Detroit Will Breathe

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Like many cities across the United States, Detroit saw protests after the video of George Floyd's murder went viral in May of 2020.[1] The city of Detroit is no stranger to civil unrest. One of the most notable instances of civil unrest took place in 1967, when entire city blocks burned.[2] The effects of these events are still felt in the city today.[3] It has long been known that the relationship between Black Detroiters and the Detroit Police Department has been tumultuous.[4] Today, Detroit is a majority Black city[5] while only a fraction of its police department resides in the city.[6]

Formation of Detroit Will Breathe

Detroit Will Breathe, also known as DWB, was formed on June 4, 2020.[7]It is an organization without political affiliation that was formed as a direct result of the protesting in Detroit after George Floyd's murder. Created by Detroiters for Detroiters, the organization states on their social media that they are "a militant, youth-led organization formed in the streets of Detroit in the midst of an international movement against police brutality." DWB continues to organize events, phone zaps, and advocate for the people of Detroit.[8]

List of Demands

What follows is the list of demands that Detroit Will Breathe Created in the summer of 2020. Put forth by Detroit Will Breathe, these demands were created and voted on by a public assembly that was in attendance .[7] Demands 1 through 11 (bolded) were voted as priorities to be brought before the city. Detroit Will Breathe leaders met with Detroit mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Police Chief James Craig (police chief)|James Craig days after the vote.[9]

  1. Defund and demilitarize the police
  2. End Project Greenlight and facial recognition
  3. Drop all charges and citations against protesters
  4. Stop all evictions
  5. Drop citations received by Detroiters during the stay-at-home order
  6. Legally define all sex in police custody as rape.
  7. Prosecute and fire any police officer involved in police brutality
  8. Stop criminalizing homeless people
  9. Make Detroit a Sanctuary City
  10. Create an independent office for disabled citizens
  11. Restore and maintain running water for all Detroiters
  12. Release all non-violent offenses
  13. Requirement for all DPD officers to live in Detroit
  14. No use of rubber bullets / military tactics
  15. Decriminalize all recreational drugs
  16. Invest in mental health and substance abuse services
  17. Charge officers who hide badges
  18. Enforce the duty to intervene for officers
  19. Abolish foreclosures
  20. End police union funding of District Attorney's office
  21. End cash bail
  22. Make police accountability accessible
  23. End jailing of juveniles[8]

Dates of Significance

May 29, 2020 - June 1, 2020

May 29 was the first rally in Detroit. It was organized by the Meettro Detroit Political Action Network (MDPAN). It was this first rally where protesters agreed to, "March today, march tomorrow," initiating daily marches. Protesters demand justice for the murder of George Floyd that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the United States saw protests begin around the country. Protests began with a peaceful march and rally. Events carried into the night where Detroit Police used military devices and tactics to enforce the curfew enacted by the city.[7][10] One man, was shot and killed; this shooting was between civilians and did not involve police.[11]

June 2, 2020

Beginning with a peaceful march and rally, June 2nd turned violent when Detroit Police attacked, brutalized, and arrested peaceful protesters on Gratiot Avenue. The group that chose to remain on Gratiot where Detroit police used military-style tactics and devices against them. After arresting over 100 protesters, DPD left arrestees on primitive transportation with little-to-no ventilation. Arrestees were then brough to Little Caesars Arena where they were processed and later transported to the Detroit Detention Center.[7][12]

June 3, 2020

After the intense brutalization of protesters, the night before, Detroit protesters show up in numbers despite the curfew still being in effect. Tensions were high as Detroit police followed the march closely. As the night went on, Detroit lifted the curfew and protesters returned safely to the rally-point.[7][13]

June 4, 2020

Detroit Will Breathe is formed.[7]

June 8, 2020

Detroit protesters march to the site where the Algiers Motel incident|Algiers Motel stood to hear civil rights leaders like Monica Lewis-Patrick[14][15] and Maureen Taylor spoke. It was during these speeches that these civil rights leaders passed the torch onto the younger generation of organizers. The site of the Algiers Motel incident|Algiers Motel is significant landmark in civil rights history. It was here that Detroit Police Department|Detroit Police, Michigan State Police, and the Michigan National Guard|National Guard killed 3 civilians during the civil unrest in 1967.[16]

