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July 31, 2004
Democratic National Convention:
AMT refused permission to hold press conference
AMT Report
The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) was refused permission to hold a press conference at the Democratic National Convention in Boson, an AMT report said. The AMT had scheduled the press conference on the first day of the Democratic convention on July 26 outside the main entrance to the Fleet Convention Center.
The AMPT said: “Though, due to the last minute refusal by the DNC to let us hold our press conference (outside the main entrance to the Fleet Convention Center), relatively small number of journalists attended the press conference, the negotiations with the presidential and vice presidential candidates of Green (David Cobb), Libertarian (Michael Badnarik) and Independent (Peter Camejo) parties were highly successful. All of them have agreed to join the AM-initiated civil rights coalition without any expectation of endorsement.”
However, AMT maintained visible and effective Muslim presence during the 2004 Democratic Convention by holding a number of interrelated events, according to the AMT. Six TV channels, numerous reporters, and more than 200 delegates, including most of the Muslim American delegates, visited the AMT Hospitality Suite, and above all we received enthusiastic support from the progressive Democrats, Independents, Greens and Libertarians for our ‘Civil Rights Plus’ agenda.
A number of candidates and elected officials, representing Democratic, Republican and Green Party spoke at the AMA/AMT Town Hall meeting at Wyndham Westborough on July 25.
Hospitality Suite: More than 200 delegates attended the AMT Hospitality Suite. It was great opportunity to secure their support in urging the Democratic Party to improve its position on civil rights and inclusion.
Most of the Muslim American delegates attended the AMT Hospitality Suite and many them have offered to work with AMT. The reception was very help in creating a unified Muslim message for the Democratic Convention. Most Muslim delegates have also signed the AMT petition addressed to DNC.
AMT Petition: The AMT-initiated petition urging the DNC to insert the following language in the party platform as an addendum was signed by more than 200 delegate including the entire Hawaii delegation and most of the Texas delegation. The key part of the petition reads:
“The Democratic Party reaffirms its commitment to due process, equal justice, freedom of religion, speech, assembly and privacy, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, the presumption of innocence, access to counsel in judicial proceedings, and fair, speedy and public trial. We oppose ex post facto laws, secret proceeding and use of secret evidence, and we also seek repeal of those sections of the USA PARTIOT ACT deemed manifestly unconstitutional and un-American.
Media Coverage: The AMT Hospitality Suite / Press Conference was covered by Al-Arabia, Thai Television, ARY, MBN, Voice of America and several local and international print journalists.
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