Victory in Police Brutality Lawsuit Against City of Detroit

Latest

Detroit Will Breathe action in 2021. PHOTO / VIOLA KLOCKO

Editor’s note: Excerpts below are from the FB page of the youth-led, anti-police brutality group, Detroit Will Breathe. See their full statement at: https://www.facebook.com/detroitwillbreathe/

“Today, Detroit Will Breathe and individual plaintiffs accepted a historic offer of judgment by the City of Detroit that includes over $1 million … the federal court will rule that the City of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department (DPD) violated the constitutional rights of protestors during the George Floyd uprising of 2020.

“[T]his judgment is a victory for the movement. At the start of our lawsuit, we obtained an unprecedented temporary restraining or- der against DPD…[that] prohibited DPD from beating, choking, pepper-spraying, and tear-gassing protestors and was converted into an injunction that lasted over two years. We also defeated the City’s multiple attempts to bring a baseless and retaliatory countersuit against us …

“While the movement should use every tool at its disposal … this law-suit confirms … that mass struggle in the streets is ultimately needed to win us justice …

“We do not seek to make a friendlier… less violent police force; rather, we demand the abolition of the institution itself and the transfer of those public resources into programs that will improve the lives of our community — housing, mental health care, education, and clean water…

“We rose up in 2020 to defend Black and Brown lives, yet capitalism and its enforcers, the police, continue to kill and maim people like Porter Burkers, Patrick Lyoya, Theo Gray, Hakim Littleton, Priscilla Slater, and Ma’khia Bryant …

While we don’t see the daily marches, … strikes have rippled across the country and student walkouts are a regular occurrence. The militancy of these new actions is a spark that can light a fire. We encourage everyone to join the fight in any way they can.

“See y’all in the streets.”


Editor’s note: Please see this video of the Day of the Dead altar to remember people who have been killed by Detroit police. This Day of the Dead, a sacred day when the dead are remembered, was held at the General Baker Institute in Detroit. Click on the image or visit https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=836096504399301

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Pregnant Teen Died: Seeks Care in Three Texas Emergency Rooms

Nevaeh Crain cried in pain, too weak to walk, blood staining her thighs. Vomiting and feverish at her baby shower, the teen went to two different emergency rooms, returning home, worse than before. Pregnant women have become untouchables.

No, Immigration Is Not Making Housing Less Affordable

Despite politicians' claims to the contrary, immigration is not making housing unaffordable. In fact, immigration can be part of the solution.

Make Your Vote Count 

This 2024 election is gaining on us and the pressure to get to the ballot box is intense and...

Michigan’s Prescient Lesson: Vote While You Still Can!!! 

Michigan's non-elected Emergency Manager dictatorship made Flint's water crisis possible. Pay attention to the danger of losing our Democratic rights as we’ve known them in this election. Vote while you still can!

US Doctors Tell Biden, Harris They ‘Witnessed Crimes Beyond Comprehension’ in Gaza

US doctors who visited Gaza tell Biden, Harris they've never seen such horrific injuries, on such a massive scale, with so few resources, that our bombs are cutting down women and children, and that a ceasefire must be imposed.

More from the People's Tribune