WEST BLOOMFIELD — On Nov. 17 a rally in support of Palestinians eventually led to police intervention here. 

According to Palestinian American Dr. Daad Bakir Katato, a Jewish man and his daughter confronted some of the protesters. 

The man stood in front of three female protesters and proceeded to rip signs out of their hands, crumbled them up and threw them in the street. 

He also screamed various racial obscenities telling protesters to “go back to Dearborn,” and called them “animals.” 

The rally was between Maple and Orchard Lake Road.  

Dr. Katato says about 25 people from the Arab community who live in Oakland County participated. 

“Anyone has the right to be able to express themselves and assemble peacefully…it was wrong for whoever started it,” Robert Cohen, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council said.

The protest comes in the aftermath of days of war between Gaza and Israel that have set off tensions on international, national and local levels. 

Pro-Palestinian activists during the rally.

“A good amount of people driving by honked and cheered in support for breaking the silence about the crimes that are being committed by the Israelis against the Palestinian people,” Dr. Katato said. “However we also had many people who cursed at us, stuck middle fingers out from their windows and looked at us with disgust as they watched us protest.” 

The names of the three protestors who had their signs thrown in the street include Iman Abunada, Sarah Abunada and Shereen Abunada.

The organizers of the protest are Mohammad Katato, Eslam Kersha, Omar Saed and Bielal Chatila. 

Dr. Katato says her and other protestors were in complete shock to have witnessed such discrimination and hate. Demonstrators say the man and his daughter continued to yell and scream at the top of their lungs until West Bloomfield Police arrived. 

Sarah says there have been similar protests held in the same area, and the man and his daughter have made appearances at them also. 

According to demonstrators a female officer told them they were not allowed to chant during the protest, and it had to remain silent or they would all be arrested. 

When demonstrators asked other officers whether it was true, they were given a conflicting response and told they were allowed to protest in anyway as long as they didn’t disturb the peace. 

Sarah says a law enforcement official who appeared to be in higher authority than the female officer approached her and explained what the demonstrators’ rights were. Protesters say they continued to chant afterwards. 

“It turns out it wasn’t true, we were allowed to chant as loud as we wanted. That’s our right. We didn’t break the law. I felt like she was being biased. When she approached us, she said, ‘have you ever heard of a silent protest, that’s what’s going to happen here,”’ Sarah said.

West Bloomfield Police could not be reached as of press time for comment. 

On Nov. 24 another protest was held, Dr. Katato says more than 100 people attended. 

“It aided to push the community into joining together as one for the support of our community and the Palestinians suffering in Palestine,” Katato said. 

Some people were concerned that the man who had provoked the demonstrators was let go by police.  Cohen says feelings about the conflict in both communities are running very high.