Protesters gathered in Dearborn, Michigan, on April 5, 2024, for a pro-Palestinian rally that turned controversial due to chants condemning America and Israel.
Disturbing Rhetoric Emerges
At the rally, held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, a local activist, Takek Bazzi, led the crowd in chanting slogans that glorified the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini. Bazzi encouraged protesters to “pour all of your chants and all of your shots upon the head of America.”
Response from Officials
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed that President Biden condemned the anti-American and anti-Israeli chants. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud denounced the rhetoric as “unacceptable and contrary to the heart” of the city, emphasizing that such sentiments do not reflect Dearborn’s values.
“Death to America” Chants Condemned
Michigan Muslim Community Council Chairman, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hadidi, called for an investigation into the incident as potential hate speech. He expressed horror that individuals living in the United States would utter such sentiments, emphasizing that the crowd’s shouts do not represent the Muslim community.
“It is awful for somebody living on our soil, breathing our air, to be saying something like that,” said Dr. Al-Hadidi. “It should be investigated as hate speech. Hate speech is very dangerous.”
Elected Officials Silent
LA News Center reached out to Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for comment on the incident but did not receive immediate responses.
Additional Concerns Raised
Protesters also held placards supporting the firing of Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. No official statement has been released regarding this issue.
Ongoing Investigations
The Dearborn Police Department and the FBI are currently investigating the incident, including reviewing video footage of the rally to identify those responsible. Public safety is a top priority for our community, and we will continue to collaborate to ensure the safety of Dearborn’s residents and visitors.
