WEST BLOOMFIELD — The city’s Police Department Lieutenant Tim Diamond told The Arab American News that several police officers were present Nov. 24 during a protest in support of Gaza here to assure people were allowed to demonstrate freely with no problems. The police department provided additional protection after one female police officer wrongly told demonstrators at a Nov. 17 rally that took place on Orchard Lake Rd near Maple in West Bloomfield, in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, they “were not allowed to chant and could only protest silently”. Eventually another police officer stepped in and told protesters that they don’t have to be silent, and they could demonstrate anyway they wished as long as they didn’t disturb the peace. 

Other issues that occurred at the Nov. 17 protest involved a pro-Israeli man who grabbed signs from three female protesters, threw them in the street and used derogatory language towards them. The extra security at the second protest was put in place to prevent any similar situations from occurring. Diamond says protesters have the right to demonstrate in anyway, as long as they don’t disturb the peace, and also says chanting is allowed.