June 20, 2020

Detroit Will Breathe organized the first public tribunal of the summer[7][17] was held at Philip A. Hart Plaza|Hart Plaza where testimonies from those brutalized by Detroit police and experts in police and government were heard. On the same day as the public tribunal, the Detroit Police Department announced investigations into several instances of police brutality that had occurred during protests.[18]

June 27, 2020

Protestors took to a suburb of Detroit, St. Clair Shores, Michigan|St. Clair Shoes, to stand with the family of Theoddeus (Theo) Gray and demand justice for his murder by police in November of 2018.[7] Theo Gray was attending a baby shower when he was murdered by St. Clair Shores police. Detroit Will Breathe rallied and marched with the family of Theo Gray and the organization Thousands Strong. [19][20]

June 28, 2020

A coalition march rallied in Southwest Detroit where over 20 organizations came together to demand justice and change. The march was nearly the rally point at the end of the night when two Detroit Police cruisers drove through protesters simultaneously. Detroit Police Department claims officers felt endangered.[7][21]

July 10, 2020

A rapid response call was sent out and protesters gathered to demand answers after Detroit police fatally shot Hakim Littleton.[22] In a residential part of the city, the Detroit police responded in riot gear, targeting and arresting organizers.[7] Detroit Police release footage of the shooting[23] just hours after the shooting took place. Months later, Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County prosecutor, Kym Worthy decides not to charge officers involved in shooting. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan put out a statement regarding the shooting. On October 25, the Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountability (CPTA) held a virtual public tribunal to allow the people be the jury in Hakim Littleton's shooting.[24]

July 15, 2020

The first march to demand justice for Priscilla Slater brought protesters to Harper Woods, Michigan|Harper Woods. Detroit Will Breathe continued to march in Harper Woods, Michigan|Harper Woods to demand justice on a near weekly basis.[7] Priscilla Slater was arrested and found dead in her cell two days after her arrest.[25] The mayor of Harper Woods resigned from office after white supremacy comment.[26] Months later, two Harper Woods officers were fired for concealing and manipulating evidence relating to her death.[27]

August 9, 2021

Detroit Will Breathe and the Palestinian Youth Movement organized a march and rally in Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn to stand in solidarity against the annexation of Palestine by Israel.[7]

Mid-August

A 15-year-old Oakland County, Michigan|Oakland County girl, ‘Grace,’ was detained for not doing her homework.[28] Detroit Will Breathe rallied around her case, demanding her release.[7] Grace was later released.[29]

August 15, 2020

Detroit protesters make it known that they will not stand for fascism anywhere in Michigan and go toe-to-toe with the Proud Boys in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[7][30]

August 22, 2020 - August 23, 2020

Protesters rallied and marched to end Operation Legend in Detroit. Protesters were then left injured, a number were arrested, and several were put into the hospital after a clash with Detroit Police around midnight on the evening of August 22.[7][31]

October 24, 2020

Protesters rally and march in Shelby Township, Michigan|Shelby Township after the Shelby Police Chief’s racist comments come out online. Shelby police brutalize and arrest several peaceful protesters, charging arrestees with felonies.[7][32]

November 3, 2020 - November 7, 2020

As 2020 United States presidential election|2020 Presidential Election day ended, Detroit was a hotbed of election dramatics as Donald Trump supports swarmed the TCF Center where ballots were being counted to protest the counting.[33] Detroit Will Breathe was at the TCF Center advocating for every vote to be counted. All the while, Detroit Will Breathe supported Detroit voters by, canvasing, marching, and celebrating Trump’s loss.[34][35]

Currently

Detroit Will Breathe is an active organization that still organizes events in the city. For current events, see the Detroit Will Breathe Events page.

Detroit Will Breathe, et al. v. City of Detroit, et al.

As a result of police brutality, Detroit Will Breathe has filed a lawsuit against the city of Detroit and others including Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan and Detroit Police Chief James Craig.[36] Most notably, the presiding Judge Laurie J. Michelson of the Eastern District of Michigan has granted a Temporary Restraining Order banning the use certain military policing tactics and weapons like batons, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, sound cannons, and chokeholds against protesters so long as the lawsuit is in continuum.

