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Salaam, and welcome to our June 2018 newsletter! See below for what we were up to last month, as well as our upcoming events:
Poligon Reacts to SCOTUS Ruling Upholding Muslim Ban 3.0 Poligon rallied outside the Supreme Court after its decision to uphold President Trump's Muslim Ban 3.0. The fight continues. Watch Poligon's livestream of the protest here. You can also see Poligon's President, Wardah Khalid, and Development Director, Ayesha Syed Ali, break down what the decision means from their live recorded reaction video in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Poligon Co-Sponsors #FamiliesBelongTogetherMarch Poligon team members marched alongside thousands in Washington D.C. in solidarity to end family separations and detention. Poligon is proud to have co-sponsored the event alongside other allies and faith-based organizations. See what Poligon's Development Director, Ayesha Syed Ali, had to say while attending the protest Poligon Resumes Trainings Around the Country Now that Ramadan has passed, Poligon will be resuming our Congressional Advocacy 101 Trainings in communities across the country. To schedule a training in your community in this critical election year, please email: info@poligonnational.org Upcoming Events: Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, will be a keynote speaker at thePlatform Convention on July 14-16. You can purchase tickets here. Stop by our booth at ISNA! More details coming soon. Poligon will be presenting at the following sessions, Aug. 2-4: From Protest to Policy Change: Congressional Advocacy 101 The Trump Threat Level: Resisting Dangerous National Security and Foreign Policy Interfaith 2.0: Harnessing the Power of Interfaith Advocacy for Progress In The News: Press Release: Poligon Condemns Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Muslim Ban Faith Leaders and Faith Groups Support Bipartisan Senate Farm Bill. Check out the statement by Poligon's Acting Executive Director, Afif Rahman, in support of the Senate Farm Bill. Wardah Khalid in Vox: Trump White House under fire after lack of Muslim-American representation at Ramadan celebration Wardah Khalid in ABC7 WJLA: Hundreds gather at Supreme Court to protest decision to uphold travel ban Wisconsin Public Radio: SCOTUS Upholds Trump's Travel Ban (Wardah Khalid begins speaking at 30:41) Weekly Hill Happenings: We've been keeping you up-to-date of the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. June 08, 2018: Families Facing Rent Increases, President's Authority on Tariffs, Bipartisan Prison Reform Bill, White House Signs Law to Expand Veteran Healthcare June 22, 2018: House Republicans Delay "Comprehensive" Immigration Vote Again, Democrats Introduce Bills to End Family Separation at Border, House Budget Committee, Senate Passes Resolution Recognizing Muslim American Contributions June 29, 2018: Farm Bill, GOP "Compromise" Immigration Bill Fails, Bill to Increase State Control over Federal Education Funding, Bill to Curb Workplace Harassment Action Alert: Help Immigrant Children Separated from Parents at the Border! Stay active,Wardah, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, Farah, and the Poligon team Salaam, and welcome to our May newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month, as well as our upcoming events:
#MuslimsAgainstHunger Day Poligon helped coordinate #MuslimsAgainstHunger Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, joined by interfaith coalition partner orgs: Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Bread for the World, MAZON, FCNL, Islamic Relief USA, Network Lobby. A Ramadan of action to protect the SNAP program (previously known as food stamps) from cuts in the Farm Bill. This photo was taken after a productive meeting with Senate Ag Democrats. Watch here as Poligon and Islamic Society of North America talk about why #MuslimsAgainstHunger Day is crucial at this time. Rooftop Iftar in DC Poligon hosted our first iftar in Washington DC and it was a huge success. Community members came out to support the work we've been doing at Poligon and hear how they can get involved with our upcoming plans for the year. You can watch the live video of the event here. Houston Iftar Poligon President Wardah Khalid traveled to Houston and met with community members for iftar to discuss the incredible progress Poligon has made over the last year. Emgage Action Hill Day Training Poligon's Wardah Khalid and Afif Rahman put on a training for Emgage Action for their Hill Day on May 7th. This training focused on how to execute an office visit when meeting with representatives in Congress. Poligon Speaks at #HandsOffSNAP Rally Poligon's Afif Rahman spoke in front of Capitol Hill alongside various faith leaders to tell Congress that SNAP works and restricting access for families to have food goes against our values. Interfaith Vigil to Oppose HR2 and Protect SNAP Poligon acting Executive Director, Afif