Washington, DC | www.adc.org | September 25, 2024 – Last night, the US Senate unanimously passed the resolution honoring Wadee AlFayoumi, recognizing the importance of the Palestinian keffiyeh as a symbol of Palestinian culture, and highlighting the danger of dehumanizing and demonizing rhetoric which contributed to Wadee’s brutal murder. This historic passage marks the first time Congress recognizes Palestinian Americans in a resolution, placing them in the Congressional Record as symbols of resilience and pride.
The Muslim Civic Coalition drafted the resolution in partnership with ADC, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and was successfully passed due to incredible advocacy from community members across the country.
ADC National Government Affairs and Advocacy Director Chris Habiby said, “Palestinian Americans, like Arab Americans more broadly, are a proud and beautiful community representing the best of our nation. This resolution is a strong statement denouncing the hate that motivated Wadee’s murder and the attack on his mother and pushes back against false narratives demonizing Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Americans. What is clear is that hate has no place in America, and every child deserves to live in safety while thriving. It was an honor to work with and support the Muslim Civic Coalition as we ensured that Wadee’s name is forever remembered in the halls of Congress.”