Anti-Defamation League to hold Walk Against Hate in Southfield

SOUTHFIELD — People will soon come together to march against hate and discrimination during a walk by the Anti-Defamation League, or ADL, in the heart of Southfield. The event comes amid what organizers say has been an increase in antisemitic incidents in recent years.

The 2022 ADL Walk Against Hate will kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Southfield Civic Center, located at 26000 Evergreen Road, south of Interstate 696. Registration opens at 9 a.m. Anyone is welcome, and there is no fee to walk, but those who donate or raise $50 or more will receive a special T-shirt.

According to Carolyn Normandin, the regional director of ADL Michigan, the walk aims to raise awareness for how hate crimes and other discriminatory acts continue to be a problem in the U.S.

“We’ve seen the rising tide of antisemitism and other forms of bigotry in the past several years, and the facts are staggering,” Normandin said in an email, pointing to a 34% increase in nationally reported incidents during that time. “Last year’s audit showed the highest year on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents — that’s more than 40 years.”

“There are a great many people who unabashedly spew hate and make no qualms about it,” she continued. “At ADL, we believe the best way to counteract hate speech is with anti-hate speech. The Walk Against Hate is a way for community members to rise together, and show our strength in standing up against hatred and bigotry.”

The event will also honor Arthur Horowitz, publisher emeritus, with ADL’s Path to Truth Award, which recognizes people who act courageously to honor the First Amendment by reporting with truth and objectivity.

“Arthur’s commitment to the Michigan Jewish community is documented by more than three decades in service to the Detroit Jewish News,” Normandin said. “His work as a leader in civil rights spaces and in the Detroit community is widely acclaimed.”

The ADL, founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people, bills itself as the world’s leading anti-hate organization aimed at stopping antisemitism, bias and bigotry of all kinds. The group’s initiatives include incident response, advocacy and educational efforts. Its ultimate goal is to protect democracy and ensure a more just and inclusive society for all groups of people.

One of ADL’s most famous assets is the Center on Extremism, which continues to monitor and track incidents of hatred, sharing statistics and incident reports with the public. Its resources are freely available online at adl.org.

Michal Nodel, the walk co-chair and an ADL Michigan board member, said via email that the walk creates a sense of strength in numbers.

“For anyone who has ever been bullied, discriminated against, threatened or harassed, it is remarkably powerful to gather and walk with people who are standing up against such behavior,” Nodel said. “Every community that has felt the increase in targeted hate has something to gain by coming together with others under the banner of tolerance and acceptance.

“The walk itself is very spirited, with a variety of organizations and diverse communities from metro Detroit all joining up against hate in all of its forms,” he said. “With gorgeous fall weather ahead, I can’t think of a better way to spend the morning!”