ADC Condemns Hateful Campaign of Florida Congressional Candidate

Washington, DC | May 12, 2010 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is appalled and offended by the discriminatory campaign tactics and messaging of Dan Fanelli, Republican Congressional candidate for the 8th District of Florida. In videos posted on his website, two Arabic speaking actors are depicted as terrorists. In a statement posted on his website, Mr. Fanelli states that, "all passengers are NOT created equally;" he then goes on to advocate for the use of illegal racial profiling at airports.

ADC has expressed concern directly to Mr. Fanelli, as well as the Republican National Committee and the Florida Republican Party. Our letter can be read by clicking here. ADC National President, Ms. Sara Najjar-Wilson, states, "Mr. Fanelli must act more responsibly in conducting his campaign and must be held accountable for his inappropriate actions. ADC condemns his hateful messaging and asks that the Republican National Committee and the Florida Republican Party immediately distance themselves from such harmful tactics."

Florida has a significant Arab and Muslim population, some of whom reside in the election District that Mr. Fanelli is seeking to represent. Many Arab and Muslim community members have been in Florida for generations -- they are Americans and many speak the Arabic language; they are also major contributors to the economic and social well being of the people of the State of Florida as well as our Nation. Many in the community are politically active; and, in fact, many Arab and Muslim Americans in Florida identify themselves as Republicans.

ADC will continue to monitor the situation in Florida and calls upon all community members within the 8th District of Florida to contact the Fanelli campaign, by e-mailing contact@electdan2010.com; and expressing their concern with the campaign and its messaging, and urging that such bigoted ads be immediately stopped.

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Contact: legal@adc.org

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.

The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.

NEWS UDPDATE: ADC was mentioned in an article on WESH 2 News in Orlando, Florida. To read the article, click the following link: "Political Ads Anger Arab-American Group"