Los Angeles, C.A. | April 2, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus (ALC) demand the United States Department of State and appropriate agencies initiate evacuation of U.S. citizens trapped in Yemen.
In an attempt to help Yemeni Americans who are currently stuck in Yemen, ADC, CAIR, and ALC have launched a website titled StuckInYemen.com. If you or your family members are stuck in Yemen, visit http://www.stuckinyemen.com/ and fill out the intake form.
The Yemen crisis, civil war, and escalation of violence in Yemen have left many Yemeni residents in great peril, including many U.S. citizens. On February 11, 2015, the U.S. Department of State suspended its embassy operations in Sanaa, Yemen and relocated the U.S. embassy staff out of the country. However, the U.S. Department of State abandoned U.S. citizens in Yemen and failed to facilitate travel and/or evacuation for U.S. Citizens who were not U.S. embassy staff. According to the State Department Yemen Crisis page, there are currently no U.S. government sponsored plans to evacuate U.S. citizens at this time. China, Russia, Somalia, and India are all believed to have evacuated their citizens as recently as this week.
ADC, CAIR, and ALC have all received reports of U.S. citizens trapped in Yemen. U.S. citizens are stranded and face daily threat to their life and safety, as ten countries lead an assault in Yemen. Americans are trapped in Yemen with no realistic means to get out of Yemen without assistance from the U.S. government. The airports and ports are under siege, Saudi Arabia instituted a no-fly zone over Yemen, and there is no feasible safe passage to neighboring countries.
See: Americans in Yemen Fear They Have Been Left Behind
Founded in 1980, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization committed to protecting civil rights, promoting mutual understanding, and preserving the Arab American cultural heritage. ADC supports the human and civil rights of all people and opposes racism and bigotry in any form.
The Asian Law Caucus was founded in 1972 as the nation's first legal and civil rights Asian American organization. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, ALC is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society, with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of low-income, immigrant and underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Asian Law Caucus is a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Contact: ADC Legal & Policy Director Abed Ayoub, aayoub@adc.org , 202.244.2990
Contact: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com
Contact: Nasrina Bargzie, Senior Staff Attorney, Asian Law Caucus, nasrinab@advancingjustice-alc.org , 415-848-7733