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► Urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act! Help deserving students earn a path to legal residency. Take action today!
►Take action on the Nowruz Resolution introduced in Congress. If your Representative is already a cosponsor, take the time to thank him or her. If your member of Congress is not a cosponsor, educate them about the Iranian New Year and ask him or her to sign on. Full Text (PDF)
To inform the public as to where members of Congress stand on issues of importance to the Iranian American community, PAAIA has compiled a ►Congressional Scorecard.
►Register to Vote, make your voice heard!
We invite you to ►Become a Member of PAAIA and support this historic initiative to create an effective Iranian American voice that truly represents our community.
►Donate to PAAIA and make a difference!
- PAAIA's Rudi Bakhtiar on NPR
February 7, 2009 - PAAIA Interview with KIRN- Radio Iran
January 14, 2009 - PAAIA on Voice of America
December 15, 2008
- PAAIA on Radio Farda
December 1, 2008
- Iranian Americans in the Spotlight - Huffington Post
- Introducing Yara Shahidi To The Persian Community Worldwide
- Washington Post Staff Writer Tara Bahrampour Named Senior Recipient of German Marshall Fund
- PAAIA Congratulates Dr. Cumrun Vafa on His Election to the National Academy of Sciences
- Documentary About Hayedeh to Premiere at Noor Film Festival
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
The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) has joined the U.S. Census Bureau’s Partnership Program in order to increase awareness amongst the Iranian American community about the importance of participating in the upcoming 2010 Census.
Congress Takes Aim at Those Who Aid Internet Censorship
July 1, 2009, Washington, D.C. – In the midst of the political turmoil that has grasped Iran following the disputed June 12th presidential elections, much attention has been given to the power of technology as a tool for political activism and civil disobedience. However, numerous authoritarian governments across the world are also using this same technology to keep tabs on their citizens and censor information on the Internet. Recent examples have included the finding that Nokia Siemens provided monitoring technology to the government of Iran and Google providing a censored version of its search engine for the Chinese market.
Click here to read more.
July 2, 2009 - Iranian American Perspectives on Developments in Iran
July 2, 2009 - Presenting the next in a series of compilations of the perspectives and analyses of a number of Iranian American experts concerning recent developments in Iran.
Click here to read more.
July 2, 2009 - Reaction of Iranian Americans to Developments in Iran
Like much of the world, Iranian-Americans have followed the presidential elections in Iran and ensuing developments including allegations of electoral misconduct and the violence spawned by post-election events with great interest and deep concern about the safety of the Iranian people. Set forth below for your information is a selection of media reports covering the reaction of the Iranian American community to the situation in Iran.
"Iran Inside Out" Exhibit at the Chelsea Art Museum
Chelsea Art Museum is featuring 40 artists and over 50 works by established and emerging contemporary Iranian artists living in the US, Europe, and Iran. The exhibition "Iran Inside Out" will be on view through August 20, 2009.
Click here to read more.
New Bipartisan Measure Targets Companies Selling Sensitive Technology to the Government of Iran
June 29, 2009, Washington, D.C. – On June 26th, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced their plan to introduce legislation which would place restrictions on companies that sell the Iranian government sensitive electronic equipment that could be used to spy on their citizens. Furthermore, both Senators called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to send a letter to the European Union urging them to restrict the sale of certain telecommunications equipment and services by European companies that could be used to monitor and control the private communications of Iranian citizens by the Iranian government.
Click here to read more.
Calls For Iran Divestment Gains Traction
June 30, 2009, Washington, D.C. – California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced on June 29th that he would launch an effort to probe California-based insurance companies’ investments for any ties to the government of Iran. According to Poizner, the goal of the probe will be to determine the amount of indirect investment any California-based insurer may have in specific sectors (defense, nuclear, petroleum, natural gas, and banking) of the Iranian economy, as well as direct investments in the Iranian government.
Click here to read more.
L.A. City Council Adopts Resolution Showing Support for the People of Iran
June 29, 2009, Washington, D.C. – On June 26th the Los Angles City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to include in the City’s 2009-10 Federal Legislative Program support for U.S. Congressional resolutions (H. RES. 560/ S. RES. 193), which express “support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law.” The resolution goes on to acknowledge the sizeable Iranian American community residing in Los Angeles as well as Tehran, Iran being the long-established sister city of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council resolution was introduced by Council Member Richard Alarcon and co-sponsored by Council members Eric Garcetti, Jan Perry, and Dennis Zine.
