Black activists: Don’t compare the Capitol attack to Black Lives Matters protests
Updated Mar 09, 2021;
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Fear and rage is prevalent in America.
For much of the last year, Black Lives Matter activists marched through downtown streets across Michigan and the country to protest police brutality and racial injustice. Though largely peaceful, the protests turned violent at times when demonstrators destroyed property and clashed with police and counter-protesters.
Later in the year, crowds of mostly-white protesters swarmed vote-counting centers and government offices to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election. Fury over election lies culminated in a domestic terror attack as a violent mob broke into the U.S. Capitol to prevent the election from being confirmed on Jan. 6.
The fight isn’t over. Black activists ready for another year of advocating for justice.
Updated Mar 06, 2021;
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In 2020, Black America marched.
They marched after a white officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck, squeezing the life out of him.
They marched as the coronavirus laid siege to the country, killing a disproportionate number of Black residents. They marched on behalf of vulnerable people struggling to pay rent and cover bills during a historic recession.
They marched when extremists attacked the legitimacy of the election, specifically trying to discredit votes cast in predominantly Black cities.
Through tears. Through tear gas. They marched.
Protests continue over charges from past Shelby protest incident
Detroit Will Breathe representatives hold a press conference Feb. 1 outside the Shelby Township Police Department to call for charges to be dropped against five people who were arrested during a protest in October. Sammie Lewis, a representative for Detroit Will Breathe, was one of the people who spoke during the press conference.
Screenshot from live YouTube event
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SHELBY TOWNSHIP A press conference was held in Shelby Township at 10 a.m. Feb. 1 addressing charges that stemmed from a local protest Oct. 24, in which residents from the metro Detroit area came together to protest against the Shelby Township Police Department.
Moratorium Now! Coalition
Monday, February 22, 2021 @ 7 pm EST
Moderated by: Anthony Ali, Derek Grigsby
Zoom Technical Support: Cassie Williams
Opening: Video with Protest Footage and a clip from Malcolm X Speech
LAND/LIBATION
Introduction
The purpose of this forum, during Black history month, is to make the connection of Police terror and repression during the time of Malcolm X assassination, 57 years ago, February 21, 1965, with the actions of the Police today which are the culminations for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Presentations Sammie Lewis, Organizer, Detroit Will Breathe, BLM Sarah Torres, Musician, Moratorium Now! Coalition Julie Hurwitz of the National Lawyers Guild
This special meeting is being held in honor of African American History Month 2021. The event is in commemoration of the life, times and contributions of Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, 1925-1965).
Join this discussion on the relationship between issues which emerged during the times of Malcolm X and today. We will feature a panel of speakers and artists from the Detroit area. The program is free and open to the public. You must register for the online Zoom event prior to the date and time.
Moderated by: Anthony Ali, Derek Grigsby
Zoom Technical Support: Cassie Williams
Opening: Video with Protest Footage and a clip from Malcolm X Speech