Rahman, with Representative James E. Clyburn (SC-06), who organized the interfaith vigil on Capitol Hill where members of Congress and various faith leaders spoke out to protect SNAP and say NO to HR2. Poligon Visits with Students from Al Hamra Academy Poligon's Afif Rahman spoke with the awesome 8th graders at Al Hamra Academy in Massachusetts about Poligon's work and the importance of Muslim Americans in politics and advocacy. We're guessing some of these kids might become members of Congress some day! Moms Summit Poligon attended a Moms Summit hosted by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Representative Robin Kelly, and Representative Pramila Jayapal addressing the needs and struggles of moms and families. The summit mainly focused on health of working families, especially in today's economy with tax cuts and gun violence. Meet Our New Legislative Fellow Welcome Poligon's new Legislative Fellow, Niha Razi! Niha previously interned at the American Civil Liberties Union, focusing on international and domestic policies concerning economic justice, education, housing, voting rights, and environmental justice. She also worked as project lead at the International Human Rights Clinic at her law school and predominantly addressed immigration reforms and drafting amicus curiae briefs. Upcoming Events: Poligon will be attending these upcoming events- 55th Annual ISNA Convention - http://www.isna.net/convention/ Netroots Nation Conference - https://www.netrootsnation.org/ In The News: Press Releaser: Poligon Celebrates Defeat of the House Farm Bill! "SNAP is a tremendously effective program against hunger and poverty, serving nearly 42 million Americans and lifting up 8 million people out of poverty on an annual basis. In this holy month of Ramadan, we are reminded that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'He who fills his stomach while his neighbor next door goes hungry, is not a believer.'" - Afif Rahman, Poligon Acting Executive Director. KGET-TV NBC: National Faith Leaders Call On Congress to Reject SNAP Cuts Press Release: Muslim and Christian Leaders Mark the Start of Ramadan by Denouncing SNAP Cuts Press Release: Prominent National Clergy Urge Lawmakers to Reject Cuts to SNAP and Prioritize Families Weekly Hill Happenings: We've been keeping you up-to-date of the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. May 11, 2018: Poligon Joins Faith Leaders Urging Congress to Protect SNAP, Resolution to Recognize American Muslim History and Contributions Introduced, Gina Haspel, CIA Director Nominee, Testifies before Congress, Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, Workplace Democracy Act May 18, 2018: Senate confirms Gina Haspel as the first female CIA director, The US Senate votes to restore the FCC's net-neutrality rules, The Senate rejects "Penny Plan.", House votes to weaken Consumer Protections, Protect and Serve Act of 2018 May 25, 2018: Poligon Leads #MuslimsAgainstHunger Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, House Farm Bill Fails, Rollback of Banking Regulations becomes Law, Senate Passes Bill Making Lawmakers Personally Liable for Sexual Harassment Settlements, FAITH in Congress Act Support Poligon this Ramadan: Poligon Education Fund is holding a Ramadan fundraising campaign to raise the funds required to carry out important congressional advocacy 101 trainings during this critical election year for Muslim Americans to be able to amplify their voices in Congress. Make a zakat eligible donation to support our work today! Click here to visit our Launchgood Fundraising Campaign Stay active,Wardah, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, and Farah Salaam, and welcome to our April newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month, as well as our upcoming events:
#NoMuslimBanEver Rally at Supreme Court Poligon's co-founders, Wardah Khalid and Afif Rahman, rallied outside the Supreme Court as it considered the third iteration of President Trump's Muslim travel ban. A decision is expected in late June. Until then, Poligon stands against the discriminatory and unconstitutional practices of banning people from Muslim majority countries. Watch the full live stream here. DMV Exchange Poligon board member Ayesha Ali joined community leaders for an annual strategy and sharing session to benefit the local Muslim community in Washington D.C. Poligon Participates in Hill Day Poligon joined advocates on Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry including Sen. John Boozman (R-LA), Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) to express concern about provisions governing food assistance in the Farm Bill ahead of the bill markup in the House. Check out statements made by Poligon and faith leaders on the Farm Bill. Launch of Video Jumbotron Proclaiming #NoMuslimBanEver Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, spoke out against Trump's unconsitutional and un-American Muslim travel ban at the launch of a