Press

Media Coverage

Media interested in further details related to the New York Times story of January 2, 2012: please email or call Todd Fine (+1 857-234-0920 – toddfine@projectkhalid.org) or Carl Antoun (carlantoun@savewashingtonstreet.org). We can give tours of Little Syria, Washington Street, and the relevant building to local, national, and international media.

Little Syria (Now Tiny Syria) Finds New Advocates – New York Times

On January 2, 2012 (page A18 in the print edition), David Dunlap of The New York Times wrote an excellent story on Carl’s background and the Save Washington Street campaign. This story written by David Dunlap was his second on the subject of Little Syria with his last story being published in August of 2010.

“Preserving New York’s Little Syria” – BBC

BBC produced a wonderful story on the history of the neighborhood as well as Save Washington Street’s efforts to protect and preserve what is left. Reporter Jane O’Brien interviews a former resident of Lebanese descent who remembers Washington Street; her emotions on contemplating what has been destroyed is a great example of how devastating the destruction of Washington Street has been for the Lebanese and Arab-American history. Yet the vibrancy of her memory makes it hard to believe that has all become an afterthought for many of us.

“Saving New York’s Little Syria”- PRI’s The World

PRI’s The World did an excellent radio piece on the Save Washington Street campaign which highlights the obstacles facing this campaign as well as its importance. We were interviewed on Washington Street as well as in “George’s Restaurant” which is located at 88 Greenwich Street.

Al-Jazeera “The Big Apple’s Little Syria”

Save Washington Street was fortunate enough to receive press from Al-Jazeera English as they requested to interview Carl Antoun on such short notice. We would like to thank Kristen Saloomey and everyone else affiliated with Al-Jazeera for their excellent reporting and coverage on such a frigid day in Lower Manhattan. This story shows the personal connection Little Syria has to Carl Antoun and showcases why he is fighting to preserve such an important piece of American history.

Al-Arabiya Documentary on Little Syria and Religious Symbolism for the Tenth Anniversary of September 11

For the 10th anniversary of September 11, Talal al-Haj of the Al-Arabiya satellite network explored various controversies and issues related to the Ground Zero location: the little known fact that it was once the center of Arab life in the United States, the cornerstone for a Lebanese Maronite Church that was found in the rubble, the dispute over the Park 51 religious center, and controversies over religious symbolism at the site. Interviewees include Todd Fine, Director of Project Khalid (www.projectkhalid.org) and editor of the work of Arab-American writer Ameen Rihani, and Rev. James Root of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral.

Al-Hurra “Little Syria”

Al-Hurra, an Arabic language newscast in the United States was interested enough in the efforts of Save Washington Street as well as the history behind the first Arab American neighborhood in the United States. We would like to thank everyone at Al-Hurra for their invaluable work. (In Arabic)

Al Jazeera Article Regarding Save Washington Street

This article was written in November of 2011 courtesy of Al Jazeera Arabic. For translations please use Google translate or your Google Chrome browser. (In Arabic)