Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) issued a proclamation on Saturday declaring April as Arab American Heritage Month.
Newsom’s statement comes as anti-Israel protests and encampments have sprouted up on university and college campuses across the United States, calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, for the U.S. government to stop arming Israel, and for colleges to divest from Israeli companies.
WATCH — Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian Protesters Clash at UCLA:
Joel B. Pollak / Breitbart News
Hamas, a U.S.-designated Islamic terror group attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, leaving 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 200 people taken as hostages.
In the aftermath of the attack, Israel launched a self-defense operation in the Hamas-controlled territory of Gaza.
“California joins the nation in recognizing Arab American Heritage Month and lifting up the profound and wide-ranging contributions of Arab Americans in all facets of our society,” Newsom said in his statement.
Roughly 95% of Arab Americans in the U.S. live in metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Washington, DC; and New York City, according to the Arab American Institute.
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