video jumbotron outside Union Station in D.C. Watch a video of the press conference here. New Poligon Member Welcome Poligon's new Marketing & Social Media Intern, Akram Sirafi! Akram just graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics and Sociology. He has experience in marketing and has a passion for storytelling through digital media. Here's what he had to say when joining Poligon, "Growing up, I didn't see Muslim representation in Congress. All I saw were policies put in place post-9/11 that discriminated against and furthered a negative stereotype of Muslim Americans. I'm glad to join Poligon and be a part of the change I wish I had growing up." ------------------------------------------- In The News: Poligon Co-Founder, Wardah Khalid spoke out at the Muslim Ban Rally and was quoted in this Talking Points Memo's article " 'They Bomb Us, Then Ban Us:' The Scene Outside the SCOTUS Before The Travel Ban Case " Washington D.C.'s local ABC7 WJLA station video recorded Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, alongside other community leaders speaking out against the Muslim Ban before the Supreme Court Decision. See full article here. ------------------------------------------- Upcoming Events: Poligon Iftar in DC The most blessed month of the year is here! Whether this is your first Ramadan in DC or 10th, join Poligon on May 23rd for an evening of fellowship, delicious food, and some of the best views in the District. Purchase your ticket here. Can't attend in person? Make a zakat eligible and tax deductible donation here. Send Poligon a clip to be featured in our video! Poligon is creating video to address the needs of the community! We want to hear your voices and the issues you are most passionate about so together we can solve real problems. Submit a clip by May 11th for a chance to be featured and have your voice heard! Action Alerts: April 11th, 2018: Say No to Mike Pompeo Weekly Hill Happenings: We've been keeping you up-to-date of the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. April 27, 2018: Muslim Ban Goes to Supreme Court, Farm Bill Advances Out of House Committee, Senate Confirms Mike Pompeo as US Secretary of State, EAGLES Act of 2018, Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act Stay active,Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, Wardah, and Farah Salaam, and welcome to our March newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month, as well as our upcoming events DHN Hill Advocacy Day  Poligon participated in a Hill advocacy day with other faith-based organizations in the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs (DHN). We met with the offices of Rep. Davis (R-IL-13), Sen. Blunt (R-MO), and others to advocate for protecting programs like SNAP (food stamps) that provide vital aid to Americans in poverty. March for Dreamers  Poligon joined the march in support of Dreamers on March 5th, the deadline President Trump ordered for Congress to pass a legislative solution for Dreamers after announcing he would terminate the DACA program. Imams, other faith leaders, and immigrant rights activists spoke about the importance of protecting immigrants and called on Congress to pass the Dream Act. House Committee Hearing on Work Requirement  We attended a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on extending work-based time limits for federal programs like Medicaid, a priority for some Congressional Republicans this term. Congressional Advocacy 101 Training in Boston  We traveled to Boston for a Congressional advocacy training with the Islamic Society of Northeastern University. Participants gained a better understanding of how Congress works and the power of advocacy, and left prepared to engage in advocacy for the first time. Congressional Briefing: Communities on Fire  .We attended a panel discussion hosted by SAALT on its annual report on hate crimes against Muslim, Arab, and South Asian Americans, with additional remarks by Sen. Cardin (D-MD) and Rep. Meng (D-NY-6). Panelists discussed the need for better hate crimes data from law enforcement and different ways local communities are mobilizing against hate. Muslim Voter Engagement Convening  Poligon president, Wardah Khalid, gave a presentation on the importance of sustained advocacy with one's representatives after election day at the Muslim Voter Engagement Convening in Atlanta, a gathering of Muslim American leaders across the country working to get out the Muslim vote. March for Our Live  Poligon team members attended the March for Our Lives in Washington, DC, joining hundreds of thousands around the world in standing up to gun violence and the government inaction that enables it. Upcoming Events: Send Poligon to Netroots Nation in New Orleans!  Click here to help us bring a panel discussion on the power of interfaith advocacy and our signature Congressional Advocacy 101 training to Netroots Nation, an annual confererence of over 3000 activists from around the country!
