September 29, 2011

Last week was tumultuous for the Muslim American community, especially the “Irvine 11,” as an Orange County Superior Court jury convicted 10 of the 11 students on misdemeanor counts of disturbing a meeting and conspiring to disturb a meeting. 

MPAC continues to support the "Irvine 11" students as they pursue an appeal following the selective and heavy-handed prosecution by the OC District Attorney’s office after nonviolently interrupting  Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren's speech at University of California, Irvine, in February 2010. Each student has been sentenced to three years of informal probation, fined about $200, and has to do 56 hours of community service.

SEE: “Both Sides Agree: Irvine Verdict Sends a Message” (Jweekly.com)

“Muslim Students Vow Appeal in Free Speech Conviction” (Religious News Service)

"Were the 'Irvine 11' Student Protesters Singled Out for Being Muslim?" (KPCC 89.3 NPR - Los Angeles)

“'Irvine 11' Accused of Censorship” (LA Times)

“Lehrer & Hicks: Jury Got It Right in the ‘Irvine 11’ Case” (OC Register)

Learn from what happened with the "Irvine 11," and learn how to effectively talk to public officials, media and your community leaders.  

MPAC's “I Am Change” Civic Leadership Program can help empower your community to stand up and advocate for the issues we all care about, and strengthen your ability to do it effectively.

SEE: “I Am Change” Introduction Video

“I Am Change” lets MPAC staff work with you and your community to enhance our collective civic and political participation as a Muslim American community.

 Call 323-258-MPAC (6722) or email iamchange@mpac.org to schedule a high energy, engaging and interactive workshop in your community.

-- Marium F. Mohiuddin
(marium@mpac.org)
Communications Coordinator