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Middle East Eye
17-04-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
'Discrimination': Arab American event moved from Amazon headquarters
Amazon refused to host an event celebrating Arab American culture at the eleventh hour, prompting fears that the move was 'discriminatory' and part of a broader systemic effort to suppress Arab American voices and visibility. The National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration was scheduled to take place on 9 April at Amazon East Coast headquarters in Arlington, Virginia (known as HQ2), to honour the achievements of people from the Arab-American community. Organisers had been planning the event for six months and began working with Amazon's employee resource group, Arabs at Amazon, in mid-February to coordinate logistics. The group has 4,000 members worldwide. Then, on 7 April, 48 hours before the event was due to take place, Amazon announced that it was "postponing" the event. One of the key organisers of the event was Warren David, co-founder of the Arab America Foundation (AAF). He established National Arab American Heritage Month in 2017, commemorating Arab American heritage and culture each April. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The commemoration has been an annual event since 2017, celebrating the contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. David spoke to Middle East Eye about his disappointment with the incident, given the extensive work done on the event and the lack of clarity on why it was being cancelled. 'It was quite disheartening for us to be denied doing this event by Amazon after we had booked all of these different speakers,' David said. 'Normally, venues work with you on resolving technicalities for an event. We felt Amazon were trying to find loopholes to not hold the event. After they cancelled it, Amazon told both Arab and non-Arab employees not to attend the event. Then there was the stress. We only had 48 hours to rearrange.' The event featured speakers, musicians, and almost 300 attendees registered from across the country who were flying in and had booked accommodation, making it impossible for AAF and Arabs at Amazon to postpone the event. David said they had to scramble to find an alternative venue. 'We found a church - literally, thank God, that took us in - an Arab church that was willing to host the event,' he said. Musicians performing at the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration, on 9 April 2025 (Arab America Foundation) The event was held at Saint Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac - around a 50-minute drive without traffic from the original venue. AAF had to organise a shuttle bus for those staying in hotels near the Amazon headquarters, while others who did not see their emails with the updated venue details went to the Amazon venue. The organisers believe they lost 100 attendees because of the venue change. Internal pressure David had heard from Arabs at Amazon that they were under pressure internally. 'I don't know all the details, but I know that they were under pressure, and there were certain things that they were trying to comply with and so forth. Amazon were questioning some of the speakers that were there.' He added that Amazon's diversity and inclusion staff told Arabs at Amazon that some administrative things needed to be completed that they were not aware of. 'They didn't know about it and weren't on boarded,' he said. 'They wanted talking points of the speakers that were going to be at our event. They wanted to know exactly what they were going to say and things like that. It was a week before. Arabs at Amazon complied and gave them a lot of the information they needed, but they said it was too late.' Inside the campaign to end Microsoft's collaboration with the Israeli army Read More » David said AAF had invited Palestinian American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to speak, and Amazon had been 'concerned' about her coming as well. "Judging from the past and what's happened to us with the Hilton Hotel and so forth, we don't know for certain but can only assume we were discriminated against," David said. Brad Glasser, a spokesperson for Amazon, denied Amazon had cancelled the event. 'Amazon didn't cancel this event. When employees request to use our spaces to host a community gathering, they're responsible for ensuring it complies with company policy and has the required approvals. That's true for every event, and unfortunately, the organizers failed to fulfill that responsibility,' the spokesperson said. Amazon told MEE they had repeatedly reminded the organisers of the company's requirements. When MEE asked Amazon for more details on how organisers failed to comply with company policy or for evidence that Amazon had reminded the organisers of the requirements repeatedly, they did not respond. Precedence David said that there was historical precedent for AAF's events being cancelled. The organisation's annual summit, which was due to take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld in November 2023, was cancelled by the hotel, citing security reasons, despite the fact that the AAF were planning to hire security. However, the Department of Justice said the hotel had discriminated against the AAF and filed a complaint in January, alleging that the owner of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel had discriminated based on national origin when it cancelled AAF's annual summit almost a month after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. The owner of the hotel reached an agreement with the Department of Justice after the agency sued, alleging discrimination. David said that his organisation was not political. 'What's really interesting is that the Arab America Foundation is a nonprofit. We have no political agenda at all. We're all about heritage, culture, empowering Arab Americans, identity, all of that.' David believes the current climate of discrimination against Arabs and Muslims is the worst he has ever witnessed. 'There's a history of denigrating Arabs and Muslims and so forth, but this is probably the worst I've ever seen it,' he said. 'I think this is even worse than [after] 9/11."
