Photo courtesy of Bill Chapman (caption below)

DEARBORN, Mich. – As support for the Campaign to TAKE ON HATE grows nationwide, officials in the City of Dearborn, known for its large Arab and Muslim American population, yesterday publicly endorsed the Campaign and its objectives.

At a meeting March 31, the Dearborn City Council, along with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, publicly pledged their support of the Campaign, which strives to address bias and discrimination, particularly toward Arab and Muslim Americans, and stands against bigotry toward all people.

"I am proud to stand with the Dearborn City Council and the Campaign to TAKE ON HATE,” said Dingell. “We all want our community to be a place where everyone feels welcome and respected. You cannot fight intolerance with intolerance, and this resolution sends a powerful message that we are united in our efforts to counter stereotypes, overcome prejudice and end hate.”

Council President Susan Dabaja introduced a resolution to officially join the Campaign to TAKE ON HATE, led by the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), a project of Dearborn-based nonprofit ACCESS. The resolution passed unanimously.

“It’s not just about the Arab American or Muslim community. It’s about everyone here in this room,” said Dabaja at the meeting.

The support of elected officials is essential to the Campaign. The bias inherently built into many government policies jeopardizes the rights of all Americans, including Muslims and Arabs. TAKE ON HATE aims to change the policies that negatively impact communities while supporting those policies that proactively aid communities.

"The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE welcomes the support of the Dearborn City Council and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.  We appreciate their promise to stand with us against hate that leads to violence and targeting of people because of their faith and ethnicity,” said Nadia Tonova, executive director of NNAAC.

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The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE strives to address issues of bias and discrimination, particularly toward Arab and Muslim Americans, and stands against bigotry toward all people.

See more photos of Dearborn City Council and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joining TAKE ON HATE.

Photo caption: Back Row (left to right): Brian O’Donnell –  Dearborn Councilmember, Thomas Tafelski – Dearborn Councilmember, Joseph Murray – Dearborn Fire Chief, Robert Abraham – Dearborn Councilmember, Ronald Haddad – Dearborn Police Chief, Rachid Elabed – Advocacy & Civic Engagement Specialist for NNAAC, National Network for Arab American Communities; Middle row (left to right): Brigitte Fawaz Anouti – Director of ACCESS Social Services and Special Projects, Nadia Tonova Director of NNAAC (National Network for Arab American Communities), Ali Baleed Almaklani – Member of ACCESS Emeritus Board of Directors, Hassan Jaber – Executive Director of ACCESS, David Bazzy – Dearborn Councilmember, Susan Dabaja – Dearborn City Council President, Debbie Dingell – Congresswoman, John B. O’Reilly – Dearborn Mayor, Michael Sareini – Dearborn Councilmember, Mark Shooshanian – Dearborn Councilmember, Lina  Harajli – ACCESS Chief Operating Officer (COO), Wisam Qasem-Fakhoury – Director of Finance; Front row: youth of the ACCESS ACTS program (Photo courtesy of Bill Chapman)