SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – On a drizzly Sunday morning, dozens of people stood in front of the Southfield City Centre. Behind the smiles, a very serious concern loomed over the crowd.
“As you know, right now the world is very divisive and people -- there’s a lot of acrimony,” said Carolyn Normandin, regional director for the Anti-Defamation League Michigan.
The crowd gathered for the annual Walk Against Hate. Beforehand, ADL recognized several people, including an educator, for traveling with children on a nearly 400-mile roundtrip to visit the Zekelman Holocaust Museum to help them better understand the lesson.
Other recipients include nine people who were highlighted for their work in providing safe spaces for Michigan college students following the Oct. 7 attack in Israel.
“Today we’re here to walk against hate, and now is the most important time for us to show solidarity for one another,” said Yevgeniya Gaazman, a participant.
The organization reports it’s seeing an increase in hatred, including harassment, vandalism, and assault.
According to an ADL annual report, there’s been a six-fold increase in antisemitic incidents in the state over the past five years including a 140% increase in 2023.
Supporters also point to the recent Ann Arbor police investigation involving the search for suspects accused of assaulting someone allegedly due to their Jewish background as another concern.
“It makes me feel terrible, and it makes me feel like I want to do something about it,” said Paul Lieberman, who also joined the walk.
For the crowd, the time for peace is now.
“I mean, who doesn’t want peace,” Wendy Stone Bickmore said. “Who could support hate? It makes no sense, right.”