Global Day of Action: No War/Trump/Pence Out Now! Rally/March In Ann Arbor Saturday.

Editor in Chief /Publisher Jeff Brown.

Wet and icy conditions did not keep approximately 40 protesters from participating in a No War!/Trump/Pence Out Now! demonstration and march in downtown Ann Arbor Saturday, January 25. Demonstrators gathered at 2 pm in front of the Federal Building before marching through the streets of Ann Arbor Saturday afternoon. The organizations ANSWER ( Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and Refuse Fascism called for a global day of protest to take place Saturday.

After gathering at the Federal Building demonstrators began marching through the streets of Ann Arbor chanting Trump/Pence Out Now and carrying signs stating No More War, Trump/Pence Out Now, Dump Donald Traitor Trump, Stop The War and No War on Iran. Several speakers addressed the crowd from the steps of the Federal Building including representatives from Answer and Refuse Fascism.

 Organizers stated that cold and wet weather was a contributing factor in the lower than expected turn-out for Saturday's rally and March. The demonstration was peaceful.

According to a statement prior to the rally and march from ANSWER and Refuse Fascism, "We will not watch in silence as Trump sends orders to initiate war abroad and perpetuate violence at home." The organizations believe that now is the time for the people to take back power and demand the immediate removal of Trump/Pence.

On January 8, hundreds of demonstrators participated in a No War On Iran demonstration on the University of Michigan campus in front of Angel Hall. On that evening protesters voiced opposition to what they see as United States imperialism in the Middle East.

Photos Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Demonstration co-organizer Libby addresses crowd from steps of Ann Arbor Federal Building Saturday.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Is Investigating Potential Cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019.

Editor in Chief and Publisher Jeff Brown.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), local public health departments and the state’s healthcare community are actively monitoring the Novel Coronavirus 2019 outbreak originating in Wuhan, China. This according to a Friday, January 24 press release.

These efforts include special attention to people who present with symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough or difficulty breathing), fever, and report a travel history that includes Wuhan or contact with an ill individual who is under investigation for coronavirus infection. These individuals are being considered for specimen collection and submission to the CDC for testing.

At this time, the only approved testing for coronavirus is available at the CDC. The Michigan State Laboratory is prepared to receive the specimens and then send them to the CDC for testing. The CDC is working with the Federal Drug Administration and state public health laboratories to make testing more broadly available.

To date, MDHHS has evaluated referrals from several counties and approved specimens from two individuals in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb County for testing at CDC. Given the number of specimens being tested nationally, no specific turnaround time is available, but results are expected within several days. Information around this outbreak is 

changing rapidly.

According to MDHHS, All cases being investigated in Michigan have presented with mild illness. These individuals are self-isolating and local health departments are closely monitoring anyone who has been in close contact with them.

According to a statement from MDHHS, “At MDHHS, we recognize the potential threat associated with this virus and are working to identify any suspect cases in Michigan,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Our goal is to quickly identify individuals with the virus and prevent any potential spread. We encourage healthcare providers to remain vigilant in screening patients for symptoms and travel history, and to contact their local health departments immediately if they see a potential case.”

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses common among animals and humans. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted from animals to humans. This novel coronavirus is a newly discovered version that has not been previously detected in animals or humans. The source is not yet known.

Novel Coronavirus 2019 has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan. Investigations are ongoing to learn more, but person-to-person spread of the virus has occurred according to CDC.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If anyone believes that they have symptoms and have recently traveled to Wuhan, China, or have been in contact with someone who has had the virus, they should call their healthcare provider or hospital prior to arriving so that the appropriate preventive measures can be put in place.  

Public health screenings for travelers from Wuhan have been implemented at five U.S. airports including Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX).  

More information is available at CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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Global Day of Protest Called for Saturday January 25: No War On Iran Rally/March To Take Place in Ann Arbor.

By founder & Publisher Jeff Brown.


 ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and Refuse Fascism is calling for a national day of action on January 25th, according to statements from both organizations. On Saturday, January 25, a No War! Trump/Pence Out Now! rally and march will take place in downtown Ann Arbor in front of the Federal Building. The rally/march will begin at 2:00 PM. The Federal Building is located at 200 E Liberty St. According to a statement from ANSWER and Refuse Fascism, "We will gather in protest of the Trump war regime. We will not watch in silence as Trump sends orders to initiate war abroad and perpetuate violence at home. We must show that we refuse to normalize domestic terrorism against people of color and non-Christian groups. We refuse to watch the US engage in yet another act of imperialism in the Middle East."

The organizations believe that now is the time for the people to take back power and demand the immediate removal of Trump/Pence. ANSWER and Refuse Action have stated that they believe it is time to reclaim the nation and march for justice.

Saturday's protest in Ann Arbor is hosted by Stop Trump Ann Arbor, Close the Camps Detroit Coalition, Michigan Resistance and Refuse Fascism.

On January 8, hundreds of people participated in a No War On Iran demonstration on the University of Michigan campus on the steps of Angel Hall. On that evening protesters braved temperatures in the teens to voice opposition to what they see as United States imperialism in the Middle East.

Political Activist Angela Davis Will Be Keynote Speaker MLK Symposium at University of Michigan.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

As a longtime supporter of political activist Angela Davis, I am happy to announce that she will be the keynote speaker at the 34th annual Martin Luther King Symposium on the University of Michigan campus. Davis will be speaking/lecturing at 10 a.m. January 20 at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. The event will be free and open to the general public.

Angela received national attention in the United States in the late sixties as she had a leadership role with the Communist Party and was closely involved with the Black Panther Party.

In 1970 Angela was charged with purchasing weapons for individuals who used them in an armed takeover of a courtroom in California. In 1972 she was acquitted of these charges.

In more recent years Davis has been politically active in abolishing the prison-industrial complex. In the late nineties she co-founded an organization called Critical Resistance which works to abolish the prison-industrial complex in the United States. In 1991 Davis became the director of the feminist studies department at the University of California. She retired from the university in 2008. Currently Davis is active in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign.

Angela is a powerful, passionate speaker and broadens the minds of all who listen to her.                                                                                                               

Purple Walrus Press Weather Alert: Winter Storm Warning In Effect From 10 PM Tonight Until Noon Saturday.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning is in effect from 10 PM this evening until noon Saturday.

Heavy snow is expected with peak snowfall rates of up to an inch per hour Saturday morning. Total snow accumulations between 5-8 inches by Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Expect wind gusts of up to 30 mph.

The winter storm warning is in effect for Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe counties.

Roads are going to be slippery out there with decreased visibility in areas of heavy snow. Travel is discouraged. Keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.