Year-End “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Between Government And Community Held In Detroit:

By AmericaAmerican Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA)

The American Human Rights Council in partnership with the Islamic Center of Detroit (ICD) held its year-end “Meet, Greet and Open Conversation” on December 12, 2024.

The event was hosted by the US. Attorney- Eastern District Dawn Ison and other law enforcement partners including the FBI Detroit Field Office, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), United States Border Patrol, and Michigan Army National Guard. Close to one hundred invitees attended the event. The attendees included a diverse group that included judges, lawyers, civic and religious leaders, educators, activists, youth leaders, and others.

All participants reaffirmed the collective stance against hate and acts of hate and the commitment to ongoing dialogue, engagement, and partnership.

The “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” session was an occasion to bid farewell to Ms. Dawn Ison, the outgoing US Attorney. Ms. Dawson thanked all stakeholders and commended Mr. Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive, for his leadership and good work keeping the engagement ongoing, diverse, and inclusive, serving the mutual interests for decades. All the stakeholders expressed gratitude and commended US Attorney Dawn’s leadership during her years of service.

The event was also an opportunity to welcome Tod Bettison, the new Chief of Detroit Police Department; Chief Jamiel Altaheri, of Hamtramck Police Department; and Hussein Farhat, the incoming Chief of Dearborn Heights.

‘The “Open Conversation” was a momentous success. Under the leadership of my friend Imad, the roundtable continues to grow,’ said attorney Jeffrey Collins, former US Attorney. “I was inspired to see all the federal and local law enforcement officials engage in such positive conversations with the community," added Collins. "Ongoing dialogue is essential to building trust and sustaining it," concluded Collins.

“To see such a positive engagement with law enforcement here in Detroit was inspiring and should serve as a model for the rest of the country regarding effective community-government engagement,” said Attorney Shereef Akeel.

“Engagement and dialogue build trust,” said Mr. Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “We will continue to build on this trust next year and after,” concluded Hamad.