Victory lap for some, call to action for others
Amongst the streets of Detroit and its neighboring cities frequently walks hundreds of protestors, organizers and allies fighting against police brutality and systemic racism that belong to a collective movement titled Detroit Will Breathe. The group known for organizing protests, marches and rallies in support of black lives in the Metro Detroit area collaborated with 13 other local organizations to host an event on Saturday, Nov. 7 calling for change in America’s political system.
Unbeknownst to the everyone, the “Protect the Vote” rally and march would take place mere hours following the announcement Joe Biden’s decided victory in the presidential election, bringing out a crowd of enthusiastic, determined and passionate participants.
“Well I’m here to support miss Harris and Joe Biden for the next president and vice president of the United States,” Detroit native Ernest Sanford Jr. said at the event. “To see so many people together when we had a guy that really separated us…it wasn’t fair, so I hope we all get it together and everything will be fine.”
Amongst the community members were supporters from across the state, country and even world that joined to march with the many Detroit locals. Holocaust survivor Rene Lichtman shared his allyship with the black community in Detroit, as well as all those negatively impacted by Donald Trump’s presidency.
“I’ve considered Trump a fascist since he first got elected, it reminded me of the fascism that I experienced in Europe during the second World War,” Lichtman said. “So this is a victory and I attribute it in great part to the black struggle against police brutality and in Detroit as well, it’s been a nonviolent movement, it’s been a really wonderful experience for me as an older holocaust survivor to experience this period.”
The event lasted for the better part of the day, featuring speakers, musical artists and participants that marched for hours calling for progress to be made regardless of the election results. While the event was in part a celebration, many still made the points that a new man in office would not stop their fight for racial equality.