References

  1. ↑ Hill, Evan; Tiefenthäler, Ainara; Triebert, Christiaan; Jordan, Drew; Willis, Haley; Stein, Robin (2020-06-01). "How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  2. ↑ "Walter P. Reuther Library". reuther.wayne.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ↑ McKinnon, Ike. "Scars Still Run Deep In Motor City 50 Years After Detroit Riots". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  4. ↑ "DPD's troubled relationship with Black Detroiters spans decades". www.freep.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Detroit city, Michigan". www.census.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  6. ↑ "Less Than a Quarter of Detroit Police Officers Live in the City". wdet.org. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 "Detroit Will Breathe Events". detroitwillbreath.info. Retrieved 2021-05-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Detroit Will Breathe". detroitwillbreath.info. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  9. ↑ Ley, Shawn (June 9, 2020). "'Detroit Will Breathe' meets with Detroit mayor, chief of police to discuss protesters list of demands". Retrieved May 4, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Hunter, Darcie Moran, Angie Jackson, Joe Guillen and Branden. "Police, protesters clash in Detroit; 21-year-old dead after shooting". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-05-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ "Man killed in shooting not involving police, several arrests made at large protest in Detroit". WXYZ. 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  12. ↑ Jr, Dave Bartkowiak (2020-06-03). "Detroit police rush protesters to make arrests Tuesday night after curfew". WDIV. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  13. ↑ Donnelly, Christine Ferretti and Francis X. "Protesters launch 'victory march' in Detroit as city eases up on curfew". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  14. ↑ Friess, Steve (2020-08-24). "Civil Rights Veteran Monica Lewis-Patrick on Passing the Torch". Hour Detroit Magazine. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  15. ↑ Monica Lewis-Patrick - 'Don't You Kneel', retrieved 2021-05-04
  16. ↑ Momodu, Samuel (2017-08-07). "Algiers Motel Incident (1967) •". Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  17. ↑ Dickson, James David. "Tribunal at Hart Plaza puts Detroit's leaders 'on trial' for protest response". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  18. ↑ Moran, Darcie (June 20, 2020). "1 Detroit police officer suspended, 11 other incidents under investigation amid protests". Retrieved May 4, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ "St. Clair Shores march and rally for Theo Gray". www.freep.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  20. ↑ Hall, Ann Zaniewski and Christina. "Family of man killed by St. Clair Shores police files $10M lawsuit". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  21. ↑ Moran, Darcie. "Detroit police thought they were possibly being shot at, Chief Craig says; protesters call for his resignation". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  22. ↑ Kelly, Victor Williams, Dane (2020-07-11). "'Detroit Will Breathe' reacts to body cam footage of Hakim Littleton's death". WDIV. Retrieved 2021-05-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ "GRAPHIC: Detroit police release video showing suspect firing at police before deadly shooting". WXYZ. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  24. ↑ "The Hakim Littleton People's Tribunal". Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountabilty. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  25. ↑ Brand-Williams, Oralandar. "Harper Woods jail inmate died of heart issue, possible seizure, autopsy report says". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  26. ↑ Hall, Christina. "Harper Woods Mayor Kenneth Poynter resigns after white supremacy comment". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  27. ↑ "2 Harper Woods police officers fired for concealing, manipulating evidence in death of woman in custody". FOX 2 Detroit. 2020-08-19. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  28. ↑ "Thousands demand release of teenager incarcerated for not doing her schoolwork". www.freep.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  29. ↑ "#FreeGrace". BONPHILOSOPHIA. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  30. ↑ News, Chris duMond, Special to The Detroit. "Proud Boys, counter-protesters clash in downtown Kalamazoo". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2021-05-04. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ↑ Elrick, M. L. "Here's how the battle line was drawn between Detroit police and protesters". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  32. ↑ "Protests continue over charges from past Shelby protest incident". www.candgnews.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  33. ↑ "Republicans Self Identified as Poll Challengers Protest at Detroit's TCF Center". wdet.org. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  34. ↑ Detroit Will Breathe movement marches in Detroit after Trump call for recount, retrieved 2021-05-04
  35. ↑ Grzelewski, Jordyn. "Groups face-off against each other outside TCF Center in Detroit over election count". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  36. ↑ Elrick, M. L. "Detroit protesters file lawsuit over 'brutal violence' from police". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-05-03.

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