Keep an eye out for more of our Congressional Advocacy 101 trainings this spring! To bring a training to your community, e-mail us at info@poligonnational.org. Action Alerts: March 22, 2018: Spring Recess March 26 - April 6 Weekly Hill Happenings: We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. March 2, 2018: Meeting on Gun Violence, Age 21 Act, Assault Weapons Ban, Terrorist Firearm Prevention Act, Banking Deregulation, Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act. March 9, 2018: DACA Deadline Passes, Restraining Orders for Gun Purchases, Single Payer Health Care, Higher Rates for Payday Lending, School Safety and Mental Health Services Improvement Act, Strengthening Pregnancy Discrimination Protections March 16, 2018: Mike Pompeo Nominated New Secretary of State, Senate Approves Dodd-Frank Rollback, First Amendment Defense Act, STOP School Violence Act, CLOUD Act March 23, 2018: Congress Passes Omnibus, Safe Schools Improvement Act, Student Non-Discrimination Act, Tip Income Protection Act, Lowering Handgun Purchase Age We're Hiring! Poligon is looking for some dynamic individuals passionate about Muslim Congressional advocacy to join our team! Please visit bit.ly/PoligonNational to learn more about these positions and how to apply:
Stay active,Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, Wardah, and Farah Salaam, and welcome to our February newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month and our upcoming events: Congressional Advocacy Training with NYU MSA  Poligon gave a training on Congressional advocacy at New York University, covering how Congress works and best practices for attending Congressional office visits and town halls. Congressional Briefing: ICE's Virtual Dragnet  We attended a panel discussion on the Department of Homeland Security's plans to use automated scans for social media vetting of people seeking to travel to the United States. Civil liberties advocates raised concerns about the program's likely negative impacts on freedom of speech and potential for profiling of communities of color (including U.S. citizens), calling on Congress to use its oversight powers to block the program. Op-ed Writing Workshop with Wajahat Ali  Poligon team members attended a workshop on op-ed writing hosted by the American Muslim Institution, featuring New York Times contributing op-ed writer Wajahat Ali. Ali discussed the importance of shaping your own narrative in a challenging time for Muslim communities. In the News Muslims are the most diverse faith group in America, and 1 in 5 Muslim Americans identify as Black. To commemorate Black History Month, we published a Buzzfeed article celebrating the achievements of 12 Black Muslim American leaders who have broken barriers to represent their communities. Upcoming EventsKeep an eye out for more of our Congressional Advocacy 101 trainings this spring, including in Boston on March 19th (more details coming soon!) To bring a training to your community, e-mail us at info@poligonnational.org Action AlertsPress ReleasesFebruary 15, 2018: Poligon Commends Federal Appeals Court Decision Against Muslim Ban 3.0 Weekly Hill HappeningsWe've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. February 2, 2018: GOP Policy Retreat, State of the Union, Government Surveillance Controversy, Studying Auto Insurance Discrimination, Permanent Tax Cuts for Americans Act, STOP School Violence Act, Immigration Innovation Act, Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act. February 9, 2018: Government Shuts Down Again, BUILDS Act, Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, McCain-Coons Immigration Plan, Uniting Families Act, STRIVE Act. February 16, 2018: Appeals Court Rules Against Muslim Ban 3.0, Trump Budget Released, Immigration Debate, Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, ADA Education and Reform Act, Election Security Act. We're Hiring!Poligon is looking for some dynamic individuals passionate about Muslim Congressional advocacy to join our team! Please visit bit.ly/PoligonNational to learn more about these positions and how to apply:
