| Syrian American Council | |
|---|---|
Syrian American Council logo |
|
| Abbreviation | SAC |
| Formation | 2005 |
| Purpose/focus | Humanitarian aid |
| Headquarters | Burr Ridge, IL, U.S. |
| Region served | Syria |
| Website | www.sacouncil.com |
Syrian American Council (SAC) is a grassroots organization in the United States devoted to promoting educational, civic, economic, and human development, as well as advancing civil liberties and human dignity in Syria. It also aspires to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between American and Syrian people and institutions. SAC is the largest grassroots organization of Syrian Americans.[1]
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Although SAC is not an opposition organization, it has played an important role in the 2011 Syrian uprising. Specifically, the governmental relations committee of SAC has lobbied for statements from President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives. Since SAC and other Syrian organizations started lobbying the U.S. government, there has been harsh criticisms of Bashar Assad seen in the international reactions to the 2011 Syrian uprising, including notable statements from the US State Department and President Obama.[2] [3]
SAC was founded on November 20, 2005, in Burr Ridge, Illinois. The founding meeting was attended by representatives from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and California. SAC’s president and Council of Representatives (COR) were elected during that meeting.[4]
As of July 17, 2011, SAC has 8 chapters across the USA. They are in Chicago, Washington D.C./Maryland/Virginia, Flint, Detroit, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Florida, and Houston.