On March 13, 2010 the Detroit People’s Movement Assembly committed to four actions, each a part of on-going campaigns as part of Another Detroit Is Happening! In addition, the Detroit PMA committed to an Action Protocol. The Detroit People’s Movement Assembly and its initiating organizations – Centro Obrero, East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, and Southeast Michigan Jobs with Justice -- urge all people attending the US Social Forum to consider supporting and participating in these actions. To learn about the actions and participate, please read the information below. Look for updates at the US Social Forum.
Tuesday, June 22nd
Assemble at 2:30pm, March starts at 3pm (same time as USSF opening march)
DTE World Headquarters
1 Energy Plaza, corner of Bagley & Third
We recognize that 17 people have died this season as a result of heat shut-offs by DTE Energy. We also recognize that DTE Energy is a private company, but it is subsidized by the people, by federal and state sources. DTE continually violates Michigan Public Service Commission regulations which give limited protection to seniors and low-income people. Residents can make arrangements for shutoff protection, but if they slip once or miss
a payment then their utilities will be cut off. This is unacceptable. Our actions are based on the realization that utilities are necessary for life and should be protected as a human right. Toward this goal, the next step of the campaign is to win an end to shutoffs for seniors, low-income people and the differently-abled all year round. Under the leadership of Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and its Utilities Committee, we will demonstrate at DTE Energy before the Opening March. Seventeen coffins, representing those killed this season by DTE, will join thousands of demonstrators marching around the DTE Energy.
Tuesday, June 22nd • 3pm (same time as USSF opening march)
Spirit of Detroit Statue. Detroit City Hall, Corner of Woodward and Jefferson
On the anniversary of the 1963 “Great March on Detroit” when Martin Luther King delivered his first “I have a dream” speech to a crowd of 500,000, join workers from Detroit and across the country in the “We Have a Dream” Workers’ March and Rally. Hear from leaders from across the country and in Detroit’s growing movement for workplace justice - including workers standing up for their rights at Andiamo Restaurant. Join us in our call for jobs and work with justice and dignity as we rally together before joining the USSF Grand March in Detroit!
Wednesday, June 23th • 6 pm Rehearsal (Action date TBA)
The Michigan Room in the Basement of Cobo Hall
Restaurant workers are organizing and have filed a federal lawsuit claiming they are owed stolen wages as well as violations for discrimination and illegal retaliation. Come stand with these workers demanding just treatment on the job! Come to the Creativity Lab in the Michigan Room in the Basement of Cobo Hall at 6pm to support restaurant workers with a participatory song and dance routine.
Friday Morning, June 25 • 9:45am – noon
Gather at Central United Methodist Church
23 E. Adams at Woodward
In organizing North Carolina tobacco workers, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee is focusing on the entire economic chain: from the largely undocumented workers often in slave labor conditions, through small farmers, Farm Bureau Association, RJ Reynolds, to the banks, notably JP Morgan Chase, with substantial investments. These are the same banks, including Chase, foreclosing homes in Detroit. This faith-led march is making the link between the two, calling on the Mayor and Governor to declare a state of emergency and urging faith communities,unions, and individuals to move their money and credit out of Chase Bank and into community-based institutions. A selected delegation may go into the Bank.
This action is organized by Word and World, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Moratorium Now! With support among others from Interfaith Worker Justice – Detroit, Centro Obrero, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, Rainbow/PUSH Detroit; Southern Faith, Labor, and Community Alliance; Winston-Salem Ministerial Alliance; Michigan Peace Team.
When: Saturday, June 26 at 9:00am
Where: Start in front Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave.
Detroit is home to some of Michigan’s worst polluting facilities and vehicles. These include the Detroit Incinerator, Marathon Oil Refinery, DTE Energy, U.S. Steel Corp., heavy diesel traffic and much more. In addition Detroit’s children suffer at asthma rates 3x the rest in Michigan, and asthma-related deaths 5 times the state average. This is inexcusable and something must be done to clean up the city’s air.
We call for a mass demonstration at the Detroit Incinerator to push the Mayor to expand curbside recycling throughout Detroit – bringing new jobs and economic development to the city – and end incineration of Detroit’s trash! The demonstration will also address the many other air polluters in Detroit. You can help Mayor Bing decide to improve community health and economic resiliency—both major benefits to City residents. Join us in making history this summer. More details at