Basim Elkarra

Basim Elkarra
California Democratic Party
Personal details
Political party California Democratic Party
Education University of California, Berkeley
Website www.elkarra4kids.com

Basim Elkarra is a civil rights leader serving as the director of the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),[1] former board member of the Sacramento chapter of the Americal Civil Liberties Union, and serves on the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party.[2] He's also a 2015 candidate for the Area 5 seat of the Twin Rivers Unified School District Board of Trustees in California, United States.[3]

Personal life

Elkarra was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. He attended San Francisco City College and the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated with High Honors with a B.A. in Political Science. He resides in Sacramento Valley since 2004.

Education Work

Elkarra serves as the Chair of the Los Rios Community College District's Bond Oversight committee. In this capacity, he oversees $200 million tax dollars in the modernization and repair of the Los Rios' campuses.[4]

Civil Rights Work

Basim Elkarra has been the Executive Director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations since 2004.[5] He has often been interviewed by Sacramento media on the topic of Muslim civil rights.[6][7]

In 2011, the United States Embassy sent Elkarra to England to meet young British Muslims as part of a strategy to promote civic engagement in England and promoting democracy in the Middle East.[8]

Democratic Party

As a member of the California Democratic Party, Elkarra served as chair of the Affirmative Action Committee.[9] He has engaged with the Sacramento Valley law enforcement agencies on affirmative action issues and cultural education.

Twin Rivers Unified School District Election

Elkarra is running for the vacant Area 5 seat of the Twin Rivers School Board to be held on May 12, 2015. He runs opposed by Sonja Cameron. This is a special election after the former school trustee Cortez Quinn resigned from the Area 5 seat,[10] Sonja Cameron was swiftly appointed to the vacant seat.[11] Some local community members alleged that it was unfair that Sonja Cameron was appointed to the seat without an election and signatures were collected for a special election which will take place on May 12, 2015.[12] The election will cost the school district an estimated $113,000[13]

Notable Endorsements

Controversy

In 2006, after receiving objections from some of her constituents, Senator Barbara Boxer withdrew a "certificate of accomplishment" that she had previously awarded to Basim Elkarra. Boxer “expressed concern” about some past statements and actions by CAIR, and some law enforcement officials asserted that CAIR “gives aid to international terrorist groups.” Neither CAIR nor any of its leaders have ever been indicted nor convicted of any crime.[18] This revocation was strongly criticized by several organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and the California Council of Churches.[19] As a result of the controversy Boxer created, Basim received hate mail, including a death threat, since the controversy erupted.[20]

Similarly, in 2010, Ami Bera who was running for a U.S. congress seat, returned $250 of campaign donations to Mr. Elkarra after questions about CAIR's affiliations.[21][22] Bera was criticized because he "succumbed to the growing national hysteria about Islam in America and the NRCC's fear-mongering, in particular."[6] On April 25, 2015, Ami Bera announced his endorsement for Basim Elkarra's campaign for the Twin Rivers School Board seat.[16]

References

  1. ↑ https://ca.cair.com/sacval/about/our-staff/, CAIR CA Staff Biographies
  2. ↑ http://www.cadem.org/about/standing_committees?id=0001, California Democratic Party, Affirmative Action Committee Roster
  3. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article16298981.html, Sacramento Bee, March 25, 2015
  4. ↑ http://www.losrios.edu/lrc/measureA/COC_12-05-13.pdf, Los Rios Community College District Citizens' Bond Oversigt Committee Minutes, July 31, 2014
  5. ↑ Elkarra, Basim. "Basim Elkarra". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  6. 1 2 Farrow, Ross (2010-08-19). "Democratic candidate Ami Bera returns $250 after Republicans questions donation". Lodinews.com. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  7. ↑ Mike Luery (Director) (2012-09-14). "U.S. Muslims condemn killing of Americans overseas". KCRA News (KCRA). Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  8. ↑ http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2011/03/20110310161432m0.4893915.html#axzz3ZEjz9KMV, Bureau of International Information Programs U.S. Embassy, March 10, 2011
  9. ↑ http://www.cadem.org/about/standing_committees?id=0001, California Democratic Party, Committee Roster 2013-2015
  10. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article3185044.html, Sacramento Bee, October 21, 2014
  11. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article4389951.html, Sacramento Bee, December 9, 2014
  12. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article5299413.html, Sacramento Bee, January 1, 2015
  13. ↑ "Twin Rivers Unified to hold May election for trustee post". sacbee. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  14. ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article18630831.html, Sacramento Bee, April 15, 2015
  15. ↑ http://trueassociation.org/2015/03/march-23-2015-presidents-message/, Twin Rivers United Educators, March 23, 2015
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 http://fox40.com/2015/04/25/politicians-community-leaders-show-support-for-elkarra-at-anti-hate-rally/, Fox News Sacramento, April 25, 2015
  17. ↑ http://www.sacdems.org/get-involved/endorsements/, Democratic Party of Sacramento County, May 12, 2015
  18. ↑ (subscription required)Hosenball, Mark (2006-12-28). "Sen. Boxer Recalls Award to Muslim Activist". Newsweek. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  19. ↑ "Scrutiny Increases for a Group Advocating for Muslims in U.S.". The New York Times. March 14, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Muslim American Civil Rights Activist Gets Death Threats". The Progressive. January 12, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  21. ↑ Hotakainen, Rob (2010-08-16). "Capitol Alert: Ami Bera returns campaign contribution from CAIR official". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 2015-04-15.
  22. ↑ Rooney, Katie (2010-10-21). "2010: Races to Watch". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2015-04-15.
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