Economy and order
on the table for
Allentown's Arabs

A dozen members are gathered for the first BBQ since late March when the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the world. Usually, up to 50 people would attend to eat, plan charity events, play cards and talk politics.

For a politician, they are a group you want on your side. In 2017, the victorious mayoral candidate, Ed Pawlowski, celebrated his win at a Syrian-owned restaurant and thanked the Arab-American community for contributing to his victory.

Pennsylvania is a critical swing state and is considered one of the 'big four' most likely to decide the Electoral College and consequently the winner of November’s presidential election.

The thousands of Arab-Americans in Allentown and the wider Lehigh Valley could, therefore, play an important role in deciding the outcome.

Most members of the group trace their roots to Syria, though it is open to all people of Middle Eastern descent.

Some have been in the US for generations, others immigrated recently. They are retired steelworkers, police officers, businessmen and engineers.

Inside an old brick building in Allentown’s working-class 6th Ward, the smell of grilled meat permeates as the group gathers around tables arranged in a large U-shape.

Chairs are carefully spaced as the members try their best to keep a safe distance, but it’s difficult – especially for a group who would usually hug, embrace and be close.

“We’re very close-knit, like family,” says Radwan Jarrouj, Ayoub’s younger brother.

Everyone around the table says they are non-political, but within minutes the conversation has turned to the election.

“Look at us, we’re so American, we’re divided,” says Radwan. “In the same family, you have Trump and Biden supporters.”

“In my family, I’m lucky,” says Egyptian-born Abraham Gawad, a staunch Democrat. 

Radwan jumps in: “Yeah, you’re lucky – they’re all Trump supporters,” he teases.

These are the kinds of exchanges that fill the evening, but despite the good-natured goading, everyone is passionate about their affiliations. Most at the table lean towards Republican, especially those from the mainly Greek Orthodox Wadi Al Nasara, or Valley of the Christians, in Western Syria.

Over the past four years, many have become fierce supporters of President Donald Trump, despite his tough sanctions against their homeland and his 2017 executive order to ban Syrian refugees.

“For people around here, he talks to us,” Radwan, a retired steelworker, says about the president.

“He’s communicating to us. He’s telling us he’s going to protect our livelihood, we’re going to have the steel mills back, we’re going to manufacture our own steel, have our own oil, we’re going to be independent, that’s what he tells me.”

Nagi Latefa doesn’t agree. The Gaza-born engineer says that under Mr Trump, America’s standing in the world has slipped and it is being outpaced by China on the international stage.

“We can out-innovate anyone because we have the best minds, the best institutions, the best capabilities when it comes to computing, but Trump isn’t doing that,” he says.

Throughout the evening, the discussion often flows back to the protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in May.

The Syrian community is deeply rooted in the city and has a strong relationship with the Allentown police department – It is not uncommon for a uniformed officer to drop in on the event to say hello.

“I think it [law and order] is a big issue for the community,” says Joe Hanna, Allentown’s former chief of police who is currently county sheriff for the Lehigh Valley.

Sherriff Hanna is a third-generation Syrian American and serves as the vice president of the Syrian-Arab American Charity Association.

“I think what we’re experiencing right now is almost like a runaway train … it’s going to continue unless there’s some kind of law enforcement intervention,” Mr Hanna says about the protests and riots since Floyd's death.

“I’m not talking about going in and clubbing people. I’m talking about, within the confines of the law, exercising the law of arrest, due process and using our justice system to come to a legal resolution that we’ve used for centuries. We’ve lost that somewhere.”

Abraham interrupts: “Chief, that’s the reason why we’re voting for Biden, so we can have a solution instead of just further dividing and fighting.”

While they may disagree about the solutions, they find common ground in the reason for their passionate debate. 

Many at the table left their homelands because of war and lawlessness. There is a palpable fear that America, a place they helped build and finally feel safe, is heading in the wrong direction.

“This is the most important election ever. It’s about losing America,” warns Radwan.

“America gave every one of us an opportunity. So many people come here from places looking for a better life and America has given that to them.”