VIDEO: Arab Mascot Supporter Says it Stands for 'Pride, Honor, Bravery . . . He Kind of Looks Hispanic to Me'

Coachella Valley High graduate Mila Perezchica said Friday night the school's mascot, recently criticized by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C., represents "our admiration for Arabian culture."

The Arab mascot symbolizes "pride, honor, bravery, protector, independence, and survivor," Perezchica said.

"A watered down version of our beloved mascot would take away all the qualities we most admire of the Arab culture," Perezchica said.

"When our Arab was chosen this valley was a harsh desert, very difficult to live in," Perezchica said. "But all the date palms came and this area resembled Arabia. Like Mr. Ramirez mentioned the Arabian Pageant that's been going for a long time.

"We would love our mascot as he is because we think he is a strong figure. And that's what we want when we go play games elsewhere. We want to be respected, honor, integrity . . . 

"I say I think this Arab, I don't know, he kind of looks Hispanic to me," Perezchica said, drawing laughs from the audience. "I can relate to this Arab. I'm accustomed to this Arab. And I would love our mascot to remain the same because I see all these qualities in this mascot that I have said earlier. Thank you very much."

Perezchica drew some of the loudest applause Friday night, when about 100 people took part in a special meeting of the school district board in Coachella Valley High's gymnasium, which is adorned with Arabs sports championship banners dating from the 1930s.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee recently sent a letter to school officials stating in part:

"ADC is appalled at the use of a caricature depicted to be an 'Arab' as the official mascot of the high school. The image of the Coachella Valley High School mascot depicts a man with a large nose, heavy beard, and wearing a Kaffiay, or traditional Arab head covering. "

After the meeting, the Coachella Valley Unified School District issued a statement announcing the visit of Abed Ayoub, ADC director of legal and policy affairs, and plans for a press conference at CVUSD headquarters at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 19.

The school district said Ayoub's visit will include time with staff, students, alumni, and local leaders.

The ADC, which is based in the Nation's Capital, has raised concerns about the California desert school's Arab mascot at the same time Native Americans are putting pressure on the NFL Washington Redskins, a name and theme many consider offensive.

For more from the Friday night meeting see

Coachella Valley High Students, Alumni, Officials Extoll Pride in Arab Mascot

VIDEO: Coachella Valley Arabs Superintendent Says 'We're Going to Keep Our Name'

ARAB MASCOT VIDEO: 'I Think it Speaks for Itself How Much We Revere This Name'

ARAB MASCOT VIDEO: 'If Someone says I'm Offended then We Should Listen'