Significant unrest erupted in Dearborn, Michigan, widely recognised as one of America's most prominent Muslim-majority cities, when a far-right activist attempted to burn the Quran and called for immigration raids.
Confrontation in the Heart of Dearborn
The instigator was Jake Lang, a 29-year-old who participated in the January 6 Capitol riot, was pardoned by former President Donald Trump, and is now a Republican candidate for a US Senate seat in Florida. On Tuesday, Lang arrived in Dearborn and attempted to set fire to the Muslim holy book. Video evidence shows him trying several times to ignite the Quran with a lighter, but counter-protesters repeatedly knocked the book from his hand.
At one point, Lang also provocatively tapped the Quran with a slab of bacon—a meat considered non-halal in Islam—before a counter-protester, who later identified himself online as Abbas Abou Khadr, snatched the book and ran away with it. On Facebook, Khadr stated that his actions were a moral duty, describing the defence of the Quran as a red line that cannot be ignored.
Escalating Tensions and a Change of Heart
In the hours that followed, Lang's supporters and the counter-protesters engaged in physical altercations, with reports of pepper spray being used and one man apparently punching Lang. Despite this, Lang did not back down. Wearing a tactical vest, he unfurled a banner reading 'Americans Against Islamification' and made derogatory statements about the Prophet Mohammed.
In a contrasting development, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson, who had initially planned a protest to 'expose' what he believed was the imposition of sharia law in Dearborn, performed a complete U-turn. After spending several days in the city and visiting three mosques, Hudson declared he had found only hospitality and no evidence of sharia law. He subsequently held a 'unity rally,' stating he saw women business owners and elements of life contrary to Islamic law, such as gentlemen's clubs and liquor stores.
In response to Hudson's moderated stance, Lang spray-painted the word 'cuck' on what appeared to be Hudson's campaign bus, accusing him of selling out.
City Council Meeting Erupts in Hate Speech
As the night progressed, all groups converged on Dearborn City Hall for a council meeting. Pro-Muslim liberal protesters chanted, 'Dearborn has made it clear: Fascists are not welcome here,' while some residents yelled 'Allahu akhbar' at Lang.
Undeterred, Lang took to the lectern and delivered a virulently anti-Muslim speech. He called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to be sent into Dearborn, falsely claiming its Muslim residents were 'H1-B chain migration invaders' who had 'overstayed their visas.' He denounced what he called 'the Islamification of America,' made derogatory remarks about Muslim-majority countries, and told the city's Muslim community to 'get the f**k out of my country.' He was eventually escorted out by police officers.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud condemned the protesters, stating the city stands tall against hate. Anthony Hudson denounced Lang's group as 'anti-American.' The raucous demonstrations resulted in one arrest, but no injuries were reported.
