In Huntington Woods, a battle has ensued over what you are allowed to say at the city’s Fourth of July parade. 

New rules would strip protest signs down to nothing but a group’s name and logo. A University of Michigan law clinic has told the city that those rules are unconstitutional and demanded their repeal.

In a June 12 letter, the University of Michigan’s Civil Rights Litigation Initiative — the clinic representing the Peace Group — says City Manager Andrew Pazuchowski told members the new rules were prompted by complaints about the group’s signs calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, along with a general concern about public safety. The clinic argues the rules were written to suppress a disfavored viewpoint and says that, to the group’s knowledge, there has never been a safety incident at the parade.

The Metro contacted the City of Huntington Woods for comment but did not receive a response.

Suhair Ghannam, a Huntington Woods resident and member of the Huntington Woods Peace Group, is in the middle of it. To understand why this cuts so deep for her, you have to go back to a dinner table in Nazareth, where a little girl learned not to talk about politics. Because where she grew up, speaking your mind wasn’t safe.

Ghannam joined host Robyn Vincent to discuss coming to the U.S. at 20 years old and finding the thing she says she treasures most about this country: the freedom to speak.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Friday, June 19

Juneteenth at Ralph Wilson Park: Stories of Us

Celebrate Juneteenth along the Detroit riverfront with an afternoon of music, storytelling, art and community reflection. The free event explores Detroit’s history, culture and resilience through African drumming and dance, poetry, spoken word performances and conversations with local artists and community members.

Attendees can also browse the Michigan Black Business Alliance Vendor Market, enjoy arts and crafts activities, take guided tours of the Stories of Us exhibit and purchase food and beverages from local vendors.

Ralph Wilson Park, Detroit
Friday, June 19
Free

www.detroitriverfront.org/events/calendar/2026/06/19/juneteenth-at-wilson

Midtown Detroit Juneteenth Parade & Celebration

Celebrate Juneteenth at Detroit’s original Juneteenth Parade & Celebration, now in its fourth year. The community event features a parade and festivities honoring Black history, culture and freedom in the heart of Midtown.

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit
Friday, June 19 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free

tmbcdetroit.org/uncategorized/juneteenth-celebration-2

Juneteenth @ The Wright

Celebrate Juneteenth with a day of history, culture and community at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The annual event features family-friendly activities, educational programs, live performances and interactive experiences that honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrate the contributions of Black communities.

Highlights include crafts and games, a community quilting workshop, book giveaways, film screenings, cooking demonstrations, cultural presentations and a closing concert by Mollywop! Visitors can also take part in discussions focused on history, health, food and freedom.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
Friday, June 19 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free-$15

www.thewright.org/events/juneteenth-the-wright-2026/

DABO’s Juneteenth Palooza Parade & Concert

Join Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) for a Juneteenth celebration featuring a community parade, live music and family-friendly activities. The event includes performances by local artists, including Big Chuck and InspiHER, along with free food, giveaways and youth-focused activities.

Parade begins at Livernois and Grand River and ends at Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield Bridge Center Library, 9928 Grand River Ave., Detroit
Friday, June 19 | Starting at 10 a.m.
Free

events.eventnoire.com/e/juneteenth-palooza-parade

Juneteenth Market & Cottage Food Tasting Fair

Support local entrepreneurs and sample a variety of homemade foods at the Juneteenth Market & Cottage Food Tasting Fair. Hosted by the Brightmoor Artisans Collective, the event showcases Black-owned businesses, local food makers and community vendors in a family-friendly outdoor market setting.

Brightmoor Artisans Collective, 22735 Fenkell Ave., Detroit
Friday, June 19 | 3 p.m.
Free

www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-market-cottage-food-tasting-fair-tickets-1988438207205

4th Annual Juneteenth Music Festival Detroit

Celebrate Juneteenth with an evening of live music, comedy, food and community at the 4th Annual Juneteenth Music Festival Detroit. The outdoor event commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

The festival features performances by G-Note-7, The James Shelton Band, comedian Josh Adams, JD Green, Quest Mcody, Galaxy the Poet and other local artists. Food is included with admission.

Boston-Edison Historic District
Friday, June 19 | 5-11 p.m.
$35

www.facebook.com/share/1UXqTcNbzd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Saturday, June 20

8th Annual Juneteenth Family Reunion

Celebrate Juneteenth at this annual community gathering in Oakland County. The family-friendly event features live music, dancing, food, networking opportunities and activities for children, all designed to create the feel of a traditional family reunion while honoring Black culture and community.

Goldengate Park, 18890 Rainbow Drive, Lathrup Village
Saturday, June 20 | Noon
Free

www.juneteenthfamreunion.org/schedule