Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Free eNewsletter
    • eNewsletter SignUp
    • View past eNewsletters
  • Toggle search form
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin Civil Rights
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race American Arabs
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections American Arabs
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon American Arabs
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land American Arabs
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Appeal of Mediterranean foods continue to rise among consumers Culture
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Activism
  • Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations
    Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach Activism
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022 Activism
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast Arab News
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
  • Voting sticker issued to voters in Cook County elections in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions — no Arabs included American Arabs

Importance of Arab American labor leader Nagi Daifullah

Posted on June 8, 2016June 8, 2016 By rayhanania No Comments on Importance of Arab American labor leader Nagi Daifullah
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Importance of Arab American labor leader Nagi Daifullah

By Natalie Nisco-Frank

I had never heard the name Nagi Daifullah (Daifallah) before. Not growing up. Not in school. Not in my history books. Never. Yet his story is distinctly American as it reflects our history of immigrants who came to this country with few profitable skills, but have had a lasting impact on the social and political fabric of American society.

As a Yemeni immigrant who was a leader in the United Farm Workers (UFW), Nagi was fighting in solidarity with laborers from all backgrounds and nationalities until he died from injuries inflicted by a Kern County deputy sheriff. Nagi was revered for his leadership in the Arab worker community, activism in union issues and his ability to translate for UFW organizers ‹Nagi spoke Arabic, English and Spanish.

Ziyad Taste of the Middle East

He was killed advocating for the rights of UFW picketers, who were routinely harassed and arrested during the grape strike of 1973.

Nagi Daifullah, COurtesy the Happy Arab News. http://happyarabnewsservice.blogspot.com/2013/06/oc-democratic-group-introduces-nagi.html
Nagi Daifullah, Courtesy the Happy Arab News. http://happyarabnewsservice.blogspot.com/2013/06/oc-democratic-group-introduces-nagi.html

Nagi, one of many farm workers protesting the unfounded arrest of a fellow worker, was singled out by a deputy sheriff, leading to a foot chase. One forceful blow to the head with the sheriff’s 5-cell, metal flashlight severed Nagi’s spinal cord from the base of his skull and sent him to his knees. Unconscious and with a severe head injury, the police dragged Nagi’s body by his wrists to the gutter, head “dangling and bouncing on the pavement” for sixty feet.

In a time when headlines of police brutality and the murders of Black men and women flood the news, Nagi’s story strikes a familiar cord of frustration and anguish. The image of Nagi’s 5 foot, 100 pound body being dragged and left in a gutter hauntingly resonates with accounts of other victims of police aggression, like Tamir Rice, who was left alone for four full minutes before police provided any first aid. In both cases, police handcuffed or arrested individuals who rushed forward to help their injured loved ones.

Nagi’s story connects a history of the marginalization of immigrants and his resulting activism with present struggles and activism in communities of color to remind us of the work still to be done. I first learned about Nagi when I heard Arab American Institute President Dr. James Zogby, a tireless advocate for human rights and civil liberties, was to be presented with the Nagi Daifullah Social Justice Award at the “16th Annual Orange County Celebration of our Flag” on June 11.

This memorial award recognizes the sacrifice Nagi made. His struggle transcended race, ethnicity and religion in order to prioritize the basic human rights entitled to all farm workers, many of who were immigrants. So it is fitting that Zogby, who’s spent much of his life fighting for social justice, even in the face of threats and violence, be recognized in this way and particularly at this time by Orange County’s 72nd Assembly Democratic Alliance.

Like many Americans, my own story could not be told without referencing the dreams and the journeys taken by my grandparents and great grandparents. Although their stories are distinct from one another in terms countries of origin, including Lebanon, Germany, and Italy, the spirit of opportunity, service and hope color their experiences in America. The life and the death of Nagi remain exceedingly relevant in a time where America¹s conflicting narratives, one of the great melting pot and the another of a country divided by racial tensions, continue to intersect.

Immigrants like Nagi and those in my own family don¹t just come to America to better their own plight. Their activism contributes to reshaping the communities they occupy. The San Francisco consulate of Yemen estimates that of the 35,000-40,000 Yemeni-Americans in the state of California, 8,000-10,000 reside in the San Francisco area. The Yemeni community’s migration to California (and New York, Buffalo and Detroit) began in the 1960s.

Cesar Chavez (center) at the Nagi Daifallah funeral march, Delano, CA, 1973. Bob Fitch photography archive, © Stanford University Libraries
Cesar Chavez (center) at the Nagi Daifullah funeral march, Delano, CA, 1973. Bob Fitch photography archive, © Stanford University Libraries

Although a handful were educated professionals, many joined the blue-collar workforce, and worked low-waged jobs to give their kids a better life. Nagi’s legacy is stitched into the fabric of the Yemini community‹a community whose story and identity is founded on a commitment to bettering the prospects of future generations. This selfless struggle is apparent in Nagi’s activism and is echoed by the sacrifices of Yemeni immigrant parents who continue to work tirelessly to ensure their children¹s futures are brighter than their own.

