Boycott Qatar Airways: “This is What Civil Rights Looks Like!”

Dear [Name],

As human rights groups stack up against Qatar, one of the worst countries in the world for human trafficking and slavery, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport proudly introduces Qatar Airways to Atlanta (and their daily, non-stop service beginning this June).

· Qatar Airways Group is owned by the nation of Qatar, where being LGBT is illegal, punishable by up to five years in prison. Other illicit sexual relations are punished by flogging, the penalty for adultery being 100 lashes.
· Labor Unions are also illegal in Qatar, where immigrants make up 90% of the workforce. Upon entering the country, their passports are seized and the migrant workers are often forced into slavery. Those who protest or try to leave are thrown in prison.
· Qatar Airways Group employs more than 40,000 people. Workers are forced to live on company property where their “behavior” is monitored, female employees who get pregnant or married are terminated immediately.

On May 17th, Qatar Airways will celebrate its partnership with Atlanta with an illustrious gala event, featuring Jennifer Lopez at the historic Fox Theatre. The latest in a string of red-carpet roll outs, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker maintains, "With every new destination we serve, we seek to become a part of that community.”

Honoring the theme of “community,” The Alliance for Workers against Repression Everywhere (AWARE) has partnered with local organizers to greet His Excellency with a welcoming committee guaranteed to give him a real taste of Atlanta—bastion of the civil rights movement and birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.


Help boycott Qatar Airways, teach His Excellency a lesson in civil rights:
·
Become a partner organization:
Contact Cecily McMillan at [email protected] (404) 468-1034 or
Aaron Black at [email protected] (646) 421-4045
to add your organization to the list of support and coordinate further outreach initiatives
·
Commit to spreading the word:
Send update emails to your Atlanta area lists, and post to social media encouraging your members to attend the rally (Tuesday, May 17th at Fox Theatre)
·
Volunteers for the day of the event:
We need help distributing signs, leading chants, engaging folks in the neighborhood, and maintaining a peaceful orderly crowd, etc., volunteer or lend us staff on the morning of Tuesday, May 17th to help the action run smoothly

The rally will be held at the main entrance of Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)
Tuesday, May 17th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
***Parking will be limited: carpool or ride Marta to North Avenue***