Tensions flare after video of crash aftermath involving New Era Detroit spreads on internet
Tensions flare in viral video following crash
The heated dispute took place earlier in September in Detroit near Paul Street and the Southfield Freeway. A police investigation shows that’s where a crash took place after an Arab American driver allegedly ran a red light and hit a vehicle driven by an African American female.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - The controversy continues after a video went viral of a heated encounter between the activist organization New Era Detroit and members of the Arab American community.
New Era Detroit video on Facebook
The backstory:
A dispute between two drivers took place earlier in September in Detroit near Paul Street and the Southfield Freeway.
A police investigation shows that’s where a crash took place after an Arab American driver allegedly ran a red light and hit a vehicle driven by an African American female.
Video of that exchange was posted on New Era Detroit’s Facebook page.
New Era confronted the group of Muslim men after they allegedly approached the African American woman’s vehicle that was totaled in the crash. The group of Muslim men allegedly took her purse and harassed her.
It’s also alleged that the same group pushed the Muslim woman’s vehicle to an unknown location and protected her.
FOX 2 reached out to New Era Detroit and was told that, out of respect for the victim, they would not be speaking to the media.
The other side:
"I was shocked and angry, and I wanted to find out what happened, why it happened, and my community is outraged. We are very angry about what happened. It’s unfair to put it on all Arab Americans. Whoever did it should be held accountable," said Arab American News founder Osama Siblani. "We looked at the video, immediately reached out to the woman whose car was hit, who did nothing wrong, and we offered to help make things right for her."
Members of the Arab American Civil Rights League say they did offer to help the victim and are still waiting to hear back from her.
Meanwhile:
Concern is in both communities as the election approaches.
Some prominent members of the Muslim American community believe the incident is being used to build tension between African Americans and Muslim Americans, and that the tension could impact the upcoming election.
"Right now there are sinister hands at play because of the election, because of Abdul (El-Sayed), because of his positioning, that are trying to divide the Arab community and the Black community," said Arab American Civil Rights League chair Nasser Beydoun.
The Source: FOX 2 talked with the Arab American Civil Rights League and New Era Detroit for details in this report.