The city of Hickory Hills has officially designated April 7 as Little Palestine Day, recognizing the contributions of the Palestinian and Arab American community that has helped shape the city and surrounding region for generations.
Mayor Mike Howley signed the proclamation on March 10 and formally introduced it during the March 27 city council meeting, calling it an important step toward cultural recognition and inclusion.
“It’s my honor to proclaim April 7 as Little Palestine Day,” Howley said during his mayoral report. “This formal recognition is meant to enhance cultural awareness and solidarity among residents, promoting a greater understanding of the rich heritage of the Arab American community.”
According to the resolution, the Southwest Cook County area known as Little Palestine is home to the largest Palestinian population in the United States and the fourth largest Arab American population overall.
More than 200 Arab-owned businesses and institutions operate in the area, many of them small, family-run operations that have been part of the community for decades.
The proclamation also acknowledges the challenges Arab Americans have faced, including historic disinvestment and discrimination. It calls for improved federal data collection on Middle Eastern and North African communities — something advocates say is essential for fair representation and resources.
Hickory Hills plans to recognize Little Palestine Day every April 7, with local schools and institutions encouraged to incorporate Arab American history into their educational programming.
“On behalf of the city, I’m very proud to do that,” Howley said. “And I’m also happy to hear that Bridgeview Mayor Steven M. Landek and others are joining in” recognizing April 7 as Little Palestine Day. Palos Hills and Chicago Ridge are among the suburbs that have also done so.
Calls to Worth Village Mayor Mary Werner and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau asking whether their municipalities planned to issue similar proclamations were not returned. Both communities have sizable Arab American populations.
I disagree with this. This is purely political and pandering. Ignoring the other ethnic groups that came before that helped build up hickory hills and Palos hills.
I respect the right for all nationalities to live together in our community as well as in America. However, I do not agree with Mayor Howley to single out one group, considering that Hickory Hills is a matrix of many nationalities living together in harmony and inclusion. In my opinion, this political ploy, to single out these residents, our fine neighbors, will only create disruption and resentment and may actually promote a waft of racism amongst our multi-ethnic community never detected in the air of Hickory Hills in the past.