DETROIT — The Arab American Civil Rights League joined the newly formed Coalition for Justice and Fairness to Reform Law Enforcement. The Coalition is working to prevent incidents such as the shooting of a Black man by a White police officer in Ferguson, Missouri from happening in Detroit. 

Additional members of the group include the ACLU of Michigan and the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, among others.

A press conference was held this week at the NAACP Detroit office to introduce the group. NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony said there needed to be discussions on the reduction of the militarization of law enforcement; increased educational training for police and the implementation of racial profiling legislation to protect minorities – with emphasis on Black men – from potential showdowns with police.

Attorney and ACRL Chairman Nabih Ayad said Arab Americans account for more then 40 percent of Dearborn’s population, yet only 2 percent of its officers are Arabs. Ayad said the ACRL stands in solidarity with the new coalition’s mission.