The Arab American Civic Council (AACC), a grassroots community organization based in Orange County, today released a poll finding residents are open to an official Little Arabia designation in Anaheim.
According to the poll, conducted by AACC and the University of San Diego’s US Immigration Policy Center, more than 58% of registered voters in the City of Anaheim support a Little Arabia designation. Support increases further to more than 75% of those who have been to Little Arabia district.
Little Arabia is a cultural destination that comprises dozens of Arab American-owned businesses on and around Brookhurst Street in West Anaheim. Since the early 1990’s, Anaheim’s Brookhurst corridor has transformed into a cultural and commercial epicenter for the Arab American community.
The campaign to #DesignateLittleArabia was launched in November to urge the Anaheim City Council to recognize the Arab community’s economic and cultural contributions to the city, while supporting small businesses by officially designating the district, which would aid in Anaheim’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the government-ordered shutdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In supporting this designation, the Anaheim City Council would empower immigrant-owned small businesses, hundreds of their employees and their families,” said Rashad Al-Dabbagh, Executive Director of the Arab American Civic Council. “Officially designating Little Arabia not only sends a message that Anaheim is a welcoming city, but that it also supports small businesses that felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
With a new council in office and support among the community, AACC urges lawmakers to recognize the contributions of Arab Americans to this city and create an official Little Arabia designation.
