SURVIVORS SPEAK

The event comes after Pittsfield police pointed their guns at 11-year-old Benjamin Whitfield back in April.

Ypsilanti residents gathered Saturday for a “Peace Day” of community healing in response to last week’s vandalization of a city-approved Black Lives Matter mural with white supremacist graffiti. The event Saturday included live music from jazz musician John E. Lawrence, whose summer concert series attracted thousands to the park, as well as Athena Johnson and the Ypsilanti Community High School choir. Speakers included Duckworth and Stone as well as the Rev. Michael Robinson, senior pastor of Ypsilanti Community Church, Shelley Holt of Leadership Legacy Consulting and community activist Gail Summerhill. The prosecutor said the vandalism of the mural is under investigation, and his office is committed to bringing forth hate crime charges should the evidence support them.

On Saturday, protestors from the Ann Arbor area and Detroit marched down Washtenaw Avenue to honor George Floyd and other victims of police brutality.

— Community members gathered at Lillie Park in Pittsfield Township Saturday afternoon to discuss and learn more about disparities for the African American community in Washtenaw County. The event, called “Getting Real About Race,” was organized by Survivors Speak and designed to take direct action to overcome racial and economic discrimination. Activists focused on five key areas at the event, including housing, employment, education, health care and the criminal justice system in Washtenaw County. Several county and state political figures attended the event, including Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, and former gubernatorial candidate and doctor Abdul El-Sayed. After listening to speakers, the group came together to put their heads together to talk about solutions to some of the disparities.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On Saturday, Oct. 17, a forum will take place at South Lillie Park addressing disparities among the Black community in Washtenaw County. At the “Getting Real About Race” community forum, activists and public officials will discuss issues in five different areas including education, housing, healthcare, employment and the criminal justice system. The forum is scheduled to take place from 2-6 p.m. Anticipated speakers include U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, Ypsilanti Mayor Lori Richardson, Washtenaw County Prosecutor-Elect Eli Savit and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, among many others according to the event page. South Lillie Park is at 4365 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR On Friday, hundreds of community members gathered on the Diag in downtown Ann Arbor to march against racism and police brutality as well as to celebrate Juneteeth. The Juneteenth March for Change drew hundreds to the Diag on the University of Michigan's downtown Ann Arbor campus. (Sarah M. Parlette)Escorted by Ann Arbor Police Department cars, participants in the march carried signs and chanted. The march made its way to Huron Street to kneel in front of the Ann Arbor Municipal Center. (Sarah M. Parlette)Escorted by Ann Arbor Police Department cars, crowds left the Diag following Duckworth and other march leaders.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. On Friday and Saturday, organizations around Ann Arbor will be recognizing Juneteeth through different events. Heres how different organizations in Ann Arbor plan to recognize the day. Juneteenth TributeAt 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Michigan Medicine will observe Juneteenth by inviting staff, faculty, and others to kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Juneteenth Walk for Racial JusticeAt 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Ann Arbor branch of the NAACP will host its annual Juneteenth celebration in partnership with the City of Ann Arbor, GIVE365 and Protectors of Equality in Government. From noon to 2 p.m., there will be a virtual event featuring speakers, videos and time for reflection, according to a Facebook post from the City of Ann Arbor.