Stay active, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, Wardah, and Farah Salaam, and welcome to our January newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month and our upcoming events: Congressional Advocacy Training with MACCPAC  Poligon gave a training at Georgetown University for high school students as part of the Muslim American Citizens Coalition & Public Affairs Council (MACCPAC)'s winter Youth Leadership Summit. Findings from Pew Research Center’s 2017 Survey of U.S. Muslims  We attended a presentation by Dr. Besheer Mohamed of the Pew Research Center on a nationwide survey of Muslim Americans. The survey found that while many Muslim Americans are worried about facing discrimination and hate crimes, they remain proud to be American. #CantBanThis: Poligon's First Anniversary Bash  We celebrated our first anniversary with poster-making and a renewed commitment to amplifying Muslim American voices in Congress. Our guest speaker, Yasmine Taeb, spoke about her experience being the first Muslim woman elected to the DNC and the need for more Muslim involvement in the political process. We also presented a proclamation from Sen. Durbin (D-IL) congratulating Poligon on its first anniversary Muslim/Refugee Ban: A Year of Resistance  Poligon co-sponsored a mobilization at the White House to mark the anniversary of the first Muslim ban. Interfaith allies formed a ring of protection as Muslims performed the dhuhr prayer. We also participated in a #NoMuslimBanEver Twitter storm the day before the event. Panel on What to Expect at President Trump's First State of the Union  Source: Brookings We attended a panel discussion by experts at the Brookings Institution on what President Trump's first State of the Union address would contain and what it would mean for members of Congress from both parties. The address was expected to set the tone for Congressional Republicans leading up to the November elections. Click here for Poligon's analysis of the State of the Union address. Upcoming Events We're headed to New York City on February 9th to do a Congressional advocacy training with the NYU Muslim Students Association! The training is free to attend with an RSVP - reserve your seat now! Action AlertsJanuary 16, 2018: Tell Congress: Muslims, Refugees, and Dreamers Are Welcome Here Weekly Hill HappeningsWe've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
January 12, 2018: Budget Fight Resumes, DACA Negotiations, Renewing Government Surveillance, Securing American Non-Profits Against Terrorism Act, SALT Deductibility Act, Tax Benefit for Homeschooling. January 19, 2018: Government Again on the Brink of Shutdown, Bipartisan House DACA Plan, Senate Approves Surveillance Powers Renewal, Protecting Veterans from Predatory Lending Act. January 26, 2018: Brief Government Shutdown, Protecting Independent Contractors, Bail Fairness Act, RAISE Family Caregivers Act Becomes Law, Presidential Appointment Confirmations. Don't forget to visit our website to view our policy briefs and the latest updates. Like our Facebook page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on news affecting Muslim Americans and our allies on Capitol Hill. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. Stay active, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, Wardah, and Farah Salaam, and welcome to our December newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month and our upcoming events: Beyond the Muslim Ban Briefing  We attended a panel discussion of immigration and civil rights activists on the effects of President Trump’s third Muslim travel ban, and how measures such as extreme vetting and the revocation of certain visa programs could further limit the number of Muslims entering the United States. In opening remarks, Rep. Chu (D-CA-27) called on advocates to continue opposing the ban and encourage their members of Congress to do the same. Extreme Vetting Briefing  Source: Brennan Center Poligon also attended a discussion hosted by the Brennan Center on the Trump Administration’s proposed “extreme vetting” of immigrants and visitors to the United States. Panelists highlighted the pitfalls of trying to scan social media data to determine terrorism risks and warned of its potential effects on freedom of speech. No Muslim Ban Ever Rally  Source: Darakshan Raja We joined a rally of Muslims and allies gathered in front of the Supreme Court to protest its decision to let Muslim Ban 3.0 go into effect, and renew their support for families who will be affected by the ban. Rep. Chu (D-CA-27) and Rep. Kildee (D-MI-5) also called for the country's leaders to live up to its ideals of tolerance and diversity. Rally Against the GOP Tax Plan  On the day the conference committee on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act met, we attended a rally of members of Congress and advocates to oppose the plan and call for the final vote on the bill to be postponed until Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL) is sworn in. Protect Patients Day of Action  Poligon attended a rally of medical professionals and activists at the Capitol against provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that would reduce access to healthcare. Afterward participants visited Congressional offices to share their stories of how the bill would negatively impact them. House Democrats Press Conference  Poligon attended a press conference on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act hosted by Minority Leader Pelosi (D-CA-12), featuring faith leaders and Americans who rely on programs that could experience funding reductions as a result of the bill. In the NewsPoligon was featured in a story about the rise in Muslim civic engagement post-2016 by writer Sekar Krisnauli.  