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NIAC 2024 Post-Election Symposium
On November 12, NIAC hosted a Post-Election Symposium to provide an exclusive, first-hand analysis of the election results and what they mean for advocates of peace, civil rights, and democracy.
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Responding to Trump’s Win and the Road Ahead
NIAC Action Executive Director Jamal Abdi has issued a statement following Donald Trump's election victory.
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Demand No War with Iran!
President Biden and Members of Congress need to be hearing the clear demand right now – No War with Iran. Send them a message and call them now to urge them to support diplomacy and oppose further escalation.
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Ceasefire. NOW.
End the War in Gaza, Prevent Regional War with Iran
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Iranian Americans Finally Gain Recognition in U.S. Census!
After decades of research, education and advocacy by NIAC and many others, the next Census will officially include Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) as a category option, with “Iranian” as a subcategory.
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Ending Banking Discrimination
Inside the class action lawsuit against Bank of America for discriminating against Iranian Americans
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Latest Updates

NIAC Statement on Lebanon Ceasefire Agreement

November 26, 2024

Washington, DC – Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council, issued the following statement amid reports that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire to halt the conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 3,700 in Lebanon: “We welcome the news of a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and hope this agreement will end the suffering of ordinary civilians and set the stage for a broader cessation of conflict across the region. The incoming Trump administration should take note of the signal Iran is sending in helping support this negotiated settlement. When combined with reports of a very early meeting with Iranian officials during Trump’s transition, and declarations from both Trump and Iranian officials of openness to negotiations, it appears that both sides may be seriously interested in negotiations – unlike eight years ago. This ripe environment should be capitalized on, but risks being spoiled by hawks in the incoming administration. “The U.S. needs to build on today’s limited win and prevent the violence from re-erupting, while at the same time working to secure a durable ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza and to resolve broader regional challenges with Iran. The significance of this negotiation

Panel Recap: Not Going Back: Civil Rights, Immigration, and Representation in the Next Administration

November 22, 2024

Not Going Back: Civil Rights, Immigration, and Representation in the Next Administration “This is an existential crisis because their message is ‘get out!’ I don’t know how to make that more clear.” warned Representative Gene Wu – a legislator in the Texas House of Representatives representing the 137th District – speaking on a panel addressing civil rights threats at NIAC’s 2024 Symposium. “If we do not fight back now, there may not be a home for us to go back to.”  Rep. Wu discussed the phenomenon of 21st century alien land laws that have passed in most states in the U.S. in the past year and prevent certain nationals from purchasing property, as well as other threats to civil liberties – including efforts to bar certain nationals from U.S. universities. “It’s not just the laws, it’s the implications of these laws. Because every time we pass these laws they say ‘there’s something wrong with these people,’” said Rep. Wu. He noted that national security justifications underpin the laws, and that over time these trigger acceptance of suspicion of immigrant communities that produces overt discrimination. Rep. Wu warned that things could even go so far as to bring back the return

Panel Recap: Fractured Realities: Democracy in the Age of Foreign Influence, Billionaire Donors, and Disinformation

November 22, 2024

Fractured Realities: Democracy in the Age of Foreign Influence, Billionaire Donors, and Disinformation “There’s two systems of justice in the U.S. when it comes to foreign influence – there’s one for America’s friends, there’s another for its enemies,” said Ben Freeman, Director of the Democratizing Foreign Policy program at the Quincy Institute. “And America’s friends are getting away with everything with impunity.” Speaking at NIAC’s 2024 Symposium on a panel discussion focused on threats to democracy, Freeman discussed the “hypocrisy of the U.S. response to disinformation into malign foreign influence campaigns.” He noted the example of Saudi Arabia investing $2 billion in Jared Kushner’s investment fund as “just a fraction of what Saudi Arabia has done, post-Khashoggi to…literally buy back its status in the West.” Freeman continued that “we’ve seen more and more billions just pouring in from the public investment fund across a number of different sectors – the gaming sector, Hollywood, arts, museums, charitable contributions.” Freeman and Sarah Leah Whitson, Executive Director at DAWN, discussed the revolving door of U.S. government officials securing lucrative board positions and consulting jobs for foreign countries as an effective kick-back for services rendered while in government. Whitson noted how some – like

