American Arab Chamber fights for rights of Arab Gas and Grocery Store Owners in Chicago
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce has been defending the rights of Arab and Arab-Muslim stores owners in the face of a racist and discriminatory assault against our rights by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Building Department. Whenever a crime occurs near an Arab-owned store in Chicago, that store is closed down. But when crime happens in front of other businesses, Mayor Lightfoot, who champions Black and LGBTQ rights, does nothing. The racist campaign began in June 2020 and has resurged in May 2020
June 2022
CAN TV Interview on Political Forum June 22, 2022 with Chamber member and Op-Ed columnist Ray Hanania. Click here to view the Youtube video interview or use the widget below
May 2022
New wave of closures Ordered by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Chicago Aldermen begin examination of accusations against Mayor, Building Department and Racist Task Force that targets Arab and Arab-Muslim stores in Chicago.
The best way to fight Mayor Lightfoot’s racism is to put a spotlight on it with the Chicagoland news media
#Continued lies & racism from @ChicagoMayor @LoriLightfoot who targets #ArabStoreOwners in racist crackdown of #ArabBusinesses. But she’s hosting an #EidCelebration May17 at #AlHambraPalace where Lightfoot’s lies are embraced. Click to read Chicago Tribune Story
Here are links from the news media coverage from May 2022
WLS ABC TV CLICK TO VIEW
WBBM CBS TV CLICK TO VIEW
Chicago Sun-Times. CLICK TO READ
The Blaze. CLICK TO READ
FOX TV News CLICK TO VIEW
WataugaNews CLICK TO VIEW
The Arab Daily News CLICK TO VIEW
Chicago news media at Arab Chamber Press Conference at store at 3759 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago closed May 3, 2021 for no reason
SEPT 2021
Read the Press Statement Sept. 2021 defending Arab American, Asian store owners targeted by a Special Task Force of police and inspectors and forced to close their store between a week and 3 months over frivolous and trumped up code violations. CLICK HERE TO READ PDF RELEASE
“The City of Chicago is intentionally seeking to wrongly shut down Arab owned gas stations and grocery stores over minor code violations that can easily be fixed without shutting down the stores,” AACC resident Hassan Nijem told the news media. More than 50 businesses have been closed resulting in the loss of ore than 300 – 500 jobs in Chicago, as well as Chicago taxpayers losing sales taxes, gasoline taxes and services.
Below you will find photos, videos and links to news stories
defending the rights of Arab business owners
American Arab Chamber stands with Gas Station and Grocery store owners unfairly and wrongly targeted by the City of Chicago inspectors. Joining the press conference is Ald. Raymond Lopez with Chamber President Hassan Nijem and store owners
In addition to these media links below, the press conference was reported on by WLS TV Chicago, WBBM TV Chicago, WGN TV Chicago, WMAQ TV Chicago, WBBM AM 780 Radio and WVON 1390AM Radio with Perri Small
Southwest News Newspaper Group Opinion: Attack Crime not Arabs Madam Mayor Click here to read column
DesPlaines Valley News/Regional News Click here to read
Suburban Chicagoland Op-Ed column Sept. 22, 2021 Click to read the column
Chicago Tribune story Sept. 17, 2021 Click to read story
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- Texas News Today Story Sept. 17, 2021 Click to read story
- Pantagraph Illinois Newspaper, Sept. 17, 2021 Click to Read story
- Texas News Today Story Sept. 17, 2021 Click to read story
Arab News Newspaper story Sept. 14, 2021 Click to read story
Chicago Sun-Times Story Sept. 13, 2021 Click to read story
FOX 32 TV News Chicago Story Sept. 13, 2021 Click to read story and view video
FOX TV News National Sept. 13, 2021 Click to read story and view video
Patch News Online, Sept. 12, 2021 Click to read story
Suburban Chicagoland online news Sept. 8, 2021 Click to read story
US News Wire Service Sept. 1, 2021 Click to read story
Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) joins Chamber president Hassan Nijem and 25 gas and grocery store owners. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
CLICK HERE TO VIEW STATEMENTS from store owners
or use the widget below to view the video
A dozen news media reporters from newspapers, TV stations an dradio covered the press conference held by American Arab Chamber of Commerce on Monday Sept. 13, 2021. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
The Chamber met with business members on Sept. 9, 2021 at the Palestine Club in Bridgeview to coordinate the fight against the city’s unfair crackdown. Here is a photo of that meeting and preliminary coverage from the Chicago News Media.
Preliminary meeting to stand up to the City of Chicago’s unfair crackdown on Arab owned gas stations and grocery stores in Chicago at the Palestine Club on Sept. 9, 2021. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
