http://www.adc.org/ad_campaign/ad.pdf]

Dr. Asali attended a meeting with State Department officials. He also wrote to Congressman John Dingell urging Congress to support the security of the Arab-American community.

Dr. Asali represented ADC at the memorial service for the victims at the National Cathedral.

The Organizing Department, referred media to local chapters, communicated with chapters and answered questions and provided advice and guidance on how to deal with the extremely difficult situation in the community.

The Legal department addressed requests from attorneys who wanted to provide their services. It participated in a meeting of a broad coalition of civil rights and civil liberties organizations to address issues and draft a joint statement on the situation in the aftermath of the attacks.

The Education Department prepared materials for Arab-American parents, providing advice on communicating with their children and addressing their fears. [http://www.adc.org/action/2001/14september2001.htm]

	15 September 2001
	Timeline of ADC Activities in Response to the September 11 Attacks

	In response to the extraordinarily painful and difficult circumstances for the Arab-American community created by the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, ADC has been working overtime to provide services to the community and reach out to the rest of American society. This timeline of ADC activities is intended to provide the members and supporters of ADC a sense of the activities ADC has engaged in to respond to this unprecedented crisis for our community. This list is by no means exhaustive, and is designed only to provide an indication of the kinds of efforts the organization has engaged in to address the needs of the community. Not specified thoroughly in this document are the constant efforts of the Legal Department to provide legal advice and guidance to community members, continuous communication between the Organizing Department and chapters and members around the country, and numerous media appearances by ADC spokespersons in the media (detailed in a separate list to be sent shortly). Also please note that this timeline currently reflects only the efforts of the national office of ADC, and not the many splendid efforts of local ADC regions and chapters throughout the country, which will be documented as soon as possible. This timeline will be updated in coming days. Tuesday, September 11 ADC released a statement condemning the attacks, urging the public and the media to proceed with caution and to resist rushing to judgement. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/11september2001.htm] ADC established a worldwide Arab-American and Arab fund drive for donations to the victims of the attack. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/15september2001.htm] The Organizing Department contacted local chapters and presidents with advice and guidance for how to handle the crisis. The Communications Department began to deal with the huge response from the news media for Arab-American feedback and perspectives. Wednesday, September 12 ADC President Dr. Ziad Asali released a statement on behalf of ADC and the Arab-American community condemning Tuesday's attacks. The statement expressed the emotions of Arab Americans regarding the attacks, denounced anti-Arab hate crimes, committed ADC to defending the rights and interests of all Arab Americans, and explained the role of ADC in the extraordinary circumstances created by the September 11 attacks. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/12september2001v002.htm] ADC sent a letter to President Bush asking him to urge all Americans not to blame the Arab-American community for the September 11 attacks and to denounce hate crimes against Arab Americans. The next day President George W. Bush declared that "...we must be mindful that as we ... seek to win the war, that we treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with the respect they deserve." [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/13september2001.htm] Leaders of Arab-American and American Muslim groups met at the ADC national office and issued a statement condemning Tuesday’s attacks. This meeting included American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Arab American Institute (AAI), American Committee on Jerusalem (ACJ), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslim Council (AMC), Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine (CPAP), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Islamic Institute and decided on a strategy to face up to the challenges facing their communities. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/12september2001.htm] Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) called Dr. Ziad Asali to express his concern and support. ADC began to work with a number of Senators on crafting a Senate resolution condemning attacks on Arab Americans, which passed on the 13th. Washington, D.C. Police Chief Ramsey provided protection to the national office. The Legal Department received reports from around the country regarding hate crimes against Arab Americans, and gave advice and assistance to countless victims of harassment and hate crimes. They also started compiling a list of these incidents, as well as the numerous threats and hate mail ADC is receiving (we should note that messages of support, compassion and reassurance now outnumber hostile and threatening communications to ADC). Thursday, September 13 ADC received word that Senator Kennedy had issued a statement of support for American Muslim and Arab communities. ADC also received massages of support from Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John Edwards (D-NC). ADC President Ziad Asali and representatives of the Arab American Institute met with representatives from the FBI, the Justice Department, the Assistant Attorney General and other law enforcement officials to discuss the rising tide of hate crimes and threats against the Arab-American community. [http://www.adc.org/press/2001/13september2001.htm] William Burns, Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East, met with Dr. Asali and other Arab-American leaders to discuss recent events. The Legal and Communications Departments worked on messages of appreciation for the large number of the supportive mail ADC received. The Education Department worked on materials to send to educators, advising them on harassment prevention issues. It also responded to calls from educators and guided them towards larger networks. It circulated ADC statements to various organizations opposing hate crimes and petitioning signatures. [http://www.adc.org/education/advice.htm] The Organizing Department responded to chapters’ questions and provided contact information of local chapters. It helped to compile a list of hate crimes and mail to be sent out to the press. It discussed security issues with local chapters and answered questions. ADC issued a statement pledging support for a national day of mourning on the 14th. [http://www.adc.org/action/2001/13september2001.htm] Friday, September 14 ADC placed ads expressing condolences to the victims of the September 11 attacks in the New York Times and Washington Post. [http://www.adc.org/ad_campaign/ad.pdf] Dr. Asali attended a meeting with State Department officials. He also wrote to Congressman John Dingell urging Congress to support the security of the Arab-American community. Dr. Asali represented ADC at the memorial service for the victims at the National Cathedral. The Organizing Department, referred media to local chapters, communicated with chapters and answered questions and provided advice and guidance on how to deal with the extremely difficult situation in the community. The Legal department addressed requests from attorneys who wanted to provide their services. It participated in a meeting of a broad coalition of civil rights and civil liberties organizations to address issues and draft a joint statement on the situation in the aftermath of the attacks. The Education Department prepared materials for Arab-American parents, providing advice on communicating with their children and addressing their fears. [http://www.adc.org/action/2001/14september2001.htm]