Eastern Michigan University Releases Statement From President James Smith In Response To Immigration and Customs Enforcement Change In Policy Regarding International Students.

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Editor In Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Eastern Michigan University takes great pride in being a welcoming environment for international students, as evidenced by the 100 light post banners around our campus and the large 80 foot mural celebrating "You Are Welcome Here" with images of international students and flags of their home nations. The recently announced policy change by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) runs counter to our efforts to support international students, who bring great diversity of thought, culture and perspective to our campus community and to our classrooms. We are proud to have them as part of our campus community. Eastern Michigan University is supportive of the growing national effort to stop this new policy and will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of international students at Eastern Michigan University and at colleges and universities across the nation. 

James M. Smith, Ph.D
President
Eastern Michigan University

Congresswoman Dingell Announces $150,000 In Funding to Local Art Organizations Throughout District.

Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Editor In Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to a Monday, July 6 press release, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced three local organizations will receive $50,000 each in direct funding from the National Endowment of the Arts. The funds, a part of the CARES Act passed by Congress in March, will be used to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs.

“The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the art organizations that play such a vital role in our communities,” said Dingell. “The Ann Arbor Film Festival, University Musical Society, and Arab American National Museum are a part of our community and have been deeply affected by the crisis. It is my hope and the hope of so many that the artists we all know and love can carry out their work and bring joy, culture, and beauty to us during this unprecedented time. This funding should help do just that.” This according to Monday's press release.

Below please find a list of art organizations in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District receiving funding:

Ann Arbor Film Festival, Inc. will receive $50,000.

University Musical Society (aka UMS) will receive $50,000.

ACCESS (on behalf of Arab American National Museum) will receive $50,000.

According to the press release, the funding for the direct funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed in March. The CARES Act provided $75 million in appropriations to the state and regional arts agencies for their granting programs. Grants of $50,000 are offered to 846 organizations across the country. Overall funding is divided near evenly between small, medium, and large arts organizations.

Parola Perspective In Brief: There's No "Independent Thinking" By Not Wearing A Mask: By Purple Walrus Press Contributor Brooks Parola.

There’s no “independent thinking” by not wearing a mask. There’s no “independent thinking” in buying into conspiracy theories. It’s utterly laughable if you think mask wearers are sheep, and you’re an “independent thinker” for not wearing one. No, you’re not an “independent thinker”, you’re the sheep. The worst kind of sheep. A sheep of the dangerous and proudly ignorant.

In fact, the sooner people stop mistaking critical thinking for so called “independent thinking”, and start believing in the importance of trusting well-educated, and well-researched *consensus*, the sooner we get back to some semblance of sanity.

Five Years Ago We United With Our Brothers And Sisters In Detroit: By Flint Activist and Purple Walrus Press Contributor Melissa Mays.

5 Years Ago we united with our sisters and brothers in Detroit and cities all over Michigan fighting against water contamination, water shutoffs, lack of access to clean & affordable water and sanitation and the Emergency Manager Law to kick off the Detroit to Flint Water Justice Journey!! 70 miles in 7 days stopping along the cities hardest hit by these austerity policies to share, plan and stand together to fight against the Profit Over People mentality that affects all of our lives... I am still SO PROUD of what we have accomplished.

Governor Whitmer Shuts Down Indoor Bar Service: Effects of Order On some Ypsilanti Establishments.

SideTrack Bar and Grill Depot Ypsilanti Thursday afternoon. Photo Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor In Chief & Publisher Jeff Brown.

On Wednesday Governor Whitmer issued an executive order stipulating that indoor bar service be shut down throughout most of the state of  Michigan due to a recent increase of COVID-19 cases. The order applies to licensed establishments that earn more than 70% of gross receipts from  the sale of alcohol. So what does this mean for local Ypsilanti establishments? It means that some of your favorites places are affected and some not so much. Here's a look at a few Ypsilanti establishments.

The Tap Room located on Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti announced Thursday that service at the establishment is no longer feasible. According to a statement on Tap Room's facebook page, "Due to the increased number of COVID 19 cases in Michigan, the new state service mandate no longer renders service at the Tap Room feasible for both the health of our staff and customers or the business as a whole in it's current capacity."

Over at Maiz Cantina located in Ypsilanti's Depot town, management announced that they have decided to pause inside seating temporarily. Maiz stated Thursday that they will operate with patios only for the foreseeable future. Maiz encourages customers to order carryout. According to Maiz, "In the current climate with holiday travel and rising COVID 19 cases we think this is the safest way forward right now."

 Long time Ypsilanti Depot Town establishment Sidetrack Bar and Grill announced Wednesday that barstools have been removed from both bars out of extreme caution for guests and staff which provides for greater social distancing in order to keep staff and customers safe. According to Sidetrack, "We have tons of great outside and inside spaced-out seating.

The Wurst Bar located on Cross Street in Ypsilanti made clear in a statement that their business is less than 50% alcohol sales and that they rely heavily on food coming from their kitchen. According to The Wurst Bar, "We will continue to maintain strict social distancing in our indoor seating, and continue to require all guests to wear a mask and to respect boundaries we have established."

The popular Bobcat Bonnie's located on Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsi responded to the governor's new order by clarifying that they continue to be open for business. According to management, "Be kind, spread the word, wear your mask, and we will make sure you have an excellent time with us!"


Photos Jeff Brown Purple Walrus Press.

Expanded seating outside of Maiz in Depot Town in Ypsilanti Thursday afternoon.

Depot Town Ypsilanti Thurday.