Here is an update regarding ICC's complaint letter submitted to Toronto Star, CTV News, Metro Toronto and Associated Press.
Dear Friends,
On Nov 19, 2015 we were notified about a photo that was posted in Associated Press, Toronto Star, CTV News and Metro Toronto with a generalized and questionable caption that portrayed Iranian students as potential terrorists. Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) immediately took action by submitting a formal complaint letter to all the media outlets that published this photo and also launched an online petition for its members and supporters to call on the above mentioned media to remove these photos. With your help and support the online petition received 1,766 signatures from people living in different parts of Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.
We have been following up with these media outlets since the date of publication of these photos. We are pleased to announce that Toronto Star and CTV News have taken down the photo and the text about Iranian students from their reports and Metro Toronto published a correction note expressing that the information provided in their initial report related to this photo was incomplete.
Unfortunately we haven’t received any response from Associated Press. Our team is still following up with Associated Press and all the other three media channels to ensure they understand that such irresponsible publication just feeds into the increasing xenophobic and Islamophobic environment in our communities endangering the safety of Iranian-Canadians and all other immigrant minority groups in Canada.
Next Step: Get involved with ICC
The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-religious organization, established in 2007, to represent the interests of Iranian-Canadians and encourage their participation in the Canadian society. Only with your help and support we can fulfill our mission. There are different ways to get involved with ICC and support this community organization:
Sign up for ICC membership: ICC members are the owners of the organization and the ultimate decision makers. The most important step for anyone who is interested to get involved is to sign up for annual ICC membership. Simply click here to fill out the online membership form.
Volunteer: We are always looking for enthusiastic and capable individuals to help us better advance the interests of the Iranian-Canadian Community. You do not have to be a member to help us as a volunteer. Click here and fill out the form.
Donate: The ICC advocates for the Iranian-Canadian community and promotes greater participation in Canada's civic and political life. We are able to do this work through the financial support of individuals like you. Click here and please donate generously.
Follow us on social media: stay in touch with the ICC through different social media channels. Share your ideas with us and participate in the community discussions. Click here to find our social media links.
Sincerely,
ICC Communications