Please call and support the bill, wherever you may be and can. [Ceesay, Soffie] Subject: Take a Stand For Destinity not to Stand Against You - Continental Africans <http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/postcards/images/job-2_01.gif> <http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/postcards/images/job-2_02.gif> TODAY IS THE DAY In support of Bill 16-430 Office and Commission on the African Affairs in the District of Columbia Fellow Continental Africans Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Mead, Margaret <http://www.learningtogive.org/search/quotes/Display_Quotes.asp?author_i d=418&search_type=author> This drive was steered more than fifteen years ago, beginning with the late Council member John Clarke many African immigrants advocated on behalf of the creation of the Commission and the Office on African Affairs. Mr. Wondimu Mersha and Professor Yosef Ford must be smiling from heaven as their sacrifice, struggle for equality, justice and respect for African immigrants in the District of Columbia. We are indebted to Abdul Kamus whose steadfast belief, dignified humility and embracing skills steered the dream to today's ultimate destination. Come aboard, the journey is moving on up...... Yesterday was reality cross-road as we acted in accordance with a clause in the American Constitution: The right of the people to petition government for the redress of grievance. We did just that in an office-to-office presentation. Hah, sometimes it was "button-holing" and the synergy was uplifting. At least, African immigrants commanded a feat that shapes civil societies. You have heard all about baseball. This afternoon February 7, 2006, among the vote, the government of the District of Columbia will be casting a historic vote for the establishment of the Office and Commission on the African Affairs, Bill16-430. This moment will stay immortal as the ripple effects will herald the dawn and right of African immigrant self-representation in the United States and our vanguard responsibility in US--Africa policies. The voices of the African immigrant community and Friends of Africa can be demonstrated by calling the Mayor's office to support the Office and Commission on the African Affairs, Bill 16-430. Please call Mayor Anthony A. Williams, Mayor (202) 727-2980 or send him an email at http://dc.gov/mayor/talk.htm <http://dc.gov/mayor/talk.htm> and also call City Administrator Mr. Bobb at 202-727-6053 or by email [log in to unmask] Hats off to Council members Orange, Sr.; Graham; Brown and Fenty for sponsoring the bill. The African community members played a critical role by testifying, advocating and lobbying the elected officials to support Bill 16-430. Also, the DC Language Coalition played a major role in advocating on behalf of the African community members in the District of Columbia. Our utmost gratitude to Ms. Cooper of Councilman Graham's office who exemplified constituent services throughout the process. As we say, We do not forget our Friends In support of Bill 16-430 America has been a beacon of hope for people around the world and in particular to Africans, who are seeking democracy, justice and opportunities in the 21st Century. Many of the African refugees and immigrants escaped ethnic conflict, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech as well as abject poverty. The Refugee Act of 1980 allowed African refugees to be resettled in the United States of America. Most of the first waves of refugees and immigrants were resettled in major cities including the District of Columbia. The Washington Metropolitan area is the hub for the African refugees and immigrants in the United States. According to the Brookings Institution Study, "The World in a Zip Code" findings "... the greater Washington area attracts a significant number of African immigrants, which is another distinguishing feature of the area's immigrant profile. African immigrants account for 16.2 percent of the recent arrivals in the Washington region, whereas they comprise only 3.6 percent of all new arrivals to the United States. Indeed, the Washington area attracts the largest proportional flow of Africans of any major metropolitan area in the United States." There is no official statistics that reflects the exact number of the African immigrants in the Washington Metropolitan area. However, the number of Africans living in Washington Metropolitan by community estimate is around 400, 000, of which Ethiopians are the largest community outside Africa. According to Local 27, 80% of the Parking lot attendants are African immigrants. Out of 6,500 taxi drivers in the District of Columbia about 70% of the taxi drivers came from Africa within the last two decades. They provide the backbone for the transportation system and they play a major role in the Nation's Capital. The African businesses experience significant growth in the center of the city. The small business owners are the economic engine in the community by creating jobs and paying taxes. There are many African doctors, professors, lawyers, and professionals who play a major role in the higher learning institutions, hospitals, government agencies, embassies and international organizations. There is a perceived increase in discrimination against African immigrants from verbal abuse to firing them from their jobs. The African immigrants were profiled in great numbers at the National, Dulles and Baltimore Airports. Some of this can be attributed to change since September 11, 2001. In spite of the Washington Metropolitan relative affluence, African immigrants are facing increased discrimination and shrinking economic opportunities. We ask you to support Bill 16-430 on February 7, 2006. The bill that supports the creation of the Office and the Commission on the African Affairs in the District of Columbia was sponsored by Councilmember Orange, Sr. and co-sponsored by Councilmember Graham, Councilmember Fenty and Councilmember Brown. <http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/postcards/images/job-2_04.gif> <http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/postcards/images/job-2_07.gif> <http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/postcards/images/job-2_08.gif> <http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/postcards/images/job-2_09.gif> いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい