FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2011 CONTACT:   Rachanee Srisavasdi (213) 241-0227 rsrisavasdi@apalc.org Asian American Center for Advancing Justice Issues Statement Condemning Lowe's Home Improvement's Withdrawal of Advertising Due to Anti-Muslim Sentiment WASHINGTON - Members of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) issued the following statement in response to Lowe's Home Improvement's withdrawal of advertising due to anti-Muslim sentiment: "Advancing Justice strongly condemns Lowe's Home Improvement's actions in retracting advertising from TLC's reality series All-American Muslim, a reality show depicting the lives of Muslim American families living in Dearborn, Mich., including the discrimination they encounter due to their religious affiliation. Lowe's withdrew its advertising in response to the Florida Family Association's characterization of the All-American Muslim as 'propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.' Advancing Justice believes that Lowe's reaction gives credence to these anti-Muslim sentiments andcontributes to a negative atmosphere of intolerance towards minority communities and may incite hate crimes and related violence. Since the tragic events of 9/11, Advancing Justice, in conjunction with partner organizations, has worked to eradicate the discrimination and hate directed towards the Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (AMEMSA) community. We ask that Lowe's reinstate advertising on All-American Muslim, as well as issue an apology directed towards the American Muslim community and otherswho were offended by Lowe'sactions. Advancing Justice believes that traditional American values are those of tolerance and respect for all faiths. This incidence reminds us of the work to be done in continuing to fight religious intolerance in all forms."   # # # The Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (www.advancingjustice.org) works to promote a fair and equitable society for all by working for civil and human rights and empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities, and is comprised of the Asian American Justice Center (www.advancingequality.org), the Asian American Institute (www.aaichicago.org), the Asian Law Caucus (www.asianlawcaucus.org) and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (www.apalc.org).