Dearborn Mayor’s Viral Clash with Minister Raises Free Speech Questions

Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told Christian minister Ted Barham he was “not welcome” and proposed a parade for his departure.

A city council meeting on September 9, 2025, in Dearborn, Michigan, has gone viral after Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told Christian minister Ted Barham he was “not welcome” and proposed a parade for his departure. The exchange, captured on video, has drawn national attention, highlighting tensions over speech and institutional authority.

The Flashpoint

Barham objected to street signs honoring Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News, citing Siblani’s recorded statements praising Hezbollah and Hamas—groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. Barham quoted Siblani’s call to “fight with stones, guns, planes, drones, and rockets,” likening the honor to “Hezbollah Avenue.” Hammoud responded:

“You’re an Islamophobe… you are not welcome here. And the day you move out of the city will be the day I launch a parade celebrating it.” He added, “The best suggestion I have for you is to not drive on Warren Avenue or to close your eyes while you’re doing it.”

Power, Speech, and the Constitution

The incident follows prior disputes between Barham and city officials over his public ministry. Online discussions, with over 10,000 retweets by September 18, question: Is dissent labeled “hate” when challenging pro-Palestinian symbols? Can a mayor direct a citizen’s public behavior? The exchange has sparked First Amendment debates, given Barham’s use of scripture in his objection.

The Double Standard

This mirrors past speech controversies. From 2021-2024, the Biden administration saw dozens of conservative accounts deplatformed on Twitter and YouTube for “misinformation” or “hate speech,” with limited reversals—often cheered by progressive circles. Edelman’s 2024 Trust Barometer notes 64% of Americans perceive institutional bias, a trend reflected in reactions to both Hammoud’s remarks and earlier conservative silencing.

WecuMedia’s Position

We document free speech cases, valuing open discourse while noting consequences for institutional actions. Hammoud’s response targeted a citizen’s expression, contrasting with past deplatforming trends. Accountability, not censorship, remains the focus—challenges arise when power shapes speech enforcement.