DEARBORN (WWJ) Dearborn Police arrested 22 people involved in a protest led by a self-described Christian nationalist group outside the City Council meeting.
Activist Jake Lang led the protest against Muslim families while Dearborn Police gathered outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library during the council meeting on Tuesday, August 18, wearing riot gear.
Police said Wednesday afternoon the individuals arrested ranged in age from 18 to 64 years old, and belonged to areas from across the state and locations as far out as New York and Tennessee. They face a variety of misdemeanor charges such as breach of peace and disorderly conduct.
Lang addressed the council inside with remarks accusing Muslims of stealing jobs and pushing people of other religions out of political positions.
"These people are looking to destroy. They are looking to outbreed us. The Muslims have not come here to assimilate," Lang said. "They have come to steal the wealth of this land."
After Lang left, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud addressed the council and Dearborn residents.
"You belong here as much as anyone else. Generations of people who built the city prove it," Hammoud said. "Dearborn was built by people with different names, different accents, different traditions and different ways of worshipping God. Some trace their roots over generations, other arrived with little more than a suitcase and hope."
Public comment lasted between 30 to 45 minutes, featuring people on both sides of the issue.
"You guys came over here to conquer us. This is the Crusades all over again. You think you're going to take this country without firing a shot. How about this?" said one resident. "How about the American citizens say no?"
Meanwhile, a Southgate man spoke out in support of Dearborn and its residents: "This city is a beacon of hope...but most of all, we are the future. We built the F-150, we're home to Ford. We're a community of diverse people... we have the best food in the United States of America."
He added: "No hate is allowed here."
The latest U.S. Census showed Dearborn had a population of approximately 105,000 people. While it does not cover data regarding religion, 30% identified as foreign born.
Dearborn Police said Wednesday afternoon despite several incidents requiring police intervention, no injuries were reported.