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Breaking News: Amazon Cancels National Arab American Heritage Month 2025 Commemoration
Decision Reflects a Broader, Systematic Effort to Suppress Arab American Voices and Visibility 'Arab Americans have faced harmful stereotypes. It's ironic and disheartening that an event to uplift our voices and counter that narrative would be canceled during a month to celebrate who we are.' — Warren David, President, Arab America WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, April 8, 2025 / / -- We deeply regret to announce the cancellation of the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration 2025, scheduled for April 9, 2025, at Amazon HQ Theater. This decision was made unilaterally by Amazon Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The specific reason for this last-minute cancellation remains unclear. Arab Americans have faced systematic efforts to suppress Arab American voices and visibility. Since mid-February, the Arab America Foundation has been working in partnership with Amazon to coordinate this important event, which is expected to welcome nearly 300 attendees from across the country. The abrupt nature of the cancellation, just days before the event, came as a profound shock to our organization and community. Despite their full awareness of the event's purpose and scope, we received no indication of concern or conflict until we were informed of the cancellation on April 7—48 hours before the event. 'We are disappointed to share that Amazon has canceled our national event recognizing Arab American contributions during National Arab American Heritage Month,' said Warren David, President of Arab America and Co-Founder of the Arab America Foundation. 'For decades, Arab Americans have faced harmful stereotypes in the media and from public officials, contributing to a distorted image of our community. It is deeply ironic—and disheartening—that an event to uplift our voices and counter that narrative would be canceled during a month to celebrate who we are. We now find ourselves having to rearrange our plans urgently because we were rejected for upholding the very principles we stand for: inclusion, equity, and the right to be seen and heard as Arab Americans.' In response, and as soon as possible, we have secured an alternate venue to ensure this meaningful commemoration continues. The event will take place on the same day at 6:00 pm: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 6:00 pm Banquet Hall Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church 10620 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this sudden change may cause. We understand the disappointment and frustration this news may bring to our valued registrants, members of the Arab diplomatic corps, Arab American community leaders, speakers, performers, and sponsors. The Arab America Foundation (AAF) ( is a nonprofit (501c3) educational and cultural organization dedicated to promoting Arab heritage, empowering and educating others about Arab identity, connecting Arab Americans, and building coalitions with diverse communities across the U.S. We appreciate your understanding and continued support. To Register for the Event, Click Here Warren David Arab America Foundation +1 313-999-6000 Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer:
Arab News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Mixture of energy, solemnity during this year's Arab American Heritage Month
Chicago: This year's Arab American Heritage Month is being celebrated in a mixed atmosphere of energetic pride and solemn concern for events overseas, under the theme 'Honoring the past, inspiring the future.' Arab Americans used to celebrate at different times in different states, but the community came together in 2017 to consolidate the heritage month in April. Leaders from around the country said this year's celebrations have a solemn tone because of turmoil in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Warren David, president of the Arab America Foundation, told Arab News: 'We'll honor legendary songstress Umm Kulthum on the 50th anniversary of her passing. We're also partnering with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for a special workshop on understanding Arabic music.' He said an 'exceptional' performance is being planned at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage in Washington D.C., entitled 'Sounds of the Arab world' and featuring musician Nibal Malshi. However, David acknowledged that Israeli violence 'has dampened the celebration as many Arab Americans are distraught with the current situation — tragic loss of life, no ceasefire, no plan for a Palestinian state. We hope to see a peaceful solution.' He added that while Arab American Heritage Month is officially recognized by 20 US states, AAF is working to secure recognition from the remaining 30. According to the Arab American Institute, there are about 3.5 million Arabs in the US, in all 50 states. Major populations are located in 11 states: California, Michigan, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia. To mark Arab American Heritage Month, AAI is hosting a celebration on April 3 at the Theater Alliance in Washington D.C., featuring playwright Kareem Fahmy and comedian Rola Z. Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a video and statement on X saying: 'Happy Arab American Heritage Month, Michigan. This month, we celebrate Michigan's strong, proud Arab-American community. 'They have, and continue to make, immeasurable contributions to our state's economy, culture and our future. 'Michigan is a stronger, better state because of the diverse groups of people who call it home. This month and all year long, let's celebrate our friends and neighbors in this community.' Several New York legislators, all Democrats, took to X to applaud Arab American Heritage Month. New York City Assembly member Harvey Epstein said: 'Let's celebrate all that Arab-American culture brings to New York.' New York State Sen. Pete Harckham said: 'We acknowledge the amazing contributions of Arab Americans both nationally and here in New York.' The month, he added, is 'a time to celebrate the rich culture, contributions and history of Arab Americans who've enriched our communities and nation. 'From culture and science to activism and business, Arab Americans continue to thrive and inspire.' New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said: 'This Arab American Heritage Month, I celebrate Arab-American achievements and culture across the arts and sciences, in business and industry, in education and medicine, and in every branch of the military. These contributions enrich our nation and move us toward a brighter future.' In Illinois, Hassan Nijem, president of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, told Arab News that celebrations are being planned with several elected officials including Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, who had her website and services brochures translated into Arabic. The annual Arab American Festival and Miss Arab USA pageant, both in Arizona, are recognized as the largest Arab heritage celebrations nationwide, and attract communities from across the country.
