CA MENA Civil Rights Coalition Response to AB 2763 Being Held in Suspense
“Our communities are priceless”:
CA MENA Civil Rights Coalition Appalled by AB 2763 Being Held in Suspense and Ongoing Erasure of California MENA-American Representation, Praises Historical Movement of MENA-Americans for Representation, and Vows to Expand Fight
The California MENA Civil Rights Coalition, representing over twenty MENA-founded and MENA-serving organizations, expresses profound disappointment with the California Assembly Appropriations Committee's decision on May 16th to hold AB 2763, the California MENA Inclusion Act, in suspense amidst budgetary concerns. This decision perpetuates the systemic erasure of Americans who identify as Middle Eastern or North African and ignores their experiences, lives, and voices, continuing to place an undue burden on community members and organizations.
Californians of Middle Eastern or North African descent face unprecedented burdens that lead to stress and civil rights violations, including direct hate and violence. Despite significant contributions to California’s economy and society, MENA communities lack essential data for healthcare, education, and civil rights. Since California does not collect data from the MENA population, community members and organizations must provide assistance to their community, causing immense burdens. Holding AB 2763 in suspense neglects their needs and demonstrates a blatant disregard for their well-being, forcing MENA-serving organizations to operate with minimal support.
We extend our gratitude to supportive legislators, including the bill’s authors Bilal Essayli (R-73) and Laura Friedman (D-44), alongside the legislators who supported the bill, including Isaac Bryan (D-55), Matt Haney (D-17), Diane Dixon (R-72), Kate Sanchez (R-71), and Mike Fong (D-49). Their support signifies a step towards recognizing the contributions and needs of the MENA population.
The fight for data on MENA populations has been a decades-long effort led by impacted communities who understand the daily reality of invisibility and lack of representation for families in California. The absence of a MENA category in California perpetuates this invisibility, leading to uninformed policymakers who cannot advocate for their MENA constituents' unique needs.
While the federal recognition of a MENA census category is a significant step, more granular data collection at the state level remains essential. State data informs federal collection, and vital information, such as death certificates and COVID-19 rates, is unattainable without a state-mandated demographic category. Disaggregated data impacts investments in our communities, materially affecting areas such as healthcare access, education, and civil rights. AB 2763 would have addressed these inequities by ensuring public funds are allocated to meet the specific needs of the MENA community, promoting more efficient resource allocation with accurate data.
Legislation like the CA MENA Inclusion Act would have positive, widespread impacts across California, enabling state agencies and departments to provide targeted assistance to communities that contribute significantly to the state. Recognizing MENA Californians through such legislation is also a wise budgetary move, as resources would be allocated more efficiently with accurate data.
The MENA community has significantly contributed to California’s economy yet continues to face marginalization and systemic erasure. MENA populations have been instrumental in building California, from Persian Square in Los Angeles to Little Arabia in Anaheim to Armenian Town in Fresno. California’s MENA immigrant population alone contributes over $1.5 billion annually in taxpayer revenue. Despite this, we endure historical and ongoing discrimination. California has a long way to go to address the wrongs inflicted on MENA populations, from attacks on refugees in El Cajon, Modesto, and Santa Ana to redlining in Los Angeles, Fresno, and Glendale. Passing MENA inclusion is crucial for ensuring an equitable future for all Californians.
The #CountMENAinCA Campaign, a historic movement led by the MENA community, has demonstrated the power of collective action and civic engagement. We call on MENA Californians to join us in urging local governments to adopt policies recognizing the MENA population, using AB 2763 as a model to push for MENA recognition in policy and legislation.
The CA MENA Coalition deeply understands the critical importance of community representation and activism. Sacramento’s decision has rendered our community invisible, unheard, and lacking official recognition. This is not merely a political issue but a matter of human rights and dignity.
We remain optimistic and resolute in our mission. The MENA community will continue to rise and demand representation. We encourage local communities to urge their counties and cities to adopt policies recognizing the MENA population, using AB 2763 as a model to disaggregate demographic data and provide the recognition our communities deserve.
We stress that this failure is California's, not the MENA population’s. Had California been more responsible with its budget and more inclusive in its recognition of the MENA community, such advocacy would not be necessary. We vow to expand this movement and fight for the visibility and rights of Americans of MENA descent.
The California MENA Civil Rights Coalition remains committed to ensuring that our communities are recognized and valued. We will not be erased.
Signed,
Arab American Civic Council
Armenian-American Action Network
National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Action
Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA)
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Somali Family Service of San Diego
Arab Cultural and Community Center in San Francisco Bay Area
Access California Services
MENAarts Newsletter
National Network of Arab American Communities (NNAAC)
National Arab American Medical Association
MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition
Assemblymember Essayli, lead author of AB 2763, made the following statement:
“I am extremely disappointed by the Assembly Appropriation Committee’s decision not to pass AB 2763 this year. Despite the incredible advocacy work by dozens of MENA community organizations and thousands of individuals across the state, the Committee deemed this bill ‘too costly.’ What is the cost of representation to communities that have been denied a seat at the table for decades?
Many politicians will pay lip service to our MENA residents when it is politically expedient, yet will shirk their responsibilities when it comes to passing a policy that will materially benefit those same constituencies.
While AB 2763 has been rejected this year, the fight for a truly inclusive MENA checkbox does not stop here. I am fully committed to working with all stakeholders on this critical issue moving forward. MENA Californians have shown their resiliency over and over again, and this roadblock will not stop us. I hope the California Legislature will recognize the importance of the MENA Inclusion Act, and we will get this policy signed into law next year.”
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