Prominent judges from throughout the region attended the 8th Annual ADC Judges Night at Bint Jebeil Cultural Center in Dearborn on Thursday.

DEARBORN – The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) hosted its 8th Annual Judges Night at Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn on Oct. 1, with the goal of honoring judges who have done an outstanding job upholding civil rights in their courtrooms.

U.S. Congressman John Conyers (left) presents a certificate of recognition to ADC awardee Judge Marilyn Kelly as Wayne County CEO Robert Ficano looks on.

Fox 2 News anchor Ron Savage served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening while Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly and United States Court of Appeals 6th Circuit Judge Damon J. Keith each received the prestigious Guardian of Justice Award from the ADC.
“I view this award as a charge and a challenge moving forward, and I’ll do my best to deserve it,” Kelly said.

Local attorney Jim Allen introduced Keith and thanked him for standing up to President Richard Nixon over the government’s desire to conduct electronic wiretapping operations against citizens in a famous case dubbed the “Keith Case” in 1971, calling him one of his heroes.

Attorney Nabih Ayad, L, Judge Damon Keith, ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad, and attorney Jim Allen pose. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios

Keith turned the attention back to Kelly, praising her for “straightening out a court that hasn’t always been straight” and exemplifying the selfless theme of the night with his speech.
Keynote speaker Portia Roberson also took the podium, quoting the late Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran in her speech to the gathered crowd.

“Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of us all,” she said.

Roberson also thanked the judges for a job well done.

“These judges have worked tirelessly so that we recognize as a nation that true justice must come to us all.”

Local attorney Mona Fadlallah received the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award as well, and her sister Nadia Fadel, who recently left her job at ADC for a position with the U.S. Census Bureau’s Dearborn Branch, was also honored for her contributions to ADC.

The ADC is still struggling for funds in today’s downtrodden economy and seeking donations for its American-Arab Center for Civil & Human Rights in Dearborn, which was halted during construction due to lack of funds. Donations can be made for the non-profit organization at //www.adcmichigan.org.