Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) avoided a likely clash with Muslim protesters in Dearborn Sunday by canceling a charity fundraiser appearance.
Whitmer was scheduled to appear at Bint Iebail Cultural Center in Dearborn early this afternoon, but she altered her plans and declined to show up after an “emergency protest” was announced by a pro-Hamas group called New Generation for Palestine:
The group said Whitmer was “not welcome” in Dearborn, a top Muslim enclave in America, and added the governor’s visit was “facing strong resistance from local residents.”
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Whitmer’s office later announced she was canceling her appearance:
JUST IN: Whitmer appearance at fundraiser in Dearborn canceled amidst calls for protest from pro-Palestinian activists
Governor Whitmer had been expected to attend the annual fundraiser of the HUDA Clinic (The Health Unit on Davison Avenue, a clinic that provides free healthcare… pic.twitter.com/CNihoC7o3M
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 29, 2023
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Whitmer claimed her attendance “would have distracted” from the charity health clinic’s fundraiser.
“After speaking with the HUDA (Health Unit on Davison Avenue) leadership, we came to a decision together that I should not go,” the governor said.
Whitmer went on to claim she would use the time “to call members of our congressional delegation as we keep working together to bring families stuck in Gaza back home to Michigan.”
The protest Saturday in downtown Detroit may have been a preview of what was in store for Whitmer today.
“Tens of thousands” of pro-Hamas protesters flooded downtown Detroit and repeatedly targeted Whitmer ally President Joe Biden during the event.
“Genocide Joe!” was frequently chanted:
Chants of “Genocide Joe!” with mentions of Joe Biden at today’s ‘Ceasefire Now’ pro-Palestine rally in Detroit, Michigan pic.twitter.com/ASAkd5vleN
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2023
“To Joe Biden…I would call him president, but he doesn’t deserve it,” one speaker said.
“We knew you were bad, but this is a new low,” he continued, arguing Biden is a segregationist and racist.
The protest, called “Detroit Unified Rally & March Ceasefire Now End the Occupation” was organized by several groups, including The Arab American News, Detroit Action, We the People Michigan, and Mothering Justice.
“Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!” chants in Downtown Detroit as demonstrators gather for a ‘Ceasefire Now’ pro-Palestine rally today pic.twitter.com/8k2pSBkvTb
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2023
“Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!” another chant said.
Organizers said “tens of thousands” turned out to the protest at Hart Plaza and there was a traffic jam on I-94 leading to downtown Detroit caused by thousands from Metro Detroit making their way there.
Watch the full event here:
LIVE: 'Ceasefire Now' Pro-Palestine Rally in Detroit, Michigan https://t.co/GShSTUTgtw
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2023