Anti-Islam protesters marched down the streets of Dearborn on Tuesday and clashed with counter-protesters, prompting a heavy police presence.
Protesters carried American flags and a banner that read “Americans against Islamification.” The protest was led by Jake Lang, who sparked backlash after attempting to burn a Quran.
During the protest, Lang held up a lighter and attempted to burn the Quran, but counter-protesters knocked it out of his hand. Lang and his group later marched toward City Hall ahead of a city council meeting.
Police maintained a perimeter and intervened when the clash escalated as Lang attempted to burn the book. At least one person was seen being arrested at City Hall.
Counter protesters became unruly and violent toward the demonstrators. One counter-protester was pepper-sprayed after attempting to take a banner from a protester. Counter protesters continually heckled aggressively. At one point, TPUSA Frontlines captured a group of young Muslim men surrounding a single Christian protester.
Later, Muslim protesters yelled profanities in Lang’s face. At one point, several young men commented on Charlie Kirk, saying “F*** Charlie Kirk” and “F*** his wife and kids too.”
TPUSA Frontlines also interviewed UK-born political commentator Jade Warick, who offered a warning during the protest.
“We need to be extremely careful how we tread and integrate Islam into the West, if at all,” she said.
The protests come as Dearborn has become a center of controversy amid the ongoing immigration debate. Dearborn has a significant Muslim population from immigrants and refugees, and critics have raised concerns that some residents may advocate for Muslim based laws in the city. Dearborn’s mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, recently faced backlash after he told a Christian resident that he is “not welcome here” after he questioned the city honoring a Muslim journalist who reportedly praised Hezbollah, a terrorist group.
