The battle over Dr. King’s message
Most Americans know Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the twentieth century’s most revered voices for racial equality, the charismatic leader of the American civil rights movement, who gave the famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Perhaps they even know a thing or two about his role in the Montgomery Bus...Civil rights group challenges DHS “can’t ask, won’t tell” policy
DEARBORN — On Thursday, the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) held a press conference challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s “can’t ask, won’t tell” policy. The group has filed complaints against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice and Terrorist Screening Center on behalf of local...Snyder asks U.S. government to issue 50,000 visas for new immigrants to live and work in Detroit
DETROIT — Detroit must harness the power of skilled immigrants to grow its economy, increase its tax base and reverse its population decline, Gov. Rick Snyder said today as he urged federal action on his proposal that increases employment-based visas for immigrants.“We want the world to know that Detroit is open for business,”...MLK’s Legacy: The impact on Arab Americans and the City of Detroit
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."DETROIT — “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Martin Luther King Jr. once famously said. Five decades later, that statement is still imperative in a country that is deeply embedded in bigotry, inequality and resistance. After emerging as a...
Local Syrians have low expectations for Geneva 2
January 24th, 20140 DEARBORN — The Syrian civil war has claimed more than 130,000 lives, displaced millions and fueled sectarianism in Syria, neighboring countries and across the Middle East. But as representatives from the country's government and opposition meet in Switzerland among a host of international foreign ministers, local Syrian Americans have...Oakland County executive under fire for offensive comments about Detroit
DETROIT — Stopping for gas at a Detroit gas station is "just a call for a carjacking," according to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who also thinks that the solution to the city's financial problems is building a fence around it and turning it into an Indian reservation.Patterson has come under fire for demeaning comments...
Mayor O’Reilly shares thoughts on business, neighborhood growth and dispute over east Dearborn property
January 24th, 20140 DEARBORN — At a special meeting of the City Council on Wednesday, January 15, former American Arab Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nasser Beydoun engaged in a heated debate with Mayor Jack O'Reilly over the reacquisitionof a business property on the east side of the city that was previously owned by his brother-in-law Sam...
Arab American NFL coach prepares for Super Bowl
January 24th, 20140 DEARBORN — “It is unbelievable. This is a dream come true, and so surreal,” said Robert Saleh, speaking about the Seattle Seahawks advancing to the 2014 NFL Super Bowl. Saleh is a quality control coach for the Seahawks, who will square off against the Denver Broncos in football’s championship game, Sunday, Feb. 2 at...The surveillance state lives
President Obama has some nerve. He opened his speech on NSA spying by likening his surveillance regime to Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty. How insulting! They were helping people resist government tyranny, and the British spied on them to put down the coming rebellion.In sizing up Obama’s “reforms” of the indiscriminate...The Arab American News’ first issue came out 29 years ago
DEARBORN — On Wednesday, Jan. 23, 1985, 29 years ago, The Arab American News published its first issue. The lead story was an editorial outlining the goals and principles of the publication. "This newspaper is dedicated to this guiding purpose: communicating to and unifying all Arabs in North America," read the paper's first...Detroit casino revenue falls in 2013
DETROIT — Detroit is counting on taxes from the city's three casinos to help it emerge from bankruptcy, but prized as the city's casinos may be, they had a down year in 2013, state regulators said.The city's total gambling revenue slipped 4.7 percent to $1.35 billion last year, according to figures released by the Michigan Gaming...Governor Snyder announces creation of office for new Americans
LANSING – Gov. Rick Snyder announced in his fourth State of the State address a bold vision for attracting global talent to bring more and better jobs to Michigan, and a growing group of more than 30 educational leaders, elected officials, business leaders, nonprofit groups and other community leaders offered their support for the...Retirement planning programs offered at Henry Ford Centennial Library
DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Library and TL Financial Group, a full service investment advisory firm, are partnering to offer two retirement planning programs to the public. Each program consists of two educational sessions. Erin Wozniak, a wealth management advisor at TL Financial group, will present the program entitled...Dearborn Police seek public’s assistance in apprehending larceny suspect
DEARBORN — On Jan. 13, a larceny occurred at the CVS located at 22060 Outer Drive. The suspect entered the store, selected numerous items for sale, and then concealed them in his long trench coat style jacket. The suspect quickly proceeded to the exit with the merchandise still concealed and exited the store without paying for the...Republicans criticize party member Dave Agema for recent controversial remarks
MICHIGAN — On Monday, Gov. Rick Snyder praised Michigan Republican Party chairwoman and major GOP donor Betsy Devos for speaking out against Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema. Snyder, unlike DeVos, is not calling for Agema’s resignation. Agema.At the Martin Luther King Jr. Day luncheon in Lansing, Snyder told......
19 year-old woman commits suicide, shocks community
January 23rd, 20140 DEARBORN - Assil Srour Makki, a 19 year-old Dearborn resident, took her own life on Tuesday, Jan. 21, police said.According to police, she died of a gunshot wound in her house in Dearborn. Police do not suspect foul play in Makki's death."We think it's a suicide," a Dearborn Police spokesperson told The Arab American...
Snyder: Creating jobs, attracting global talent among priorities
January 17th, 20140 LANSING — Michigan will fuel its impressive comeback through innovations such as a statewide system for training and educating skilled technicians, attracting global talent and reinventing the way in which services to residents in need are provided, Gov. Rick Snyder said in his fourth State of the State address.“The Michigan of 2014......
Six products you buy that support Israeli brutality
January 17th, 20140 When tax time rolls around each year, every American citizen gives $21.59 in military aid to Israel, according to the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation. But that’s not the only way American citizens contribute to the Israeli military, which has occupied Palestinian land for 46 years, and the West Bank settlement project that...
On war criminals and heroes: The whitewashing of Ariel Sharon
January 17th, 20140 The death of former Israeli leader Ariel Sharon enlivened U.S. media’s interest in the legacy of a man considered by many a war criminal, and by some a hero. In fact, the supposed heroism of Sharon was at the heart of CNN coverage of his death on January 11.Sharon spent the last eight years prior to his death in a coma, but apparently...
Marygrove College designates a prayer room for Muslim students
January 17th, 20140 DETROIT — Marygrove College, a private Catholic school, has established an interfaith prayer room, which will serve as a space for prayer for Muslim students. Marygrove's president and staff, along with students and representatives from the Muslim community, celebrated on Wednesday Jan. 15, the grand opening of the room, reflecting the...
Detroit Auto Show estimated to bring in $400 million for local economy
January 17th, 20140 DETROIT — Detroit enters 2014 in bankruptcy, the largest public case in U.S. history and facing $18 billion or more in debt. Yet the Motor City's resurgent auto industry is strong enough to host a show that by one estimate will generate nearly $400 million for the area's economy.The industrial city is looking to climb out from under......
Michigan Republican condemned for questioning Muslims’ contributions to the nation
January 17th, 20140 DETROIT — "Oh, by the way on MUSLIM HERITAGE IN America... Have you ever been to a Muslim hospital?" sarcastically wondered Michigan politician and National Republican Committee member Dave Agema in a Facebook post. Agema's comments drew condemnations from various groups and individuals and revealed the extent of the...
ASA members subjected to intimidation and hate for stance on academic boycott of Israel
January 17th, 20140 MICHIGAN — Arab American scholars and writers recently issued a statement condemning the forms of hate and intimidation several American Studies Association members continue to experience as a result of their stance on the group’s recent decision to endorse an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. A passage from the......
Dabaja presides over first Dearborn City Council meeting
January 17th, 20140 DEARBORN — Led by newly elected President Susan Dabaja, the first city council meeting of the year ran swiftly and accordingly without any interferences or setbacks, showcasing that all signs are pointing to a promising 2014 at City Hall. On Tuesday, January 14, Dabaja was joined at the term’s first meeting by returning council...Joe Biden visits Detroit Auto Show
DETROIT — On Thursday, Janaury 16, dozens of reporters gathered at Cobo Hall inside of the 2014 North American International Auto Show to witness Vice President Joe Biden give a speech about American's future dependence on the auto industry and manufacturingå. “This is going to be the American century for manufacturing,”......