Laserfiche WebLink
Alcala, Abigail <br />From: coachshark < <br />Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 3:50 PM <br />To: eComment <br />Subject: AGENDA ITEM PLEASE INCLUDE AGENDA ITEM 24 <br />Am: eiifl.W�ur:: Tlfis eu uffl nroiiOna1n°n9 fug-oai onut;n de o, 'Cu y oro ' S: nu a Anna. Use can fionn when opelfing aflac4gaien1n or finks. <br />Santa Ana City Council <br />Reason: Item 24 <br />Date: March 19, 2024 <br />Dear City Councilmembers and Mayor, <br />My name is Shirin Senegal, a Palestinian American and Canadian citizen, and I along with a few <br />individuals led the Cease Fire in the City of Long Beach. I'm the progeny of survivors from the 1948 <br />Nabka, an event that led to the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians and the loss of thousands of <br />lives. My heritage is intertwined with a narrative of displacement, occupation, and resilience. <br />As a child, I vividly recall feeling a void in my heart, an emptiness I later understood as a common <br />sentiment among Palestinians worldwide. This sense of loss emanates from our collective history and <br />the ongoing struggles of my people. Despite this, we take pride in our origins from the Holy Land and <br />the responsibility we bear towards it. Yet, the landscape of our coexistence changed with the advent <br />of Zionist colonial projects, creating divisions in communities that once lived harmoniously. <br />My upbringing emphasized unity among people, regardless of their backgrounds. This philosophy <br />resonated with me as I moved to this country, where I built a diverse community that became my <br />family. As an entrepreneur and nonprofit leader, I've advocated for women, communities of color, and <br />individuals impacted by the justice system. <br />However, the current situation in Gaza brings me profound pain. My family, residing there, faces <br />unimaginable hardships: homes and businesses destroyed, a lack of basic necessities, and living in <br />constant fear and danger. This situation is a daily reality for my cousin and his family, who recently <br />endured torture and now live in fear as violence surrounds them. Their resilience and faith in the face <br />of such adversity are a testament to the Palestinian spirit. <br />Yet, this struggle is notjust about Palestinians. It's about human dignity and the right to live in peace. <br />I've dedicated my life to serving various communities, drawing inspiration from my Islamic faith, which <br />1 <br />