Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who delivered a prayer at President Donald Trump's inauguration, has accused city officials in Dearborn, Michigan, of giving preferential treatment to Muslims and allowing a "two-tiered justice system." Sewell, senior pastor of 180 Church in Detroit, told Fox News Digital that Christians in the predominantly Muslim city have privately expressed fear about publicly practicing their faith.
"Right now, the city officials in Dearborn specifically, they are giving Muslims preferential treatment," Sewell stated. He cited instances where, in his view, law enforcement did not act decisively when assaults occurred, contrasting it with what he described as the police's ability to "enact justice" in other situations. "So, when someone is being assaulted and nothing happens, when someone's being assaulted and the police choose to look the other way, you can see clearly a two-tiered justice system," he said.
Sewell also voiced concerns about what he perceives as the upholding of Sharia law practices in Dearborn. He pointed to the city of Hamtramck's 2023 City Council vote to allow animal sacrifice and Dearborn Public Schools' policy of serving certified Halal meat in schools. "And I believe the most concerning to me is the call to prayer," Sewell added, questioning the ability to impose such practices in a majority Christian country.
These claims follow Sewell's remarks at a Dearborn town hall where he stated, "America, we have lost this city. This is a city that is no longer up under American laws; we are up under Sharia law. We will not have it anymore."
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud's office told CBS News that Dearborn has nearly 30 Christian churches and more than a dozen mosques. The Dearborn Police Department stated that officers handled a recent "Christian Crusader March" professionally, ensuring safety and protecting constitutional rights.
In response to Sewell's allegations, Dearborn City Council President Mike Sareini told Fox News Digital that the pastor's claims are false. "The City of Dearborn is an American city governed by the U.S. Constitution, the laws of the State of Michigan, and the City of Dearborn Charter," Sareini said. "Those laws apply equally to every resident, regardless of religion or background. Everyone is treated the same."
Sareini added, "There is no evidence of preferential treatment for any religious group. These accusations are unfounded, and I challenge anyone to present evidence otherwise." He also noted that pastors from Dearborn had spoken at a press conference confirming peaceful coexistence among different faiths in the city.