Anti-Muslim Protest in Dearborn Draws Media Attention
By Ali Harb & Hassan Khalifeh
Saturday, 10.10.2015, 02:18 PM
DEARBORN — The small anti-Muslim protest at the Henry Ford Centennial Library came to an unlikely conclusion on Saturday, Oct. 10. The protesters and Muslim residents agreed on the need for cooperation to end radicalism in all religions and ideologies.
There were handshakes.
Fewer than 10 people showed up to the demonstration; four of them were armed. They gathered in a barricaded area, holding signs that condemned "radical Islam."
The protest, which was planned in front of the Islamic Center of America, was moved because the organizers had not obtained a permit to gather outside a free speech zone.
Dubbed "Global Rally for Humanity: Dearborn, Michigan," the demonstration was part of a national effort to gather with weapons in front of 22 mosques throughout the country to denounce Islam and Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam.
Anti-Muslim activists were not the only protesters with rifles at the library on Saturday. Three white armed men were carrying signs in support of the Muslim community.
"It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, or by what name you call God, or even if you believe in God, freedom is for everyone," one of the armed protesters outside the barricaded area said.
Several other individuals showed up with weapons but did not join the protest zone. They made it clear that their agenda was not against Islam or Muslims, but pro-Second Amendment.
Despite calls to ignore the protest, a counter demonstration of about 20 people gathered across the street from the library.
"Fascist scum go home" and "Islamophobia's got to go," they shouted at the anti-Muslim demonstrators.
Abayomi Azikiwe, a Detroit community organizer and the editor of the Pan-African News Wire, said the anti-Muslim protesters were hiding behind the American flag to deny others of their First Amendment rights.
“We’re here to oppose these people who are trying to demonize the Islamic community in the United States," he said. "We think it serves as a cover for persecution domestically, as well as internationally."
The "Rally for Humanity" protesters seemed confused about what they are demanding. Martia Chaudry, of Mt. Clemens, held a sign that said: "No more refugees."
She complained about the "Islamization of America" through the schools and claimed that public schools in several states send daily Muslim prayers to students.
Another protester said he came to express support to Israel. A demonstrator held a sign against Farrakhan. Asked why he's protesting against Nation of Islam leader in Dearborn of all places, he shook his head side ways without answering.
Some residents tried to engage the anti-Muslim protesters, telling them that they love them.
Toward the end of the protest, a resident suggested to a demonstrator who was carrying a sign that read "Stop radical Islam," to add a statement against radicalism.
Brian, the armed demonstrator, handed his sign to the woman who suggested the idea. She wrote, "Stop radical Christianity."
"This protest is not based on hate for Islam," Brian, who was wearing a shirt identifying himself as an "infidel" said. "We need to all work together to end [radicalism]."
Protesters walked back to their cars, and residents shook their hands and expressed their love to them.
Ali Naji said he respects the protesters' free speech, but their perception of Islam is wrong.
"Islam and Muslims here in Dearborn, we work hard every day; we’re not radicalized at all," Naji said. "So the way we look at it and the way they look at it is a little different, but they have their right to come and protest peacefully."
Saturday, 10.10.2015, 02:18 PM
DEARBORN — The small anti-Muslim protest at the Henry Ford Centennial Library came to an unlikely conclusion on Saturday, Oct. 10. The protesters and Muslim residents agreed on the need for cooperation to end radicalism in all religions and ideologies.
There were handshakes.
Fewer than 10 people showed up to the demonstration; four of them were armed. They gathered in a barricaded area, holding signs that condemned "radical Islam."
The protest, which was planned in front of the Islamic Center of America, was moved because the organizers had not obtained a permit to gather outside a free speech zone.
Dubbed "Global Rally for Humanity: Dearborn, Michigan," the demonstration was part of a national effort to gather with weapons in front of 22 mosques throughout the country to denounce Islam and Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam.
Anti-Muslim activists were not the only protesters with rifles at the library on Saturday. Three white armed men were carrying signs in support of the Muslim community.
"It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, or by what name you call God, or even if you believe in God, freedom is for everyone," one of the armed protesters outside the barricaded area said.
Several other individuals showed up with weapons but did not join the protest zone. They made it clear that their agenda was not against Islam or Muslims, but pro-Second Amendment.
Despite calls to ignore the protest, a counter demonstration of about 20 people gathered across the street from the library.
"Fascist scum go home" and "Islamophobia's got to go," they shouted at the anti-Muslim demonstrators.
Abayomi Azikiwe, a Detroit community organizer and the editor of the Pan-African News Wire, said the anti-Muslim protesters were hiding behind the American flag to deny others of their First Amendment rights.
“We’re here to oppose these people who are trying to demonize the Islamic community in the United States," he said. "We think it serves as a cover for persecution domestically, as well as internationally."
The "Rally for Humanity" protesters seemed confused about what they are demanding. Martia Chaudry, of Mt. Clemens, held a sign that said: "No more refugees."
She complained about the "Islamization of America" through the schools and claimed that public schools in several states send daily Muslim prayers to students.
Another protester said he came to express support to Israel. A demonstrator held a sign against Farrakhan. Asked why he's protesting against Nation of Islam leader in Dearborn of all places, he shook his head side ways without answering.
Some residents tried to engage the anti-Muslim protesters, telling them that they love them.
Toward the end of the protest, a resident suggested to a demonstrator who was carrying a sign that read "Stop radical Islam," to add a statement against radicalism.
Brian, the armed demonstrator, handed his sign to the woman who suggested the idea. She wrote, "Stop radical Christianity."
"This protest is not based on hate for Islam," Brian, who was wearing a shirt identifying himself as an "infidel" said. "We need to all work together to end [radicalism]."
Protesters walked back to their cars, and residents shook their hands and expressed their love to them.
Ali Naji said he respects the protesters' free speech, but their perception of Islam is wrong.
"Islam and Muslims here in Dearborn, we work hard every day; we’re not radicalized at all," Naji said. "So the way we look at it and the way they look at it is a little different, but they have their right to come and protest peacefully."
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