Andy Shallal
Anas (Andy) Shallal is an artist and peace activist.
Background
Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Shallal's family came to America in 1966. He attended Catholic University and Howard University and worked as a medical immunologist at the National Institutes of Health. Shallal switched careers, opening several restaurants, including Busboys and Poets, a DC institution that has received national recognition. His artwork has been featured in many publications, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, PBS, HBO, Al Jazeera International, and CNN.
Activism
Shallal works on "social justice and peace issues" and speaks extensively on these topics. He is also a board member of the Institute for Policy Studies, the Anacostia Museum, DC Vote, the Washington Peace Center, the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, and Think Local First, working to create sustainable local-business models. He advises several nonprofits and works with students and others in their entrepreneurial endeavors.[1].
He has publicly stated that he is a marxist [CITATION}.
Institute for Policy Studies
Andy Shallal is Treasurer[2]of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Policy Studies. Owner, Busboys & Poets; Artist.
Progressive Democrats of America
Andy Shallal serves on the Advisory Board of Progressive Democrats of America.[3]
Iraq: The Legacy of the 7-Year U.S. Occupation
On Sunday, August 29th 2010. at Busboys and Poets, 5th and K Sts. NW, Washington, D.C., an event "Iraq: The Legacy of the 7-Year U.S. Occupation" was held;
- Is the U.S. military really leaving Iraq or just rebranding? What is the toll of seven years of occupation on Iraqis, U.S. soldiers and our economies? What is the status of Iraqi refugees around the world? Is it still possible to hold accountable those who dragged us into the war or committed crimes such as torture? What role did Congress and the media play in facilitating the invasion/occupation? We'll also look at the role of the peace movement -- its strengths and weaknesses -- and draw key lessons to make our work for peace, including in Afghanistan, more effective.
Speakers/performers included:
- Congresswoman Donna Edwards
- Kymone Tecumseh Freeman, playwright, performer, reading Letters from Iraq
- Head-Roc, hip-hop artist
- Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies
- Raed Jarrar, Peace Action
- Manal Omar, author
- Bill Fletcher, Jr., labor leader, scholar
- Josh Stieber, Iraq Veterans Against the War
- Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK and Global Exchange
- Andy Shallal, Iraqi artist, owner Busboys and Poets
- David Swanson, author
- Gene Bruskin, U.S. Labor Against the War
- Felicia Eaves, activist
The event was sponsored by: CODEPINK, Peace Action, Institute for Policy Studies, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Global Exchange, Just Foreign Policy, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), U.S. Labor Against the War, ANSWER, World Can’t Wait, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, War is a Crime, Rivera Project, Washington Peace Center.[4]
DSA endorsement
In February 2014, Metro-DC Democratic Socialists of America made its endorsements for the April 1 DC primary election. As Bill Mosley writes, the local made three endorsements in the Democratic primary: Andy Shallal for Mayor, Phil Mendelson for Council Chair, and Eleanor Holmes Norton for Delegate to the House of Representatives.[5]
References
- ↑ http://pdamerica.org/about/board.php
- ↑ http://www.ips-dc.org/
- ↑ http://pdamerica.org/tools/pda/Adboard.pdf
- ↑ [http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/6899-the-last-combat-politician.html Withdraw the Last Combat Politicians from Washington by David Swanson, pacific free Press, Aug 29, 2010]
- ↑ Welcome to the Washington Socialist for March 2014 Wednesday, March 5th, 2014