What is ADC?
ADC is a grassroots civil rights organization which welcomes people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities as members. Go >

Board of Directors

Did you know?
Over 3 million Americans can trace their roots back to an Arab country.

ADC is committed to:
1. Empowering Arab Americans;
2. Defending the civil rights of all people
of Arab heritage in the United States;
3. Promoting civic participation;
4. Encouraging a balanced U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and;
5. Supporting freedom and development in the Arab World.
Now more than ever, the Arab-American community needs a powerful, effective national and local organization to defend its interests. ADC is that organization. ADC was founded in 1980 by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk. Learn more >>

"ADC: Protecting civil rights and advocating a balanced Mideast policy"

How can you help?

• By joining ADC you make it a stronger organization.
• By becoming an active member of your local chapter you can participate in media, education, political, legal and other activities.
• By registering to vote and encouraging others to vote.
• By helping to bring other members into ADC and helping to support ADC as an independent, self-sustaining national institution for Arab Americans, you take the most effective steps to make the Arab-American voice part of the national political conversation.
• By writing to Congress and expressing your views.
• By getting involved in the civic and political life of your community, whether through school boards, town councils, state legislatures or the federal government, you help make Arab Americans a force in decision making at all levels.
• By writing a "Letter to the Editor" to your local paper as well as to national news organizations.

What ADC Does:

   1. Whenever Arab Americans face discrimination, ADC's Legal Department is there to provide advice and referrals. ADC has a cadre of full time staff attorneys ready to help defend the interests of the community, one person at a time. Our staff attorneys have helped hundreds of people defend themselves against a wide variety of abuses, and been instrumental in many important legal victories in the fight for civil rights and against discrimination. ADC's Education Department works with schools, teachers and Arab-American parents across the country to combat discrimination and tensions in school and ensure that the curriculum does not perpetuate stereotypes or misinformation about the Arab world or Islam. ADC also serves as a vital clearing house of accurate information on Arab culture and history for educators and school systems.

   2. ADC's Governmental Affairs department works with Congress, the White House, the State and Justice departments, and other elements of government to promote the interests of the community. Members can contribute to ADC's political action committee to support political candidates.

   3. ADC's Communications Department combats defamation, stereotyping and bias in films, television and news reporting, and has become a widely respected media watch-dog. ADC spokespersons are internationally recognized voices for the Arab-American community.

   4. ADC's Organizing Department mobilizes the community by coordinating the efforts of chapters, local offices and activists across the nation, and directing ADC's national campaigns.

   5. For over 20 years, ADC has been building bridges with other communities and forging coalitions with organizations throughout the country on issues of mutual concern.

   6. Since 1980 ADC has been the leading Arab-American voice on foreign policy issues, especially by defending the rights of the Palestinian people and opposing the sanctions against Iraqi civilians.