Events

Labor activists have been an integral part of the movements of the “Arab Spring” in Tunisia and Egypt, helping to organize and direct large portions of Egyptian and Tunisian society through existing, and often new, labor unions for democratic change. Women union members from both Egypt and Tunisia will be in Northern California the week of August 15, 2011 to discuss their experiences in building their movement, including: the role of labor movements in democracy; democracy within the labor movement itself; the hazards of labor organizing under authoritarian regimes; and the role and struggle of women in the labor movement.

Join Magda Mohammed Ibrahim and Marwa Khalil Farghali Khalil from the Egyptian Public Tax Authority Union; and Aida Zerai and Nahed Ben Dahkla from Tunisian unions for a discussion of these and other topics during this exciting time for labor both here and the Middle East.

As the San Francisco Chief of Police George Gascon rushes from one community group to another offering "apologies and clarifications" of "misunderstandings" for the second week in the diverse city of San Francisco, members of The Arab American Union Members Council continue to be appalled by San Francisco Police Chief George Gascon's March 24 remarks. Gascon spoke, allegedly in favor of an earthquake-retrofitting bill, alleging that the Hall of Justice is susceptible to "members of the city's Middle Eastern community parking a van in front of it and blowing it up." (San Francisco Chronicle, March 26, 2010) Gascon later attempted to "clarify" his comments by claiming his remarks did not apply to the entire Arab, Muslim and broader Middle Eastern community, but instead to the Yemeni and Afghan communities in San Francisco - blatantly singling out these communities for further targeting, discrimination and injustice.

An art piece incorporating AET’s Remember These Children booklet waves in the breeze at San Francisco’s SomArts Cultural Center (Staff photo S. Powell). SAN FRANCISCO’S SomArts Cultural Center hosted “Mexico/Palestine: Unspoken Borders” on Aug. 11 as part of a month-long exhibit on Latin America entitled “Prophecy/Healing: Artists and Communities Confront Global Crisis.” Based on the poem “Prophecy,” painted on the walls and later read by author William Torphy, who curated the exhibit, the show comprised paintings and sculptures addressing the effects of globalization on traditional communities. An additional piece showcasing the American Educational Trust’s Remember These Children project was hung especially for the Mexico/Palestine: Unspoken Borders event.

An art piece incorporating AET’s Remember These Children booklet waves in the breeze at San Francisco’s SomArts Cultural Center (Staff photo S. Powell). SAN FRANCISCO’S SomArts Cultural Center hosted “Mexico/Palestine: Unspoken Borders” on Aug. 11 as part of a month-long exhibit on Latin America entitled “Prophecy/Healing: Artists and Communities Confront Global Crisis.” Based on the poem “Prophecy,” painted on the walls and later read by author William Torphy, who curated the exhibit, the show comprised paintings and sculptures addressing the effects of globalization on traditional communities. An additional piece showcasing the American Educational Trust’s Remember These Children project was hung especially for the Mexico/Palestine: Unspoken Borders event.

The Annual Naji Daifullah Award SOMARTS ~ 934 BRANNAN ST. ~ SAN FRANCISCO SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2007 6:00-9:00PM The Arab American Union Members Council (AAUMC) will be present the annual Nagi Daifullah Award during the 'PALESTINE/MEXICO: Unspoken Borders' event that is part of the larger 'Prophecy/Healing Time: Artists and Communities Respond to Global Crisis' show. This evening will features music, dance, spoken word, a slide show, food and more. We hope to see everyone there and really hope for a strong labor presence to honor the memory of Nagi Daifullah and carry on his legacy. Arab American labor leader Nagi Daifullah and Cesar Chavez "Non-Violence is our Strength..." Cesar Chavez