Arab Americans Support Marie Newman in Recent Video

OAK LAWN, IL, Feb. 20, 2018 – Various leaders in the Arab American and American Muslim communities of Chicagoland’s Southwest Side appear in a new video explaining why they will be supporting first-time candidate Marie Newman over incumbent Dan Lipinski in the Democratic primary on March 20th. The video, originally proposed by grassroots Arab American activists from Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, is entitled “Marie Newman –A Voice for Arab and Muslim Americans.”

Chicagoland’s Southwest Side contains one of the nation’s largest concentrations of Arab Americans, a voting bloc that has become more powerful over time through political engagement and social activism. The recent video is part of the Newman campaign’s larger efforts to reach out to Arab American and Muslim constituents.

Newman opens the video by declaring, “We’re all running together for Congress, whereas Mr. Lipinski is running against the district,” saying Lipinski “does not believe that everybody has rights to be protected and advanced.”

Community advocate Shadin Maali says Newman stood with the Palestinian-American community by attending several protests against a Palos Township Trustee who made anti-Arab statements.

According to educator Linda Kateeb, Newman “acts and speaks because it’s the right thing to do,” whereas Lipinski has avoided addressing Palestinian concerns. Mansour Tadros displays an Arabic language advertisement for Newman in his newspaper The Future, calling her “an advocate for justice” who will “serve us the best.”

Newman says in the video that she supports immigrants, working families, resources for small businesses, and healthcare for all. Newman has taken no corporate money, affirming that she is waging a grassroots campaign.

Maali emphasized the need for action. “It is not enough that we complain,” she said. “We must go out and make a difference with our voice, and let our voices be heard with our votes.”

President of Edwards Realty Company Ed Hassan said, “I think District 3 is ready for a new face.” He closes the video by appealing to his neighbors in the community: “Please register, get involved, ask questions. I guarantee you—if you see both sides of the story, you will vote for Marie Newman.”

Watch “Marie Newman –A Voice for Arab and Muslim Americans” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jRem5icVEI. The Facebook group “Arab and Muslim Americans for Marie Newman” is found at www.facebook.com/Arab-and-Muslim-Americans-for-Marie-Newman-400919010378105.

More information on Newman can be found at www.marienewmanforcongress.com. Register to vote today by visiting ova.elections.il.gov.