Rally to Reunite Families and End Family Detention draws large number of demonstrators in Ann Arbor Saturday.

Photo Purple Walrus Press.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Temperatures soared into the mid nineties Saturday morning, but that did not stop roughly 1000 demonstrators from protesting the Trump Administration and its Zero Tolerance and family detention policy on the border. The rally took place on the Diag on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The rally, sponsored by Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, was intent on demanding a permanent end to the separation of children and families by Trump, immediately reversing the Zero Tolerance policy which created the crisis, reuniting every family that remains torn apart, permanently ending the indefinite detention of children and families and accountability for, in the words of organizers, the abusers, ICE and Border Patrol.

Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, a Holocaust survivor and several other individuals who gave personal testimonials regarding their personal experiences with discrimination addressed the receptive crowd gathered on the Diag.

Protesters carried signs stating, among other messages, 'Save the Country,' 'Families Belong Together', 'Where Are the Children', and 'Trump is a Fascist.'

Photos Purple Walrus Press.

Families in Flint can receive nutritious food at mobile food pantry in July.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 I am very happy to report that according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Flint families may get nutritious food that can limit the effects of lead exposure during mobile food pantry hours set for July at locations throughout Flint.

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are announcing the upcoming schedule for mobile food pantry stops to distribute foods rich in calcium, vitamin C and iron. Families in July will receive produce that includes corn, green beans, zucchini, kale, collards, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, peppers.

Over $300 million has been provided to help the residents of Flint, including funding for this initiative. Food distribution sites remain open while supplies last. Upcoming dates are:

• Monday, July 2, at 10 a.m. – Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy.
• Tuesday, July 3, at 10 a.m. – Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road.
• Thursday, July 5, at 10 a.m. – Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy.
• Monday, July 9, at 10 a.m. – Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy.
• Tuesday, July 10, at 10 a.m. – Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, 910 Chippewa St.
• Tuesday, July 10, at 10 a.m. – Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road.
• Wednesday, July 11, at noon – Salem Lutheran Church, 2610 Martin Luther King Ave.
• Thursday, July 12, at 10 a.m. – Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy.
• Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m. – Flint Muslim Food Pantry, 4400 S. Saginaw St.
• Monday, July 16, at 10 a.m. – Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy.
• Tuesday, July 17, at 10 a.m. – Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road.
• Wednesday, July 18, at 10 a.m. – Hispanic Tech Center, 2101 Lewis St.
• Thursday, July 19, at 10 a.m. – Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy.
• Friday, July 20, at 10 a.m. – St. Luke’s NEW Life Center, 3115 Lawndale Ave.
• Monday, July 23, at 10 a.m. – Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy.
• Tuesday, July 24, at 10 a.m. – Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, 910 Chippewa St.
• Tuesday, July 24, at 10 a.m. – Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road.
• Thursday, July 26, at 10 a.m. – Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy.
• Monday, July 30, at 10 a.m. – Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy.
• Tuesday, July 31, at 10 a.m. – Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road.

Further, Flint residents can also pick up free nutritional food at the three Flint Help Center locations. They are Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Mondays; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Highway, open Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

This schedule is subject to change, and information about additional food distribution dates will be announced as they are scheduled. For more information or to find out about any changes in the schedule, visit the Food Bank website at www.FBEM.org and find the updated schedule on the Mobile Pantry Distribution page, or call 810-239-4441.

Speak out for humanity: Rally on Diag UM campus Ann Arbor to Reunite Familes/End Family Detention set for-June 30.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

A rally protesting family separation of those attempting to enter the U.S. on the border will be held on the Diag on the campus of the University of Michigan in Arbor on June 30th. The rally will begin at 11 am.

Across the nation over 300.000 peole will participating in Families Belong Together events  scheduled for June 30. Below are the demands

. Permanently end the separation of children and families by Trump...immediately and permanently reversing the zero tolerance policy which created this crisis..

. Reunite every single family that remains brutally torn apart...and prove it.
.Permanently end the indefinite detention of children and families.
. Accountability for the abusers, ICE and Border Patrol, responsible for this horror.

Mark your calender's for this special and extremely important event. As Americans we need to ask ourselves what kind of nation do we want to be. At this point America is certainly no beacon of light and is in fact behaving in a manner that is xenophobic, bigoted, and inhumane toward those wishing to immigrate into the country.

Come out to the Diag Saturday and speak out for human rights, human compassion, and human decency.

The Breast Express is on the way!

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Yes, that's right..The Breast Express is coming soon to a location near you!

The Breast Express is coming here to Washtenaw County and will be at the Washtenaw County Health Department this Friday, June 22 from 1-4 pm.  According to the Washtenaw County Health Dept, the 40-foot pumpsuite on wheels is traveling across the country to celebrate women who nurse and pump and to drive greater community support for breastfeeding. Stops are scheduled in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

 The Health Department is located at 555 Towner Street, Ypsilanti. Breastfeeding moms and the individuals and families who support them can stop by for free breastfeeding consultation, and to learn breastfeeding laws, babywearing, and programs that support health and healthy eating. Water, snacks, and farmers market samples will also be available. 

 Certified lactation consultant Gayathri Akella, MS, RD, IBCLC, and the WIC breastfeeding peer counselors will be on site to provide breastfeeding support and answer questions.

This sounds like an awesome event. Be sure to check it out Friday!

Ypsilanti Historic Home Tour Sunday June 24. You don't want to miss it!

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

The 41 st Annual Ypsilanti Historic Home Tour is coming up very soon, and by soon I mean this Sunday, June 24! Check it out. You'll be in for a treat.

Here's the lowdown from  MJ Dennison:

The 41st Annual Historic Home Tour is this Sunday June 24th, from noon to 5.  If you like variety in a home tour this year is for you!  A stately Tudor, a Colonial Revival and 2 lovely Queen Anne Victorians (one of which is a "work in progress" where the bones of this historic home will be on display.)  Ypsilanti's commitment to affordable housing is also being highlighted with a home that is part of the Deborah Strong Housing renewal.  And for those who enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit of Ypsilanti an artistically motivated couple have opened a unique general store in Depot Town and will be showcasing their wares.

Tickets are $15 and are available at the following locations or through PAYPAL at www.yhf.org:

Haab's, Materials Unlimited, Salt City Antiques, Eyrie, Cultivate, Norton's, Downtown Home & Garden, Aubree's (Whittaker Rd location)