Protestors brave a snowstorm during the 2 p.m. rally at Dearborn City Hall. Photo courtesy of Nour Saker

DEARBORN — The Egyptian push for freedom was strong in the hearts and minds of the more than 250 people on Saturday, Feb. 5 in Dearborn as they gathered on the steps of City Hall for a late-afternoon rally despite frigid temperatures and driving snow for about 45 minutes of demonstrations.

Earlier in the day, a protest of about 50 people hosted by the Existence is Resistance organization lasting almost two hours according to attendees was held by community members as well, who circled City Hall in snowy conditions while waving signs to passing cars in support of the Egyptian people. Another similar rally of about 50 people also took place in Royal Oak on the same day.

Hundreds gather after last Saturday’s late afternoon demonstration for a candlelight vigil at the Lebanese American Heritage Club. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios

Following the second late-afternoon rally in Dearborn, which was hosted by the Congress of Arab American Organizations of Michigan (which boasts 40+ organizations as members), demonstrators filed down Maple Street to the Lebanese American Heritage Club for a press conference, candlelight vigil, and speeches from community members in support of  Egyptians’ right to democracy and self-determination as they continue to call for the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak and his totalitarian regime.

Speaking in front of a banner that read “Support Democracy in Egypt” with the national colors of black,  black, gold and red, community leaders gave their impassioned pleas to continue the support of the revolution as several metro Detroit TV stations and journalists watched and took notes.

Osama Siblani speaking at the rally

“Our hearts and prayers go out to those who unnecessarily lost their precious lives in defending a civilized peaceful movement of change,” said LAHC President Sam Salamey. “We are here to support the people of Egypt, their determination, resilience, and their goodwill to bring about a peaceful democracy against a regime that has used every conceivable underhanded dirty tactic against them; and to tell the Obama administration that our policy in the Middle East has to change.

Osama Siblani, a spokesman for CAAO and publisher of The Arab American News, said that he didn’t think twice about hosting the rally and press conference, which had both been tentatively scheduled for earlier in the week but postponed, despite the continued Arctic-like conditions.

“Today I did not hesitate one second, I did not care if I was the only one in front of City Hall. But you came despite the blizzard and some of you even beat me here. I didn’t hesitate because I believe in you and tens of thousands like you, who have done so much in the last three decades to support freedom, democracy and human rights in the Arab world, especially in Palestine.

“I have no doubt in my mind watching TV today that the people in Egypt are the same people we have here; we are here with the people in ‘Tahrir Square’ who are making history and making us all proud.”

Carol Fisher of Cleveland, Ohio was among those who attended the rally.

“We came here very inspired by the uprising in Egypt, it’s important for breaking the hold imperialism has in the world right now and we need to respect that,” she said.

Mariam Bazzi, the president of the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC), also spoke.

Attorney Shereef Akeel

“I thank America every day because we can come to this country and be truly what we want to be, but it’s time that people all over the world are able to say that about their own countries and that is why today we support Egyptians and all Arabs in the region as they seek self-determination and democracy, and we will always be there for them.”

Other speakers included Shereef Akeel, an Egyptian American and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Advisory Board Chairman, and Hasan Newash, head of Michigan’s Palestine Office.

Akeel said that visits to see relatives in Egypt have driven home the point that they don’t have the same rights that people do in America, rights he said that Americans take for granted.

Newash said that recent Arab uprisings are similar to an avalanche effect.

“You’re watching it for years and nothing is happening, and then suddenly, everything comes down. That’s exactly what we are witnessing, an avalanche in the Arab world starting with Lebanon in 2000, in 2006, in Gaza in 2008 and now Tunisia and then Egypt…The people together can never be defeated.”

A young girl showcases her sign in support of the Egyptian people at the LAHC.

In Salamey’s speech, he finished by talking about the need for a foreign policy change from U.S. leaders in the region in accordance with the country’s ideals.

“No longer can we continue to ignore our fundamental values and principals and our constitutional mandate of freedom, liberty, justice and equality, and force relationships with people under the pretext of serving American interests. America’s interests can best be protected by fostering positive relationships with people in the Middle East. We must continue as Arab Americans to get the message across that we are for peaceful change and never are or were on the side of terrorism, and we are here to contribute to the greatness of this great nation.”