2017 was a year of many successes and challenges for the Arab American community. As our nation has become more polarized under the Trump Administration, our work must continue in order to challenge bigotry and work towards a more equitable and welcoming America.
During the past 12 months, our work was vital to raise awareness about some of the most important issues that affect the Arab American, immigrant, and refugee communities.
Here are some of our 2017 highlights:
- Resisted Trump’s Muslim Ban by organizing the community to take action against this discriminator executive order. We took part in the LAX March, organized several marches in Orange County & Los Angeles, mobilized the community to urge the City of Santa Ana resolution denouncing the Muslim Ban, held 3 press conferences, and hosted 2 town hall meetings.
- Hosted 2 Refugees Welcome Dinners, with the presence of community leaders and elected officials, to welcome and uplift the voices of newly-arrived refugee families.
- Released and distributed the Refugees Welcome Guidebook to more than 300 refugee families, and community organizations serving refugees, providing a multi-platform, hyper-local guide to support refugee integration in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
- Partnered with the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) and launched the Transformative Leaders Fellowship program, a 9-month development training program.
- Led a coalition to stop legislation targeting American activists and entities that boycott Israeli human rights abuses. Engaging in boycotts is a form of constitutionally-protected speech critical to advancing social justice movements.
- Organized in support of the Arab American Heritage Month resolution, which passed with unanimous support in the California State Senate, commemorating the month of April as “ Arab American Heritage Month” in California. The cities of Anaheim and Garden Grove issued proclamations celebrating the month as well.
- Participated in the OC Women’s March in Santa Ana, where more than 20,000 people marched in unity for equality, peace, and justice.