The statement made by Cesar Chavez after Nagi’s death paid tribute to his ideals and his sacrifice. Nagi’s spirit of activism reverberates in San Francisco’s unions today. One such union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), represents the demands of low-wage workers, many of whom are immigrants. The SEIU, founded in 1921, is the fastest-growing union in North America, an accomplishment the union partially attributes to its ability to “embrace its heritage as a union of immigrantsŠ [and stand] on the frontline of immigrant justice.”

In 2002, a senior union organizer of the SEIU drew parallels to the union’s success and Nagi’s vision by commemorating the “sense of multiracial unity that was a hallmark of the UFW in the days when Nagi overcame shyness and a limited education to learn English and reach out to his fellow grape pickers.”

“Like so many thousands of Farm Workers, he came to this country seeking opportunity and fell into the trap of poverty and powerlessness that has enslaved so many migrant Farm WorkersŠ.He joined the United Farm Workers Unions and gave himself fully to the grape strike and the struggle of justice for all Farm WorkersŠ.We are faced with discrimination, exploitation, and even slaughterŠ [by the] government [which] represses our peopleŠ.In the struggle to change these evils, Nagi gave his life.”

Chavez¹s words are eerily akin to calls of today’s activist groups, like Black Lives Matter who are working “for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demiseŠand left powerless at the hands of the stateŠ in the face of deadly oppression.” Nagi’s struggle against the exploitation and oppression of farm workers in life and in death instills strength and fortitude in those who carry on the fight for justice.

When I asked the Yemeni consulate in San Francisco about how Nagi is remembered and who tells his story, I was told it is not schools who keep Nagi’s story alive but Yemeni parents who recount his sacrifice to their children. As I look around at those struggling for justice today, I see the connection to Nagi’s story and know we all must carry his work forward.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues - March 18, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC - March 13, 2023
  • Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan - February 22, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Activism, American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary Tags:American Arab, Cesar Chavez, Nagi Daifallah, Nagi Daifullah, Union activist, Yemen, Yemeni immigrant

Post navigation

Previous Post: Senator Kirk joins pro-Apartheid support movement
Next Post: US Post Office issues new Eid stamp honoring Muslims

Related Posts

  • Recipe: Arabian fried rice with lamb American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad. Photo courtesy of the AHRC
    AHRC Elections Advisory from Imad Hamad American Arabs
  • How President Trump and Arab Leaders Are Making Turkey Great Again Abdennour Toumi
  • New film explores challenges facing American Arabs American Arabs
  • Adnan breaks fast, Israel seizes Freedom Flotilla flagship Arab World
  • Photo courtesy of Eileen Fleming
    General H.R. McMaster’s West Wing War and 50 yrs. of Dereliction of Duty to the USS LIBERTY Arab World

More Related Articles

Podcast: Sir Rateb Rabie on Middle East Christians American Arabs
Tlaib candidacy in Michigan offers insight into community challenges American Arabs
Attacked by Israeli soldiers and armed Israeli settler terrorists, Palestinians respond with protests and rock throwing in the Gaza Strip. Photo copyright 2015 Mohammed Asad and The Arab Daily News How “Trump-Muslims” debate chokes Palestine rights American Arabs
Algerian war hero Da al-Hocine dies Abdennour Toumi
Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, the president of Sudan, listens to a speech during the opening of the 20th session of The New Partnership for Africa's Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 31, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Algeria and Sudan: The next (but not last) Arab Spring cycle Arab World
Lebanon under threat from Syria‘s turmoil Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • راى حنانيا. Ray Hanania
    Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
    March 18, 2023
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    Two parallel uprisings in Israel
    March 11, 2023
  • Racist anti-Arab Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot poses with Edwards Realty President Ramzi Hassan posted on Facebook on posted June 3, 2022 right after the second press conference demanding that Lightfoot end her discrimination.
    Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan
    February 22, 2023
  • Tiktok.com/@RayHanania
    Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States
    January 19, 2023
  • 300x300-ZIYAD02.jpg
  • 300x300-RAMADAN02.jpg
  • 300x300-ZIYAD01.jpg
  • 300x300-RAMADAN01.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin
    March 19, 2023
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race
    March 17, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon
    February 22, 2023
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections
    February 21, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Appeal of Mediterranean foods continue to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118
    February 9, 2023
  • Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations
    Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach
    February 8, 2023
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

First Installment of the Property Tax

POPULAR POSTS

  • Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan By Ray Hanania Illinois Review, one of the conservative movement's most respected ... posted on February 22, 2023
  • Two parallel uprisings in Israel Two parallel uprisings in Israel By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Israel is currently shaken by two parallel revolts. In what seems ... posted on March 11, 2023
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Currently living in Orland Park with her supportive husband and ... posted on February 9, 2023
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues Call me Arab, don't call me MENA writer argues Columnist Ray Hanania argues that the term MENA to describe Arab ... posted on March 18, 2023
  • Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race The Arab American Democratic Club released its official endorsements ... posted on March 17, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC In an effort to keep dialogue with government agencies, AHRC held a Meet ... posted on March 13, 2023

Recent Posts

  • International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
  • Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC
  • Two parallel uprisings in Israel
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme