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AAI in the News

Arab Group Condemns 'Bigoted' Attacks

United Press International
Posted on Tuesday October 10, 2006

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI)—The Arab American Institute has condemned attacks against an Arab political candidate in California.

The Washington-based organization said in a statement Tuesday that it condemned the attacks on Anaheim City Council candidate Bill Dalati as “bigoted” and pointed to them as an example of Arab-baiting.

Dalati, an Arab American, is running as a Republican and has been attacked by former state Republican Chairman Shawn Steel for potentially being ‘an extremist,’ AAI said.

“It’s a bigoted, hateful and prejudiced attack on Mr. Dalati made solely because of his ethnic heritage,” said AAI Executive Director Nidal Ibrahim. “At its core, this represents yet another attempt to disenfranchise the Arab American community. Attacks like these dissuade the inclusion of people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds in the political process.

“It’s encouraging that former Assembly speaker and current Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and other leading local politicians have voiced support for Dalati, but at the same time we must hear from other Republican Party leaders on this issue,” Ibrahim said. “Will they allow Shawn Steel and his views to define their party and its relations vis-à-vis the Arab American community?”

Dalati, a 12-year resident of Anaheim, has been active in local political circles and served on Anaheim’s Culture and Heritage Commission. He also was one of the principals behind the founding of Access California Services, a social services agency in Anaheim, AAI said.