POLICE BRUTALITY PROTESTS

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Phoenix Williams, who recorded students taunting him and calling him the N-word while on the school bus when he was an eighth-grader in Bloomfield Hills, has already inspired change in his life. Phoenix said that bus ride and the impact of the incident has stuck with him, and watching the video of George Floyd’s death has motivated him to again work for change. MORE: Metro Detroit religious leaders fight for change in our communityPhoenix captured the school bus incident on video when he was 13 years old. He’s now a freshman at Howard University, but that moment in eighth grade still shaped much of his young life. You can hear from Phoenix in Hank Winchester’s full video above.

George Floyd video inspires Bloomfield Hills teen to continue working for changePublished: June 23, 2020, 5:37 pmPhoenix Williams, who recorded students taunting him and calling him the N-word while on the school bus when he was an eighth-grader in Bloomfield Hills, has already inspired change in his life.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A large protest formed in Washington Township on Friday as around 1,000 people gathered near the “Romeo Rock.”There has been controversy surrounding the rock since racist graffiti was sprayed on it earlier in the week. READ: Future of ‘Romeo Rock’ uncertain after ‘Black Lives Matter’ message replaced with racial slurDemonstrators took to the streets Friday in support of Black Lives Matter. The tiny Romeo community of about 3,600 people was rocked earlier this week when vandals wrote racial slurs on the rock, which is a landmark. The rock had been painted with the Black Lives Matter slogan before it was vandalized. Demonstrators Friday said their collective voice will drown out the few who vandalized their beloved rock.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. Shelby Townships police chief was placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country. READ: Shelby Township police chief on paid leave over social media comments about George Floyd protestsA meeting is being held inside Shelby Township City Hall. Because the hall is closed to the public, part of the meeting is being held on a Zoom audio call. Shelide had a personal Twitter account where he posted inflammatory statements regarding the civil unrest around the country. The township supervisor said that the Tweets were unprofessional and could be considered racially insensitive and derogatory.

The idea behind Project Green Light is to use cameras linked to police to keep the community safe. 2 was to end Project Green Light. Now there are Project Green Light cameras all over the city. Beydoun said hes seen an increase in business because of Project Green Light. It will be up to them if Project Green Light continues or is shut down, Beydoun said.

DETROIT Authorities in Metro Detroit are skeptical of the Minneapolis City Council plan to disband the citys police department. Certainly they have probably the right to opt out of having a police department, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said. Right now, theres a call from protesters to defund the Detroit Police Department. People in the city of Detroit want their police department, Detroit police Chief James Craig said. What is the plan?Craig said he feels there will be reform or restructuring of police departments in Minneapolis and across the country.

DETROIT A former Detroit police chief who has worked closely with the Minneapolis Police Department for years said that department has some serious problems." Ike McKinnon, a well-known former Detroit police chief, has had a unique look inside the Minneapolis Police Department for a couple of years as a consultant. The police department has some serious problems," McKinnon said. There are serious problems with the minority community, McKinnon said. People dont understand there are serious problems, McKinnon said.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Shelby Township’s police chief was placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country. One of the alleged tweets from Chief Robert Shelide referred to people in a photo as “wild savages” and talked about “body bags for these vicious subhumans." READ: Shelby Township police chief on paid leave over social media comments about George Floyd protestsShelide released a statement on Thursday noting that “an apology is insufficient and an insult to the gravity of my comments." He asked for the “courtesy of forgiveness” regarding the inflammatory comments he made on Twitter. My record speaks to the commitment and professionalism that I have exhibited for more than 30 years without incident, both of which were compromised by my emotion.

DETROIT Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, cities around the country -- including Detroit -- have seen protests against police brutality and racial inequality. As we end the week with more protests and more unrest, a group of religious leaders joined Local 4 for a roundtable to discuss working to be part of change in our community and this country. The congregants at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Detroit and many others are virtually fighting for a change in race relations. My sense is, and Im not alone in this, is racism is primarily a white problem, said Bishop Bonnie Perry, of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. They force themselves into the fire to steel themselves to fight for change.

Shelby Township police chief on leave after inflammatory tweets surfacePublished: June 4, 2020, 6:10 pmShelby Township’s police chief has been placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Shelby Township’s police chief has been placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country. Police brutality protests prompted Twitter user Bobby S. to say, “This makes me want to vomit. Please pray.”Shelby Township police Chief Robert Shelide (Shelby Township Police Department)“I would hit them with tear gas and water cannons, rubber bullets,” Bobby S. replied. It’s a for of surrender.”The Bobby S. account replied, “100% agree. “The core of all of our beliefs as Americans is due process, presumption of innocents and equal protection under the law and the right of freedom of expression,” Shelby Township spokesperson Brad Bates said.

DETROIT Local 4 has learned why Detroit officials decided not to enforce the curfew Wednesday night when protesters continued to march through the streets past 8 p.m.Mayor Mike Duggan said he let Detroit police Chief James Craig make the call on whether to enforce the curfew. READ: Protesters declare victory after Detroit police let them march without enforcing curfewOn Friday and Saturday, when the sun went down, peaceful protesters went home while violent protesters tried to take over the streets. We agree with protesters, Duggan said. On Thursday night, Craig put himself alongside protesters, and the mayor left it up to him to make the controversial call to disregard the curfew. Protesters have gathered for Thursday night, and the curfew is still on.

Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joined a unity march through Detroit to honor the life of George Floyd. Whitmer and Duggan joined local clergy and law enforcement members, starting in Highland Park and ending on Woodward Avenue near Wayne State University. We need to stand up and we need to speak out and we need to take action, Presbyterian leader Bob Agnew said. As the march neared Wayne State, everyone turned the corner at Warren Avenue and took a knee, giving Floyd a moment of silence. We know that we are at a tipping point in this country and we cannot let this day only be a day, Whitmer said.

DETROIT – Many people watching police brutality protests around the county and in Metro Detroit want to donate, but officials are warning that scammers are trying to cash in on the opportunity. Scammers are looking to take advantage of the generosity of people who try to donate on behalf of the George Floyd protests. If you want to donate, don’t rush, BBB officials said. Investigate where your money is going and donate to local organizations. There are some legitimate organizations and accounts that have been established for donations.

DETROIT Detroits police chief and community leaders criticized out-of-town protesters who are coming to the city and seem intent on creating a confrontation. Whitmer during COVID-19 pandemicRay Winans, a Detroit mentor and community leader, said he doesnt condone protesters destroying the city. Its not right, and its outright disrespectful.On Tuesday night, protesters marched up Gratiot Avenue and got into a confrontation with Detroit police officers when they refused to disperse. The rest were from Detroit suburbs, except for six from Maryland, Washington, D.C., California and New York City. Do you care about the city of Detroit? Craig asked.

Health experts fear those crowds will further spread the coronavirus (COVID-19) because people are standing too close together, and many arent wearing masks. Every day at 2 p.m., the Detroit Health Department posts the citys specific numbers. After three days of close, person-to-person contact during protests, health officials worry about what will happen to the trend in 12-14 days -- the incubation period for the virus. My fear is were going to have another spike, said Denise Fair, the chief public health officer for the Detroit Health Department. READ: Steps for avoiding spread of coronavirus after protestingShe said it was shocking to see so many people without masks shouting and chanting.