Click here to read the text of the resolution.
Andy and Bon Jovi Sing for Iran
June 30, 2009 - A new version of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" featuring Jon Bon Jovi dueting in Farsi with exiled Iranian singer Andy Madadian, is making the rounds as an online video. The track's co-producer, Don Was, says the video is meant to send "a musical message of worldwide solidarity" to the Iranian people in the aftermath of the country's recent disputed election.
Click here to watch the music video.
Iranian American Perspectives on the Aftermath of the Presidential Election in Iran
June 30, 2009 - Presenting the fourth in a series of compilations of the perspectives and analyses of a number of Iranian American experts concerning recent developments in Iran.
Click here to read more.
Administration and Congress Issue Statements About Developments in Iran
June 21, 2009, Washington, D.C. - “The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost,” said President Barack Obama in a statement released by the White House on June 20, 2009. President Obama, who has opted for a tempered reaction to avoid being drawn in or perceived as a meddler in the internal affairs of Iran, called on the Government of that country to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people
PAAIA Demands Immediate Stop to Violence in Iran and Mourns Loss of Life
June 21, 2009, Washington, D.C. - One of PAAIA's core principles is that it "condemn[s] all acts of violence that result in the loss of civilian life and all acts of intimidation, coercion and violence that are intended to instill fear in the population at large," regardless of the means employed. Accordingly, on Friday, June 19, 2009, PAAIA issued a statement urging non-violence in Iran. Since that time, major news outlets have reported, on Saturday, June 20, 2009, that government security forces have fired upon unarmed demonstrators in Tehran. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 19 people have lost their lives, and unconfirmed reports suggest that the toll may be higher.
There is no justification for this violence. We unequivocally condemn the killing of innocent civilians. We demand an immediate stop to the use of violence and strongly urge the Government of Iran to guarantee the safety of its citizens.
We extend our deepest sympathies to all families that have lost loved ones and we, too, mourn their loss.
PAAIA Expresses Commitment to Democratic Principles and Urges Non-Violence
June 18, 2009 - Like much of the world, Iranian-Americans, including the members of PAAIA, have followed the presidential elections in Iran with great interest. Subsequent events, including questions raised about electoral misconduct, the violence spawned by post-election events, and the resulting fatalities, have only heightened our collective awareness and given rise to deep concerns about the safety of everyone in Iran, from Iranian-Americans currently traveling in the country, to our friends and loved ones who reside there permanently, and, indeed, to the entirety of the Iranian people.
Los Angeles City Council Race Ends
Vahedi concedes in a very close election
June 9, 2009, Los Angeles, CA - With a vote differential of approximately 700 out of 40,000 plus ballots cast, David Vahedi congratulated his opponent and conceded the race for the 5th District Los Angeles City Council.
IAAB Presents Camp Ayandeh 2009
Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) presents Camp Ayandeh 2009, IAAB's fourth Iranian-American high school leadership camp for rising high school freshmen to graduating high school seniors, to be held June 28th- July 5th, 2009 at Duquette Academy in Western Massachusetts.
Javan TV's Report "Passing the Torch of Success: A Proud Moment for Iranian Americans"
On May 10, 2009, Kasra Ghanei of Javan TV, a start-up global television network for Iranians, covered the IFL-hosted and PAAIA-sponsored "Passing the Torch of Success" event at UCLA's Royce Hall. Please enjoy Javan TV's report below!
Click Here to Watch!
Google’s Omid Kordestani Speaks Candidly: "Life is Messy!"
On May 10, 2009, six of the most accomplished Iranian Americans in the world gathered at Royce Hall to share the trials and tribulations of their lives with the next generation. The event was the first of what we expect will be many such events called, “Passing the Torch of Success to the Next Generation of Leaders,” a forum aimed at inspiring Iranian American youth with lessons learned from the community leaders of today.
Please Click Here to Watch Omid Kordestani's Talk!
Track Your Senators’ and Representative’s Votes By Email
PAAIA is pleased to announce the availability of the MegaVote application on its website. The primary purpose of this application is to ensure that Iranian Americans are informed about the voting records of their members of Congress. This resourceful tool helps users remain up to date and informed about the records of their elected representatives through a weekly email when Congress is in session.
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 About IAPAC!
Get Involved
We invite you to Get Involved and support PAAIA's goals by becoming a member, volunteering, and most importantly communicating your views and concerns to us. Learn More
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