The Yemeni American News<\/p>\n
Even we have to admit that it\u2019s been one of the rockiest election seasons in recent times. On the federal level, the future of the country depends on a polarizing decision for every American citizen. In the local areas that we cover, like Hamtramck and Detroit, vitriolic competition has captured the debate surrounding who steers our institutions into the coming years.<\/p>\n
Elections are for picking the best person for the job, the best direction for schools and criminal justice, and the best way to move forward. In a way, this is the revolution that changes leadership every term. So to make sense of our coverage and our stance on the issues, we\u2019ve included who we think are the best for the future.<\/p>\n
The Editorial Team at the Yemeni American News didn\u2019t compile this list to tell you how to vote in August and November. Nothing will replace your research on the issues that you care about. Still, we\u2019ve have done our research and feel that there\u2019d be something missing if we didn\u2019t make any endorsements.<\/p>\n
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THE LOCAL: Hamtramck, Dearborn and Detroit.<\/p>\n
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Hamtramck Public Schools Bond 2020: <\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that we\u2019re in support of the bond. Education is something that everyone should care about, even if we have different opinions about how it should be done.<\/p>\n We\u2019re voting yes on the Hamtramck Public Schools Bond 2020 because we\u2019ve seen the state of the district. We\u2019ve heard testimonials from students and staff, and we\u2019ve heard every argument there is for and against the bond.<\/p>\n Students aren\u2019t just uncomfortable with the way things are in the district, they\u2019re reporting sickness from overheated schools and deplorable facilities. Staff are nervous about the state of the portable classrooms near Dickinson East. We have students that need to learn in the 21st<\/sup> century if they ever want to contribute to the 21st<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a lot of arguments against it, like the fact that the rate of poverty in the area may not justify such a large bond. But it still begs the question, is keeping educational quality low the right solution to poverty?<\/p>\n In the American Dream, generational wealth is accumulated through a quality education. And we support that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abraham Aiyash for District 4 State Representative:<\/em><\/p>\n He\u2019s not only the best for the job, he\u2019s one of Hamtramck\u2019s own. Abraham Aiyash is a dynamic character in politics who\u2019s been able to show up in Southeast Michigan\u2019s progressive political scene. We think he\u2019s the best for the job because of his continued support for the issues, his connection with the late representative Isaac Robinson, and his refreshing and youthful idealism.<\/p>\n Aiyash has been involved with Hamtramck throughout his entire life. Having grown up in the city, there\u2019s always knowing that the city\u2019s most pertinent interests will be represented in Lansing. His progressive platform is part of the broader move that this country needs toward a more equitable culture and economic system.<\/p>\n Make no mistake, there are a lot of great candidates in the race for Isaac Robinson\u2019s seat. And while the decision on who belongs in that seat was difficult, we realize there\u2019s no better person for the place in Michigan\u2019s Capital than Abraham Aiyash.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abdullah Hammoud for District 15 State Representative Re-Election: <\/em><\/p>\n Don\u2019t fix what isn\u2019t broken. Abdullah Hammoud has been in the news as one of the most decorated public health advocates the Michigan House of Representatives has to offer. Throughout the past few months of this term, he\u2019s introduced consumer protection initiatives and bolstered prescription drug access throughout the height of Michigan\u2019s epidemic.<\/p>\n We support Abdullah Hammoud\u2019s re-election because of that professionalism during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In such an uncertain time of American history, Hammoud is a refreshing actor of reason.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WAYNE COUNTY<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy for Re-Election:<\/em><\/p>\n The circumstances of this time period in US History has demanded change for the criminal justice system. It\u2019s our belief that there are two great candidates running who are positioned well to steer that change. Because in a city that\u2019s 80% African American, we do need better.<\/p>\n But what a lot of people may not have seen is a proactive approach to change that Kym Worthy has actively steered since before she was Wayne County\u2019s Chief Prosecutor. Looking all the way back to her first major assignment, when she successfully prosecuted the police who killed Malice Green, Worthy claims this was the first example of police being successfully prosecuted for police brutality.<\/p>\n Criminal Justice is a precise act that requires equity for the accused and justice for the abused. Worthy has shown, through policies like the Conviction Integrity Unit and the bolstered Special Victims\u2019 Rights that her office can skillfully navigate all of the 21st<\/sup> century\u2019s demands on one of the most archaic professions in the United States.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree for Re-Election:<\/em><\/p>\n Another hotly debated process in the city of Detroit has been its financial obligations. Very recently under Emergency Management, the city holds a responsibility to the people on both sides of Woodward and on both sides of the Aisle in Lansing. Above any other city in Michigan, Detroit is held under careful watch.<\/p>\n A worse treasurer would call for sweeping reform that balances the budgets at the cost of Detroiters\u2019 dignity. Under the direction of Eric Sabree, the Treasurer\u2019s office has been able to preserve dignity while maintaining progress on the region\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not only that Eric Sabree is the highest American Muslim holding an elected office in the State of Michigan. It\u2019s that he\u2019s available for the challenges of everyday life, like his help in events like Hamtramck Public School Public Forums. His work to preserve the financial stability of families through various initiatives has also built an important relationship with every home in Wayne County.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon for Re-Election:<\/em><\/p>\n Throughout the George Floyd Protests, the City of Detroit showed a different protest than the rest of the country, and even the rest of the state. Detroit didn\u2019t see any violence. Sheriff Benny Napoleon says this may be because of the goals that initiatives like community policing have corrected.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that policing is a local function,\u201d Sheriff Napoleon said in an Interview with Detroit Public TV. \u201cPeople have a right to determine how they\u2019re being policed. As police officers, we don\u2019t have a right to determine how we police a community.\u201d<\/p>\n While public opinion may ebb and flow toward one cause and the next, Police Brutality has remained one of the most lasting issues in the United States Criminal Justice System. We endorse Sheriff Napoleon for re-election because of his dynamic attitude toward meeting the needs of one of the most diverse communities in the United States.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ON THE NATIONAL STAGE:<\/p>\n Debbie Dingell for 12th<\/sup> Congressional District Re-Election: <\/em><\/p>\n Michigan needs all the progressive help we can get. Although Congressperson Debbie Dingell may not be the text-book example of a powerhouse progressive, her work has shown a clear understanding of the issues at play in the State, Nation and World.<\/p>\n In 2019, Dingell opposed a bill that would condemn the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement against the State of Israel, preserving free speech and maintaining the effort as a legitimate act of opposition to Israel\u2019s occupation of the Palestinian People.<\/p>\n For many career politicians, the work can outline a candidates difficulties in office. For Dingell, the opposite has happened as her focus on democratic policy has been sharpened with time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rashida Tlaib for 13th<\/sup> Congressional District Re-Election:<\/em><\/p>\n Standing truth to power is all in a day\u2019s work for this powerhouse of a Congress Member. Rashida Tlaib has made her mark in Washington as one of the seminal members of a progressive wing of democrats going up against some of America\u2019s oldest institutions, and even the president himself.<\/p>\n Although Tlaib\u2019s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has drawn the criticism of many pro-Israel Americans, people within her district report an exceptionally devoted leader to the area\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n Making history was part of the role that Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley have all taken an essential role in shifting the American political conversation. Now that there\u2019s some progress, we support another term for Rep. Rashida Tlaib.<\/p>\n