(WXYZ) — Making history at a swearing in ceremony in Washington D.C. Thursday, Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib officially takes office. She’s a new face in national politics but a well-known activist and attorney here in metro Detroit.
The 42-year-old Muslim-American woman is taking over the 13th district which includes parts of Detroit, Western Wayne County and downriver. She says she’s ready to stand up to corporate greed and continue to fight for equality.
Among her goals, Tlaib says she wants to take other new members of congress to visit the West Bank and see human rights conditions, raise the standard of living, battle pollution, support $15/hr minimum wage and single payer Medicare for all.
Tlaib wore a traditional Palestinian robe made by her mother during the ceremony and placed her hand on Thomas Jefferson’s Koran. Her supporters tell us her rise has been inspiring.
“I think it’s amazing as a Muslim woman I can say she’s doing an amazing job. As obviously someone from Michigan, she’s making national and international headlines,” says Baraa Ktiri.
