Newsletter (June-July 2026): Solidarity Protests Across Five Cities, Minnesota Community Forum, and More
June and July were two of our busiest months yet. IAMC chapters organized solidarity protests across five U.S. cities in support of India’s student movement, Rep. Ilhan Omar and AG Keith Ellison joined a bipartisan lineup at our Minnesota community forum, and our team took IAMC’s advocacy to the ICNA West Convention in Santa Clara
BULLET POINT SUMMARY:
- Solidarity protests across five U.S. cities in support of India’s student movement, with international demonstrations following
- Rep. Ilhan Omar, AG Keith Ellison, and bipartisan Minnesota lawmakers rally against hate at IAMC community forum
- IAMC represented at the ICNA West Convention
- Two new policy reports released on India’s blasphemy law and the “Hinduphobia” label
- And more!
Keep scrolling to learn more about each of these achievements in detail.
SOLIDARITY PROTESTS ACROSS THE U.S. AND EUROPE FOR INDIA’S STUDENT MOVEMENT
IAMC chapters in Washington DC, Boston, Dallas, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago organized solidarity protests over the weekend of July 24-26 in support of India’s student-led movement demanding accountability for examination fraud, following a week in which tens of thousands of students in New Delhi were met with baton charges, tear gas, pellet guns, and mass detentions. The weekend built on earlier demonstrations across the U.S. and Europe, including actions in New York, San Jose, London, and Dublin. IAMC also condemned the brutal police crackdown on peaceful student protesters in New Delhi.
REP. ILHAN OMAR, AG KEITH ELLISON, AND BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS RALLY AGAINST HATE AT IAMC FORUM
Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, and a bipartisan group of state legislators joined community members in Fridley, MN for “Community Resistance to Hate and Extremism”, a public forum featuring remarks from elected officials of both parties alongside panel discussions with community leaders and experts. IAMC also honored Rep. Omar, AG Ellison, and Minnesota lawmakers with Community Leadership Awards for their commitment to defending human rights and confronting extremism.
IAMC AT THE ICNA WEST CONVENTION
IAMC joined the ICNA West Convention 2026 on July 11–12 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California. We also hosted a panel discussion, “Lessons from the Struggle of Indian Muslims,” followed by a breakout session on democratic backsliding in India, both featuring foreign affairs journalist Zeba Warsi and IAMC Board Member Safa Ahmed.
NEW POLICY REPORTS
IAMC released two new policy reports. India’s Blasphemy Law examines how Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, working in tandem with anti-conversion statutes in roughly 14 states, has created a legal architecture that criminalizes ordinary religious expression and disproportionately targets Christians and Muslims. House Resolution 69 and the Label of ‘Hinduphobia’ unpacks how the term has been weaponized to shield Hindu nationalist groups from legitimate criticism.
THE INDIAN MUSLIM STORY: PROFILES AHEAD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
Our Indian Muslim Story series published two new profiles recovering the histories of Indian Muslims who shaped the freedom struggle: General Shah Nawaz Khan of the Indian National Army, and Abdul Qaiyum Ansari, an independence leader and lifelong advocate for social justice.
STATEMENTS
IAMC strongly condemned a wave of demolitions targeting mosques, shrines, graveyards, and madrasas across BJP-ruled states, and warned of a deepening crackdown on civic freedoms as India was added to a global watchlist tracking threats to civic space.
CHAPTER UPDATES
- IAMC chapters across the country are gearing up for India Independence Day activities, with programming planned around the theme of freedom, democracy, and the constitutional promise.
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