WASHINGTON, January 23, 2013 – The American Islamic Congress (AIC) honors Martin Luther King’s civil rights legacy today with a panel discussion featuring two notable civil rights leaders, Russell Campbell Sr. and Zainab Al-Suwaij. Campbell and Al-Suwaij will share their experiences in the fight for justice, examining how Dr. King’s principles of non-violent protest can be applied in the Middle East and North Africa, including AIC’s translation of the 1958 comic book “The Montgomery Story” and the use of the comic to promote nonviolent resistance during the “Arab Spring.”
“We honor those who led the way for us, who brought us where we are today, “ said Al-Suwaij, “It is an honor to continue their work and continue the struggle on a global scale.”
John Pinna, AIC’s Director of Government Relations, said, “We are excited to break ground with our first event at the AIC Center by honoring Martin Luther King. His words are an inspiration and rallying point for civil rights advocation through nonviolent protest and passive resistance, especially for young people and activists in the Middle East.”
When: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Where: AIC Center, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
Panelists:
Russell C. Campbell Sr. is a veteran leader of civil rights in the United States. As a front-line activist during the Civil Rights Movement, Campbell was involved in several sit-ins, protests, voter registration campaigns, and demonstrations, including the Albany, Georgia demonstration with Martin Luther King. Campbell is the founder of the United Council of African American Organizations in Montgomery County and the current Chairman of the Human Rights Commission for Montgomery County, MD.
Zainab Al-Suwajj is co-founder of AIC and has been its Executive Director since its inception in 2001. Her mission was to build upon interfaith and interethnic understanding and to represent the diversity of American Muslim life. Zainab’s leadership has expanded the AIC into an international organization with six bureaus worldwide, including the U.S., Egypt, Iraq, and Tunisia. Under her direction, AIC has trained hundreds of young Middle Eastern activists in the methods of nonviolent protest and social media mobilization, empowering them to challenge regimes during the “Arab Spring.”
This event is co-sponsored by the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). For more information visit http://www.globalengage.org.
The American Islamic Congress is a 501(c)3 civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. Visit http://aic.craftedenterprises.com for more additional information.
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