Loading ...Bernie Sanders event in Clifton to feature prominent Arab American speakers
By Hannan Adely
NorthJersey.com
Prominent Arab-American activists will speak at the Palestinian American Community Center in Clifton Thursday evening to stump for Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Jim Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, and Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York, will talk about “why Bernie is the best candidate for Arab Americans.” Palestinian-American comedian and writer Amer Zahr also will speak.
The event is sponsored by Sanders’ campaign for the New Jersey primary and by Muslim Americans for Bernie Sanders.
In his bid for the Democratic nomination, Sanders has courted Muslim Americans, who come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and Arab Americans, the majority of whom are Christian. Although their overall numbers aren’t large in the U.S. – Muslims make up about 1 percent of the population, and many live in electoral swing states like Florida, Ohio and Michigan.
Political pundits say that a strong Arab American vote for Sanders helped him pull off a surprise victory in Michigan’s Democratic primary. According to news reports, Arabs voted for Sanders by a 2-to-1 margin. The Sanders campaign is hoping to tap into that kind of support in New Jersey in the primary on Tuesday.
Zogby, a member of the Democratic National Committee, has fought for Arab American political empowerment, for Palestinian rights, and for other causes important to the Arab community for three decades.
Last week, Sanders appointed Zogby to the 15-member committee that will write the Democratic Party platform.
Sarsour,, of Brooklyn, has been a vocal of police surveillance of Muslim communities and discrimination. She and Zahr have been active in Sanders campaign events across the U.S.
The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Palestinian American Community Center, 388 Lakeview Ave., Clifton. It is open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged.
Source: www.northjersey.com