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Alfredo H. Zúñiga Research collection: Amin David papers (Collection)

 Collection
Identifier: ZRC-2017-01

Scope and Contents

The Amin David Papers consist of 6 document boxes and multiple oversize items spanning 1976 to 2016, with the majority of material dating from 1996 to 2016. The collection documents David's decades of community activism and civic leadership through newspaper articles, event programs, court case documents, speeches, and correspondence. Materials reflect David's founding of Los Amigos of Orange County and the organization's work on education, civil rights, public safety, government transparency, and arts and culture initiatives. The collection also includes materials relating to David's involvement with organizations such as Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development and the Orange County Community Housing Corporation.

Notable items include awards and certificates of appreciation from organizations including the Orange County Probation Department, Hispanic Council of Realtors, school boards, League of United Latin American Citizens, Anaheim Police Department, and the Anti-Defamation League.

The collection provides insight into Latino community organizing and civic engagement in Orange County from the late 20th to early 21st century.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1976 - 2016

Biographical / Historical

Amin David moved to California from Chihuahua, Mexico and became a U.S. Citizen. He is best known for founding Los Amigos of Orange County as a result of struggles between the community and police in Anaheim. Los Amigos tackled issues on education, civil rights, public safety, government transparency, and arts and culture. He served as president of Los Amigos until 2012 and held breakfast meetings every Wednesday at Jagerhaus Restaurant in Anaheim. Anyone who needed help was invited to speak out and was helped. He also took on issues in other Orange County communities, such as Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. In 1971 he became the first chair of the Orange County Human Relations Commission, and in 1977, the first Latino appointed to the Anaheim Planning Commission. He was also a founding member of Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development, Orange County Community Housing Corporation, and an active member of the Anaheim police chief’s advisory board. He also ran two successful plumbing and materials companies in Anaheim. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Extent

6 boxes (Six document boxes and several oversize items.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Amin David Papers (1996-2016) provide a comprehensive look at the decades of influential community activism and civic leadership of Amin David in Orange County. An immigrant from Chihuahua, Mexico who became a U.S. citizen, David founded the impactful Los Amigos organization to address issues between police and residents. The collection contains materials documenting Los Amigos' work on education, civil rights, public safety, government transparency, and arts and culture initiatives during David's tenure as president until 2012. It also covers his pioneering roles as Orange County's first Latino Anaheim Planning Commissioner and inaugural chair of the Human Relations Commission. The papers encompass David's involvement with groups like OC Communities Organized for Responsible Development and the OC Community Housing Corporation. The collection features newspaper articles, event programs, legal case files, speeches, and awards/certificates of appreciation from organizations such as the OC Probation Department, Hispanic Council of Realtors, school boards, LULAC, Anaheim Police Department, and Anti-Defamation League.

Physical Location

Currently in PLS-340 (storage).

Custodial History

Donated to CSUF Pollak Library by the David family in December 2016.

Title
Alfredo H. Zúñiga Research collection: Amin David papers
Status
Completed
Author
Jaime Cornejo
Date
2018 March
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the CSUF University Archives & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University Archives & Special Collections
Pollak Library South Room 352 (PLS 352)
Fullerton CA 92831-3599 USA
(657) 278-4751