|
|
PAAIA/NexGen was formed in response to the request of many young Iranian Americans who expressed the need for a forum not only to socialize and network, but to also share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns on issues facing the next generation of Iranian Americans.
Click here to learn more
► Join PAAIA Today!
► Sign up for the PAAIA eNewsletter!
► Donate to PAAIA and make a difference!
► Ask your member of Congress to oppose the STEP Act! Congressman Reintroduces Legislation Barring Travel From Iran. Click here to read the text of the STEP Act.
► Urge Congress to pass the Nowruz Resolution! To read the Resolution, Click here.
► Urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act! Help deserving students earn a path to legal residency. Take action today!
► Register to Vote, make your voice heard!
► Click here to read PAAIA's Congressional Scorecard, and see how your member of Congress voted on important issues.
► Click here to read PAAIA's Report on Iran Sanctions Legislation in the 111th Congress.
About PAAIA
The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian, independent organization that represents the domestic interests of the Iranian American community before U.S. policymakers, opinion makers and the American public at large. PAAIA seeks to achieve its mission by focusing on three major areas of activities: Community Building, Image Building, and Influence Building. Learn More
Iranian American 2010 Census Project Coalition Gains Momentum
Unprecedented Cooperation among 19 Iranian American Organizations
February 4, 2010, Washington, D.C. - The Iranian American 2010 Census Project proudly announces the addition of Andisheh Center, Association of Iranian American Professionals of San Diego, Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats, Empowered Women United, Iranican, Iranian Studies Group at MIT, Persian Center and Persian Cultural Club to its list of coalition partners.
Now at 19 partners and counting, the coalition was formed to ensure maximum and consistent participation by Iranian Americans in the 2010 U.S. Census. The addition of these new organizations strengthens and expands the coalition’s outreach and penetration, providing it with more resources and a larger platform for educating Iranian Americans nationwide and encouraging their participation in the Census.
Click here to read more
Representatives Eshoo and Royce Cosponsor the Nowruz Resolution
Nowruz Resolution Continues to Gain Momentum
February 4, 2010, Washington, D.C. – This week two additional members of Congress became cosponsors of H.Res.267, the resolution in honor of the Iranian New Year (Nowruz), bringing the total number of cosponsors to 54. Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA-40th) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA-14th) became the latest Representatives to sign on to H.Res.267, which was passed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last week.
Click here to read more
The Child Foundation Creates Haiti Earthquake Fund
Washington, D.C. February 4, 2010 – The devastating earthquake in Haiti last month claimed the lives of over 150,000 people and left millions more homeless, hungry and in desperate need of relief. Consistent with its policy of helping children around the world, the Child Foundation is teaming up with Mercy Corps to collect aid for the most vulnerable part of Haiti’s society- the children. Mercy Corps is a well-known international organization with many years of experience working with communities to shelter and nurture children through innovative education, health and nutrition programs.
Click here for more information
The Smithsonian Presents: “Nowruz! A Persian New Year Celebration”
Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, March 7, 2010 the Freer and Sackler Galleries of the Smithsonian Institution will host an early celebration of Nowruz. The full day event will feature storytelling with Xanthe Gresham, music by Pejvak Ensemble, book signing with famous Persian chef Najmieh Batmanglij, and much more.
Click here for more details
Meet the New Slate of IAPAC Candidates
January 29, 2010, Washington, D.C. – The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), today announced its support for new slate of candidates for the U.S. Congress, national party committees, and aspiring Iranian American candidates, including: Governor Charlie Crist candidate for the U.S. Senate (R-FL), Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Mark Ameli candidate for Superior Court Judge Los Angeles County, Elle Falahat candidate for District Attorney Contra Costa County, and Shiva Farivar candidate for Irvine City Council.
Click here to read more
UPDATE: Iran Sanctions Legislation in the 111th Congress
Senate Passes Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Act
January 29, 2010, Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2009 (S.2799) by a voice vote. The Act, which was introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) last November, targets Iran’s energy sector by placing sanctions on foreign companies that provide Iran with refined petroleum, among other measures.
Click here to read more
PAAIA Thanks Sponsors of the 2010 Passing the Torch of Success
PAAIA would like to sincerely acknowledge the following sponsors for their support of the 2010 Passing the Torch of Success held in Orange County, CA on January 17, 2010.
Please click here for a complete list of sponsors
Yasmin Siraj Takes the Silver at the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
January 27, 2010, Washington, D.C. - Thirteen year old Iranian American Yasmin Siraj took home the silver medal for junior ladies at the 2010 Figure Skating Championships in Washington. In her performance, Siraj captivated the audience with her beautiful performance to Rimsky-Korsakov's Song of India. Siraj is a full time student who practices during her lunch break and is also a competitive pianist.
