The Islamic Organization of North America (IONA) co-hosted an event with Emgage titled Stand in Unity against Hate, Xenophobia and Islamophobia at the IONA banquet facility the evening of November 8. The purpose of the event is to show support and unity for marginalized communities.
The meeting was organized in response to a Republican fundraiser event at the Andiamo’s banquet facility in Warren where Steve Bannon was the key note speaker. A large protest was planned beforehand and executed by several activists groups that afternoon and evening. Steve Bannon is the recently fired chief strategist for the Trump White House and the architect of the white nationalist agenda being carried out by those in the current administration.
IONA’s outreach director, William Antoun, was instrumental in connecting organizers of the protest with Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer well before the planned protest. This helped to establish trust and cooperation so that a peaceful non-violent protest was carried out and the rights to free speech and assembly went uninterrupted. Any threats of violence by counter protesters were squashed by the Warren police who worked closely with the Sterling Heights Police to make sure there was ample security on both sides on 14 Mile Road.
Many of the protesters among other people from different communities attended the Stand in Unity event in the evening. Hassan Sheik of Emgage MC’d the event
after William Antoun welcomed the crowd and gave a brief introduction. There was a long line up of speakers from many organizations fighting for social justice issues as well as elected officials and those running for office.
Michigan Senator Steve Bieda, State Representative Abdullah Hammoud, Gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, congressional candidate Fayrouz Saad, Steve Spreitzer from the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, Bob Bruttell of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Asha Noor from CAIR-MI,
Nouor Subani from Take on Hate, Michael O’meara representing Bob Smith the chair of the Macomb County commissioners, and Adonis Flores from Michigan United among other speakers spoke passionately against hate and called for unity. The feeling and energy was high and very positive as the group made commitments to keep on working to struggle against the hate that is pervading our communities and towards defending the core American values of freedom, equality, and justice.
IONA, 28630 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092 | Tel: 586-558-6900 | E-mail: center@iononline.org
End
