City council takes rare action in censuring colleague

By Charles Sercombe
It appears the honeymoon is already over for city councilmembers.
Recently, the council voted to censure newly-elected councilmember Yousuf Saed for a comment he posted on social media that allegedly disparaged some fellow councilmembers.
What he said, exactly, was not mentioned during the council’s discussion at its Feb. 24 meeting.
But, according to some who are familiar with the matter, Saed made a comment on his Facebook page in Arabic, and called some fellow councilmembers “clowns” – or something to that effect – over a resolution that had been passed.
That comment can no longer be found on his Facebook page.
Councilmember Saed has not previously held public office, and has only been on council for two months. The Review reached out to Saed for comment via his city email, but he did not respond.
Councilmember Mohammed Alsomiri appeared to be the most offended by what Saed called him, but his explanation was not clear due to his limited English-speaking ability.
“Never someone speak anything bad for our council,” Alsomiri said.
Saed is not the first councilmember to face censuring in recent years.
Back in 2019, former Councilmember Ian Perrotta was censured for language he used while talking about a matter with a city employee.
At the time, Perrotta apologized for what he said, but his relationship with most of his council colleagues was increasingly on the rocks after that.
A censure carries no punishment, but rather is a public reprimand – or public shaming – that does not remove a councilmember from office.
It simply criticizes a member for his or her behavior or conduct.
The council’s censure read, in part: “Councilmember Saed published a post on his personal Facebook account that contained derogatory and demeaning language directed at fellow members of the Hamtramck City Council regarding votes those members had cast on prior matters before the Council; and the publication of such content undermines the decorum, mutual respect, and collaborative spirit that are essential to effective and transparent city governance. …”
Councilmember Saed denied using foul language in his post, saying the word he used “wasn’t a bad word or anything. Just an opinion for four people.”
Saed also accused Alsomiri of telling him how to vote on resolutions facing the council.
“How many time did you push me to vote for somebody for resolution,” he said.
Councilmember Nayeem Choudhury attempted to play the role of peacemaker, but it didn’t change much.
“I wish it didn’t come to this point. Things got heated up,” Choudhury said. “This isn’t necessary to censure somebody – unless it’s an extremist way that person behaved.”
Mayor Adam Alharbi, who chairs council meetings, also tried his hand at offering an olive branch.
He said Saed was “wrong with his comment, but it’s not to the point where he needs to be censured.”
Councilmembers who voted in favor of Saed’s censure included: Mohammed Hassan, Muhtasin Sadman, Abu Musa and Alsomiri. Those voting against the resolution were Councilmembers Choudhury and Saed.
The council has not held a meeting since Feb. 24. The next meeting is scheduled for March 24.
Posted March 20, 2026