Click here to read the article
Click here to watch Yasmin’s short program at the 2010 US Nationals
Breaking News: Nowruz Resolution Gaining Traction
PAAIA Initiative Passes House Committee
January 27th, 2010, Washington, D.C. - Today the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform passed H. Res 267, the resolution in honor of the Iranian New year (Nowruz), therefore moving it one step closer to being voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives.
At the urging of PAAIA, Congressman Michael Honda (CA-15th) introduced H.Res. 267 into the House of Representatives on March 19, 2009. The resolution recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expresses appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to American society, and wishes Iranian Americans, the people of Iran, and all those who celebrate the holiday a prosperous new year.
Click here to read more
Passing the Torch of Success in Orange County
“The best Iranian Program I have Attended in 37 years,” said an Audience Member
January 21, 2010, Orange County, CA – This past Sunday, seven dynamic and accomplished Iranian Americans gathered at the Rene and Henry Segerstorm concert hall in Orange County to share their life stories and experiences with an enthusiastic audience of nearly 1000 people. Co-hosted by Rudi Bakhtiar, former Public Relations Director of PAAIA, and the very funny comedian K-Von, this was the second “Passing the Torch of Success” event aimed at inspiring the next generation of Iranian Americans with lessons learned from community leaders of today. Of those in attendance, more than 500 joined PAAIA as members.
Click here to read more
(Photo by Vafa Khatami)
PAAIA to Host Capitol Hill Briefing on 2009 Survey of Iranian Americans
Survey Explores Views Concerning Post Election Developments in Iran
January 22, 2010, Washington, D.C. - The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) will be holding a congressional briefing on Thursday, January 28, 2010 to present the findings of its 2009 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans. The national poll, conducted by Zogby International, explores the attitudes and views of Iranian Americans relating to recent developments in Iran.
Click here to read more
Iranian American Organizes Aid to Haiti
January 22, 2010, Washington, D.C. - The Children’s Hope International Literacy & Development (CHILD) organization is supporting a convoy carrying much needed medicine, water, and 12 Canadian doctors to Haiti. The convoy, which will be departing from the Dominican Republic, was organized in large part by the efforts of Iranian American Leila Makarechi.
Click here to learn more
Mahasti Afshar Appointed as PAAIA's New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of PAAIA is very pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Mahasti Afshar as the organization’s next Executive Director.
A Harvard Ph.D. in Sanskrit and Indo-European Folklore and Mythology, Mahasti brings two decades of experience in top management roles at the Getty Conservation Institute, ARCH Foundation/Austria, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, X PRIZE Foundation, and most recently, the National Geographic Society.
Click here to read more
Urge Your Member of Congress to Oppose the STEP Act
Congressman Reintroduces Legislation Barring Travel from Iran
January 13th, 2010, Washington, D.C. - Congressman J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC/3rd) introduced the Stop Terrorists Entry Program Act (STEP) into the House of Representatives, a bill he originally introduced back in 2003. The STEP Act would bar the entry of individuals to the United States from Iran and other countries that are “State Sponsors of Terrorism”, as well as Yemen.
If enacted, the proposed legislation could effectively forbid all Iranians from immigrating, visiting, or studying in the United States. Individuals seeking political or religious asylum as well as those requiring emergency medical treatment may be exempt from the provisions of the Act.
The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) strongly favors taking appropriate and necessary measures to protect the national security of the United States. However, PAAIA is opposed to legislation that effectively bans individuals from certain countries coming to America based on their nationality. Such proposed legislation is not only discriminatory but also has the potential to encourage xenophobia and hatred.
Click here to read the text of the STEP Act.
PAAIA Urges You to Take Action!
Ask your member of Congress to oppose the STEP Act!
PAAIA's Top Ten Achievements in 2009
Join PAAIA Today and Contribute to Making 2010 Even More Successful
January 7, 2010, Washington, D.C. – Having grown to over 2,200 members and six active local chapters, PAAIA is viewed favorably by more than 70% of Iranian Americans who know the organization. In 2009, PAAIA helped launch the Iranian American 2010 Census Project and led the formation of a coalition of more than fifteen organizations working collaboratively towards an accurate count of Iranian Americans. During the past year, PAAIA was instrumental in introducing the Nowruz Resolution in Congress, and has ensured that the views of Iranian Americans concerning recent developments in Iran are heard by U.S. policy makers.
