Clashes Erupt in Dearborn Over Anti-Islam Rhetoric, Quran Desecration Attempt
Protesters with various views argued and scuffled in the streets of Dearborn on Tuesday, Nov. 18, debating religion and immigration as some called for unity.
There was some shoving and allegations of pepper spray being used, but overall, there appeared to be no serious incidents.
Dearborn police released a statement Tuesday evening, urging people to avoid engaging with the protesters, some of whom taunted Dearborn residents with rhetoric against Islam, immigrants and minorities. At about 6 p.m., there was a growing crowd confronting Jake Lang, a rightwing activist from Florida who organized one of three rallies Tuesday. Police then brought up several metal barriers around Lang and his supporters, keeping them separated from the crowd, who yelled back at Lang at times.
"For the safety of all involved, we are strongly urging residents to not engage with demonstrators inside the city this evening," Cpl. Dan Bartok of Dearborn police told the Free Press in a statement. "The Dearborn Police Department will continue to monitor activities and are present and stand ready for all situations."
Bartok added that there were some "minor incidents earlier in the day but do not detect threats to the public at this time. We will continue to keep the community updated as events unfold."
There were three different rallies. The first was held by liberal groups supportive of Dearborn and Muslims. Some of them held Palestinian flags and rallied on the north side of Michigan Avenue near Schaefer Road. Across from them on the south side of Michigan Avenue near the old City Hall building were anti-Islam protesters led by Lang, who was charged in the Jan. 6 protests in Washington, DC, and later pardoned by US President Donald Trump.
Another gathering was led by Anthony Hudson, a Republican candidate for governor who initially was planning an anti-sharia rally, but had a change of heart after spending four days last week in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, visiting mosques and Muslim leaders. Hudson told the Free Press in an interview his rally was to promote unity, but also to tell Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud to be more respective of Christians and their concerns. Hammoud faced criticism earlier this year for berating a Christian minister, but later said the city welcomes all.
Read More:
Hudson said he previously thought there was a "Muslim takeover" in Dearborn with sharia, Islamic law, being enforced, but after his visit to four mosques and several businesses, realized that's not happening.
"I got hugs, I got handshakes," Hudson said of his visit to Dearborn. "I had a lot of men come up to me and say it was nice to meet me. ... I just really got to engage with good people in the community. ... It was great to see, great to experience." Hudson also criticized rival Republican candidates for taking money from pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC.
Before the rally, Lang said he would burn a Quran, Islam's holy book, and fry bacon but, as of about 6 p.m., he did not appear to accomplish his stated goal. At one point during his rally, Lang held up a copy of the Quran along with a can of lighter fluid, and made derogatory comments about Islam's Holy Prophet (PBUH). Lang then placed the Quran on the ground and appeared to be about to burn it, but a Muslim counter-protestor then snatched the book away from him. A few moments later, Lang then got a slab of bacon and started to smack the Quran with it while walking out in the middle of Michigan Avenue, blocking traffic, but another Muslim counter-protestor snatched the Quran away from him.
Lang spoke out against not just Islam, but the growing numbers of non-whites in America. He said he was of Irish and German descent. At one point, he opened a Bible and read passages from it. "I pray Jesus Christ over all of you," Lang told the crowd at as some yelled at him.
"You don't have anything to do with America," Lang told a group of Arab Americans.
There were tensions at the rally between Lang and Hudson. Lang's supporters were in a large bus whose side read "Anthony Hudson for Governor" that appeared to be a campaign vehicle for Hudson, but Lang spray painted a vulgar word on it, saying Hudson was a sell-out for visiting mosques and speaking positively about Muslims. Supporters of Lang said they're part of the "America First" movement and felt Hudson, who also has said he's "America First," has betrayed their cause. Hudson said the bus with his name on it was not his.
Later, Hudson, carrying a large American flag, and Lang marched in separate processions toward the new City Hall building, known as the Dearborn Administrative Center, almost two miles west for the 7 p.m. council meeting. Lang's contingent marched behind a large banner that read "Americans Against Islamification."
The pro-Muslim liberal protesters, some with BAMN (By Any Means Necessary), also marched toward the center, with a protester sometimes snapping on a snare drum as they chanted at times: "Dearborn has made it clear: fascists are not welcome here.”
Read More:
After arriving, the groups protested again, with a growing crowd of Dearborn residents shouting at Lang, some shouting at him "Allahu Akbar," or God is greatest. A group of police officers then brought out yellow barriers to separate the groups, keeping Lang and his supporters away from the angry crowd. Some of the liberal protesters and residents told police they should not give Lang special protections.
Lang and Hudson planned to speak at the council meeting starting at 7 p.m. Hudson said he wants a promise from the city not to play the Islamic call to prayer before 7 a.m. and to lower the volume during other times. Some residents have complained over the past two years about the volume from the Islamic Institute of Knowledge, which started to broadcast the call to prayer outdoors in 2023. Lang was seen sitting in the audience at the council meeting, a livestream showed.
Lang appeared to be punched by a counter-protester when he was marching on Michigan Avenue, a video taken by Brandon Gutenschwager showed. The man who appeared to attack Lang was seen scampering back across Michigan Avenue after hitting him.
This is not the first time anti-Islam protesters have targeted Dearborn. Over the past 16 years, there have been several cases that drew controversy, including trips to Dearborn by Pastor Terry Jones, known for burning Qurans. Jones did not burn a Quran during his rallies in Dearborn, one of which in April 2011 drew hundreds of counter-protesters who hurled objects at him. A few arrests of counter-protesters were made during the 2011 rally. Jones was once put on trial in Dearborn and jailed briefly. Bartok did not say if any arrests were made Tuesday.
During the protests, a truck driven by Hussein Dabajeh flashed positive messages about Dearborn on electronic billboard on the truck's side that read: "Welcome to Dearborn, an all-American city," "Welcome to Dearborn, where all faiths live together," with the symbols of Judaism, Christianity and Islam shown, and "Dearborn, the city of coexistence."
Source: freep.com
