Detroit Will Breathe: True Democracy
The movement in Detroit led by Detroit Will Breathe is calling for a revolutionary change in the structures of our city and society. The movement, led by Detroit Will Breathe, is grassroots and united in a deep understanding of the historical and societal forces that have led to our current crisis in Detroit. Although this moment focuses on police brutality the movement calls for far-reaching societal revolution in order to transform the root cause of our social ills. Our current situation is not mysterious or surprising. The injustices that surround us are the callous result of white-supremacy, exploitation and oppression. The inequalities that surround us are intentional abuse by those who unjustly claim power over others. In the streets, we show that we too have power and pressure the elected officials respond to the demands of the people. The movement, led by Detroit Will Breathe, is acting out democracy in it's purest form and embodying the changes that need to be seen at higher forms of government. Last week all present were given a chance to voice their demands. Collectively we agreed to 23 different demands for the elected officials that have consistently failed to respond to the needs of the people, their constituents, us. Yesterday in a community discussion these demands were revised. Those ratified demands are listed here. Today in a meeting with the mayor these demands were presented. Organizers who took the meeting will return to the perennial meeting spot: Michigan and 3rd street at 4 PM to continue our conversation and determine the future of the movement, collectively. A press release from Detroit Will Breathe is quoted below. " PRESS RELEASE: Movement leaders meet with Mayor Duggan over demands Protest co-organizers Tristan Taylor and Nakia Wallace, who recently formed the organization Detroit Will Breathe, will meet with Mayor Mike Duggan today at 10am to discuss the list of demands collectively drawn up by the movement against police brutality. This movement, which as of yesterday has marched 11 days straight, made a list of demands that reflected the aspirational vision of the type of society they want to live in, one free from police violence and punitive measures as a way of solving social issues experienced by working-class and minority communities. Yesterday the movement voted to prioritize 11 demands in the meeting with Mayor Duggan that he has immediate authority and direct influence over. This does not mean that the remaining 12 demands are less important, which is why they will be presented to the Mayor as well. The 11 demands that will be prioritized for discussion with the Mayor are: 1) Defund and Demilitarize the Police, 2) End Project Greenlight and Facial Recognition, 3) Drop All Charges and Citations received by protestors, 4) Do not carry out eviction orders, 5) Drop the uneven citations received by Detroiters during the stay at home order, 6) End "consensual" sex between Police Officers and those under custody (Legally define all sex in custody as rape), 7) Prosecute and fire any Police Officer involved in police brutality, 8) Do not criminalize homeless people,9) Make Detroit A Sanctuary City, 10) Create an Independent Office for Disabled Citizens, and 11) Restore and maintain running water for all Detroiters. The remaining demands that the movement voted to fight for are: 12. Release all non-violent offenses 13. Residency requirement that all DPD officers live in Detroit 14. No use of rubber bullets/ military tactics 15. Decriminalization of all recreational drugs 16. Return residency requirement for DPD 17. Substantial investment for mental health and substance abuse victims 18. More punitive charges against officers who hide badges 19. Duty to intervene for other officers 20. Abolish foreclosures 21. End police union funding of DA office 22. Drop all charges against all protestors 23. More accessible structures for police accountability 24. Care for juveniles instead of jailing As has been stated publicly, movement leaders are not authorized to agree to anything on behalf of the movement, and must discuss the meeting and next steps at the mass rally and march today at 4pm at the corner of Michigan and Third in Detroit. " #blm #blacklivesmatter #detroitwillbreathe #wethepeople #demands #revolution #detroit #politics #detroitprotests
