AHRC Calls For Countering Hate And Despair With Love And Hope This Thanksgiving And Every Day:

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC‑USA) extends its best wishes for a happy, safe, and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday to all Americans celebrating on Thursday, November 27, 2024.

From our AHRC family to yours, we wish you a safe, peaceful, and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a meal. Today, it endures as a cherished tradition centered on family gatherings, shared meals, and gratitude.

November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month, established in 1990 when President George H. W. Bush signed it into law. Native American Heritage Day, observed the day after Thanksgiving, honors the culture, history, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Native American history is inseparable from American history. Despite enduring profound injustices, Native American communities have survived and become a vital and respected part of modern America. Their resilience and contributions enrich our nation, and their full citizenship is a cornerstone of our shared identity.

Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to reflect on our blessings and to share them with loved ones. Unlike many holidays, it has resisted heavy commercialization and continues to emphasize family, gratitude, and community.

We acknowledge that our nation is not perfect and our national politics is troubled. Yet we have much to be thankful for, and together we can confront and overcome hate and divisiveness. Hate and divisive rhetoric, demonizing the other, must never be used as political tools. Only by standing united as peace-loving people can we build a better world for all.

AHRC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting and defending human rights and human dignity for all, both in the United States and abroad. We look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving in 2026, with the hope of lasting, just peace in our nation and across the world.

“There is so much to make us pessimistic, but there is also so much to make us optimistic,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “Let’s respond to hate and despair with love and hope and always be thankful for the many blessings of America,” concluded Hamad.