Black Lives Matter Protest Saturday, June 20th In Ypsilanti.

By Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

In wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020, there will be a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Ypsilanti on Saturday, June 20. The protest will be held from 2PM until 5 PM.

According to organizers, the protest will be peaceful and support Black Lives Matter. The demonstration will demand justice. Organizers stated that they are wearing BLM attire or all black. It is requested that participants arrive at the parking lot behind Puffer Reds on Michigan Ave in downtown Ypsilanti. The protest will end in Depot Town.

Congresswoman Dingell Recognizes COVID-19's Disproportional Impact on Environmental Justice Communities.

Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to a press release from the office of Congresswoman Debbie Dingell,  Congresswoman  Dingell (D-MI) and the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing on the relationship between frontline communities of color and low-income families and the disproportionate exposures to environmental pollution and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the statement, Dingell highlighted the need to ensure water affordability protections for households during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CDC, one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to wash one’s hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Prior to this crisis, though, an estimated 15 million people in the United States had experienced a water shutoff, especially in communities with higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and people of color.

“COVID-19 did not create a water crisis, it exacerbated an existing one,” said Dingell. “Access to clean water is a basic human right and is necessary for proper hygiene and safety during a national emergency—especially a pandemic that requires us to stay in our homes. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2016, a nationwide assessment of water shutoffs for non-payment revealed that an estimated 15 million people in the United States experienced a water shutoff, a shocking 1 out of every 20 households.” This according to the press release.

Dingell continued, “This has been a particular focus of mine during this crisis and, in April, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and I introduced legislation to prohibit water shutoffs and provide rate payer assistance. As many states now begin the process of phased in re-openings and lifting existing moratoriums on water shutoffs, this bill has become more important than ever because this crisis is not over. COVID-19 still remains a serious threat to public health. We still have no vaccine for COVID-19 and in some state we are seeing cases rising again.” According to the statement from Dingells office.

Dingell, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and more than 60 members of Congress introduced the Emergency Water is a Human Right Act, which would prohibit water shutoffs nationwide and provide financial assistance for low-income households to pay for drinking water and wastewater during the COVID-19 national emergency. The Emergency Water is a Human Right Act was included in the House-passed Heroes Act.

Parola Perspective In Brief: Don't Overreach: By Purple Walrus Press Contributor Brooks Parola.

Don’t. Overreach. The vast majority of Americans are probably willing to look at serious police reform. Also, the vast majority of Americans don’t want their police forces defunded.

Should spending be focused more on education and training? Yes. Should funds geared towards militarizing be eliminated? Absolutely! And much of that money should go to increased raises and benefits to cops (hey, you get what you pay for) in exchange for serious police union accountability and reform.

PWP Contributor Brooks Parola.

Hundreds Participate In Black Lives Matter Protest/March In Ypsilanti Saturday.

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor in Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Hundreds of demonstrators participated in a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration and march in downtown Ypsilanti Saturday afternoon. The protest demonstration/march demanded justice in wake of the death of George Floyd who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020.

Demonstrators in Ypsilanti carried signs reading, Black Lives Matter, Silence Is Violence, and a large banner reading Strong Communities Make Police Obsolete. There was also a sign stating, Free The Press/Journalism Is Not A Crime.

Beginning at 2:00 PM, several speakers addressed the crowd that had gathered on Michigan Ave near the downtown Ypsilanti Public Library. At approximately 3:30, the demonstrators marched down Washington Street and turned left on Washtenaw Ave, before circling back to where protesters had gathered.

Photos Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Thousands Demonstrate in Ann Arbor Monday Against Alleged Incident of Police Brutality In Ypsilanti Township/Express Solidarity With Peaceful Nationwide Protests.

Photo by Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor in Chief and Publisher Jeff Brown.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered Monday, June 1 on the University of Michigan campus Diag in Ann Arbor to protest and march against what many see as an incident of police brutality that occurred in Ypsilanti Township on Tuesday, May 26 in the Apple Ridge neighborhood.

Shortly after the incident occurred in Ypsilanti Township, a video began widely circulating on social media sparking outrage. To Recap: The video of the incident shows at least six of what appear to be Washtenaw County Police vehicles on the scene in a block of the neighborhood. Next, an officer is shown standing underneath the window of a home on the block. The officers appears to communicate with a person, or persons in the house. Soon, a couple other officers come into view who are approaching the house from the street. Next, two civilians are seen walking down the sidewalk from the right of the screen. The individuals are Sha' Grady El and her husband Daniyal Grady El.

Soon, things become tense and violent. It appeared that Daniyal Grady El approached an officer and said something. Suddenly, another officer is seen going after Sha' Grady El on the sidewalk, picks her up and carries her a few feet. The officer is then seen striking Sha' Grady El several times on the face and or head. The incident occurred in the 200 block of Peachcrest Street.

In wake of the May 26 incident , there have been four protests demanding answers and expressing anger about what many perceive as an act of brutality committed by a Washtenaw County Deputy against Sha' Grady El.

Monday's protest on the Diag located on the University of Michigan campus in downtown Ann Arbor emphasized Justice, Love and Peace, and was also in solidarity with peaceful nationwide protest in wake of the death of George Floyd who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer seven days ago.

Monday's protest in Ann Arbor was organized by Trische' Duckworth, who is Executive Director/Founder of Survivors Speak. Duckwoth addressed the crowd first, raising the issue of the importance of justice, love and peace, before handing to microphone to Congresswoman Debbie Dingell who quoted Martin Luther King by stating, "Riot is the language of the unheard." Speakers also included State Representative Yousef Rabhi, County Commissioner Ricky Jefferson, State Senator Jeff Irwin, Sha' Grady El and her husband Daniyal Grady El. Sha' Grady El inspired the crowd by chanting, "Enough is enough, and We will not stand for it."

As the speakers concluded addressing the large crowd on the UM Diag, demonstrators began marching through campus and onto State street before winding their way through the city. The protesters eventually made their way back to the Diag where the demonstration wrapped up.

The demonstration was peaceful and orderly, as Ann Arbor police sealed off roads in order to provide safety for protesters.


Photos by Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Organizer Trische' Duckworth.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.

State Representative Yousef Rabhi and Congresswoman Dingell.

Daniyal Grady El and Sha' Grady El.