ADC joined civic and community leaders at a summit dedicated to discussing ways to combat hate-fueled violence in America.
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | September 15, 2022 – Today the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), represented by National Executive Director Abed Ayoub, joined civic and community leaders from across the country at the United We Stand Summit hosted by President Joe Biden at the White House. The summit provided attendees an opportunity to hear firsthand from family members of victims of hate-fueled violence; and hear about the administration’s strategy in combatting hate-fueled violence. The centering of victim voices provided an important perspective on the real-life impact of hate in America. As part of the program the Administration also recognized Uniters – heroes from across America doing extraordinary work to stand together against hate, build bridges, and heal divides in their communities.
The summit opened with remarks by Vice President Kamala Harris, and featured remarks throughout the day from Cabinet Members and Senior Administration Officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and Ambassador Susan Rice, Director of the Domestic Policy Council. The summit closed with a a National Address by President Biden.
ADC National Executive Director Abed Ayoub said, “As the nation’s largest Arab American civil rights organization we applaud the steps being taken by the Biden-Harris Administration, including the convening of this summit, and taking seriously the challenge of reducing hate-fueled violence in this country. We commend the administration in centering the voices of victims of hate-fueled violence, and for taking steps make this a bipartisan gathering. The rise in hate-fueled violence is of great concern to Arabs across the United States, and we will work with the administration to ensure our community is protected against such violence. It is time that we come together as a nation to address this serious issue. ADC looks forward to continued engagement with the Biden Administration on this matter.”
In his remarks President Joe Biden said, “There are core values that should bring us together as Americans, and one of them is standing together against the hate, racism, bigotry, and violence that have long haunted and plagued our nation. Another core value is standing United, for the enduring source of our strength is the idea of America. We’re the most unique country in the world, every other nation is based on ethnicity or geography. In America, we’re based on an idea: that all women and men are created equal. We’ve never lived up to that, but we’ve never before walked away from it.”
One of the Uniters recognized by the administration is Dr. Suzanne Barakat, sister of Deah Barakat. On February 10, 2015, Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were murdered in their home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by their neighbor Craig Hicks. Since the hate-fueled murder of her family members, Dr. Barakat has committed herself to speaking out against hate-fueled violence and working to unite communities.
Additional sessions included an interview with Christian Picciolini, a former leader of a violent hate group, about his life and work, and a discussion with a bipartisan group of Mayors from across the country around efforts to prevent hate-fueled violence and build unity at the community level.
ADC will continue to engage with the administration and our partners on this very serious issue. If you would like to organize locally, and learn more about combatting hate in your city, please send an email to adc@adc.org for information on how you can get involved.