Joint Press Release: Chicago Area Groups, 10th District Constituents Step Up Calls for Congressman Kirk Apology & Meeting

(Chicago, IL, 11/22/05) – The Chicago chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) will join the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in holding a downtown press conference tomorrow to discuss action against Congressman Mark Kirk's recent nod to discrimination against Arabs. The morning conference will be followed by an afternoon visit to Congressman Kirk's office by 10th district constituents and leaders in which 800 signed cards requesting an apology and a meeting will be delivered. (Also see statement signed by 30 organizations denouncing Kirk's remarks – included below). DOWNTOWN PRESS OPPORTUNITY:

WHAT: Press Conference to announce action against Congressman Kirk's comments.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005 at 11:00 am

WHERE: ICIRR Office, 36 S. Wabash Ave, Suite 1425, Chicago, IL

WHO: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CHICAGO), The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), The American Arab Anti-discrimination Committee (ADC), the Arab-American Action Network (AAAN), The Chicago Commission on Human Relations – Advisory Council on Arab Affairs.

SUBURBAN PRESS OPPORTUNITY:

WHAT: Visit to Congressman Kirk's Office to deliver 800 signed cards demanding apology and meeting. Press Statements will be read out to available press.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005 at 1:00 pm

WHERE: Congressman Mark Kirk's Deerfield office, 102 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL

WHO: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CHICAGO), The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), State Representative Elaine Nekritz, The American Arab Anti-discrimination Committee (ADC), the Arab American Action Network (AAAN), Lakeside Jewish Congregation - Highland Park.

-END-

CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago 312-212-1520; Ahmed Rehab, 847-971-3969; communications@cairchicago.org; Yaser Tabbara, 312-718-3725; director@cairchicago.org , ICIRR Mehrdad Azemun 773-220-7929