Salaam, and welcome to our February 2021 Newsletter.
Here's a quick look at our eventful month!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
American Rescue Plan Passed in the House
Despite some compromises, the House voted on Saturday to send the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package to the Senate. This bill will increase access to vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, and PPE. It extends Unemployment Insurance, food assistance, and stimulus checks, and provides financial support for small businesses and school reopening plans.
We are getting closer to sending much needed relief to struggling families. Join us and our partners at the Coalition of Human Needs in urging the Senate to pass this relief package. This bill will provide aid to millions of U.S. households - to put more money in the pockets of low to no-income families, cut childhood poverty in half and protect families against eviction and hunger.
NO BAN Act Reintroduced in Congress
Poligon joined over 100 Muslim and immigrants’ rights organizations in supporting the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act in the House of Representatives. We proudly advocated for and endorsed Rep. Judy Chu’s (D-CA-27) introduction of the bill in 2019 and again in the 117th Congress. Read our full statement here.
The bill is currently co-sponsored by 137 Representatives, and is included in the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.
Tell Congress to Pass the NO BAN Act Today!
CONGRESSIONAL ADVOCACY TRAININGS
Congressional Advocacy Training with Muslim Urban Professionals (Muppies)
Poligon’s Policy & Advocacy Manager, Johanna Mustafa and Board Member, Nadia Mozaffar delivered one of our signature Congressional Advocacy Trainings, in collaboration with the D.C. chapter of Muppies. Muppies is a global nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering and advancing Muslim professionals to be leaders in their careers and communities.
Our virtual training highlighted our community's progress in civic engagement spaces and presented strategic advocacy tools that can help our community build on our collective progress in 2021. To request a training, email us at events@poligonnational.org. Congressional Advocacy Training with the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC)
We partnered with CIOGC, and joined the Council for the launch of their 2021 Congressional Talk Series to deliver an advocacy training for community members in Illinois. Our training shared some of the nuts and bolts of how to be better advocates, including legislation tracking, organizing meetings with Members of Congress, coalition building, and more. Our Policy and Advocacy Manager, Johanna Mustafa, and Training Facilitator, Karimah Whitaker addressed the community alongside Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Congresswoman Marie Newman's (IL-03) Chief of District Affairs, Shadin Maali. To request a training, email us at events@poligonnational.org.
EVENTS
Celebrating a Faithful Democracy As Black History: A Town Hall Gathering
Poligon joined the Faithful Democracy Coalition in celebrating the impact of Black History on our democracy. Panelists discussed how the For the People Act would carry that history forward with transformational federal democracy reforms. The town hall looked at the racial equity lens of the bill, how it compliments the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the urgency of passage to safeguard our democracy. Watch the virtual town hall here.
Interfaith Leadership Summit
Poligon Policy and Advocacy Manager, Johanna Manager spoke on an interfaith panel addressing religious discrimination. The summit was organized by the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, and aimed to promote religious freedom, challenge religious discrimination, and enhance community efforts in combating faith-based hate violence. The panel discussion included diverse religious leaders, civil rights organizations, and community members.
#BlackHistoryMonth Highlights
Instagram Takeover with Portland City Councilman Pious Ali
We were honored to have Councilman Pious Ali of Portland City join us as a guest speaker and takeover our Instagram page for look into a day in his life. He was joined by community leader Adilah Muhammad to reflect on Black Muslim contributions to our past, present, and future. Find the full takeover on our Instagram page!
GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, consider supporting Poligon’s operations and advocacy efforts so that we can sustain our work and better represent the American Muslim community on Capitol Hill! Can you donate $20, $50, or $100 today to help to ensure every American Muslim voice is heard in Congress in 2021?
We thank you for your continued support.
Join Our Board of Directors
Poligon is seeking a Treasurer to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested in helping us amplify American Muslim voices in Congress, this is the position for you! Please send your resume and a short statement of interest to info@poligonnational.org
Here's a quick look at our eventful month!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
American Rescue Plan Passed in the House
Despite some compromises, the House voted on Saturday to send the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package to the Senate. This bill will increase access to vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, and PPE. It extends Unemployment Insurance, food assistance, and stimulus checks, and provides financial support for small businesses and school reopening plans.
We are getting closer to sending much needed relief to struggling families. Join us and our partners at the Coalition of Human Needs in urging the Senate to pass this relief package. This bill will provide aid to millions of U.S. households - to put more money in the pockets of low to no-income families, cut childhood poverty in half and protect families against eviction and hunger.
NO BAN Act Reintroduced in Congress
Poligon joined over 100 Muslim and immigrants’ rights organizations in supporting the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act in the House of Representatives. We proudly advocated for and endorsed Rep. Judy Chu’s (D-CA-27) introduction of the bill in 2019 and again in the 117th Congress. Read our full statement here.
The bill is currently co-sponsored by 137 Representatives, and is included in the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.
Tell Congress to Pass the NO BAN Act Today!
CONGRESSIONAL ADVOCACY TRAININGS
Congressional Advocacy Training with Muslim Urban Professionals (Muppies)
Poligon’s Policy & Advocacy Manager, Johanna Mustafa and Board Member, Nadia Mozaffar delivered one of our signature Congressional Advocacy Trainings, in collaboration with the D.C. chapter of Muppies. Muppies is a global nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering and advancing Muslim professionals to be leaders in their careers and communities.
Our virtual training highlighted our community's progress in civic engagement spaces and presented strategic advocacy tools that can help our community build on our collective progress in 2021. To request a training, email us at events@poligonnational.org. Congressional Advocacy Training with the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC)
We partnered with CIOGC, and joined the Council for the launch of their 2021 Congressional Talk Series to deliver an advocacy training for community members in Illinois. Our training shared some of the nuts and bolts of how to be better advocates, including legislation tracking, organizing meetings with Members of Congress, coalition building, and more. Our Policy and Advocacy Manager, Johanna Mustafa, and Training Facilitator, Karimah Whitaker addressed the community alongside Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Congresswoman Marie Newman's (IL-03) Chief of District Affairs, Shadin Maali. To request a training, email us at events@poligonnational.org.
EVENTS
Celebrating a Faithful Democracy As Black History: A Town Hall Gathering
Poligon joined the Faithful Democracy Coalition in celebrating the impact of Black History on our democracy. Panelists discussed how the For the People Act would carry that history forward with transformational federal democracy reforms. The town hall looked at the racial equity lens of the bill, how it compliments the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the urgency of passage to safeguard our democracy. Watch the virtual town hall here.
Interfaith Leadership Summit
Poligon Policy and Advocacy Manager, Johanna Manager spoke on an interfaith panel addressing religious discrimination. The summit was organized by the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, and aimed to promote religious freedom, challenge religious discrimination, and enhance community efforts in combating faith-based hate violence. The panel discussion included diverse religious leaders, civil rights organizations, and community members.
#BlackHistoryMonth Highlights
Instagram Takeover with Portland City Councilman Pious Ali
We were honored to have Councilman Pious Ali of Portland City join us as a guest speaker and takeover our Instagram page for look into a day in his life. He was joined by community leader Adilah Muhammad to reflect on Black Muslim contributions to our past, present, and future. Find the full takeover on our Instagram page!
GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, consider supporting Poligon’s operations and advocacy efforts so that we can sustain our work and better represent the American Muslim community on Capitol Hill! Can you donate $20, $50, or $100 today to help to ensure every American Muslim voice is heard in Congress in 2021?
We thank you for your continued support.
Join Our Board of Directors
Poligon is seeking a Treasurer to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested in helping us amplify American Muslim voices in Congress, this is the position for you! Please send your resume and a short statement of interest to info@poligonnational.org
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