Barran Press
The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies (WCYS) hosted its second annual "Yemeni Advocacy Day" at the US Congress on Thursday, July 11, 2024, bringing together over 130 Yemeni Americans from 17 states.
The event, according to a statement by the WCYS monitored by Barran Press, focused on "highlighting key areas crucial for the stability and development of Yemen and the Yemeni-American community."
Discussions centered around strengthening US diplomatic efforts to address Yemen's complex political and security landscape, increasing accountability for human rights violations, and emphasizing sustainable development strategies vital for Yemen's recovery.
The WCYS described the annual advocacy day as a "prominent event aimed at strengthening US-Yemen relations, advocating for the issues of the Yemeni-American community, and addressing Yemeni political affairs."
Yemeni Americans met with 64 congressional offices and three representatives from congressional committees to discuss their concerns.
The advocacy day was enriched by seminars and meetings attended by prominent Yemeni community leaders, including an elected Yemeni-American judge in the US, an American mayor, a state representative, and numerous Yemeni-American civil society activists. Notably, the US envoy's office and representatives from the State Department were present, engaging directly with the community and offering insights into current diplomatic efforts and policy developments.
Representatives from various Yemeni political factions and orientations attended, delivering a unified message about the urgent need for their country's stability and a staunch rejection of internal violence and non-state armed groups.
The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies encourages dialogue and civic engagement within the Yemeni-American community, striving to make Yemeni-American voices an integral part of the discourse on international relations and humanitarian aid.