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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE 7TH DAY OF APRIL AS LITTLE PALESTINE DAY IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, April is National Arab American Heritage Month, which celebrates the history, culture, and people and the many contributions Arab Americans have made to our country; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Arab families who migrated to southwest Cook County in the early 20th century, seeking a better life and the opportunity to build a supportive community; these families have contributed to the rich cultural landscape of Little Palestine, transforming it into a beacon of hope and resilience; and
WHEREAS, Little Palestine, located in the southwest region of Cook County, is home to the largest Palestinian community in the nation and the 4th largest Arab American population in the country, spanning a five-mile stretch from 79th and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview to Harlem Avenue and College Drive in Palos Heights; and
WHEREAS, Little Palestine features over 200 Arab-owned businesses and community-serving institutions, including a community college, a hospital, three high schools, and over 20 organizations and institutions; and
WHEREAS, historic disinvestment in the Arab American community, coupled with being targeted for discrimination and hate crimes, threatens the sustainability and growth of this area, with over 70% of Arab-owned businesses in Little Palestine having under 10 employees and driving the economy in this region; and
WHEREAS, there has historically been no means to distinguish Arab American populations, economic activity, health, or any other indicators of Arab Americans on data registers at local, state, or national levels, recent efforts to include Arab Americans in data counts, achieved through decades of mobilization within Arab American communities, remain limited and often specific to certain locales. These omissions hinder the ability to document critical issues such as displacement and the impacts of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Arab American Bus...
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