Source: An-Nahar

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=e622f4bef4e1

On October 1, 2003 An-Nahar reported that mayoral candidates in San Francisco held the first ever candidate forum to focus on the concerns of Arab Americans at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. Local Arab Muslim and Christian participants on the Arab American Leadership Council grilled mayoral candidates on civil rights, the Patriot Act, and their commitment to diversity. After a night of speeches and question-and-answer sessions, the council endorsed the candidacy of Gavin Newsom, a Democratic businessman and member of the Board of Supervisors. The council was formed two months ago to raise the political profile of the city's Arab Americans.