NO SPACE FOR HATE
Over 200 people spoke out during public comment at Bloomfield Township’s October 14 board of trustees meeting after Bloomfield Township Trustee Stephanie Fakih, who is Lebanese American, posted on social media, “Israeli zionists are the scum of the earth and the only people on par are American zionists,” as well as referring to 95%+ of Jews globally as “scum.” Rather than reaching out and apologizing, Fakih doubled down and posted again on October 7, urging a call to action for her supporters to come to the township board meeting to speak during public comment to “say that you stand with me.” A few did show up. The group StopAntisemitism posted back in response, “Bloomfield is home to one of Michigan’s largest Jewish populations. This vile hate must not be tolerated – Stephanie Fakih must step down.” An elected official cannot be recalled in their last year of office and only the governor can order removal of an official. A primarily Jewish, pro-Israel crowd spoke directly to Fakih at the board of trustees meeting, explaining their hurt and anger for 3.5 hours of public comment, while Fakih smirked from the trustees table. Fakih, completing her first four-year term as a Bloomfield Township trustee, is not running for re-election on November 5, so her time at the trustees table is very limited, with new trustees taking their place on November 20. Fakih unsuccessfully ran for state representative in 2022, and has spoken of her desire for higher political office. That aspiration may last as long as a social media post. Trustees eventually censured her, 6-1.