Dearborn resident Bayda Aryan protests May 29 at the intersection of Greenfield Road and Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, holding a sign about the May 25 death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a white police officer.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Baydaa Aryan of Dearborn, an Iraqi native, protested the death of George Floyd May 29 with a sign at the northwest corner of Greenfield Road and Michigan Avenue.
Floyd, an African American, died after a white police officer allegedly used excessive force by holding a knee to the neck of Floyd, who was prone, May 25 in Minneapolis.
Aryan, whose comments were translated into English by her husband during a phone interview, said she felt so sorry for the man who was “killed for no reason,” and said he should have been treated better, like a human being.
She said that one of the core beliefs of Christianity and Islam is to show mercy, and the life of anyone should not be taken the way Floyd died.
Aryan said if Floyd had done something wrong, he should have been treated within the law.
She said Floyd should not have been treated like he might have in the Arab Emirates. She said she came from a country where there were human right abuses, and she is “so sick” to see it happening here, in the United States, where the law is supposed to protect everyone. Aryan has permanent resident status.
Aryan said most of the people driving by were supportive, thanking her, making positive gestures and honking car horns in a friendly manner. She said even the police officers driving by reacted positively.