Dearborn Police make 22 arrests during demonstration; City Council meeting proceeds without incident

Published Aug. 19, 2026

The Dearborn Police Department made 22 arrests during Tuesday’s planned demonstration near the Henry Ford Centennial Library. Despite several incidents requiring police intervention, no injuries were reported, and the regularly scheduled Dearborn City Council meeting proceeded as planned and concluded without incident.

Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin stated, "Our officers met a challenging and rapidly evolving situation with the professionalism this community expects, keeping everyone safe, protecting the constitutional rights of those who came to be heard, and allowing the City Council to complete its business. I could not be prouder of them." 

Throughout the day Tuesday, several hundred demonstrators representing a variety of groups and organizations gathered in the area surrounding the Henry Ford Centennial Library.

The Dearborn Police Department, with assistance from the Michigan State Police, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, Detroit Police Department, and Western Wayne Mobile Field Force, maintained a significant public safety presence throughout the event.

The Department’s primary objectives were to maintain public safety, protect the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms, and ensure the uninterrupted operation of the scheduled City Council meeting.

Shahin added, “We are beyond grateful for the efforts of our law enforcement partners on the state, local, and federal levels. They mobilized alongside our officers to contain a very complicated public safety scenario. Our entire community thanks their assistance.”

While the majority of those in attendance demonstrated peacefully, several individuals engaged in unlawful conduct and required police intervention. As communicated in advance of the event, the Dearborn Police Department maintained a consistent enforcement posture and would not tolerate unlawful activity by any individual, regardless of affiliation or viewpoint.

As a result, 22 individuals were arrested during the demonstration. No injuries were reported among demonstrators, members of the public, or law enforcement personnel.

The individuals ranged in age from 18 to 64 years old, and belonged to areas from across the state and locations as far out as New York and Tennessee.

A variety of misdemeanor charges ranged from breach of peace, disorderly conduct, and more.

The Dearborn City Council meeting began as scheduled and concluded without incident.

The Dearborn Police Department extends its appreciation to its law enforcement partners, City personnel, community leaders, and volunteers who assisted throughout the event. 

The Police Department also thanks local and national media partners for their cooperation and professionalism during and in the lead up to yesterday’s Council meeting.
 

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