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Michigan Rally Mobilizes Arab American Voters

Posted on Friday August 2, 2002

DEARBORN, MI – Wednesday, July 31, more than 200 Arab Americans participated in a get-out-the vote rally in Dearborn’s Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in preparation for Tuesday’s primary election. Organized by the Arab American Democrats, the rally featured a variety of Democratic contenders including gubernatorial candidate David Bonior, and incumbent Congressmen John Conyers, John Dingell and Jesse Jackson, Jr. At the event, Arab American Institute President Dr. James Zogby encouraged Arab Americans to exercise their right to vote.

A previously a solid Constituency, the metro-Detroit Arab Americans have been challenged by redistricting that diluted and divided what had previously been a heavily Arab American congressional district. Formerly, Michigan’s 16th congressional district contained a significant concentration of the area’s Arab American community. This district’s Arab American population became divided between the new 14th and 15th congressional districts represented currently by Congressman John Conyers and John Dingell.

“The rally was a community effort to raise awareness and voter turnout after a tough redistricting process. Comparatively, Arab Americans vote in greater percentages than other ethnic groups and even more so in Michigan. Community leaders wanted to make sure that that trend continues and judging by the overwhelming success of this rally, I think we will see a high Arab American turnout during this crucial primary,” said AAI President Dr. James J. Zogby.

Americans of Arab descent vote in greater percentages (62% in 1996) and are more politically active than average Americans. In the Detroit metropolitan area, 71.8 % of Arab Americans are registered to vote (Zogby International, 1998).

“We want candidates to realize that we are a strong voice that is growing everyday. As a community we have faced significant challenges since 9/11. We want people to know that as we Arab Americans continue the healing process, we will not shy away from our civic duties. At our core, we are a community that is devoted to building a better Michigan and a better America for future generations,” said Ismael Ahmed, Director of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS).