ADC challenges Countering Violent Extremism program
ADC Reaffirms Position on CVE/CIV; Prepares for Legal Fight. Says changes to name to “Countering Islamic Violence” will be worse
ADC reaffirms our steadfast opposition to the government program known as Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). Since the inception of the program ADC has never wavered on our opposition to the program in its entirety. As the Trump administration works to make troubling changes to the program, ADC is preparing for a legal fight. We will not stand by as our government continues to criminalize the Arab and Muslim American communities. Unfortunately, CVE is made possible because of the assistance from Arab and Muslim community organizations. It is time for these organizations to stand on principle and disconnect themselves form CVE related programs.
In January a number of community organizations were awarded grants to conduct CVE and surveillance programs across the country. This past summer ADC came out unequivocally against the grant program, and urged community organizations against applying. Notwithstanding our warnings and concerns a number of organizations did apply for the funding. Despite coming at the 11th hour, some organizations are heeding to public pressure and rejecting the grant money. Some have yet to reject the money, clearly putting financial interests over the interest of the community.
Those who have rejected the money must work to regain the trust of the community. Organizations must be transparent with the community and provide a detailed explanation as to their involvement in CVE programs. Additionally, they should release a copy of the grant application submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These organizations must immediately suspend any and all activity pertaining to government led CVE programs.
Finally, there have been reports that the Trump administration will change the name of the program to Countering Islamic Violence (CIV). This signals an outward and public acknowledgment that the program targets Arab and Muslim Americans. The focus on the community goes beyond a name change. Continued implementation of the program will contribute to the ongoing chilling effect on the Arab and Muslim communities. ADC has begun reviewing all legal options aimed at challenging continued implementation of the CVE/CIV program.
Attorneys who are interested in assisting in the pending legal action can fill out this form to learn about next steps and how you can be involved.
You can read more about ADC’s work on CVE by clicking here.
Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.
Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).
Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.
Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.
His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.
Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.
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