18 August 29 • 2019
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president of Caucus for America, which
states on its website that it is “dedicated
to the preservation and promotion of
our historic American civilization.
”
“It is just terrible to use the backdrop
of the Holocaust Memorial Center to
somehow portray to
the public that there is
no difference between
the real concentration
camps and the deten-
tion centers,
” Spero said
Greenstein added,
“People should not be
using the Holocaust
Museum and the
Holocaust as props for
their political agenda.
”
Lichtman felt differ-
ently, claiming it “is a very appropriate
location because this museum stands for
what happened and what could happen.
”
Speaker Emily DuThinh, a professor
at Wayne State University, said, “We
gathered in front of the Holocaust
Museum to honor the legacy and lessons
of the Holocaust. The Holocaust taught
us the necessity to stand up and respect
diversity and the dignity of all. America
is a nation of immigrants, but many vic-
tims were killed because America closed
its borders to refugees in the 1930s.
”
Counter-protesters, situated just south
of the demonstration, waved American
flags and used a bullhorn to object to
points made by the
speakers, including
observations that
America does not sub-
ject detainees to forced
labor, unlike internees
in classic concentra-
tion camps. Counter-
protesters also called
participants in the
main demonstration
“commies.
”
Regarding the pres-
ence of the Proud Boys, Rabbi Spero saw
them as “eclectic.
”
“I think a lot of them are not aligned
with fascist groups; there are a lot of
different chapters and to be fair to them,
you have to judge them based on their
particular chapter,
” he said.
Lichtman had a different opinion
about the presence of this group.
“It was very surreal to me and every-
body on our side to see them at the rally,
”
he said. “These are exactly the folks that
Trump will use, regardless if he wins or
loses the upcoming election, to harass,
intimidate and beat up people.
”
The HMC released a statement Aug.
20 regarding the rallies:
“The Holocaust Memorial Center
is not affiliated with the rally activity
taking place in front of the building.
The Holocaust Memorial Center is
proud to be a museum of history and
an educational institution. We are dedi-
cated to our mission to engage, educate
and empower by remembering the
Holocaust. We encourage everyone to
draw thoughtful conclusions from the
lessons we teach.
”
Members of the Farmington Hills
Police Department provided protection
for both sides of the protest. ■
Contributing Writer Louis Finkelman added to this
report. See “Publisher’
s Notebook” on page 5.
Protesters and counter-protesters at the Close the Camp Rally Aug. 20 at the HMC
Rabbi Aryeh Spero speaks to a crowd of
counter-protesters who objected to the
rally being held at HMC.
Meeting Highlights
Presentation of
The Fred M.
Butzel Memorial Award for distinguished
community service to:
Norman A.
Pappas
Election and installation of officers and board members
The Berman Center for the Performing Arts
Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
Dessert reception following |
Dietary laws observed
Presiding
Beverly B.
Liss |
Federation President
Alan Jay Kaufman |
Foundation President
Please respond online by September 6,
2019,
at jewishdetroit.
org/annualmeeting
Questions? Contact Marianne Bloomberg at
(248) 642-4611 or bloomberg@jfmd.
org
201
9
Annual
Meeting
Tuesday,
September
17
,
201
9
7:
30
pm