Upcoming Events You're invited to our first anniversary bash on January 26th, 2018 in Washington, DC! Click here for more information and to get your tickets. Early bird prices are available until January 12th. All proceeds go toward supporting Poligon Education Fund's work! Action AlertsDecember 12, 2017: Last Chance to Stop the Destructive Tax Reform Plan! Press ReleasesDecember 20, 2017: Poligon Education Fund Denounces Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Weekly Hill HappeningsWe've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
December 1, 2017: Tax Reform Plan Stalls in the Senate, Expanding Surveillance Powers, Reducing Long-Term Unemployment Act, Allowing Concealed Carry Gun Permits Over State Lines, Disaster Relief for Puerto Rico. December 8, 2017: Draining the Swamp, Muslim Ban 3.0 Goes into Effect, Tax Reform Goes to Conference Committee, Avoiding Government Shutdown, Higher Education Reform, Addressing Workplace Harassment, Presidential Impeachment. December 15, 2017: Deal Reached on Republican Tax Reform Plan, Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act, Restoring Net Neutrality, Student Security Act, Protecting Students From Worthless Degrees Act. December 22, 2017: Congress Approves Final Tax Reform Bill, Government Shutdown Averted, Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act, RAISE Family Caregivers Act. Don't forget to visit our website to view our policy briefs and the latest updates. Like our Facebook page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on news affecting Muslim Americans and our allies on Capitol Hill. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. Stay active, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, and Wardah Salaam, and welcome to our November newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month: Not One Penny Rally  Poligon attended a rally on the day the House Republican tax plan was released, with members of Congress and advocates calling for a tax reform plan that would give "not one penny" in tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations. Rep. Lee (D-TX-18) and other members criticized the plan for enabling cuts to government programs like Medicare and affordable housing assistance. Training at George Mason University  The Mason Muslim Affairs Council hosted us for a training on Congressional advocacy at GMU. Students left the training feeling better prepared to attend town hall meetings and contact their elected representatives about the issues that mattered to them. To bring a training to your community, e-mail us at info@poligonnational.org. Conversation on Tax Reform with Senator Ron Wyden  We attended a talk by Sen. Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, at the Urban Institute. Sen. Wyden expressed his concerns about the Republican tax reform plan, and cited his efforts to implement a bipartisan tax reform package in the 1980s as a model for future reforms. Training Webinar with MPower Change  We partnered with MPower Change to give an online training in Congressional advocacy for Muslims across the country. #Faith4TaxJustice Advocacy  Throughout the month we joined other faith-based organizations in the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs (DHN) to discuss the Republican tax reform plan with Sen. Roberts (R-KS), Sen. Scott (R-SC), and Sen. Corker (R-TN), and advocated for stronger financial support for low-income and middle class families. Faithful Budget Briefing  Poligon attended a Congressional briefing where faith leaders presented their framework for a federal budget that embodies faith principles of compassion and justice, and explained how proposed government cuts would undermine the services they provide to people in need. #GivingTuesday Fundraiser  Thanks to your generous support, we surpassed our fundraising goal for Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving to support non-profit organizations. You can continue to donate to our Facebook fundraiser through the end of the year. In the News:In the wake of a series of anti-Muslim retweets by President Trump, Poligon was featured by HelloGiggles as one of nine organizations to support against anti-Muslim bigotry.  