Economic & Social Justice
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We are on our way Detroit to Pueblo

October 16th, 2013 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Chicago | Detroit | Lincoln | Omaha | Pueblo - (Comments Off on We are on our way Detroit to Pueblo)

This is our route for the next couple days as we head West to Pueblo, Colorado from Detroit Michigan.  Stephen, Joe and I are in Kalamazoo and the journey begins as we look forward to arriving in Pueblo. There we will be working on building a kids Music & Art Center all while trying to bring sanity to a Government that has lead us astray.  Let the strategies begin!   In the meantime here’s the journey plans.  We’re trying to avoid freezing overnight temperatures in Denver/Pueblo area.  By Sunday we’re clear.  Therefore we’re going to participate in the Enbridge pre-trial event Thursday at 10 am in Battle Creek. (more…)

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Detroit stands up to Obama’s Administration at UofM

September 27th, 2013 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit | Detroiters-Resisting Emergency Management | West Hollywood | West Palm Beach - (Comments Off on Detroit stands up to Obama’s Administration at UofM)

The Obama administration is in Detroit today to discuss the restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds to the City of Detroit to alleviate the financial crisis facing the city. This will not be the case if Obama’s officials choose to meet with and listen to Governor Snyder, EM Orr, Mayor Bing and other officials who have deliberately withheld federal funds from Detroit to further their agenda of privatization, union busting and subsidies for the banks.Here is a list of concrete ways the Obama administration can funnel needed funds to Detroit.

All of these can be done by executive action and do not require approval of the reactionary Republican House of Representatives. The Obama administration can order the release of hundreds of millions of dollars of CSBG funds to the City of Detroit, under the auspices of the City and administered by City workers. In October 2011, State DHS head Moira Corrigan illegally withheld these funds from Detroit in an (more…)

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MICATS Court Day in Mason, Michigan

August 29th, 2013 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit | Mason Court - (Comments Off on MICATS Court Day in Mason, Michigan)

Michigan Coalition Against TarSands protesters had their preliminary hearing today in Mason Court. Six of us piled on the “V” at 6:30am, where Jeremy made us all pancakes, as we rolled down the highway for our 1 1/2 hour journey, headed to Mason where we listened to the testimony. Four courageous people had locked themselves onto some very large machinery (July 22) in order to make a statement and to stop the Enbridge expansion of the pipeline. This same Corporation spilled over 1 million gallons of tarsands in the Kalamazoo river three years ago, and that’s still not cleaned up. It happened only days after the BP oil spill had been capped so you can imagine how that was kept quiet.  (more…)

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Heidelberg Project in Detroit-Eye Candy

August 19th, 2013 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit | Detroiters-Resisting Emergency Management | Emergency Management - (Comments Off on Heidelberg Project in Detroit-Eye Candy)
Today I met the guy who started the “Heidelberg Project”. I went to the office first where I met Amanda who gave me some information and allowed me to take a couple pictures of the front office. Yes, it’s a full time business now with 3 full-time staff.  She then suggested that I walk around the project as opposed to driving through because there’s so much to see.  I parked the “V” on the main road and walked until I met up with a wonderful older lady who told me she was a teachers assistant and knew the artist. As we were talking she pointed to a truck a driving in a said, “that’s the guy who made all this”. (more…)

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People’s Forum by Detroiters Resisting Emergency Manager

August 17th, 2013 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit | Detroiters-Resisting Emergency Management - (Comments Off on People’s Forum by Detroiters Resisting Emergency Manager)

It was a very passionate day as the People’s Forum kicked into gear to end Emergency Management. It took place on Saturday, at the Samaritan Center in Detroit.  A full house was educated as the speakers informed the public on what it meant to be in “EM”. Their messages sometimes bringing the audience to tears with emotional and moving speeches. Hanging on by a thread and fighting back against bankruptcy, is not where they want to be. They had a thriving metropolis, but now the city is filled with empty decaying buildings, everything and anything that can be, is under threat of privatization and the money and corruption have a death grip on (more…)

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The people of Detroit with Interviews around town

August 15th, 2013 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit - (Comments Off on The people of Detroit with Interviews around town)

A couple days ago I went to get propane for the “V” and there I met a man who told me some amazing stories about his life along with some very interesting history. He shared pictures and memorabilia about things he’d done over the past few decades. His family has owned businesses in Detroit for over 42 years. He spoke of the struggles of the communities, the boom and bust in Detroit but how he, as a black man, had been part of powerful circles. He, then let me photograph some documents he had hanging on the wall. African Lodge was accepted in the “Free Masons Sept 1784. He had an article from Seattle Times, sitting on his desk, which mentioned the decline of middle class way back. I extended an invitation to interview him, but he’s camera shy and shared concerns that (sadly) it may lead to political tensions with his business. So we had a wonderful time, shared stories and to him I say, “thank you for sharing!” (more…)

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Occupy Detroit

June 4th, 2012 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit - (Comments Off on Occupy Detroit)

June 4th

We spent a couple more days in Detroit on our way back from Kalamazoo. The team here are awesome. They ran power to the “V” which was parked on the adjacent lot. They have a beautiful garden on the property which is owned by the Grocer across the road. We had a bonfire at night and got to know a little about Detroit.

From the time we arrived, John and Joe (owners of Gigante-grocery store) were absolutely supportive and told us we could park on the empty lot or in their grocery parking lot. We got really good service too. I’m in admiration of the things that are going well in Detroit. Some very dedicated and hard working people take care of things at 5900 Michigan Ave. where Occupy was invited as a tenant in lieu of fixing things. They have done an amazing job. Repairs and building are all being volunteered. Our hats go off to Detroit for making a difference in their community. (more…)

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Better Detroit Youth Movement

May 31st, 2012 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Better Detroit Youth Movement - (0 Comments)

Just now leaving Detroit after a meeting with “Better Detroit Youth Movement” where we will be coordinating efforts to mentor our youth throughout America as we continue our travels. The relationships we build in cities around the Country all serve to make it a better place. We want to thank Jay, C.J. Myisha, Reggie, Benjamin, William and all the othes we met today and thank you for all you do for the great city of Detroit. (more…)

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Occupy Detroit

May 30th, 2012 | Posted by Occupy The Roads in Detroit - (Comments Off on Occupy Detroit)

OTR is now sitting in front of 5900 Michigan St. with the occupiers. Just after arriving I interviewed Shontrese and Aliyah who were out in the parking lot of the local grocery store getting petitions signed for home healthcare. Happy to report they are now part of the occupy movement. Both just went into the building to see what they can do to help. This is what it’s all about. Finding more like minded people who get it! A nice touch since about 1/2 hr ago we got kicked out of Walmart who called the cops on us because we didn’t leave fast enough. I found it rather entertaining but Tino wasn’t impressed with me continuing my conversation with a wonderful lady Lee who was asking lots of questions. She gets it and was very impressed with what we’re doing. So in less than a couple hours we have 3 more occupiers and 9 signatures for support of Bradley Manning! (more…)

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