Direct Action Updates
During the 40 Days of Action for the Poor People's Campaign, dozens of Michigan residents trained in two-days of non-violent, direct action training. They pledged to take a stand against poverty, injustice, systemic racism, and a variety of harmful actions by governments and corporations. Faith leaders from across the state joined grassroots groups, union members, parents and children, and people from all walks of life in our Great Lakes state to march for justice and demand change and accountability from elected officials and business leaders. To make our calls for action loud and clear, 105 Michigan residents were arrested over six weeks of justice-seeking, non-violent direct action in Lansing and Detroit.
Here is the weekly breakdown:
May 14: SOMEBODY’S HURTING OUR PEOPLE:
Children, Women, and People with Disabilities in Poverty, LGBTQIA+
On May 14,
following the rally at the Capital, we took to the streets. Around the country,
at 3pm in close to 40 states, we blockaded the streets in front of our Capitals
shutting down business as usual. In Michigan, we had over 40 people risking
arrest that included rabbis, pastors, priests, an imam, and religious sisters.
As those risking initially held the street, it liberated the space for hundreds
to step in singing, chanting, and dancing. With a powerful spirit, we held the
space on a hot, humid day for three hours. We declared victory.
No arrests
made.
May 21: LINKING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND
POVERTY: Voting Rights, Immigration, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and the
Mistreatment of Indigenous Communities
On May 21,
following a rally at both the Capital and in a nearby park, we marched to the
Department of Health and Human services. Twenty activists went to the front
door and blocked the main entrance to the building. When it became clear, that
the building and police were more than fine to use different entrances to the
building, the group split into affinity groups and shut down two additional
entrances. Eventually, 16 people were able to move inside the building and were
immediately told they were under arrest.
They were
bonded out at $300 a person and charged with the misdemeanor of trespassing.
16 people
arrested.
May 29: THE WAR ECONOMY: Militarism and the
Proliferation of Gun Violence
On May 29,
following the rally at the Capital, those risking arrest moved to the grassy
lawn and planted crosses creating a cemetery to commemorate all the death as a
result of our military spending. Hundreds then went inside the Capital and
walked right into the balcony of the House in session. We were given rules that
we were required to sit and be quiet. Those risking arrest stood up and began
to read out the ways the military spending affects Michigan. Then they began to
sing “Somebodies hurting my children, and we won’t be silent anymore.” They
were joined by over 100 PPC activists also in the balcony. After singing and
chanting, the House shut down for the day. We moved to the Rotunda where those
risking arrest did a die in while the rest of us sang. At 5:30pm, when the
building was closed, the police made arrests.
They were
given citations with a promise to appear and charged with the misdemeanor of
trespassing.
19 people
were arrested.
June 4: THE RIGHT TO HEALTH AND A HEALTHY
PLANET: Ecological Devastation and Health Care
On June 4,
following the rally at the Capital, we marched to the Department of
Environmental Quality. Those risking arrest blocked the doors to the North,
South, East and West. At each side, we named the crimes. To the North- the M5
Pipeline. To the West- Nestle’s pumping of water. To the South- the Detroit
water shut offs. To the East- the poisoning of Flint’s water. The crimes went
on and on. People were being ushered out of the building through a small door
in the loading docks, so some folks risking arrest moved to this fifth and
final exit of the building. Police physically held them a couple feet from the
door in order to get workers out of the building. At 4:55pm, folks moved to
block the parking lot next door on both sides. They were immediately arrested.
They were
given citations with a promise to appear and charged with the misdemeanor
attempting to resist and obstruct.
30 people
were arrested.
June 11: EVERYBODY’S GOT THE RIGHT TO LIVE:
Education, Living Wage Jobs, Income, Housing
On June 11,
following a rally at the Treasury which called attention to their control of
our school systems, we marched to MI State Housing Development Authority. With
the support of pressure from the Poor People’s Campaign, Moratorium Now! was
granted a meeting inside. Almost 50 people, a large showing from D15, sat in
front of the entrance and were quickly told they would be arrested.
They were given
citations with a promise to appear and charged with the misdemeanor of
trespassing.
17 people
were arrested.
June 18: A NEW AND UNSETTLING FORCE:
Confronting the Distorted Moral Narrative
23 people were arrested -- this makes a total of 105 arrests during 40 Days of Action in Michigan.
We'll report soon on upcoming events and activities in the post-40 Days of Action!