Action Alerts:Weekly Hill Happenings:We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. November 3, 2017: GOP Tax Reform Plan, Limiting Lawsuits Against Financial Institutions, Domestic Violence Records Reporting, the Access to Affordable Housing Act, Reauthorizing CHIP Funding. November 10, 2017: Progress on Tax Reform, Blocking the Muslim Ban, Closing Gun Access Loophole, Studying Mass Shootings and Domestic Violence, The SAFE Justice Act. November 17, 2017: Increase in Hate Crimes, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Strengthening Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Help Students Repay Act, Permanent Residency for TPS Residents We're Hiring:We're looking for dynamic individuals passionate about Muslim Congressional advocacy to join our team! Please visit bit.ly/PoligonNational to learn more about these positions and how to apply:
Stay active, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, and Wardah Salaam, and welcome to our October newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month as well as our upcoming events: Hill Briefing: Republican Budget Impact on Families  Poligon attended a discussion on the Republicans' tax reform plan by Democratic members of the House Budget Committee. Ranking Member Rep. Yarmuth (D-KY-3), Rep. Lee (D-CA-13), and Rep. Jayapal (D-WA-7) gave an overview of the plan's potential effects on low-income and middle class families, and presented their alternatives. Domestic Human Needs Hill Day  We joined other faith-based organizations, including the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Bread for the World, and the Religious Action Center, for an Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs (DHN) advocacy day on Capitol Hill. We met with the offices of Sen. Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Wyden (D-OR), and other Senators to discuss the importance of having a federal budget that embodies faithful principles like justice and compassion. No Muslim Ban Ever DC Mobilization  On October 18th we marched from the White House to the Trump International Hotel with Muslims and allies to take a stand against President Trump’s third attempt at a discriminatory travel ban, showing how different communities can support each other in the face of injustice. Facebook Live Discussion: Congress' Response to the Muslim Ban  After the march our team members Ayesha and Mariam held a Facebook Live discussion to reflect on the march, review the history of President Trump’s travel bans, and give advice for engaging members of Congress to help push back against the current ban and any future versions. WISE Up Summit  Poligon attended the Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality & Equality (WISE)’s summit to launch the WISE Up Report, a guide for policymakers and advocates on confronting religious extremism and Islamophobia. The summit featured discussions by religious scholars, policy experts, and other community leaders on the role of Muslims in American civic society. In a letter of support to the summit’s organizers, Rep. Carson (D-IN-7) stated that it was “imperative to join forces to combat hatred in all its forms.” Upcoming Events11/2: Training with Mason Muslim Public Affairs Council Join us at George Mason University on November 2 for a training on Congressional advocacy!  To learn more about our trainings, click here. If you'd like a training in your community, email us: info@poligonnational.org. Weekly Hill HappeningsWe've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. October 6, 2017: GOP Budget Proposal, Gun Regulation, CHIP Funding Expiration, DACA Relief, The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act October 13, 2017: Disaster Relief, Limiting Government Surveillance, Reforming ACA Insurance Requirements, Department of Justice Oversight October 20, 2017: GOP Budget Advances, Bipartisan Healthcare Reform, Defunding the Muslim Ban, the Hate Crime Victim Assistance Act, Student Loan Relief, the Gender Equity in Education Act October 27, 2017: Executive Order on Refugee Screening, the Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act, Expanding Civil Liberties, the CAMPUS HATE Crimes Act Press ReleasesOctober 2, 2017: Poligon Education Fund Statement on Las Vegas Mass Shooting October 17, 2017: Poligon Education Fund Welcomes Hawaii Federal Court Decision on Muslim Ban 3.0 October 25, 2017: Poligon Education Fund Condemns Executive Order on “Extreme Vetting” for Refugees We're HiringWe're looking for dynamic individuals passionate about Muslim Congressional advocacy to join our team! Please visit bit.ly/PoligonNational to learn more about these positions and how to apply:
Stay active, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, and Wardah |
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