SOUTHFIELD — The Council on Islamic Relations-Michigan (CAIR-MI) will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday, March 28 by inviting perhaps its highest-profile speaker to date to its annual banquet, internationally recognized civil rights leader and activist Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., founder of the RainbowPUSH Coalition.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. is to speak in Dearborn on March 28 at the 10th anniversary celebration of CAIR-MI.

Jackson will deliver the keynote address at the event, which is scheduled to run from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn.
CAIR-MI is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to the promotion and defense of civil rights and the image of Muslims through the use of grassroots activism, mediation, the media, education, and the law.

CAIR-MI Banquet Coordinator Suehaila Amen talked about why Jackson was chosen to speak.

“Jesse Jackson has always been in the forefront of the civil rights arena and his work is internationally recognized,” Amen said.

“He is an extraordinary public speaker, and what better way to celebrate preserving the civil rights of all than by having someone like him from the civil rights arena come and speak at CAIR’s 10th Annual Banquet?”

Also speaking is Michigan Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who will receive the Civil Rights Defender Award.

Amen said the event is being held during the day because many of CAIR’s supporters are hard-working doctors, lawyers and other professionals and the group wants to make sure that as many people as possible are given the opportunity to attend. Babysitting is also available on site at the Hyatt for the price of $10.

In addition to Jackson and Conyers, Comcast Director of Corporate Communications Gerald Smith will serve as emcee, and awards will be given out that embody the spirit of CAIR.

Detroit Free Press journalist Jeff Garritt will receive the Excellence in Media Award and Ron Scott of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality will receive the Peace and Justice Award.

“It’s important to support people who are working towards the advancement of the community and their civil rights,” Amen said about the dinner.

“Organizations like CAIR and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee are so important and we have to support them in this day and age when we need them more than ever with all the things going on; our civil rights are being infringed upon on a daily basis.”

For more information or to buy tickets to the dinner visit www.cairmichigan.org or e-mail CairEvents@gmail.com.