People’s Conference for Palestine in Michigan shocks the world | WATCH
Many people on social media were horrified and disgusted by statements made at the recent People's Conference for Palestine. They warned of divisiveness, pointing to the provocative language as evidence of extremism.
TwitterIn the heart of Detroit, amid the hum of a convention center packed with thousands of activists, the second annual People's Conference for Palestine unfolded over the last weekend of August 2025. From August 29 to 31, Huntington Place became a "hub for impassioned discussions" on Palestinian rights, global solidarity, and the urgent call to end what organizers describe as Israel's ongoing "genocide" in the Gaza Strip.
With the slogan "Gaza is the Compass," the event drew participants from across North America and beyond, blending Israel-hating speeches, cultural performances, and strategic workshops aimed at building a stronger movement against "occupation" and "imperialism".
The conference opened on Friday afternoon, August 29. Attendees, many waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs, filled the halls for plenary sessions like "Keynote: Gaza is the Center of the World" and "The Struggle Continues: The Fight for Palestine in North America." Cultural highlights included the Baladi Dance Group. Organizers from groups such as the Palestinian Youth Movement emphasized the event's role in uniting diverse voices, from labor unions to student activists, to challenge U.S. complicity in Israel's actions.
"Prominent" figures took the stage, including Palestinian-American activist Huwaida Arraf, a longtime advocate and co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement. In her address, Arraf spoke of "globalizing the Intifada," framing it as an international uprising against oppression. She referenced historical movements, from Palestinian intifadas to Marxist revolutions and the Arab Spring, urging attendees to force governments to heed calls for justice. "We have and we will continue to globalize the Intifada," she declared, emphasizing a world that rejects the unacceptable (not to mention that globalizing the initifada is a crime against humanity.)
Her words resonated with the crowd but quickly sparked online backlash, with critics interpreting them as endorsements of violence rather than nonviolent resistance.
Another moment that ignited controversy came from Sachin Peddada, a Ph.D. student and research coordinator at Progressive International, during a panel on arms embargoes. Peddada, paraphrasing deceased Palestinian militant Bassel al-Araj, called the U.S. "an evil country" driven by greed and imperialism. "We have to destroy the idea of America in our heads, in our neighbors' heads, in our comrades' heads," he said, arguing that American exceptionalism blinds people to global humanity.
He drew parallels between Israel and the U.S., suggesting that dismantling notions of supremacy is key to solidarity. While supporters saw this as a critique of empire, detractors, including conservative media outlets, labeled it anti-American rhetoric, amplifying clips across social platforms.
The event's radical tone drew sharp criticism from groups like the Anti-Defamation League and MEMRI, who accused speakers of supporting terrorism and glorifying groups like Hamas. The 2024 conference faced similar scrutiny, with reports highlighting declarations of "full support for terrorism" and affiliations with U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.
Famous antisemitic Influencers like Hasan Piker and poor old Mahmoud Khalil spoke too.
As reported by Open Source Intel, Aisha Nizar openly called to target the Maersk shipping line: “Maersk is a target.”
The Jew haters and Israel haters wrapped up their conference today (Sunday), not a moment too soon.