Non-Partisan Coalition of 130 Organizations Holds 2nd Annual Vigil, First Panel Discussion on Post-911 Unity
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Susan Lerner
August 26, 2011
212-691-6421
Non-Partisan Coalition of 130 Organizations Holds 2nd Annual Vigil, First Panel Discussion on Post-911 Unity
After Previous Year’s Turnout of 2,000 in Support of Religious Freedom Around Islamic Center, New York Neighbors for American Values Sets Sights on Denouncing Bigotry, Celebrating Unity on 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
On Wednesday, September 7, from 10 AM to 12 PM, New York Neighbors for American Values, a non-partisan coalition of more than 130 prominent civic, religious, civil liberties and civil rights organizations will host “9/11: Refuting Stereotypes, and Challenging the Common Wisdom,” a roundtable discussion examining the impact of the September 11th attacks on New York City and its people.
Experts will explore the ways in which New York’s diverse communities rallied together after the tragedy, as well as the missteps in the years following the attacks. These experiences refute the negative stereotypes that political opportunists have conjured up, emphasizing instead the strength and diversity that has allowed New York to rebuild.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Tom Robbins, award-winning investigative journalist, and current faculty at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, with panelists from a variety of prominent NY-area organizations.
Following the panel, on Thursday, September 8, from 7 PM to 9 PM, the coalition will host “Our Diversity Is Our Strength: Standing Together 10 Years Later,” a commemorative concert and vigil that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of New York.
MODERATED ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:
WHAT: “9/11: Refuting Stereotypes, and Challenging the Common Wisdom” Panel Discussion
WHO: New York Neighbors for American Values Moderator: Tom Robbins (Investigative Journalist, CUNY School of Journalism, Village Voice) Confirmed Panelists: Donna Lieberman (New York Civil Liberties Union), Juan Gonzalez (Democracy Now! and NY Daily News), David Kallick (Fiscal Policy Institute), Catherine McVay Hughes (NY Community Board 1), Peter Marcuse (Columbia University), Margaret Fung (Asian American Legal Defense Fund), Linda Sarsour (Arab American Association of New York), and Talat Hamdani (9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows)
WHEN: September 7, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
WHERE: The New York County Lawyers Association 14 Vesey Street, NY (between Broadway and Church)
COMMEMORATIVE CONCERT AND VIGIL (Program in Formation):
WHAT: “Our Diversity Is Our Strength: Standing Together 10 Years Later,” Commemorative Concert and Vigil
WHO: Confirmed Performances: Music by The Raskol Khan, and Poetry by Tahani Salah Confirmed Speakers: Andre DeShields (acclaimed star who performed on Broadway in the weeks following the attacks), Bhairavi Desai (Taxi Workers Alliance), Lea Geronimo (Beyond Ground Zero Network), Donna Lieberman (New York Civil Liberties Union) and Debbie Almontaser (Muslim Consultative Network).
WHEN: September 8, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: Corner of Church Street and Park Place
New York Neighbors for American Values is a coalition of more than 130 organizations that embraces the core American values of religious freedom, diversity and equality. For more information please visit: http://nyneighbors.org/