Click here to read more
Ross Mirkarimi Urges Iranian Americans to Participate in the 2010 Census
January 15, 2010, Washington, DC- San Francisco City Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi speaks about the importance of the 2010 Census and urges Iranian Americans to participate and be counted. “Many categories of populations are counted, but there are many more categories that do not exist… For example, the Iranian American community. We are telling people to put in the ‘Other’ column: ‘We are Iranian, and we want to be counted…we are not just simply put into the general category of Caucasian”. Mirkarimi has recently introduced legislation mandating that census workers be admitted into notoriously hard-to-access Single Room Occupancy hotels so residents can more easily be counted in the 2010 census.
Click here to learn more
Rudi Bakhtiar Steps Down as PAAIA's Director of Public Relations
January 14, 2010, Washington, D.C. - Rudi Bakhtiar has stepped down from her position as the Director of Public Relations for the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) to join the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.
Click here to read more
PAAIA Urges Iranian Americans to Support Earthquake Victims in Haiti
Washington, DC, January 14, 2010 - On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, tragedy struck Haiti as a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ripped through the capital city of Port-au-Prince , causing widespread devastation. The Red Cross estimates the death toll at 45,000-50,000, with casualty numbers expected to increase. The desperation is growing as over 3 million people are left without shelter and electricity and running out of food, water and medicine.
As Iranian Americans we will never forget the support of the international community during the tragedy that struck our own community in 2003 when an earthquake claimed nearly 30,000 lives in Bam.
In the wake of this devastating catastrophe, PAAIA urges all Iranian Americans to support the Haiti earthquake victims by donating to one of several organizations dedicated to relief efforts in Haiti.
Click here for a list of organizations that are accepting donations.
Click here view PARSA Community Foundation's call to action.
State Department Condemns Persecution of Baha'is in Iran
January 14, 2010, Washington, D.C. – On Monday the U.S. State Department issued a press release condemning the government of Iran’s decision to commence an espionage trial against seven Baha’is. The seven individuals have been held in custody for 20 months without access to legal counsel and have not been shown the alleged evidence against them. The press release also states that Iran’s constitution provides the right to legal representation in criminal cases and that under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the seven defendants have the right to a fair and public hearing.
Click here to read the full statement
Congressman to Reintroduce Legislation Barring Travel From Iran
Ask your member of Congress to oppose the STEP Act
January 8, 2010, Washington, D.C. - Congressman J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC/3rd) announced his plans to reintroduce the Stop Terrorists Entry Program Act (STEP) into the House of Representatives, a bill he originally introduced in 2003. According to a press release from Congressman Barrett’s office, the STEP Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar the entry of individuals to the United States from countries that are State Sponsors of Terrorism, including Iran, as well as Yemen.
If enacted, the proposed legislation could effectively forbid all Iranians from immigrating, visiting, or studying in the United States. Individuals seeking political or religious asylum as well as those requiring emergency medical treatment may be exempt from the provisions.
Click here to read more
Click here to read this in Farsi
Space Tourists: A documentary following Anousheh Ansari and her journey through space
January 8, 2010, Washington, DC - Anousheh Ansari dreamt of going into outer space since she was a child. A number of years and $20 million later, with the help of the Russian space program, her dream is realized—Ansari becomes the first female space tourist. Space Tourists, from director Christian Frei, documents Ansari’s remarkable journey through space.
Click here to learn more
Enhanced Airport Security Measures to Affect Travelers to and from Iran
January 5th, 2010, Washington DC – Starting on Monday January 4th, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented new enhanced security screening measures for individuals traveling to the United States from or through 14 chosen countries, including Iran.
The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian of Americans (PAAIA) commends law enforcement authorities immediate response to the attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 and strongly believes that our Government should take appropriate measures to enhance the protection of our citizenry and other travelers. However, all necessary and security directives that are strictly based on an individual’s nationality raise potential concerns that innocent individuals, including Iranian Americans and their family and friends, may be adversely and unnecessarily impacted.
The details of the new security directive have not been made public and are still unclear. As such, PAAIA is working together with other organizations in determining the full extent of the directive and to formulate appropriate political and legal responses on behalf of the Iranian American community.
Click here to read more
PAAIA Fund
PAAIA Fund is an educational non-profit organization providing funding for the educational activities of PAAIA and other organizations that share its mission. Learn More
IAPAC
The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC) is the bipartisan connected PAC of PAAIA, which contributes to candidates for public office who are attuned to the domestic concerns of the Iranian American community.
Click here to learn more
|
||