Panel Recap: Diplomacy is Not a Dirty Word: The U.S., Iran and the Middle East

November 22, 2024

Diplomacy is Not a Dirty Word: The U.S., Iran and the Middle East “If you look at (Trump’s) record, I mean you could say maybe he is a president of peace and maybe that will be replicated in a second term, but the international environment now is much more complicated than it was in his first term. And he will face war and peace decisions in a way that he hadn’t.” Those remarks were made by Dr. Steven Simon, Distinguished Fellow at Dartmouth College and Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, on NIAC’s foreign policy-focused panel at its November 12 Symposium, moderated by Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy and Host of the Iran Podcast. Simon continued, “His cabinet is shaping up to be one that likes its meat red and they don’t seem to be a crew that would shy of confrontation that would escalate to violent conflict.”  Lara Friedman, President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace elaborated on the idea that President-elect Trump could pursue diplomacy and peace in his second term. “I tend to think that the differences are not going to be about peace in the sense that

"I have long believed, just as NIAC does, that diplomacy is our most important tool for advancing our country’s security and prosperity, and look forward to continuing to work together." - Senator Bernie Sanders
"I have long believed, just as NIAC does, that diplomacy is our most important tool for advancing our country’s security and prosperity, and look forward to continuing to work together."
- Senator Bernie Sanders
"NIAC's ability to engage, organize, and grow political power within the Iranian-American community will help us to build a brighter, safer, and more just future that makes us all proud."- Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
"NIAC's ability to engage, organize, and grow political power within the Iranian-American community will help us to build a brighter, safer, and more just future that makes us all proud."
- Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
"Whether it is standing up for peace and diplomacy, or taking a stand against xenophobic discrimination, I know that NIAC is an ally that won't back down."- Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
"Whether it is standing up for peace and diplomacy, or taking a stand against xenophobic discrimination, I know that NIAC is an ally that won't back down."
- Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
"I admire the grassroots model that your organization has adapted and your organizational values for engagement, justice, respect and transparency. I will continue to be a firm supporter of your organization." - Congresswoman Barbara Lee
"I admire the grassroots model that your organization has adapted and your organizational values for engagement, justice, respect and transparency. I will continue to be a firm supporter of your organization."
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
All Updates >>

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NIAC in the News

House Responds to Israeli-Iranian Missile Exchange by Taking Rights Away From Americans

“This bill is very concerning because it’s the beginning of a process of criminalizing something that is very normal for many people, which is traveling to Iran,” said Ryan Costello, policy director at the National Iranian American Council. “If you’re an American citizen, the government should not be controlling where you can travel.”

CBC As It Happens: Israel Iran Strike

"The decision by Israel to conduct that strike, I do think was extremely reckless. And I think it is just a question of whether it was reckless out of, you know, negligence or hubris, or was it deliberately reckless? And, you know, my, my great fear is that it really was -- the intention was -- to provoke Iran, whether it's to take the focus off of what is happening in Gaza, whether it is to regionalize the war and force the U.S. to enter directly to confront Iran."

NIAC’s Jamal Abdi on the risks of regional war between Iran and Israel

‘Disastrous’: Israel-Iran tensions test limits of US policy amid Gaza war

Ryan Costello, policy director at NIAC, warned that if the US joins Israel in reprisal strikes, the results could be catastrophic. “It’s really reckless and would certainly plunge the entire region into a disastrous and bloody conflict,” he told Al Jazeera.

‘Frog being boiled’: US troop deaths in Jordan incite Republican Iran hawks

Ryan Costello, policy director at NIAC, warned that if the US joins Israel in reprisal strikes, the results could be catastrophic. “It’s really reckless and would certainly plunge the entire region into a disastrous and bloody conflict,” he told Al Jazeera.

Congress forms caucus to aid Iranian ex-terror group

“The fact that a documented cult-like organization with a history of terrorism, human rights abuses, and committing atrocities alongside Saddam Hussein can get endorsed by lawmakers in Washington is a testament to how much money and power is behind the pro-war with Iran infrastructure here,” says Jamal Abdi, head of the National Iranian American Council.

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