These statements and more, on the case of Mahmoud Khalil, harassment of lawyers by immigration authorities at entry points, the many Arab-Americans (paradoxically) appointed by the same administration, the 110th anniversary of the genocide against Armenians that began April 24, 1915 in Ottoman Turkey, etc. are posted at: adc.org/media/press-releases/
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Sent out the evening of April 23rd:
“I Was Tased and Dragged From My Home” – ADC Lawsuit Alleges Police Brutality
Dear [ ] ,
Simi Valley, CA | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), alongside HH Law Firm, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Nabil Shukair, a Palestinian American subjected to ongoing harassment, racism, and a recent violent police encounter in Simi Valley, California. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, contends that Mr. Shukair’s constitutional rights were violated when police officers, responding to baseless “terrorist” accusations, arrived at his home with weapons drawn and ultimately tased him unconscious.
The lawsuit details how video evidence reveals a neighbor driving by Mr. Shukair’s residence while shouting racial slurs and threats, followed by an unfounded call to the police identifying Mr. Shukair as a “Hamas terrorist.” According to the complaint, rather than verifying these inflammatory claims, Simi Valley police officers arrived at Mr. Shukair’s property on September 11, 2024, and immediately escalated into violent action. Video footage shows officers drawing their firearms and tasing Mr. Shukair within seconds, knocking him unconscious and dragging him out of his garage.
“I was tased and dragged from my home,” said Mr. Shukair. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about protecting our communities from being treated like suspects instead of people.”
The lawsuit raises critical questions about why specialized law enforcement units were not deployed if officers genuinely suspected terrorist activity, and why a more thorough investigation was not conducted prior to the use of such force. Instead, the complaint asserts, the responding officers relied solely on a racially charged tip—contrary to ordinary standards of investigative diligence.
“This case highlights the discrimination Arab Americans face when unverified, racially motivated accusations are immediately accepted,” said ADC National Legal Director Chris Godshall-Bennett. “Mr. Shukair was confronted by officers with guns drawn in his own home, tased unconscious, and subjected to illegal searches. The officers’ actions were motivated by nothing more than anti-Palestinian racism and they must be held accountable.”
“Our client has endured months of harassment and racist vitriol. The escalation on September 11 was particularly shocking,” said attorney Hani Habbas of HH Law Firm. “Officers arrived at Mr. Shukair’s house, forcefully entered the property, used a taser on him without warning, and dragged him onto the street while he was incapacitated. These actions directly violated his First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights.”
Alleged Constitutional Violations and Key Claims
- Excessive Force & Unlawful Seizure: The complaint states that Simi Valley Police officers violated the Fourth Amendment by tasing and seizing Mr. Shukair without probable cause or any indication of a threat.
- Equal Protection & Discrimination: Officers purportedly targeted Mr. Shukair based on his Palestinian identity and an unverified tip labeling him a terrorist, in breach of the Fourteenth Amendment.
- First Amendment Retaliation: Mr. Shukair’s verbal objections to officers drawing weapons in his garage and his attempt to record the encounter allegedly prompted an escalated response, amounting to retaliation for protected speech.
- Unlawful Searches: The complaint claims that the officers conducted warrantless searches of Mr. Shukair’s home and vehicle after he was rendered unconscious and handcuffed, in further violation of the Fourth Amendment.
In addition, the lawsuit asserts various state law claims, including violations of California’s Bane Act and Ralph Act, as well as common law torts such as assault, battery, false arrest/imprisonment, and the intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Mr. Shukair seeks:
- Compensatory Damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
- Punitive Damages against individual officers whose actions are alleged to have been intentional or carried out with reckless disregard for his constitutional rights.
- Attorneys’ Fees and Costs under federal and state civil rights statutes.
- Judicial Declarations that the officers’ actions violated the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and parallel rights under California law.
The complaint questions the Simi Valley Police Department’s decision-making and training practices, pointing to a pattern of immediate, aggressive action against Mr. Shukair despite the lack of credible corroboration of the neighbor’s accusations. According to the lawsuit, Mr. Shukair was held in custody without proper explanation or medical care. No formal charges were ever brought.
By filing this action, ADC and HH Law Firm aim to hold Simi Valley authorities accountable for what they describe as an egregious violation of constitutional principles, while also ensuring that no one else in the community endures a similar experience rooted in racial animus or inadequate investigative protocols.
Sent out the evening of April 24th:
40 years after Alex Odeh, we're opening new doors
Dear ADC Members and Supporters,
I write to you with profound excitement and determination: ADC is returning to Southern California with a new office in Anaheim’s Little Arabia. This moment marks our first local presence in Orange County since the tragic murder of our beloved leader, Alex Odeh, nearly 40 years ago. The opening of this office is a testament to our community’s resilience and our unshakeable commitment to justice.
