RACIST

The racist mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, that left 10 people dead and three people injured over the weekend has communities across the U.S. on high alert.

Washtenaw County elected officials and administrators condemned the defacing of one of Ypsilanti's Black Lives Matter murals.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says voters “know what the truth is” when it comes to the job he's performed as governor.

An officer from the Warren Police Department has been fired after reportedly making racist comments on his personal Facebook account.

On Tuesday, Albion College issued a statement in response to racist graffiti found in its buildings.

GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. – A prosecutor declined to file charges Tuesday against a suburban Detroit man who displayed a Ku Klux Klan flag in his window next to the home of a Black family, saying the “horrible conduct” doesn't violate Michigan law. An ethnic intimidation charge would require physical contact, property damage or threats of such activity, said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. JeDonna Dinges, 57, of Grosse Pointe Park, said the klan flag was hanging next door in a window directly across from her dining room. “There is absolutely no question that what happened to Ms. Dinges was despicable, traumatizing and completely unacceptable," Worthy said. The average person would not own a klan flag, which is a true symbol of hatred,” Dinges said.

GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. – A steady flowing line of protesters Sunday circled their way around Wayburn Street in Grosse Pointe Park to clearly voice their disgust of an open display of racism. Their protest comes after a home displayed a red black and white Ku Klux Klan flag in window facing an African American woman’s home. Officials with the city of Grosse Pointe Park released the following statement:AdAt approximately 3:00pm Tuesday February 16th the Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety was made aware of a Ku Klux Klan flag displayed in a window that faces the home of an African-American woman. The Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety Department serves all residents of our community no matter their race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or religion. City of Grosse Pointe ParkThe Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods branch of the NAACP released the following statement:

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson is under investigation after she posted on social media a response to the many violent, vulgar and racist death threats she’s received. The video, posted Tuesday night, has quickly gone viral and legislative leadership removed her from her House Oversight Committee assignments Wednesday. “My soldiers, they are soldiers for Christ, soldiers against racism, soldiers against domestic violence, soldiers against domestic terrorism,” Johnson said. Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee is receiving death threats due to the election. She posted several of the threats to social media. After both Democratic and Republican representatives have received threats of violence over the election, Michigan Assistant Minority Floor Leader Laurie Pohutsky posted on Twitter about the SNL sketch. The SNL skit was amusing, I guess, but last night my caucus was trying to figure out how to keep those on that committee safe from the deluge of death threats they’re receiving. I’m sorry to be a bummer and I’m glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous.

For more than five decades this non profit has been in the fight against racism, and you can join in with a simple signature. It’s a declaration of war against racism created by the local non profit New Detroit. “New Detroit is a coalition of leaders working to achieve racial understanding and racial equity among southeast Michigan,” said Rafferty, the CEO of New Detroit. I’ve experienced going into stores and being obviously and negatively profiled,” he said. New Detroit exists not just to fight racism, but systemic racism and getting to the root of the issue, not just the symptoms.

DETROIT – Three Black fathers who are raising Black or biracial children in America spoke candidly about teaching their son to try to avoid racism and, quite frankly, just survive. All of the dads have incredible hope when it comes to social justice. He shared why he’s optimistic that things will get better in our country’s fight against racism. He, along with local musician Herb Harris Junior and Lucas Hagerty, are all raising Black or biracial sons. “I want to model that for them.”More: ‘Spirit of Detroit: Fulfilling the Dream’ SpecialExtended cut: Evrod Cassimy talks with fathers on raising Black sons in AmericaSpecial Section: Spirit Of Detroit Fulfilling The Dream

Traffic in Raleigh, N.C. was stifled Wednesday morning on I-40 when drivers slowed down to demonstrate against systemic racism. WTVD reports the demonstration is being called SlowDown2StopRacism. Drivers were asked to slow the traffic to advance the peoples movement to end systemic racism.Video shows vehicles slowing down to about 10 mph on the interstate, essentially blocking four lanes of traffic. Some drivers were trying to work their way around the demonstration. Watch here:WTVD reports that after about 40 minutes, North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers started pulling over some of the cars.

YPSILANTI, Mich. Mayor Beth Bashert has resigned from her position after comments she made at a recent Ypsilanti City Council meeting. I made a biased statement and voted based on that statement, she said. Bashert announced her resignation on Tuesday, releasing this statement:It has been an honor to serve Ypsilanti in the ways I have, including city council member and mayor. I am deeply sorry to have my service end on this note and in this way. Please accept my resignation as mayor, effective at 9 AM June, 23, 2020.