YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

Project Breakout interviewed Dean Obeidallah, Maz Jobrani, and Ahmed Ahmed at the Arab American Institute’s Comedy Kabob. The night was a smash hit, with two shows at Bar Standard in Denver, Colorado. Politicos, activists, locals, and the glitterati rubbed elbows that Monday night, and got a good dose of politics and humor in the bargain.

Be sure to watch all the clips, because clips from their performances are embedded in the interview…

Dean Obeidallah:

Ahmed Ahmed:

Maz Jobrani:

AAI is proud to introduce the Yalla Vote Field Organizers. For information about these amazing young men and women, and how to contact them, please visit the Field Organizers page here at Yalla Vote.
Hassan, our Field Organizer in Michigan, gives us an update:

Yesterday, the staff here at the AAI Michigan Field Office had the great honor of meeting with a delegation of visiting Arab and Turkish community leaders and activists from Germany. The German guests were visiting our community on a tour with the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The IVLP is an exchange program run designed to build professional connections between communities in the U.S. and leaders abroad. Past alumni of the IVLP program include over 200 past and current heads of state, including Afghan President Hamid Karzai and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

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A quick spin around the blogosphere this morning brought an article in New America Media to our attention.Reporters Mohamad Ozeir and Michelle Salamey noticed a disturbing trend at January’s Michigan primary, and wrote the article, Lackluster Arab American Turnout in Michigan:

Though it is tempting to explain the low turn out in Michigan’s primary based on snow and falling temperatures, the weather was not a factor. Many Michigan voters who should have ventured out to cast their ballots didn’t show up. It was true for the general population, but even more evident among Arab American youth, many of whom felt their vote wouldn’t matter.

The problem is… each vote DOES matter. If we don’t participate in the elections, we don’t have a voice on the Hill and in our own backyards to represent the issues closest to our hearts and minds. If we don’t follow the candidates, know how they vote on our issues, and support those who support us, we will be mute and powerless.

Encourage your friends and family to get involved this November. One vote can make the difference… 100,000 can change everything. What would 1,000,000 Arab American voters do?

Michigan field office intern Sarah Jaward did a wonderful job summarizing the Wellstone training sessions that took place the first weekend of April. Below are some excerpts from her report:

AAI Voter Engagement Training

On Friday April 4th through Saturday the 5th the Arab American Institute-Midwest office hosted its first ever Voter Engagement Training, featuring the Wellstone Action Fund. The aim of this initiative was to provide political training and leadership development with the expectation that the skills attainted by the attendees would be implemented back to their communities, helping to mobilize social change within the United States for the Arab American population as a whole.

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Ohio Presidential Candidate Events

February 19, 2008

• Hillary Clinton Rally * 7:00 pm - 10 pm * Youngstown

Join Senator Clinton for a “Solutions for America” rally in Youngstown, Ohio at Chaney High School (731 South Hazelwood Ave). Doors open at 7:30 and the event will begin by 9:00 pm.

To RSVP, please go to: Hillary Clinton’s website

• John McCain Wisconsin Election Night Party * 7:30 pm * Columbus

Join John McCain at a Wisconsin Election Night Party at the Hayes Grand Ballroom, The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel (50 North 3rd Street)

To RSVP, please send an e-mail to: ohvolunteer@johnmccain.com

You do not need a ticket to attend the event. The RSVP is for solely administrative purposes.

Wednesday, February 20th

• John McCain Appearance * Noon * Yellow Springs

Join Senator McCain at Young’s Jersey Dairy (6880 Springfield Xenia Rd) for a short meet and greet.

This event requires no ticket and is open to the public.

Thursday, February 21st

• John McCain Appearance *Time TBA* Toledo

Senator McCain is expected to appear in Toledo for a short meet and greet session.

The time and location is yet to be announced. More information can be found on the Washington Post Campaign Tracker or please check McCain’s website

Tuesday, February 26th

• Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama Democratic Presidential Debate *6PM* CSU, Cleveland, OH

A limited number of tickets will be made available to this event. Please visit the Cleveland State University website for more details.
As the March 4th Primary draws nearer, we hope to provide you with a longer list of events