AAI Condemns Attack on Arab American Candidate in Anaheim

WASHINGTON - Oct. 10, 2006 - The Arab American Institute (AAI) condemned attacks against Anaheim City Council candidate Bill Dalati as bigoted and pointed to them as another example of Arab-baiting.

AAI is troubled over the controversy that has emerged over the candidacy of Dalati, an Arab American who is running as a Republican and has been attacked by former state Republican Chairman Shawn Steel for potentially being “an extremist.”

“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. Will they allow Shawn Steel and his views to define their party and its relations vis-à-vis the Arab American community?”

Mr. 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.

About The Arab American Institute:  Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. For more information, please visit http://www.aaiusa.org.