Our new Anaheim office will be a hub for legal services, community support, and business advocacy. Through it, we will provide direct assistance to individuals and local entrepreneurs, advocate for Middle Eastern and North African business certifications, and stand firm against discrimination. We open these doors without fear, honoring Alex Odeh’s legacy and living out ADC’s founding promise to protect and empower Arab Americans. |
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Yet even as we celebrate this milestone, the reality of injustice remains. Yesterday, ADC and HH Law Firm filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Palestinian American Mr. Nabil Shukair, who was racially profiled, violently arrested, and tased unconscious by Simi Valley police officers. This case lays bare the discrimination our community continues to face, and it underscores how vital it is for ADC to remain vigilant in defending the rights of Arab Americans.
Our national efforts—including the new Anaheim office and legal battles like Mr. Shukair’s—depend on the collective support of our members. We are 45 years strong and now count more than 130,000 members across the country. But every step forward requires resources to fund legal proceedings, keep our offices running, and ensure we have the tools to fight injustice in and out of the courtroom.
I ask that you make a tax-deductible donation to ADC today. Your contribution will help sustain our operations, power our legal advocacy, and uphold the legacy of those who gave their lives for the cause of equality. Together, we’ll show that no amount of hate can silence our community or break the solidarity we’ve built over these 45 years. |
Thank you for standing with us, in Anaheim and beyond.
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Sent out the evening of April 21st; slightly edited:
To Our Arab Christian Sisters and Brothers
Dear [ ] ,
Washington, D.C. | Yesterday, millions of Arab Christians celebrated Easter with Christians across the world. We offer warm greetings to those who recently celebrated. For centuries, the vital presence of Arab Christians, whose devotion to peace, justice, and compassion has long enriched both the Middle East and the global community. Despite a common misconception, Arab Christians constitute a vibrant and integral part of our shared heritage, underscoring the diversity that has long been a hallmark of the Arab world.
Unfortunately, Arab Christians, along with other religious minorities in the Middle East, are targeted for how they worship or who they are. In what should be a time of celebration in Palestine, the birthplace of Christianity, Arab Christians are under constant bombardment from Israel. The historic Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City—one of the world’s oldest Christian churches—was bombed on October 19, 2023, killing 18 displaced civilians sheltering inside. Many Christians have sought refuge in the few remaining churches, relying on them for basic necessities and a measure of safety. Before the genocide, Gaza’s Christian population numbered around 2,000, mostly Greek Orthodox. Sadly, that number continues to dwindle as deaths and displacement mount.
Israel has destroyed over 200 cultural and historical sites, and more than 340 mosques—among them the iconic 700-year-old Great Omari Mosque. At least three churches have also been severely damaged, including St. Porphyrius Church itself. At least 16 cemeteries have been desecrated. And Christians across the Middle East face similar threats, with key sites damaged in attacks that further endanger this small yet longstanding community.
While many Christian leaders and groups in the U.S. justify the genocide, Pope Francis, who passed away earlier today, made nightly calls to Gaza’s Christian community from the onset of the genocide, boldly amplifying their voices when much of the world looked away. We mourn his loss, as his persistent stand against the ongoing oppression of Christians in Palestine—and of all those enduring occupation and violence—remains a testament to moral courage.
ADC calls on all world leaders to protect religious minorities by condemning violence against any faith community and holding perpetrators accountable, ensuring that no one is targeted for how they worship or who they are.
In this spirit, ADC remains devoted to our mission, urging those in power to reject genocide, end cycles of violence, and protect the dispossessed. May hope and resilience guide us forward as we strive for the day when every community—regardless of creed—can celebrate in peace.
Sent out the evening of April 16th:
"The Teacher" Now in Theater — A Palestinian Story You Need to See
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[Reposting:
Dear Friends,
We are proud to highlight the opening of The Teacher, a bold and emotional new film centered on the Palestinian experience — now playing in theaters nationwide starting April 11.
Set in the occupied West Bank, The Teacher follows the journey of a Palestinian schoolteacher torn between his underground role in political resistance and his growing emotional bonds — both to a promising student and a new relationship with a foreign aid worker. The film is a haunting and human exploration of love, struggle, and sacrifice under occupation.
🎟️ In theaters across the nation - get your tickets now!
We encourage our community to support Palestinian storytelling and amplify voices from the region that are too often silenced or distorted in mainstream media.
👉 Bring your friends. Share the film. Start the conversation.
Let’s fill theaters with our presence — and ensure stories like this one are seen, heard, and remembered.
In solidarity,
The ADC Team]
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