Michel Shehadeh: Born in 1956 in Amman, Jordan, to a Palestinian Christian family, is a prominent Palestinian-American writer, journalist, and activist renowned for his advocacy for Palestinian rights and Arab-American community issues.
Raised in a context shaped by displacement and the Palestinian struggle, Shehadeh moved to the United States, where he established himself as a key figure in media and human rights. Since 1980, he has served as the Washington correspondent for several Middle East Arabic newspapers, providing in-depth coverage of U.S. policy toward the Arab world and the Palestinian cause. From 1996 to 2003, he was the Western Regional Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), leading efforts to combat anti-Arab bias and promote civil rights. He is also the executive director of the Arab Film Festival, a platform showcasing Arab cinema to challenge stereotypes and foster cultural understanding.
In 1987, Shehadeh was one of the "Los Angeles Eight," a group of Palestinian and Arab activists arrested by U.S. authorities on allegations of supporting the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The case, which lasted two decades, highlighted issues of free speech and immigration justice; charges were finally dismissed in 2007 after the government withheld exculpatory evidence. Shehadeh chronicled his experiences in writings for outlets like The Electronic Intifada and Middle East Eye, emphasizing resilience against political persecution.