(UnitedVoice.com) – Dearborn, Michigan, has a majority Muslim population. An annual pro-Palestine event recently took place in the city, and the chants from some of the attendees have enraged Americans. The White House has now spoken out about the rally.
On April 5, Dearborn marked the International Day of Al-Quds (Jerusalem Day) with a rally and protests against the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip. The celebration is held each year on the last Friday of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.
People gathered in front of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, and footage of the event later surfaced, showing attendees chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Tarek Bazzi organized the event, according to The Detroit News. He called Israel’s actions “satanic” and slammed the US government for providing money to the Jewish State, which has paid for the continued military action.
People at the event also carried signs; one said, “Money for jobs and education not for Israel’s occupation.”
A reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about the rally and whether President Joe Biden condemned it. She said, “yes.” She went on to say that the president supports peaceful protests, but “any type of violent rhetoric” will always be denounced.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud (D) also condemned the chants. He called them “unacceptable and contrary to the heart of [the] city.”
The Anti-Defemation League released a statement addressing the controversy. The civil rights group pointed out that Quds Day was originally started by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. In recent years, it has served as a platform for people to show their support for violence against Israel and support for terrorism.
Sam Dubin, the Jewish Community Relations Council’s executive director, told Fox 2 Detroit that the rhetoric at the event was “frightening.” He made it clear that his organization understands those views aren’t shared by the majority of the Arab community.
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