ADC-MI Director Abdrabboh with Attorney Petter Hammer..

DEARBORN — Following an interval in 2013, the American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee of Michigan (ADC-MI) held its 12th annual Judges Night gala on Thursday October 30. Dozens of dignitaries, activists and community leaders attended the event.

Held at Byblos Banquets in Dearborn, the civil rights group once again recognized judicial officials with its “Guardians of Justice” awards. Recipients included Michigan Supreme Court Judge Bridget Mary McCormack, former United States District Judge James G. Carr and United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Duggan. 

The reception, emceed by WXYZ Channel 7 News Anchor Nima Saffe,  included a keynote address from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and special remarks by ADC-MI Director Fatina Abdrabboh. 

Abdrabboh, an attorney who was appointed director of the chapter last year, delivered a speech highlighting the importance of recognizing judicial leaders who demonstrated equality and justice towards minority groups from the bench. 

“The true guardians of justice resist the labeling of others and have the courage to resist those labels,” Abdrabboh said. 

Abdrabboh said minority groups tend to lack pride and confidence as citizens in the U.S., as a result of being treated as outcasts or otherwise targeted by other Americans. 

While the ADC-MI has stood up for pivotal Arab American and Muslim American civil rights issues under Abdrabboh’s leadership this year, she noted that the fight for other minority groups is just as crucial as the Arab American battle. 

“When the civil liberties of one group of Americans— be they Arab, Native American, Armenian Americans or Muslim Americans— are undermined,  profound national interests are at stake,” Abdrabboh said. “We all have a stake in this together. As we build together, we must leverage our energies and talents of the American people to build a future where all Americans feel that they belong, and a future where all Americans can pledge allegiance to the flag with pride rather than doubt, trepidation and intimidation.” 

Following Abdrabboh’s address, Michigan State Board of Trustee Brian Mosallam introduced Mayor Duggan. The mayor, who was in the middle of operating a 3,000 vehicle street patrol initiative in Detroit for Angel’s Night, said his presence was warranted at the event because the Arab American community has been a consistent partner with him since he took office, and because his father, Judge Patrick J. Duggan, was also being recognized.

During his speech, Duggan said he was impressed with ADC-MI’s recipient list of awardees, stating a judge’s persistence and dedication can often elevate communities into a new direction.

“I think it is absolutely great that you are honoring the judges,” Duggan said. “You don’t only look at what the judges have done with civil rights in this community, but you also look at what the federal judges have meant to us in the city of Detroit.”

Duggan discussed his difficulties transitioning into office while Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr had been appointed to run city’s bankruptcy affairs. Duggan praised U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes for not approving a bankruptcy plan that had been drafted by Orr until he was certain that the Mayor’s office and city council were also comfortable with it.

“He insisted that they get our approval,” Duggan said. “From that point forward, my relationship with Kevyn Orr changed dramatically. We signed off on the plan and it got a whole lot better. The plan that we ended up with, I believe, has a real chance of bringing the city back. But it was a judge who stood up and said ‘I’m going to watch out for the rights of Detroiters.'” 

Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja presented Duggan with an Appreciation Award, stating that his run for mayor had been influential to her while she was running for council. 

Judge Duggan was honored for his long career behind the bench,  encouraging, mentoring and cultivating many judicial officials that came after him. He has served as president of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law American Inn of Court since 1999 and as master of the Bench since 1986. 

Judge McCormack was honored for her dedication and leadership in the fields of law and academics, and in advancing justice. McCormack joined the Michigan Supreme Court in January 2013. Prior to that, she was a law professor and dean at the University of Michigan Law School. She is also the co-founder of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, where students investigate and litigate cases on behalf of wrongfully-convicted prisoners.

Former U.S. District Court Judge James. G. Carr was honored for his career as a district judge in Ohio and for being a member of the United States Foreign Intelligence Court. He also had a lengthy career in academics as an adjunct professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and as an associate professor at the University of Toledo. 

Attorney Peter J. Hammer, director of the Damon Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University, was also a recipient. The center promotes civil rights and offers enhanced programming for students in legal studies and promotes community engagement. 

ADC-MI also honored college students as part of its “Youth for Civil Rights Initiative.” The initiative recognizes movers and shakers who had made an impact on their campuses and have worked closely with ADC. Those that were honored included students from Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University and Oakland University. 

Abdrabboh told The Arab American News that ADC-Michigan remains committed to strengthening the voice of Arab-Americans through advocacy and the 3 E’s:  Engagement, Education, and Empowerment.   The Guardians of Justice Judges Night banquet is, according to Abdrabboh, “part of this drive to strengthen the voice of Arab-Americans.”