Press Room

Press Releases

Arab American Mobilization Continues:

Posted on Thursday June 10, 2004

Florida Arab American Activists Participate in Democratic Party Convention

Democratic members of Florida’s Arab American Leadership Council (FL-ALC) will have a visible presence at the Florida Democratic Party’s 2004 Jefferson Jackson Dinner as well as a rally Saturday afternoon with Senator John Edwards. The FL-ALC’s participation in the state convention is part of the statewide council’s ongoing voter mobilization efforts.

Since the February launch of the FL-ALC, Arab Americans in the Sunshine State have met with both presidential candidates and have registered over 600 new Arab American voters. In April, three FL-ALC members were elected as delegates to the Democratic National Convention representing Orlando area districts.

The community’s local efforts have also attracted attention from abroad. Recently, the State Department organized a delegation of journalists from several Arab countries and brought them to Orlando to profile the FL-ALC. Orange County Republican Chair Lou Oliver and Democratic Chair Doug Head addressed the delegation and spoke of the activism of Arab Americans in both parties. “The past few months have been monumental for our community,” said FL-ALC leader and President of the Arab American Community Center Taleb Salhab. “Arab Americans in Florida have come together for a common goal of electing leaders who will work for peace and civil rights. Our efforts have received attention from the national, and now international media and we will continue to November.”

An April Zogby International tracking poll of Arab Americans in key states showed that 47% of likely Arab American voters in Florida indicated support for Senator Kerry while 40% backed President Bush. The entrance of Independent Ralph Nader- who receives support from 14% of Arab American Floridians- into the race significantly cuts Kerry’s lead over Bush to 40% to 35%.

“Florida will be a key battleground state in 2004 as it was in 2000,” said AAI President James Zogby. “Our polling of Arab Americans voters in the state shows that the race is still close between President Bush and Senator Kerry. The candidate who is responsive to the community’s concerns not only onissues like the economy, health care, and national security but also on Arab American’s special concerns such as civil liberties and America’s Middle East policy will receive the Arab American vote which could help deliver the state.”

Florida is home to over 255,000 Arab Americans and an estimated 120,000 likely voters. These voters live in 59 of the state’s 67 counties with significant concentrations in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, and Duval counties.