We are excited to share this great news! A testament to the power of community advocacy and collaboration. This month, efforts led by the Arab American Civic Council (AACC) are making waves across Southern California as cities begin to formally recognize the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community. This is not merely a formality; it’s a crucial step towards ensuring MENA voices are heard and our contributions are acknowledged.
Anaheim City: Home To Little Arabia
On March 25th, Councilmember Carlos Leon introduced a resolution in support of the MENA Inclusion Act, that passed unanimously. Why does this matter? Because Anaheim is home to Little Arabia and over 20,000 MENA residents. This resolution showcases the city council’s commitment to inclusivity and recognition of its diverse population.
This happened because of the collaborative advocacy of three Anaheim based organizations, AACC, CAIR-LA, and Access California Services. AACC fellow Aya Baazizi (NNAAC Fellow) and Muntadhar Aljadeed (IMPACT-UCR) gave powerful testimonies about their own personal experiences growing up in Anaheim as MENA people. With their statements they advocated and expressed how a MENA category in California will transform the future of MENA youth and emphasized the importance of having representation that acknowledges our unique backgrounds, culture and identities. Recognizing our people will bring us great opportunities that match our unique needs.
Bell City: Continuing the Momentum
Just a day later, on March 26th, the City of Bell passed a similar resolution. With mayor Ali Saleh leading the introduction of the resolution a unanimous vote was made to pass it in support of the MENA Inclusion Bill AB91.
In case you didn’t know, Bell is known for its vibrant and large Lebanese-American population, this city has long been a hub for diverse immigrant communities. If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal from World Famous Burger or Cedars Tacos, then you’ve tasted the rich flavors and pride of Bell’s homegrown MENA community.
MENA In California!
Both resolutions in Anaheim and Bell are a result of a growing recognition of the MENA community and emphasizes the need for accurate representation in data collection and policy-making. As cities across Southern California begin to count MENA residents, we are taking significant steps toward addressing the injustices that many in our community face.
As we take a moment to celebrate these victories, we must also remain aware of the challenges that lie ahead. The fight for justice and inclusion is ongoing, and every voice matters.
ARE YOU IN CA? SUBMIT A LETTER TODAY!
We can’t stop now. That’s why we need everyone to stay engaged. You can support local initiatives like these resolutions that help us to keep advocating and working together with allies to pass the MENA Inclusion Act in California. Only through collaboration, education and understanding can we ensure that our community is recognized, valued, and counted.
By sharing our stories and celebrating wins, we can inspire others to join the movement for MENA inclusion and create a brighter future for all. Together, we are stronger!
