PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, May 22, 2013 (WAFA) – For the first time in the history of American cities, the Palestinian flag was officially raised Sunday at Paterson city hall, according to witnesses.

Paterson, a city of approximately 150,000 people in the State of New Jersey, has become the first American city to raise a Palestinian flag on its city hall.

Paterson Mayor Jeffrey Jones read a proclamation declaring May 19 as a Palestinian American Day in the city where the Palestinian residents can hold heritage and other cultural activities.

Crowds cheered and danced in the streets in celebration during the flag raising ceremony.

South Paterson has a large Palestinian community who call it “Little Ramallah.”

M.S./F.R.