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THE
AMERICAN-ARAB ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE (ADC) IS A CIVIL RIGHTS
ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE OF ARAB
DESCENT AND PROMOTING THEIR RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE.
ADC, which is non-sectarian & non-partisan, is the largest
Arab-American grassroots organization in the United States. It was
founded in 1980 by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk and has
chapters nationwide.
ADC's Advisory Committee is made up of an impressive group of people
that include: Muhammad Ali, Her Majesty Queen Noor, U.S. Congressmen
John Conyers (D-MI), Darrell Issa (R-CA), & Nick Joe Rahall
(D-WV), as well as the Honorable Paul Findley, Clovis Maksoud,
Edward Said, Casey Kasem, Archbishop Philip Saliba and others.
ADC
is at the forefront in combating defamation and negative
stereotyping of Arab Americans in the media and wherever else it is
practiced. In doing so, it acts as an organ-ized framework through
which Arab Americans can channel their efforts toward unified,
collective and effective advocacy; by promoting a more balanced U.S.
Middle East policy and serving as a reliable source for the news
media and educators. By promoting cultural events and par-ticipating
in community activities, ADC has made great strides in correcting
anti-Arab stereotypes and humanizing the image of the Arab people.
In all these efforts, ADC coordinates closely with other civil
rights and human rights organizations on issues of common concern.
Through its Department of Legal Services, ADC offers counseling in
cases of discrimination and defamation and selected impact
litigation in the areas of immigration.
In its efforts to educate the public and maintain regular
communication with its members, the Media & Publications
Department issues a bi-monthly newsletter, ADC Times, Issue Papers
and Special Reports, which study key issues of defamation and
discrimination; community studies, legal, media and educational
guides; and action alerts, which call on members to act on issues
necessitating grassroots response.
In the Department of Educational Programs of ADC, the Research
Institute (ADCRI) publishes information on issues of concern to Arab
Americans and sponsors ADC's Reaching the Teachers campaign, which
aims at ensuring an accurate, objective and fair portrayal of Arab
history and culture in schools. ADCRI also administers a year-round
college internship program for Arab American students and others.
ADC's achievements demonstrate the success of Arab Americans in
building vibrant institutions which not only draw on the strength of
the Arab American community, but also engender the support of
individuals and groups who are equally committed to deterring
discrimination against all people.
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