In response to a replacement executive order banning travel to the U.S. from Muslim-majority countries by President Trump, Amnesty International USA released the following statement this morning:

“This replacement order is the same hate and fear with new packaging. It will cause extreme fear and uncertainty for thousands of families by, once again, putting anti-Muslim hatred into policy. No amount of editing can make this executive order anything but what it is – blatant bigotry. There are real threats to security, but this bigoted order will do nothing to make the country safer.

“Continuing to close U.S. borders both people attempting to flee violence – whether from Syria or Honduras – will only intensify human rights crisis all over the world. It is inhumane, short-sighted and against all of our shared values. Congress must step in immediately to block this new order.” 

Coming Soon To A Dollar Store Near You ...

When Mana Heshmati isn't working as an engineer, she's cooking traditional Iranian food through her "low-profit" Peace Meal Kitchen, a pop-up dining series based in Detroit.

It's a way to expose diners to her Iranian heritage and dispel misconceptions about the often misunderstood country.

She held her first pop-up in April to the delight of fans who ranged from the city's die-hard foodies to Iranian nationals who were craving a taste of home. Her dinners mostly feature traditional Persian cuisine, but she's also delved into other misrepresented regions, such as an Palestinian/Israeli event last fall.

But a mission that started as a culinary cultural exchange has shifted in the wake of President Trump's executive order barring travel from seven Muslim-majority nations.

"With the election," she says, "[the dinner series] is transforming into a platform to positively impact the community."   > > > > 

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