DEARBORN — A judge’s seat can be a much sought after position.

At the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Michigan Regional Office’s  (ADC-MI), 14th annual Guardians of Justice Judges Night banquet on Thursday, September 8, a strong emphasis on judicial leadership was the overall sentiment.

ADC-MI established Judges Night in an effort to recognize judges who exhibit distinguished leadership, are committed to justice and strive to uphold the letters of the Constitution.

In her keynote address, Professor Kathleen Cleaver of Emory Law School spoke of her experiences as a civil rights activist in the 1970’s and the role women played in the African American civil rights movement.  

She emphasized the importance of improving access to education as a vehicle for securing justice for all minorities, but reminded the packed room that “justice is not something you find in the classroom.” She noted that justice comes from fair laws and “responsive legal systems that reflect the needs of all citizens.” 

In her address, ADC-Michigan Director Attorney Fatina Abdrabboh highlighted the recent increase in hate crimes and Islamophobic attacks against Muslim and Arab Americans, including the recent murders of an Arab American Christian in Oklahoma and a Muslim religious figure in New York.

She espoused continued efforts such as, “advocacy, voting, community engagement and empowering our youth so that they will grow up to become adults with an unwavering commitment to justice for all people. Empowering our youth and enabling them to become more engaged will allow the issues of greatest importance to our communities to be at the forefront of national discourse and prevent our voices from continuing to be systematically excluded in discussions on justice and equality.”

Abdrabboh noted that, “Guardians of Justice is not only the theme for this banquet but should also be a personal advocacy goal for each person in this room as we pursue our rightful place in the face of mounting injustices against our community throughout the United States.”

Abdrabboh also spoke of the “disastrous consequences of the politics of fear” and other forms of xenophobia promoted by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. 

“Promoting justice is necessary to affirm the dignity of each human being and countering the politics of fear and the forces of hate wherever they are,” she said. 

ADC-MI presented the “Guardian of Justice” awards to Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Farah, 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey and Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Robert Colombo. 

ADC-MI honored these awardees for their distinguished public service and commitment to judicial excellence.

Judge Salamey delivered an inspirational speech about the importance of family and belonging to community.  

Salamey also praised the ADC-Michigan and Abdrabboh.

“My first thought when told about my nomination for the award was that we should be awarding Fatina Abdrabboh and the whole community of people supporting the crucial cause of the ADC,” he said.

Salamey, a Lebanese American, made history in Dearborn when he won the judicial election in 2012 after he unseated a incumbent. 

In his acceptance speech, Judge Farah challenged the audience to promote civic engagement and reminded listeners that this was critical to creating a more just society where all voices can be heard.

ADC-MI also honored attorney Alice B. Jennings with the Peter Hammer Award for her decades of work in civil rights.  Hammer is currently the director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School, a center dedicated to promoting the educational, economic and political empowerment of underrepresented communities. 

The event hosted more than 500 distinguished guests. Attendees included more than 65 circuit court, federal and state Supreme Court judges. Also present were law school deans, academics, mayors from across Michigan, elected officials, prominent attorneys and
community leaders.