On Monday and Tuesday, May 1st-2nd, 2017 the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) held its third Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. More than 400 activists representing 30 states convened on Capitol Hill to connect national, regional and state Muslim Organizations, community members and activists with their elected representatives.
The delegates met with around 230 elected officials and congressional staffers during this year’s record-breaking Advocacy Day, despite the anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies disseminating from the White House. Sen Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen Corey Booker (D-NJ), Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), Sen Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sen Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Congressman Al Green (D-TX), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Congresswoman Terri A.Sewell (D-AL), Congressman Gary Palmer (D-AL), Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin were among the elected officials who met Muslim leaders and delegates.
USCMO’S advocacy day event focused on promoting a legislative agenda in support of equality and social justice issues that will be of benefit to all Americans, regardless of faith or background, including:
A round up endorsement of people against the Muslim ban, religious questioning and registry legislation
Supporting DREAMers and raising concerns about the Secure Communities Program’s impact on civil liberties and immigrant communities
Endorsing the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act
There are several bills in both House and the Senate that seek protection from the Presidential Executive Order on travel, effectively known as the Muslim Ban, as well as a registry based on religion. This year, the big ask was to support Sen. Ben Cardin’s End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2017 (ERRPA), a bill that would effectively eliminate racial, religious, and other forms of discriminatory profiling by law enforcement.
“Muslim Advocacy Day teaches the community that our civil duty does not start and end at the ballot box,” said Khalil Meek, executive director of Muslim Legal Fund of America, a national charity that funds legal work to defend constitutional rights for Muslims in America. “We have to be actively engaged with legislators and other communities to advocate for laws that are good for all Americans.”
MAS Executive Director Mazen Mokhtar said: “The time has come for everyone to realize that we are an integral part of the fabric of this country. Today I do not expect that we will meet our representatives and we will magically, just automatically change their minds. But we will get to know them and they will get to know us. And time after time, our values and our causes will become more familiar. And time after time it will become increasingly difficult to target any group, Muslim or non-Muslim that is active.”
The goal of the event was to encourage American Muslims visit thier capital, meet with their representatives, and advocate important issues affecting thier communities, especially after the recent change in administration and anti-Muslim rhetoric leading to concerning policies being enacted. ” USCMO’s National Advocacy Day is a manifestation of the power of unity when American Muslims come together for a common purpose, connecting with our representatives and advocating for laws and legislations that will protect our community and highlight American values” said USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal. Overall, the 3rd Annual National Muslim Advocacy day on Capitol Hill was an overwhelming success that saw a turnout larger than any previous year.
