Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and other leaders condemned the “Death to America” chants that were said in the Michigan city on Friday.
Last week, a group, Al Quds Committee Detroit, held a protest in support of Palestinians in which chants commonly used in Iran or by Iranian-backed groups were heard, protesting against U.S. foreign policy. Some protesters were heard saying “Al-mout li Amreeka,” which translates to “Death to America,” and “Al-mout li Israel,” or “Death to Israel.”
“Over the weekend, video emerged of a rally in Dearborn where some attendees were chanting statements that were unacceptable and contrary to the heart of this city,” Hammoud posted on X. “We reject all inflammatory and violent statements made at the gathering. Dearborn is a city of proud Americans; the hateful rhetoric heard on Friday does not reflect the opinion of the members of this community.”
The city of Dearborn, just seven miles outside of Detroit, also condemned the rhetoric from the protesters. The city is notably the first Arab-majority city in the United States, with 55% of the population having Middle Eastern or North African heritage.
“The inflammatory rhetoric expressed by some at the rally is neither endorsed nor supported by the City of Dearborn, its mayor, or any City elected officials,” the city said in the statement.
Other protests held by the group have featured speakers who praise Iranian leaders. On Sunday, Al Quds Committee said in a “legal disclaimer” that it is not “liable, responsible, or connected to any actions, opinions or chants.”
Osama Siblani, publisher of the Dearborn-based Arab American News, said the chants were “uncalled for.”
“Your pathetic ill speeches and the disgusting chants that you incited and invited are totally and unequivocally rejected by all Arab Americans and Muslims in Dearborn and everywhere,” Siblani wrote on Facebook.
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The White House also condemned the statements. When asked if President Joe Biden condemned the rhetoric, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “Yes.”
“Peaceful protests are something that the president has also been very clear that — it’s important to give folks space to peacefully protest,” Jean-Pierre said. “But any type of violent rhetoric, we are going to denounce.”