And the winner goes to...

Dear friends, Flashing lights, paparazzi, A-list celebs walking the red carpet. We’re talking about the 89th annual Academy Awards. Tonight, over 35 million people will gather around screens across the country to see who is taking home a coveted golden Oscar. But throughout the crowd of designer clad movie stars, there will be one notable person missing. According to news reports, 21-year-old cinematographer, Khaled Khatib, nominated for his film, “The White Helmets” won’t be in attendance. Despite being nominated for an Academy Award in Best Documentary (Short Subject) for his film about the war in Syria, it is reported that he has been barred from entering the country, as a result of President Trump’s Muslim ban.1 Despite federal courts putting the ban on hold, there have been reports that U.S. government officials have denied Khaled from entering the U.S. and attending the Oscars. We know that Khaled isn’t alone, President Trump’s dangerous policies have and continue to impact millions. They must be stopped. Now more than ever, we need a clear direct Congressional solution to the executive order that enacted what has come to be known as the Muslim ban. Act now to say No Ban, No Wall. Just this past week, we heard officials from President Trump’s administration say that they are getting ready to announce a new executive order that we fear will enact some of the same policies as the Muslim ban.2 We can’t let that happen. Today, before you tune in to see who wore it better on the red carpet, act to say No Ban, No Wall.  Thank you for taking action, Margaret Huang Executive Director, Amnesty International USA  _________________________ 1. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/25/syrian-oscar-contender-khaled-kateeb-barred-from-entering-us 2. https://thinkprogress.org/miller-new-muslim-ban-not-different-8dff132e95f4#.vacczm3u4

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