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Date:3/24/2025 2:53:54 PM
From:"Theresa Bass"
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:FW: [EXTERNAL] RE: Support for Resolution titled: In Support of AB 91 “The MENA Inclusion Act”
Attachment:Support for CM Leon Resolution re AB 91.pdf;
From: Amin N ash <ami n@aacivi ccounci l .org>
Se nt: Monday, March 24, 2025 12:04 PM
To: The re sa Bass <TBass@anaheim.net>
Cc: Samah De re nkay <Samah@acce sscal.org>; Basha Jami l <BJami l @cai r.com>; Khal i d Hudson <khudson@cai r.com>; CA MEN A
<i nfo@countme nai nca.org>
Subje ct: [EXTERN AL] RE: Support f or Re sol ution titl e d: In Support of AB 91 “The MENA Incl usi on Act”
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Dear Anaheim,
On behalf of the C alifornia Middle E astern and North A frican (ME NA ) C i vil Rights C oali ti on, we strongly support C ounci lmember
Carlos Leon’s Resolution affirming the City of Anaheim’s support for Assembly Bill 91, the MENA Inclusion Act.
Please see the attached letter with the signatures of organizations supporting the resoluti ons.
Once again, thank you for all your tireless support and dedication to these communi ti es. Anahei m is truly a nati onal leader in this
cause.
Regards -
--
Amin Nash
Policy and Research Coordinator
P: 657-206-ARAB E: amin@aaciviccouncil.org
631 S. Brookhurst St. #215, Anaheim, CA 92804
aaciviccouncil.org | DONATE
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Anaheim City Council Resolution Support - AB 91
3/24/2025
Anaheim City Council
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
RE: Support for Resolution titled: In Support of AB 91 “The MENA Inclusion Act”
Dear Mayor Aitken, Mayor Pro Tem Meeks, Councilmember Carlos Leon, and Members of the Anaheim City
Council,
On behalf of the California Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Civil Rights Coalition, we write in strong
support of Councilmember Carlos Leon’s Resolution affirming the City of Anaheim’s support for Assembly Bill
91, the MENA Inclusion Act.
We commend Councilmember Leon for his leadership in introducing this timely and historic resolution. By
recognizing the unique contributions of MENA communities and supporting state-level data equity, Anaheim is
once again demonstrating its role as a leader and champion for communities often misunderstood and
misrepresented.
Anaheim is home to over 30,000 individuals of Middle Eastern and North African descent, including Arab,
Iranian, and Armenian communities. These communities have long contributed to the city’s social, economic,
and cultural vitality - from their presence in healthcare, education, and business sectors to the development of
Little Arabia, a nationally recognized cultural and economic hub.
Despite these contributions, MENA communities have been historically misrepresented or entirely excluded in
demographic data, often subsumed under the “White” category. This classification erases the unique needs and
challenges MENA residents face and severely limits access to resources and representation. As Councilmember
Leon’s resolution accurately affirms, representational data is essential for equitable policy design, city planning,
and service delivery.
Organizations based in Anaheim, such as Access California Services, CAIR-LA, and the Arab American Civic
Council, work daily to address the disparities resulting from this invisibility. Accurate and disaggregated MENA
data will bolster their efforts and empower state and local agencies to better meet community needs—whether in
education, public health, housing, or economic development.
By adopting this resolution, the City of Anaheim sets an important precedent for municipalities across California.
It is an act of solidarity, recognition, and forward-thinking governance. As the federal government moves toward
including a MENA category, California cities must take parallel steps to lead on equity at the state level.
We thank you for your continued leadership and urge the Council to unanimously adopt this resolution. The
MENA community is ready and eager to work with you to build a stronger, more inclusive future for all Anaheim
residents.
Sincerely,
Arab American Civic Council
Access California Services
Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA)
Armenian-American Action Network
Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (ANCA-WR)
National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Action
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Majdal Center: Arab Community Center of San Diego
Somali Family Service of San Diego
Arab Cultural and Community Center in the San Francisco Bay Area