Vice President Joe Biden speaking to local Chaldeans (Iraqi Catholics) at biggest Chaldean center in Michigan
By Niraj Warikoo
Vice-President Joe Biden is speaking to Chaldeans at a fundraiser this afternoon at the Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield, the biggest Chaldean center in metro Detroit.
Local Chaldeans, who are Iraqi Catholics, said they plan to tell Biden their concerns about the plight of Iraqi Christians, who are a dwindling minority inside Iraq and have faced threats from extremists since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Dr. Jacob Mansour, of West Bloomfield, said that tickets at the fundraiser are $500, $1,500 and $2,000. Mansour said he plans to attend along with hundreds of other local Chaldeans.
Martin Manna, with the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, said he was also planning to attend the Biden event.
Metro Detroit has a high concentration of residents with roots in Iraq, many of whom are Chaldeans. The Chaldean Cultural Center is part of the Shenadoah Country Club, where Biden is to speak today.