Protesters gathered in Dearborn, Michigan, for an International Al-Quds Day rally, where chants of 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' were heard. The rally, led by local activist Takek Bazzi, took place in front of the Henry Ford Centennial Library and lasted for an hour.
In a video from the event, Bazzi denounced both America and Israel, while attendees echoed chants of 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.' Bazzi referenced former Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, stating that the chants were in his honor.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Biden condemned the anti-American and anti-Israeli chants, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protests and denouncing any violent rhetoric.
Despite condemnation from various leaders, including Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have not yet responded to the incident. Mayor Hammoud expressed that the hateful rhetoric heard at the rally was unacceptable and did not reflect the values of the Dearborn community.
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hadidi, chairman of the Michigan Muslim Community Council, called for an investigation into the incident as hate speech, emphasizing that such rhetoric does not represent the Muslim community in the United States and poses a danger.
The incident has sparked discussions about the boundaries of free speech and the need to uphold peaceful dialogue while condemning violent and inflammatory language. The Dearborn community stands for peace and justice for all individuals, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and respect.
