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Arab American Action Network: More Victories for Unity in Resistance


Unanimous rejection of Trump on #MuslimBan, and Oak Park passes the strongest Welcoming Village ordinance in the state

Oak Park, IL–(ENEWSPF)–February 10, 2017. Another legal defeat was handed to Donald Trump tonight as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his administration’s request for the reinstatement of the executive order banning immigrants from seven Arab, African, or Muslim-majority countries.  Late last week,  a Seattle judge had instituted a nationwide restraining order against the #MuslimBan, which halted its implementation across the entire U.S.

“It cannot be overstated that this victory was won because of protest and Unity in Resistance, our theme these past few weeks,” said Muhammad Sankari of the AAAN. “The tens of thousands of people that took to the streets and airports across the U.S. provided the conditions for this legal victory.”

It is anticipated that Trump will continue to fight the case all the way to the Supreme Court.  Currently, all valid visa-holders are able to travel to the U.S., but the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) and our legal advisors and other allies ask that all travelers and their families remain vigilant.  There are still reports of targeting and profiling by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) at airports.

In addition, the AAAN continues to warn legal permanent residents that they should NOT sign any documents presented to them by CBP without consultation of an attorney–regardless of the threats of detention or deportation.

At the Oak Park Village Hall on Monday, February 6th, the AAAN joined PASO – West Suburban Action Project and a standing room only crowd to witness another unanimous vote–this one passing the strongest Welcoming Village ordinance in all of Illinois. After months of negotiations between a PASO-led coalition and the Oak Lawn Board of Trustees, led by Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, a Palestinian immigrant from Gaza who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, the Monday vote ensured that “no village agency or employee is permitted to accept requests by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other agencies to support or assist in any capacity with immigration enforcement operations,” according to the Chicago Tribune.  Only a properly issued criminal warrant will allow Oak Park to transfer any person into ICE custody.

The ordinance also states that village employees or agencies cannot assist with the “creation, publication or maintenance of any federal program to register individuals present in the United States based on their ancestry, national origin or religion.”

“These last 18 days have been among the worst for our immigrant Muslim brothers and sisters,” Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Executive Director of PASO, said. “Immigration is about human beings finding safety, security, and a better life. It’s about people, not politics. I feel privileged to be a part of this movement in Oak Park. It has been proven these policies will make our communities safer and stronger.”

#NoMuslimBanChi
#NoBanNoWallChi
#RealSanctuary
#Sanctuary4All
#100DaysOfResistance
#UnityInResistance

All conveners and supporters of the Chicago and Oak Park actions since January 27th: Arab American Action Network, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, Organized Communities Against Deportations, United African Organization, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, PASO – West Suburban Action Project, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, National Immigrant Justice Center, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, National Lawyers Guild, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Pilsen Alliance, Chicago Teachers Union, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Syrian Community Network, Arab American Family Services, Indo-American Center, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance of Illinois,National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, Anakbayan-Chicago, Iraqi Mutual Aid Society, Jewish Voice for Peace, Campaign to TAKE ON HATE, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, American Muslims for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Suburban Unity Alliance, Black Lives Matter-Chicago, Arise-Chicago, United Electrical Workers (UE) Western Region, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Illinois and Indiana, United Working Families, Fight for 15-Chicago, elected and appointed officials, and many other advocacy, immigrant rights, and legal groups.

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