Protesters in Michigan chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans this week amid increasing concern about the positions of the Muslim American and Arab American communities during the ongoing Mideast conflict. The concern of the Muslim American community also comes as the campaign of President Joe Biden expressed concern about dropping support among the group, which could impact the election in Michigan.
The protest in Dearborn, Michigan included chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” last week. The protest occurred on Al Quds Day, which is used as a means to criticize Israel, using the Arabic name for Jerusalem.
Islamic activist Tarek Bazzi told the crowd that the use of “Death to America” made the most sense under the circumstances, citing the leader of the Iranian Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
On April 5, 2024 activists at the International Al-Quds Day rally in Dearborn, Michigan chanted: "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!" Every American has to come to grips with the reality that the Iranian dictatorship means death toi America and has active supporters inside…
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) April 8, 2024
“Imam Khomeini, who declared International Al Quds Day, this is why he would say to pour all of your chants and all of your shots upon the head of America,” he said.
He further referenced Biden as “Genocide Joe.” A number of Muslim and Arab American leaders have criticized Biden for what they perceive as being too supportive of Israel.
“It’s the entire system that has to go,” said Bazzi. “any system that would allow such atrocities and such devilry to happen and would support it — such a system does not deserve to exist on God’s Earth.”
Bazzi’s comments were followed by Imam Usama Abdulghani, who said that Israel is the same as ISIS and Nazis, calling the country “fascists” and “racists.”
“The people of the world now know this,” he said.
Protesters carried shoes representing disrespect for Biden and carried a picture of him with devil horns.
A number of Muslim American and Arab American leaders called for voters to select ‘uncommitted’ in the Democratic Party presidential primary rather for the president. The number of ‘uncommitted’ ballots exceeded the goal announced by the planners.
Furthermore, there is a wider concern that Biden’s declining support among Arab American and Muslim American voters could hand Michigan over to former President Donald Trump.
