Boulder County, Colo. -- The Boulder County Commissioners have proclaimed April as Arab American Heritage Month in Boulder County, calling on residents to raise their own awareness of the contributions of Arab Americans and Arab immigrants, to take action to combat anti-Arab bigotry, and to work to create a fully-inclusive Boulder County. The proclamation was made in the commissioners’ weekly Business Meeting.

The first National Arab American Heritage Month was recognized in 2021.

Online education resources on the history of Arab Americans and Arab immigrants can be found on the Smithsonian’s Learning Lab website. Additional online resources are available through the Arab American National Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate.

2024 Boulder County Arab American Heritage Month Proclamation

WHEREAS, Arab American Heritage Month celebrates Arab Americans throughout the past and present, and recognizes their invaluable contributions to the United States; and

WHEREAS, the achievements of Arab Americans and Arab immigrants are reflected in the arts and sciences; in businesses and faith communities; in classrooms and hospitals; and in police stations, firehouses, and every branch of the military; and

WHEREAS, the Arab American and Arab immigrant community is made up of individuals with roots in countries located in the Middle East and North Africa and these individuals also identify with various religions, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities; and

WHEREAS, within their diverse community, Arab Americans and Arab immigrants are united by their primary language—Arabic—as well as by their shared history and culture; and

WHEREAS, immigrants, including Arab immigrants, are the backbone of our history and valuable contributors to our communities, civic life, and prosperity, and deserve respect, empathy, and support; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans and Arab immigrants have often experienced intense bigotry, hate speech, and biased crimes, and Arab American Heritage Month serves as a time to combat anti-Arab bigotry and to challenge stereotypes and prejudices; and

WHEREAS, Boulder County condemns hate speech and biased crime against our Arab American and Arab immigrant community, as well as all other attacks based on a person's ancestry or ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, race, religion, religious practice, disability, gender, marital status, actual or perceived age or sexual orientation.

Now therefore, the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners do hereby proclaim that the month of April 2024 is recognized as Arab American Heritage Month in Boulder County and urges all residents to actively raise their own awareness of the contributions of Arab Americans and Arab immigrants, to take action to combat anti-Arab bigotry, and to work to create a fully-inclusive Boulder County.

ADOPTED this 2nd day of April 2024

Commissioner Claire Levy

Commissioner Marta Loachamin

Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann

To Report Hate or Bias-related Crime

The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office operates a hotline for community members to report hate or bias-related crime: 303-441-1595. This number is for non-emergencies only. Call 911 for crimes in progress.

The District Attorney’s Office coordinates with other local agencies to help people file reports, assist with the investigation, and help provide resources. It is critical to report hate crimes not only to show support and get help for victims, but also to send a clear message that the community will not tolerate these kinds of crimes. Reporting hate crimes allows communities and law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem in a community and put resources toward preventing and addressing attacks based on bias and hate.

• Contact the Board of County Commissioners

• View Commissioners' Meeting Documents and Records

• Visit the County Commissioners' webpage