The State of our Rights
Saturday, September 14 9:00am - 10:00am
The fight for civil and human rights continues to be a pressing issue, particularly for Arab communities and their allies. This panel will explore the current landscape of our rights, examining both the advancements and the obstacles that remain. A key focus will be the “Palestine exception”—a troubling phenomenon where support for Palestinian rights is increasingly met with censorship and suppression, raising serious concerns about violations of First Amendment rights in the United States. Panelists will discuss how these actions impact freedom of speech, the right to protest, and the broader implications for advocacy and dissent in other contexts. The conversation will also address the role of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and how it has been used to silence pro-Palestine activism. Join us for a critical dialogue on the state of our rights and the urgent need to protect them against encroachment.
Ibrahim Awad is the founder of The Awad Law Firm, specializing in personal injury and auto accident cases. His passion for law began in high school, where he led his mock trial team to victory in a Regional Championship. He gained early legal experience while pursuing his Associate’s Degree in English at Dalton State College, working at the District Attorney’s Office in Whitfield County, where he assisted in over 100 felony prosecutions. After transferring to Kennesaw State University and graduating Summa Cum Laude, Ibrahim earned his law degree from Georgia State College of Law. He interned with the Special Victims Unit at the Dekalb County Solicitor General’s Office and later at a private defense firm, gaining experience in criminal defense.
Upon passing the bar, Ibrahim established his own law firm, initially handling both personal injury and criminal defense cases before narrowing his focus to auto accident law. Outside of his legal career, Ibrahim is a dedicated martial artist, having competed in over 250 tournaments. He is also a devoted family man, enjoying time with his wife Rawan and their three children, Jenna, Judy, and Jamal.
Nabih Ayad, has dedicated over 22 years to private practice at his firm, Ayad Law, PLLC, located in Downtown Detroit. As the founder of the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL), Ayad has been a leading figure in advancing civil rights for the Arab American community. He served as a Michigan Civil Rights Commissioner from 2008 to 2011, appointed by former Governor Granholm, and has been on the Advisory Council for Arab and Chaldean Affairs for the State of Michigan since 2007.
Ayad’s extensive involvement in civil rights includes roles such as Vice President of the Arab-American Political Action Committee (AAPAC), Chairman of the NAACP Western Wayne County Legal Redress Committee, and Co-Chair of ALPACT, a coalition of law enforcement and civil rights groups. He has also been a member of the National Executive Board for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and served as Chairman of the ADC Advisory Board for Michigan for over seven years. His contributions extend to overseeing Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports as Chairman of the Detroit Wayne County Airport Authority Board from 2015 to 2021. Ayad holds a JD from the Detroit College of Law at MSU and a BS in Accounting from Wayne State University.
Mr. Abed Ayoub, Esq., serves as ADC’s National Executive Director. He previously served as the ADC National Legal and Policy Director from 2011 to 2022. As the National Executive Director, Ayoub is responsible for the organization’s day-to-day operation and works with the National Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies that will continue ADC’s growth in the years to come.
Throughout his career, Ayoub has worked to address issues impacting Arabs and Muslims in the United States, including matters related to discrimination, immigration, hate crimes, surveillance, and profiling. Under his leadership, the ADC Legal Department has successfully assisted and provided pro bono support to thousands of impacted community members across the country.
Ayoub regularly advocates on behalf of the community with lawmakers and government agencies and works to enhance the community’s economic empowerment and access to education. He is a regular commentator on national and international media and has developed a strong reputation for his commitment to social justice and access to justice for all.
Ayoub was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan. He currently resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Meriana Ayoub, and their two daughters, Izzy and Lily Ayoub. He graduated from the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2005.
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